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Yıldırım C. Galectin-9, a pro-survival factor inducing immunosuppression, leukemic cell transformation and expansion. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:571. [PMID: 38662155 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09563-w] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Leukemia is a malignancy of the bone marrow and blood originating from self-renewing cancerous immature blast cells or transformed leukocytes. Despite improvements in treatments, leukemia remains still a serious disease with poor prognosis because of disease heterogeneity, drug resistance and relapse. There is emerging evidence that differentially expression of co-signaling molecules play a critical role in tumor immune evasion. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is one of the key proteins that leukemic cells express, secrete, and use to proliferate, self-renew, and survive. It also suppresses host immune responses controlled by T and NK cells, enabling leukemic cells to evade immune surveillance. The present review provides the molecular mechanisms of Gal-9-induced immune evasion in leukemia. Understanding the complex immune evasion machinery driven by Gal-9 expressing leukemic cells will enable the identification of novel therapeutic strategies for efficient immunotherapy in leukemic patients. Combined treatment approaches targeting T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3)/Gal-9 and other immune checkpoint pathways can be considered, which may enhance the efficacy of host effector cells to attack leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cansu Yıldırım
- Atatürk Vocational School of Health Services, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
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2
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Cao Y, Yu K, Zhang Z, Gu Y, Gu Y, Li W, Zhang W, Shen Z, Xu J, Qin J. Blockade of V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation reprograms tumour-associated macrophages and improves efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor in gastric cancer. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1578. [PMID: 38356419 PMCID: PMC10867598 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In gastric cancer, the response rate of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor is far from satisfactory, indicating additional nonredundant pathways might hamper antitumour immunity. V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) has been reported in several malignancies as a novel immune-checkpoint. Nevertheless, the role of VISTA in gastric cancer still remains obscure. Our purpose is to explore the clinical significance and potential mechanism of VISTA in affecting gastric cancer patients' survival and immunotherapeutic responsiveness. METHODS Our study recruited eight independent cohorts with a total of 1403 gastric cancer patients. Immunohistochemistry, multiplex immunofluorescence, flow cytometry or intracellular flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, magnetic-activated cell sorting, smart-seq2, in vitro cell co-culture and ex vivo tumour inhibition assays were applied to investigate the clinical significance and potential mechanism of VISTA in gastric cancer. RESULTS VISTA was predominantly expressed on tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), and indicated poor clinical outcomes and inferior immunotherapeutic responsiveness. VISTA+ TAMs showed a mixed phenotype. Co-culture of TAMs and CD8+ T cells indicated that VISTA+ TAMs attenuated effective function of CD8+ T cells. Blockade of VISTA reprogrammed TAMs to a proinflammatory phenotype, reactivated CD8+ T cells and promoted apoptosis of tumour cells. Moreover, blockade of VISTA could also enhance the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor, suggesting that blockade of VISTA might synergise with PD-1 inhibitor in gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that VISTA was an immune-checkpoint associated with immunotherapeutic resistance. Blockade of VISTA reprogrammed TAMs, promoted T-cell-mediated antitumour immunity, and enhanced efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor, which might have implications in the treatment of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Cao
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Kuan Yu
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zihao Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yun Gu
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yichao Gu
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wandi Li
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Weijuan Zhang
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhenbin Shen
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiejie Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Qin
- Department of General SurgeryZhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Rezagholizadeh F, Tajik F, Talebi M, Taha SR, Shariat Zadeh M, Farhangnia P, Hosseini HS, Nazari A, Mollazadeh Ghomi S, Kamrani Mousavi SM, Haeri Moghaddam N, Khorramdelazad H, Joghataei MT, Safari E. Unraveling the potential of CD8, CD68, and VISTA as diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1283364. [PMID: 38357542 PMCID: PMC10865497 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1283364] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic cancer is a truculent disease with limited treatment options and a grim prognosis. Immunotherapy has shown promise in treating various types of cancer, but its effectiveness in pancreatic cancer has been lacking. As a result, it is crucial to identify markers associated with immunological pathways in order to improve the treatment outcomes for this deadly cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of three markers, CD8, CD68, and VISTA, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common subtype of pancreatic cancer. Methods We analyzed gene expression data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database using bioinformatics tools. We also utilized the STRING online tool and Funrich software to study the protein-protein