1
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Cao Y, Yi W, Zhu Q. Glycosylation in the tumor immune response: the bitter side of sweetness. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:1184-1198. [PMID: 38946426 PMCID: PMC11399423 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024107] [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: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is the most structurally diverse form of post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins that affects a myriad of cellular processes. As a pivotal regulator of protein homeostasis, glycosylation notably impacts the function of proteins, spanning from protein localization and stability to protein-protein interactions. Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer, and extensive studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of glycosylation in tumor growth, migration, invasion and immune escape Over the past decade, glycosylation has emerged as an immune regulator in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we summarize the intricate interplay between glycosylation and the immune system documented in recent literature, which orchestrates the regulation of the tumor immune response through endogenous lectins, immune checkpoints and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the TME. In addition, we discuss the latest progress in glycan-based cancer immunotherapy. This review provides a basic understanding of glycosylation in the tumor immune response and a theoretical framework for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Cao
- />Department of BiochemistryCollege of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Wen Yi
- />Department of BiochemistryCollege of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
| | - Qiang Zhu
- />Department of BiochemistryCollege of Life SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310058China
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2
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Sadozai H, Acharjee A, Kayani HZ, Gruber T, Gorczynski RM, Burke B. High hypoxia status in pancreatic cancer is associated with multiple hallmarks of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360629. [PMID: 38510243 PMCID: PMC10951397 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, is a particularly lethal disease that is often diagnosed late and is refractory to most forms of treatment. Tumour hypoxia is a key hallmark of PDAC and is purported to contribute to multiple facets of disease progression such as treatment resistance, increased invasiveness, metabolic reprogramming, and immunosuppression. Methods We used the Buffa gene signature as a hypoxia score to profile transcriptomics datasets from PDAC cases. We performed cell-type deconvolution and gene expression profiling approaches to compare the immunological phenotypes of cases with low and high hypoxia scores. We further supported our findings by qPCR analyses in PDAC cell lines cultured in hypoxic conditions. Results First, we demonstrated that this hypoxia score is associated with increased tumour grade and reduced survival suggesting that this score is correlated to disease progression. Subsequently, we compared the immune phenotypes of cases with high versus low hypoxia score expression (HypoxiaHI vs. HypoxiaLOW) to show that high hypoxia is associated with reduced levels of T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells (DC), including the crucial cDC1 subset. Concomitantly, immune-related gene expression profiling revealed that compared to HypoxiaLOW tumours, mRNA levels for multiple immunosuppressive molecules were notably elevated in HypoxiaHI cases. Using a Random Forest machine learning approach for variable selection, we identified LGALS3 (Galectin-3) as the top gene associated with high hypoxia status and confirmed its expression in hypoxic PDAC cell lines. Discussion In summary, we demonstrated novel associations between hypoxia and multiple immunosuppressive mediators in PDAC, highlighting avenues for improving PDAC immunotherapy by targeting these immune molecules in combination with hypoxia-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Sadozai
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Animesh Acharjee
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hateem Z. Kayani
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Gruber
- Independent Scholar, National Coalition of Independent Scholars, Visp, Switzerland
| | | | - Bernard Burke
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
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3
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Abudu O, Nguyen D, Millward I, Manning JE, Wahid M, Lightfoot A, Marcon F, Merard R, Margielewska-Davies S, Roberts K, Brown R, Powell-Brett S, Nicol SM, Zayou F, Croft WD, Pearce H, Moss P, Iqbal AJ, McGettrick HM. Interplay in galectin expression predicts patient outcomes in a spatially restricted manner in PDAC. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116283. [PMID: 38377735 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116283] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Galectins (Gal's) are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that are known to support the tumour microenvironment through their immunosuppressive activity and ability to promote metastasis. As such they are attractive therapeutic targets, but little is known about the cellular expression pattern of galectins within the tumour and its neighbouring stromal microenvironment. Here we investigated the cellular expression pattern of Gals within pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS Galectin gene and protein expression were analysed by scRNAseq (n=4) and immunofluorescence imaging (n=19) in fibroblasts and epithelial cells of pancreatic biopsies from PDAC patients. Galectin surface expression was also assessed on tumour adjacent normal fibroblasts and cancer associated primary fibroblasts from PDAC biopsies using flow cytometry. RESULTS scRNAseq revealed higher Gal-1 expression in fibroblasts and higher Gal-3 and -4 expression in epithelial cells. Both podoplanin (PDPN+, stromal/fibroblast) cells and EpCAM+ epithelial cells expressed Gal-1 protein, with highest expression seen in the stromal compartment. By contrast, significantly more Gal-3 and -4 protein was expressed in ductal cells expressing either EpCAM or PDPN, when compared to the stroma. Ductal Gal-4 cellular expression negatively correlated with ductal Gal-1, but not Gal-3 expression. Higher ductal cellular expression of Gal-1 correlated with smaller tumour size and better patient survival. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the intricate interplay and cell-specific expression patterns of galectins within the PDAC tissue, particularly the inverse correlation between Gal-1 and Gal-4 in ducts and its significant association with patient survival, highlights the complex molecular landscape underlying PDAC and provides valuable insights for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oladimeji Abudu
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Duy Nguyen
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Isabel Millward
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Julia E Manning
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mussarat Wahid
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Abbey Lightfoot
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Francesca Marcon
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Reena Merard
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | | | - Keith Roberts
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Rachel Brown
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Sarah Powell-Brett
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Samantha M Nicol
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Fouzia Zayou
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Wayne D Croft
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hayden Pearce
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paul Moss
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Asif J Iqbal
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Helen M McGettrick
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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4
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Schadeck J, Oberg HH, Peipp M, Hedemann N, Schamel WW, Bauerschlag D, Wesch D. Vdelta1 T cells are more resistant than Vdelta2 T cells to the immunosuppressive properties of galectin-3. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1286097. [PMID: 38259448 PMCID: PMC10800970 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1286097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian carcinomas have the highest lethality amongst gynecological tumors. A problem after primary resection is the recurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinomas which is often associated with chemotherapy resistance. To improve the clinical outcome, it is of high interest to consider alternative therapy strategies. Due to their pronounced plasticity, γδ T cells are attractive for T-cell-based immunotherapy. However, tumors might escape by the release of lectin galectin-3, which impairs γδ T-cell function. Hence, we tested the effect of galectin-3 on the different γδ T-cell subsets. After coculture between ovarian tumor cells and Vδ1 or Vδ2 T cells enhanced levels of galectin-3 were released. This protein did not affect the cytotoxicity of both γδ T-cell subsets, but differentially influenced the proliferation of the two γδ T-cell subsets. While increased galectin-3 levels and recombinant galectin-3 inhibited the proliferation of Vδ2 T cells, Vδ1 T cells were unaffected. In contrast to Vδ1 T cells, the Vδ2 T cells strongly upregulated the galectin-3 binding partner α3β1-integrin after their activation correlating with the immunosuppressive properties of galectin-3. In addition, galectin-3 reduced the effector memory compartment of zoledronate-activated Vδ2 T cells. Therefore, our data suggest that an activation of Vδ1 T-cell proliferation as part of a T-cell-based immunotherapy can be of advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schadeck
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hans-Heinrich Oberg
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Divison of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nina Hedemann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang W. Schamel
- Signalling Research Centre Biological Signalling Studies (BIOSS) and Centre of Integrative Biological Signalling Studies (CIBSS), Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI), Medical Centre Freiburg, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Bauerschlag
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniela Wesch
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany
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5