interactions and transcription factors associated with CD8, CD68, and VISTA. In addition, tissue microarray (TMA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were performed on 228 samples of PDAC tissue and 10 samples of normal pancreatic tissue to assess the expression levels of the markers. We then correlated these expression levels with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and evaluated their survival rates. Results The analysis of the GEO data revealed slightly elevated levels of VISTA in PDAC samples compared to normal tissues. However, there was a significant increase in CD68 expression and a notable reduction in CD8A expression in pancreatic cancer. Further investigation identified potential protein-protein interactions and transcription factors associated with these markers. The IHC staining of PDAC tissue samples showed an increased expression of VISTA, CD68, and CD8A in pancreatic cancer tissues. Moreover, we found correlations between the expression levels of these markers and certain clinicopathological features of the patients. Additionally, the survival analysis revealed that high expression of CD8 was associated with better disease-specific survival and progression-free survival in PDAC patients. Conclusion These findings highlight the potential of CD8, CD68, and VISTA as diagnostic and prognostic indicators in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Rezagholizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tajik
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Talebi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Human and Animal Cell Bank, Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Taha
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Pooya Farhangnia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Sadat Hosseini
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aram Nazari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Mollazadeh Ghomi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyede Mahtab Kamrani Mousavi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Haeri Moghaddam
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Safari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Roy D, Gilmour C, Patnaik S, Wang LL. Combinatorial blockade for cancer immunotherapy: targeting emerging immune checkpoint receptors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264327. [PMID: 37928556 PMCID: PMC10620683 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264327] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The differentiation, survival, and effector function of tumor-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells lie at the center of antitumor immunity. Due to the lack of proper costimulation and the abundant immunosuppressive mechanisms, tumor-specific T cells show a lack of persistence and exhausted and dysfunctional phenotypes. Multiple coinhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, CTLA-4, VISTA, TIGIT, TIM-3, and LAG-3, contribute to dysfunctional CTLs and failed antitumor immunity. These coinhibitory receptors are collectively called immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting these ICRs have become the cornerstone for cancer immunotherapy as they have established new clinical paradigms for an expanding range of previously untreatable cancers. Given the nonredundant yet convergent molecular pathways mediated by various ICRs, combinatorial immunotherapies are being tested to bring synergistic benefits to patients. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of several emerging ICRs, including VISTA, TIGIT, TIM-3, and LAG-3, and the preclinical and clinical data supporting combinatorial strategies to improve existing ICI therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dia Roy
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Cassandra Gilmour
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Sachin Patnaik
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Li Lily Wang
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Schlichtner S, Yasinska IM, Klenova E, Abooali M, Lall GS, Berger SM, Ruggiero S, Cholewa D, Milošević M, Gibbs BF, Fasler-Kan E, Sumbayev VV. L-Kynurenine participates in cancer immune evasion by downregulating hypoxic signaling in T lymphocytes. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2244330. [PMID: 37577144 PMCID: PMC10416736 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2244330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors often escape anticancer immune surveillance by suppressing the cytotoxic functions of T lymphocytes. While many of these immune evasion networks include checkpoint proteins, small molecular weight compounds, such as the amino acid L-kynurenine (LKU), could also substantially contribute to the suppression of anti-cancer immunity. However, the biochemical mechanisms underlying the suppressive effects of LKU on T-cells remain unclear. Here, we report for the first time that LKU suppresses T cell function as an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand. The presence of LKU in T cells is associated with AhR activation, which results in competition between AhR and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) for the AhR nuclear translocator, ARNT, leading to T cell exhaustion. The expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1, the enzyme that leads to LKU generation) is induced by the TGF-β-Smad-3 pathway. We also show that IDO-negative cancers utilize an alternative route for LKU production via the endogenous inflammatory mediator, the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1)-interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) axis. In addition, other IDO-negative tumors (like T-cell lymphomas) trigger IDO1 activation in eosinophils present in the tumor microenvironment (TME). These mechanisms suppress cytotoxic T cell function, and thus support the tumor immune evasion machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Schlichtner
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
- Department of Personalized Medical Oncology, DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Inna M. Yasinska
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
| | - Elena Klenova
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Maryam Abooali
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
| | - Gurprit S. Lall
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
| | - Steffen M. Berger
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Ruggiero
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Dietmar Cholewa
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Milan Milošević
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard F. Gibbs
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
- Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Elizaveta Fasler-Kan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern and Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vadim V. Sumbayev
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
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6
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Mulgaonkar A, Udayakumar D, Yang Y, Harris S, Öz OK, Ramakrishnan Geethakumari P, Sun X. Current and potential roles of immuno-PET/-SPECT in CAR T-cell therapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1199146. [PMID: 37441689 PMCID: PMC10333708 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1199146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have evolved as breakthrough treatment options for the management of hematological malignancies and are also being developed as therapeutics for solid tumors. However, despite the impressive patient responses from CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapies, ~ 40%-60% of these patients' cancers eventually relapse, with variable prognosis. Such relapses may occur due to a combination of molecular resistance mechanisms, including antigen loss or mutations, T-cell exhaustion, and progression of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This class of therapeutics is also associated with certain unique toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and other "on-target, off-tumor" toxicities, as well as anaphylactic effects. Furthermore, manufacturing limitations and challenges associated with solid tumor infiltration have delayed extensive applications. The molecular imaging modalities of immunological positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography (immuno-PET/-SPECT) offer a target-specific and highly sensitive, quantitative, non-invasive platform for longitudinal detection of dynamic variations in target antigen expression in the body. Leveraging these imaging strategies as guidance tools for use with CAR T-cell therapies may enable the timely identification of resistance mechanisms and/or toxic events when they occur, permitting effective therapeutic interventions. In addition, the utilization of these approaches in tracking the CAR T-cell pharmacokinetics during product development and optimization may help to assess their efficacy and accordingly to predict treatment outcomes. In this review, we focus on current challenges and potential opportunities in the application of immuno-PET/-SPECT imaging strategies to address the challenges encountered with CAR T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Mulgaonkar
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Durga Udayakumar
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Yaxing Yang
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Shelby Harris
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Orhan K. Öz
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari
- Section of Hematologic Malignancies/Transplant and Cell Therapy, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Xiankai Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Chandiran K, Cauley LS. The diverse effects of transforming growth factor-β and SMAD signaling pathways during the CTL response. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199671. [PMID: 37426662 PMCID: PMC10327426 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199671] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an important role in defense against infections with intracellular pathogens and anti-tumor immunity. Efficient migration is required to locate and destroy infected cells in different regions of the body. CTLs accomplish this task by differentiating into specialized subsets of effector and memory CD8 T cells that traffic to different tissues. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) belongs to a large family of growth factors that elicit diverse cellular responses via canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways. Canonical SMAD-dependent signaling pathways are required to coordinate changes in homing receptor expression as CTLs traffic between different tissues. In this review, we discuss the various ways that TGFβ and SMAD-dependent signaling pathways shape the cellular immune response and transcriptional programming of newly activated CTLs. As protective immunity requires access to the circulation, emphasis is placed on cellular processes that are required for cell-migration through the vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Chandiran
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Linda S. Cauley
- Department of Immunology, UCONN Health, Farmington, CT, United States
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. Immunometabolic reprogramming, another cancer hallmark. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125874. [PMID: 37275901 PMCID: PMC10235624 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular carcinogenesis is a multistep process that involves acquired abnormalities in key biological processes. The complexity of cancer pathogenesis is best illustrated in the six hallmarks of the cancer: (1) the development of self-sufficient growth signals, (2) the emergence of clones that are resistant to apoptosis, (3) resistance to the antigrowth signals, (4) neo-angiogenesis, (5) the invasion of normal tissue or spread to the distant organs, and (6) limitless replicative potential. It also appears that non-resolving inflammation leads to the dysregulation of immune cell metabolism and subsequent cancer progression. The present article delineates immunometabolic reprogramming as a critical hallmark of cancer by linking chronic inflammation and immunosuppression to cancer growth and metastasis. We propose that targeting tumor immunometabolic reprogramming will lead to the design of novel immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - John H. Stewart