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Aderinto N, Abdulbasit MO, Olatunji D, Edun M. Unveiling the potential of galectin-3 as a diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer: a review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:5557-5567. [PMID: 37915694 PMCID: PMC10617888 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001363] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection of pancreatic cancer is crucial for improving patient outcomes, and identifying reliable biomarkers is a critical research area in this field. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a promising candidate for utilisation as a diagnostic biomarker in early-stage pancreatic cancer. This review aims to explore the potential of Gal-3 in pancreatic cancer diagnosis and its implications for precision medicine. Rigorous validation studies are essential to establish the clinical utility of Gal-3, including large-scale investigations to assess its sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. Combining Gal-3 with existing biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques may enhance the accuracy of early detection. Moreover, Gal-3 holds promise for risk stratification, enabling the identification of high-risk individuals who could benefit from intensified surveillance and early interventions. However, challenges in standardised testing protocols, establishing reference ranges, assay reliability, workflow integration, cost-effectiveness, and healthcare provider education must be addressed for successful implementation. Despite these challenges, Gal-3 presents significant implications for precision medicine in pancreatic cancer management. By unravelling its potential and overcoming the hurdles, Gal-3 could revolutionise early detection, risk stratification, and personalised approaches in pancreatic cancer care. Collaborative efforts and continued research will be crucial in harnessing the full potential of Gal-3 as a diagnostic biomarker for early-stage pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Aderinto
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Ogbomoso, Oyo-State
| | - Muili O. Abdulbasit
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Ogbomoso, Oyo-State
| | - Deji Olatunji
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Mariam Edun
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
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Dimitrijevic Stojanovic M, Stojanovic B, Radosavljevic I, Kovacevic V, Jovanovic I, Stojanovic BS, Prodanovic N, Stankovic V, Jocic M, Jovanovic M. Galectin-3's Complex Interactions in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: From Cellular Signaling to Therapeutic Potential. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1500. [PMID: 37892182 PMCID: PMC10605315 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101500] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) plays a multifaceted role in the development, progression, and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This review offers a comprehensive examination of its expression in PDAC, its interaction with various immune cells, signaling pathways, effects on apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance. Additionally, the prognostic significance of serum levels of Gal-3 is discussed, providing insights into its potential utilization as a biomarker. Critical analysis is also extended to the inhibitors of Gal-3 and their potential therapeutic applications in PDAC, offering new avenues for targeted treatments. The intricate nature of Gal-3's role in PDAC reveals a complex landscape that demands a nuanced understanding for potential therapeutic interventions and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Dimitrijevic Stojanovic
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.D.S.); (V.S.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Bojan Stojanovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (I.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Ivan Radosavljevic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (I.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Vojin Kovacevic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (I.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Ivan Jovanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Bojana S. Stojanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Nikola Prodanovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (I.R.); (N.P.)
| | - Vesna Stankovic
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.D.S.); (V.S.)
| | - Miodrag Jocic
- Institute for Transfusiology and Haemobiology, Military Medical Academy, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Marina Jovanovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
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7
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Lidström T, Cumming J, Gaur R, Frängsmyr L, Pateras IS, Mickert MJ, Franklin O, Forsell MN, Arnberg N, Dongre M, Patthey C, Öhlund D. Extracellular Galectin 4 Drives Immune Evasion and Promotes T-cell Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:72-92. [PMID: 36478037 PMCID: PMC9808371 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by rich deposits of extracellular matrix (ECM), affecting the pathophysiology of the disease. Here, we identified galectin 4 (gal 4) as a cancer cell-produced protein that was deposited into the ECM of PDAC tumors and detected high-circulating levels of gal 4 in patients with PDAC. In orthotopic transplantation experiments, we observed increased infiltration of T cells and prolonged survival in immunocompetent mice transplanted with cancer cells with reduced expression of gal 4. Increased survival was not observed in immunodeficient RAG1-/- mice, demonstrating that the effect was mediated by the adaptive immune system. By performing single-cell RNA-sequencing, we found that the myeloid compartment and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes were altered in the transplanted tumors. Reduced gal 4 expression associated with a higher proportion of myofibroblastic CAFs and reduced numbers of inflammatory CAFs. We also found higher proportions of M1 macrophages, T cells, and antigen-presenting dendritic cells in tumors with reduced gal 4 expression. Using a coculture system, we observed that extracellular gal 4 induced apoptosis in T cells by binding N-glycosylation residues on CD3ε/δ. Hence, we show that gal 4 is involved in immune evasion and identify gal 4 as a promising drug target for overcoming immunosuppression in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Lidström