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
- Louisiana State University- Louisiana Children’s Medical Center, Stanley S. Scott, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
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9
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Schlichtner S, Yasinska IM, Lall GS, Berger SM, Ruggiero S, Cholewa D, Aliu N, Gibbs BF, Fasler-Kan E, Sumbayev VV. T lymphocytes induce human cancer cells derived from solid malignant tumors to secrete galectin-9 which facilitates immunosuppression in cooperation with other immune checkpoint proteins. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005714. [PMID: 36599470 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Galectin-9 is a member of the family of lectin proteins and crucially regulates human immune responses, particularly because of its ability to suppress the anticancer activities of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Recent evidence demonstrated that galectin-9 is highly expressed in a wide range of human malignancies including the most aggressive tumors, such as high-grade glioblastomas and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, as well as common malignancies such as breast, lung and colorectal cancers. However, solid tumor cells at rest are known to secrete either very low amounts of galectin-9 or, in most of the cases, do not secrete it at all. Our aims were to elucidate whether T cells can induce galectin-9 secretion in human cancer cells derived from solid malignant tumors and whether this soluble form displays higher systemic immunosuppressive activity compared with the cell surface-based protein. METHODS A wide range of human cancer cell lines derived from solid tumours, keratinocytes and primary embryonic cells were employed, together with helper and cytotoxic T cell lines and human as well as mouse primary T cells. Western blot analysis, ELISA, quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR, on-cell Western and other measurement techniques were used to conduct the study. Results were validated using in vivo mouse model. RESULTS We discovered that T lymphocytes induce galectin-9 secretion in various types of human cancer cells derived from solid malignant tumors. This was demonstrated to occur via two differential mechanisms: first by translocation of galectin-9 onto the cell surface followed by its proteolytic shedding and second due to autophagy followed by lysosomal secretion. For both mechanisms a protein carrier/trafficker was required, since galectin-9 lacks a secretion sequence. Secreted galectin-9 pre-opsonised T cells and, following interaction with other immune checkpoint proteins, their activity was completely attenuated. As an example, we studied the cooperation of galectin-9 and V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) proteins in human cancer cells. CONCLUSION Our results underline a crucial role of galectin-9 in anticancer immune evasion. As such, galectin-9 and regulatory pathways controlling its production should be considered as key targets for immunotherapy in a large number of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Schlichtner
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - Inna M Yasinska
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - Gurprit S Lall
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
| | - Steffen M Berger
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Department of Biomedical Research, Children's Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Ruggiero
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Department of Biomedical Research, Children's Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Cholewa
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Department of Biomedical Research, Children's Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nijas Aliu
- Department of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard F Gibbs
- Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Elizaveta Fasler-Kan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Department of Biomedical Research, Children's Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vadim V Sumbayev
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent, UK
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10
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Zhang M, Zhang J, Liu N, Wang B, Zhou Y, Yang J. VISTA is associated with immune infiltration and predicts favorable prognosis in TNBC. Front Oncol 2022; 12:961374. [PMID: 36158663 PMCID: PMC9493462 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.961374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), a critical immune checkpoint protein, can regulate the immune system. Nevertheless, little information is available on the expression level of VISTA and its clinical significance as well. The immunological and prognostic role of VISTA in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) still remains unclear. Methods The clinical significance and expression of VISTA in TNBC were examined using RNA sequencing and clinical data. Cancer single-cell state atlas (CancerSEA), gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), single sample GSEA, ESTIMATE algorithm, immunohistochemistry (IHC) were utilized to assess the functions of VISTA. Results VISTA was down-regulated and closely associated with good prognosis in TNBC. The expression of VISTA was higher in Immunity-H group and immunomodulatory (IM) subtype. The level of VISTA expression in TNBC gradually increased with the degree of stromal tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) infiltration. In addition, the high expression of VISTA was strongly linked to higher proportion of CD8 (+) T cell and M1 macrophages. Conclusion VISTA was remarkably correlated with a favorable prognosis and high immune infiltration in patients with TNBC.