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joshua Cumming
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Rahul Gaur
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Frängsmyr
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ioannis S. Pateras
- 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Oskar Franklin
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Niklas Arnberg
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mitesh Dongre
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Cedric Patthey
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Daniel Öhlund
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Corresponding Author: Daniel Öhlund, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden. Phone: 469-0785-1727; E-mail:
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8
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Padmaraju V, Sankla Y, Malla RR. Role of γδ T Cells in Cancer Progression and Therapy. Crit Rev Oncog 2023; 28:59-70. [PMID: 38050982 DOI: 10.1615/critrevoncog.2023050067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
γδ T cells signify a foundational group of immune cells that infiltrate tumors early on, engaging in combat against cancer cells. The buildup of γδ T cells as cancer advances underscores their significance. Initially, these cells infiltrate and enact cytotoxic effects within the tumor tissue. However, in later stages, the predominant phenotype of γδ T cells undergoes changes in numerous cancers, fostering tumor growth and metastasis. Different mechanisms induced by cancer cell suppress effector action of γδ T cells and even sometimes promote cancer progression. In the early stages, stopping this mechanism clears this challenge and enables γδ T cells to effectively remove cancer cells. Given this context, it becomes imperative to delve into the mechanisms of how γδ T cells function in tumor microenvironment. This review discusses γδ T cells' role across different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasudevaraju Padmaraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science (GSS), GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Yogitha Sankla
- Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science (GSS), GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Rama Rao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam-530045, Andhra Pradesh, India; Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam-530045, Andhra Pradesh, India
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9
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Jiang Z, Zhang W, Sha G, Wang D, Tang D. Galectins Are Central Mediators of Immune Escape in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225475. [PMID: 36428567 PMCID: PMC9688059 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers and is highly immune tolerant. Although there is immune cell infiltration in PDAC tissues, most of the immune cells do not function properly and, therefore, the prognosis of PDAC is very poor. Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are intimately involved in the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells and, in particular, play a crucial role in the immune evasion of tumor cells. Galectins induce abnormal functions and reduce numbers of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), natural killer cells (NK), T cells and B cells. It further promotes fibrosis of tissues surrounding PDAC, enhances local cellular metabolism, and ultimately constructs tumor immune privileged areas to induce immune evasion behavior of tumor cells. Here, we summarize the respective mechanisms of action played by different Galectins in the process of immune escape from PDAC, focusing on the mechanism of action of Galectin-1. Galectins cause imbalance between tumor immunity and anti-tumor immunity by coordinating the function and number of immune cells, which leads to the development and progression of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengting Jiang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Gengyu Sha
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou 225000, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-18952783556
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10
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Kim JS, Kim S, Koh J, Kim M, Keam B, Kim TM, Lindmark B, Kim DW. Predictive role of galectin-3 for immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) in advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a potential new marker for ICB resistance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 149:2355-2365. [PMID: 35976444 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04275-9] [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: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to assess the predictive value of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) therapy using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at Seoul National University Hospital. Patients with EGFR/ALK-wild-type advanced or metastatic NSCLC who received ICBs between December 2013 and December 2019 were enrolled. Patients with archived blood samples collected prior to ICB treatment were assigned to the ELISA cohort. In addition, those with tissue samples from sites of recurrence or metastasis were assigned to an IHC cohort. Then, we analyzed Gal-3 expression in both cohorts. RESULTS Fifty-six patients in the ELISA cohort were grouped into low (N = 36) and high (N = 20) groups, using the mean Gal-3 ELISA level (13.24 pg/ml) as a cutoff. The high group demonstrated trends toward reduced progression-free survival (PFS) (0.9 vs. 3.7 months, p = 0.196) and significantly shorter overall survival (OS) (1.6 vs. 12.3 months, p = 0.018) than the low group. We categorized 94 patients in the IHC cohort into negative (N = 31) and positive (N = 63) groups based on Gal-3 IHC positivity. However, the median PFS (4.6 vs. 4.6 months for the negative vs. positive IHC group, respectively, p = 0.345) and OS (16.4 vs. 9.0 months, p = 0.137) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION High blood Gal-3 levels may predict inferior survival in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with ICBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Sun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Cancer Research and Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemoon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research and Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research and Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.,Cancer Research and Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. .,Cancer Research and Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Nezhad Shamohammadi F, Yazdanifar M, Oraei M, Kazemi MH, Roohi A, Mahya Shariat Razavi S, Rezaei F, Parvizpour F, Karamlou Y, Namdari H. Controversial role of γδ T cells in pancreatic cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108895. [PMID: 35729831 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
γδ T cells are rare lymphocytes with cogent impact on immune responses. These cells are one of the earliest cells to be recruited in the sites of infection or tumors and play a critical role in coordinating innate and adaptive immune responses. The anti-tumor activity of γδ T cells have been numerously reported; nonetheless, there is controversy among published studies regarding their anti-tumor vs pro-tumor effect- especially in pancreatic cancer. A myriad of studies has confirmed that activated γδ T cells can potently lyse a broad variety of solid tumors and leukemia/lymphoma cells and produce an array of cytokines; however, early γδ T cell-based clinical trials did not lead to optimal efficacy, despite acceptable safety. Depending on the local micromilieu, γδ T cells can differentiate into tumor promoting or suppressing cells such as Th1-, Th2-, or Th17-like cells and produce prototypical cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFNγ) and interleukin (IL)-4/-10, IL-9, or IL-17. In an abstruse tumor such as pancreatic cancer- also known as immunologically cold tumor- γδ T cells are more likely to switch to their immunosuppressive phenotype. In this review we will adduce the accumulated knowledge on these two controversial aspects of γδ T cells in cancers- with a focus on solid tumors and pancreatic cancer. In addition, we propose strategies for enhancing the anti-tumor function of γδ T cells in cancers and discuss the potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Mona Oraei
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad H Kazemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Roohi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Farhad Rezaei
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Parvizpour
- Iranian Tissue Bank and Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yalda Karamlou
- Iranian Tissue Bank and Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haideh Namdari
- Iranian Tissue Bank and Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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12
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Agostini A, Orlacchio A, Carbone C, Guerriero I. Understanding Tricky Cellular and Molecular Interactions in Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment: New Food for Thought. Front Immunol 2022; 13:876291. [PMID: 35711414 PMCID: PMC9193393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.876291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases and shows a high mortality rate among all solid tumors. PDAC is often associated with poor prognosis, due to the late diagnosis that leads to metastasis development, and limited efficacy of available treatments. The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a reliable source of novel targets for therapy, and even if many of the biological interactions among stromal, immune, and cancer cells that populate the TME have been studied, much more needs to be clarified. The great limitation in the efficacy of current standard chemoterapy is due to both the dense fibrotic inaccessible TME barrier surrounding cancer cells and the immunological evolution from a tumor-suppressor to an immunosuppressive environment. Nevertheless, combinatorial therapies may prove more effective at overcoming resistance mechanisms and achieving tumor cell killing. To achieve this result, a deeper understanding of the pathological mechanisms driving tumor progression and immune escape is required in order to design rationale-based therapeutic strategies. This review aims to summarize the present knowledge about cellular interactions in the TME, with much attention on immunosuppressive functioning and a specific focus on extracellular matrix (ECM) contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Arturo Orlacchio
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Guerriero
- Biogem, Biology and Molecular Genetics Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
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13