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11
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Miles J, Ward SG, Larijani B. The Fusion of Quantitative Molecular Proteomics and Immune-Oncology: A Step Towards Precision Medicine in Cancer Therapeutics. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:2721-2735. [PMID: 36002439 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14480] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Innate and adaptive immune systems are built-in homeostatic functions of many multicellular organisms and protect the host against foreign pathogens and infections. Dysregulation of the molecular mechanisms of the immune system can result in autoimmune diseases. The immune system can also be harnessed and manipulated to provide targeted cancer therapies, some of them relying on the blockade of immune-checkpoint receptors. Two prominent immune checkpoints, PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4/CD80, comprise receptor-ligand pairs that prevent the host immune cells from attacking host tissues. However, cancer cells upregulate the respective PD-L1 and CD80 ligands for PD-1 and CTLA-4 and thereby evade the host-immune response. Therapeutic drugs that block PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4/CD80 interactions re-enable the immune system to attack cancer cells, but their prognostic biomarker remains challenging. In this review, we discuss how the use of quantitative molecular imaging can be exploited to predict the response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies and to identify cancer patients who would benefit from them.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Miles
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, Cell Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom.,Cell Biophysics Laboratory, Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PiE) & Instituto Biofisika, (UPV/EHU, CSIC), University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain.,Early Phase Trials and Sarcoma, Institut Bergonié, Cours de l'Argonne, Bordeaux, France.,FASTBASE Solutions S.L. Astondo Bidea, Scientific and Technology Park of Bizkaia, Derio, Spain
| | - Stephen G Ward
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Centre for Therapeutic Innovation Leukocyte Biology Laboratory, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Banafshé Larijani
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, Cell Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, United Kingdom.,Cell Biophysics Laboratory, Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PiE) & Instituto Biofisika, (UPV/EHU, CSIC), University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
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12
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Tang XY, Xiong YL, Shi XG, Zhao YB, Shi AP, Zheng KF, Liu YJ, Jiang T, Ma N, Zhao JB. IGSF11 and VISTA: a pair of promising immune checkpoints in tumor immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2022; 10:49. [PMID: 35831836 PMCID: PMC9277907 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00394-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become the major treatment for tumors in clinical practice, but some intractable problems such as the low response rate and high rates of immune-related adverse events still hinder the progress of tumor immunotherapy. Hence, it is essential to explore additional immunotherapy treatment targets. In this review, we focus on the structure, expression and expression-related mechanisms, interactions, biological functions and the progress in preclinical/clinical research of IGSF11 and VISTA in tumors. We cover the progress in recent research with this pair of immune checkpoints in tumor immune regulation, proliferation, immune resistance and predictive prognosis. Both IGSF11 and VISTA are highly expressed in tumors and are modulated by various factors. They co-participate in the functional regulation of immune cells and the inhibition of cytokine production. Besides, in the downregulation of IGSF11 and VISTA, both inhibit the growth of some tumors. Preclinical and clinical trials all emphasize the predictive role of IGSF11 and VISTA in the prognosis of tumors, and that the predictive role of the same gene varies from tumor to tumor. At present, further research is proving the enormous potential of IGSF11 and VISTA in tumors, and especially the role of VISTA in tumor immune resistance. This may prove to be a breakthrough to solve the current clinical immune resistance, and most importantly, since research has focused on VISTA but less on IGSF11, IGSF11 may be the next candidate for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Yang Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yan-Lu Xiong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xian-Gui Shi
- College of Basic Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ya-Bo Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - An-Ping Shi
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University (Air Force Medical University), 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai-Fu Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu-Jian Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Nan Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, 710038, Xi'an, China.