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Wandmacher AM, Mehdorn AS, Sebens S. The Heterogeneity of the Tumor Microenvironment as Essential Determinant of Development, Progression and Therapy Response of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4932. [PMID: 34638420 PMCID: PMC8508450 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is commonly diagnosed at advanced stages and most anti-cancer therapies have failed to substantially improve prognosis of PDAC patients. As a result, PDAC is still one of the deadliest tumors. Tumor heterogeneity, manifesting at multiple levels, provides a conclusive explanation for divergent survival times and therapy responses of PDAC patients. Besides tumor cell heterogeneity, PDAC is characterized by a pronounced inflammatory stroma comprising various non-neoplastic cells such as myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and different leukocyte populations which enrich in the tumor microenvironment (TME) during pancreatic tumorigenesis. Thus, the stromal compartment also displays a high temporal and spatial heterogeneity accounting for diverse effects on the development, progression and therapy responses of PDAC. Adding to this heterogeneity and the impact of the TME, the microbiome of PDAC patients is considerably altered. Understanding this multi-level heterogeneity and considering it for the development of novel therapeutic concepts might finally improve the dismal situation of PDAC patients. Here, we outline the current knowledge on PDAC cell heterogeneity focusing on different stromal cell populations and outline their impact on PDAC progression and therapy resistance. Based on this information, we propose some novel concepts for treatment of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Maxi Wandmacher
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Anne-Sophie Mehdorn
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Building C, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Building U30 Entrance 1, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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14
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Li H, Li J, Xiao W, Zhang Y, Lv Y, Yu X, Zheng J. The Therapeutic Potential of Galectin-3 in the Treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Patients and Those Compromised With COVID-19. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:666054. [PMID: 34109213 PMCID: PMC8180910 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.666054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19 is characterized by all age susceptibility, which imposes a dramatic threat to the human species all over the world. According to current available data, the cytokine storm appears to be the most life-threatening symptom of severe COVID-19 cases accompanied with lung fibrosis. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a member of soluble β-galactoside-binding lectin families, has been implicated as a key regulator in various inflammation conditions in addition to its well-documented roles in cancer. The pro-inflammatory activity of Gal-3 in the inflammatory response and lung fibrosis of COVID-19 has been proposed by emerging studies, which suggested that inhibition of Gal-3 may represent a novel treatment approach for COVID-19 patients. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. ICC accounts for 10-25% of primary liver cancers with limited therapeutic options, which has higher incidence in Asian countries, particularly in China. Cancer patients, including ICC patients, are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their impaired immune system. It is thus undoubtedly a challenge for our oncology department to establish effective treatment strategies under the influence of the COVID-19 crisis. According to our management procedures in the COVID-19 era, emergency treatment will be applied to ICC patients who are under life-threatening conditions, despite the COVID-19 infection. To the best of our knowledge, the modulatory function of Gal-3 in ICC is still barely explored to date. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Gal-3 for ICC patients or those comprised with COVID-19, we herein report our preliminary investigation into roles of Gal-3 in ICC. Our results exhibited that the expression of Gal-3 was significantly up-regulated in ICC tissues, and a significant correlation was observed between its overexpression and malignant progression of ICC cells. We further discussed the activity and possible molecular mechanisms of Gal-3 in ICC, which may pave the ways for further exploring the possibility of Gal-3 as a potential therapeutic target for treating ICC patients or those with COVID-19-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Biliary Tract Surgery Laboratory, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Research Center of Biliary Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianmin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- Department of Medical Administration, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology in Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xing Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiao Zheng
- Department of Drug Clinical Trial, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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15