| | - Jin-Bo Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
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13
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Noubissi Nzeteu GA, Schlichtner S, David S, Ruppenstein A, Fasler-Kan E, Raap U, Sumbayev VV, Gibbs BF, Meyer NH. Macrophage Differentiation and Polarization Regulate the Release of the Immune Checkpoint Protein V-Domain Ig Suppressor of T Cell Activation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:837097. [PMID: 35634346 PMCID: PMC9132587 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.837097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) was identified as a negative immune checkpoint regulator (NCR) that is mainly expressed in hematopoietic cells. Preclinical studies have shown that VISTA blockade results in impeded tumor growth and improved survival. Nevertheless, little is known about the physiological role of VISTA expression in macrophages. This study focused on the differential expression of VISTA in human monocytes and macrophages in order to elucidate a putative role of VISTA regulation upon macrophage polarization and activation. We observed that human peripheral monocytes constitutively release soluble VISTA, which was regulated via matrix metalloproteinases. However, monocyte stimulation with cytokines that induce macrophage differentiation, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), substantially reduced soluble VISTA release. VISTA release was further affected by various pro- and anti-inflammatory stimuli that led to macrophage polarization, where activated M1 macrophages generally released more VISTA than M2 macrophages. Additionally, we observed that stimulation of activated macrophages with the toll-like receptor 4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) led to a further decrease of soluble VISTA release. Moreover, we found that soluble VISTA impairs T cell cytotoxic activity but did not induce their programmed death. Our results suggest that VISTA is constantly produced and released in the peripheral blood where it may contribute to peripheral tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetan Aime Noubissi Nzeteu
- Division of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Division of Experimental Allergy and Immunodermatology, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schlichtner
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, United Kingdom
| | - Sulamith David
- Division of Experimental Allergy and Immunodermatology, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Aylin Ruppenstein
- Division of Experimental Allergy and Immunodermatology, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Elizaveta Fasler-Kan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Raap
- Division of Experimental Allergy and Immunodermatology, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,University Clinic of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Oldenburg, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Vadim V Sumbayev
- Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, United Kingdom
| | - Bernhard F Gibbs
- Division of Experimental Allergy and Immunodermatology, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - N Helge Meyer
- Division of General and Visceral Surgery, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Division of Experimental Allergy and Immunodermatology, Department of Human Medicine, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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14
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Al-Mterin MA, Alsalman A, Elkord E. Inhibitory Immune Checkpoint Receptors and Ligands as Prognostic Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients. Front Immunol 2022; 13:870283. [PMID: 35432324 PMCID: PMC9008255 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.870283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2. During T-cell activation, the immune system uses different checkpoint pathways to maintain co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory signals. In COVID-19, expression of immune checkpoints (ICs) is one of the most important manifestations, in addition to lymphopenia and inflammatory cytokines, contributing to worse clinical outcomes. There is a controversy whether upregulation of ICs in COVID-19 patients might lead to T-cell exhaustion or activation. This review summarizes the available studies that investigated IC receptors and ligands in COVID-19 patients, as well as their effect on T-cell function. Several IC receptors and ligands, including CTLA-4, BTLA, TIM-3, VISTA, LAG-3, TIGIT, PD-1, CD160, 2B4, NKG2A, Galectin-9, Galectin-3, PD-L1, PD-L2, LSECtin, and CD112, were upregulated in COVID-19 patients. Based on the available studies, there is a possible relationship between disease severity and increased expression of IC receptors and ligands. Overall, the upregulation of some ICs could be used as a prognostic biomarker for disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alhasan Alsalman
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
- Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
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