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Xu WD, Huang Q, Huang AF. Emerging role of galectin family in inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102847. [PMID: 33971347 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Galectin family is a group of glycan-binding proteins. Members in this family are expressed in different tissues, immune or non-immune cells. These molecules are important regulators in innate and adaptive immune response, performing significantly in a broad range of cellular and pathophysiological functions, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion. Findings have shown that expression of galectins is abnormal in many inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis. Galectins also function as intracellular and extracellular disease regulators mainly through the binding of their carbohydrate recognition domain to glycoconjugates. Here, we review the state-of-the-art of the role that different galectin family members play in immune cells, contributing to the complex inflammatory diseases. Hopefully collection of the information will provide a preliminary theoretical basis for the exploration of new targets for treatment of the disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Dong Xu
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - An-Fang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
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16
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Wesch D, Kabelitz D, Oberg HH. Tumor resistance mechanisms and their consequences on γδ T cell activation. Immunol Rev 2020; 298:84-98. [PMID: 33048357 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human γδ T lymphocytes are predominated by two major subsets, defined by the variable domain of the δ chain. Both, Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells infiltrate in tumors and have been implicated in cancer immunosurveillance. Since the localization and distribution of tumor-infiltrating γδ T cell subsets and their impact on survival of cancer patients are not completely defined, this review summarizes the current knowledge about this issue. Different intrinsic tumor resistance mechanisms and immunosuppressive molecules of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment have been reported to negatively influence functional properties of γδ T cell subsets. Here, we focus on selected tumor resistance mechanisms including overexpression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-1/2, regulation by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/TRAIL-R4 pathway and the release of galectins. These inhibitory mechanisms play important roles in the cross-talk of γδ T cell subsets and tumor cells, thereby influencing cytotoxicity or proliferation of γδ T cells and limiting a successful γδ T cell-based immunotherapy. Possible future directions of a combined therapy of adoptively transferred γδ T cells together with γδ-targeting bispecific T cell engagers and COX-2 or IDO-1/2 inhibitors or targeting sialoglycan-Siglec pathways will be discussed and considered as attractive therapeutic options to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Wesch
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Dieter Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Hans-Heinrich Oberg
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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17
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Kabelitz D, Serrano R, Kouakanou L, Peters C, Kalyan S. Cancer immunotherapy with γδ T cells: many paths ahead of us. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 17:925-939. [PMID: 32699351 PMCID: PMC7609273 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-0504-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
γδ T cells play uniquely important roles in stress surveillance and immunity for infections and carcinogenesis. Human γδ T cells recognize and kill transformed cells independently of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) restriction, which is an essential feature of conventional αβ T cells. Vγ9Vδ2 γδ T cells, which prevail in the peripheral blood of healthy adults, are activated by microbial or endogenous tumor-derived pyrophosphates by a mechanism dependent on butyrophilin molecules. γδ T cells expressing other T cell receptor variable genes, notably Vδ1, are more abundant in mucosal tissue. In addition to the T cell receptor, γδ T cells usually express activating natural killer (NK) receptors, such as NKp30, NKp44, or NKG2D which binds to stress-inducible surface molecules that are absent on healthy cells but are frequently expressed on malignant cells. Therefore, γδ T cells are endowed with at least two independent recognition systems to sense tumor cells and to initiate anticancer effector mechanisms, including cytokine production and cytotoxicity. In view of their HLA-independent potent antitumor activity, there has been increasing interest in translating the unique potential of γδ T cells into innovative cellular cancer immunotherapies. Here, we discuss recent developments to enhance the efficacy of γδ T cell-based immunotherapy. This includes strategies for in vivo activation and tumor-targeting of γδ T cells, the optimization of in vitro expansion protocols, and the development of gene-modified γδ T cells. It is equally important to consider potential synergisms with other therapeutic strategies, notably checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, or the (local) activation of innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, D-24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Ruben Serrano
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, D-24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Léonce Kouakanou
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, D-24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christian Peters
- Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, D-24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Shirin Kalyan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
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