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Lv Y, Li M, Weng L, Huang H, Mao Y, Yang DA, Wei Q, Zhao M, Wei Q, Rui K, Han X, Fan W, Cai X, Cao P, Cao M. Ginseng-derived nanoparticles reprogram macrophages to regulate arginase-1 release for ameliorating T cell exhaustion in tumor microenvironment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:322. [PMID: 38012650 PMCID: PMC10683135 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lines of evidence indicated that, immune checkpoints (ICs) inhibitors enhanced T cell immune response to exert anti-tumor effects. However, T cell exhaustion has been so far a major obstacle to antitumor immunotherapy in colorectal cancer patients. Our previous studies showed that ginseng-derived nanoparticles (GDNPs) inhibited the growth of various tumors by reprograming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and downregulated the ICs expression on T cells in tumor microenvironment (TME), but the underlying effector mechanisms remained unclear. METHODS The correlation between arginase-1 (ARG1) and T cells was computed based on the colorectal cancer patients in TCGA database. In vitro, we observed that GDNPs reprogrammed TAMs inhibited ARG1 release and ultimately ameliorated T cell exhaustion according to several techniques including WB, PCR, ELISA and flow cytometry. We also used an in vivo MC38 tumor-bearing model and administered GDNPs to assess their anti-tumor effects through multiple indices. The mechanism that GDNPs improved T cell exhaustion was further clarified using the bioinformatics tools and flow cytometry. RESULTS GDNPs reprogramed TAMs via reducing ARG1 production. Moreover, normalized arginine metabolism ameliorated T cell exhaustion through mTOR-T-bet axis, resulting in reduced ICs expression and enhanced CD8+ T cells expansion. CONCLUSIONS By regulating the mTOR-T-bet axis, GDNPs reprogramed macrophages to regulate ARG1 release, which further ameliorated T cell exhaustion in TME. These findings provided new insights into comprehending the mechanisms underlying the mitigation of T cell exhaustion, which may facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies in the field of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lv
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling Weng
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haoying Huang
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yujie Mao
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Danchen Aaron Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingyun Wei
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qin Wei
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Rui
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuan Han
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiwei Fan
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueting Cai
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Zhenjiang Hospital of Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Meng Cao
- Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Chen D, Li K, Pan L, Wu Y, Chen M, Zhang X, Xu J, Lou T. TCF7 and LEF-1 downregulation in sepsis promotes immune suppression by inhibiting CD4 + T cell proliferation. Microb Pathog 2023; 184:106362. [PMID: 37741305 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106362] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that sepsis is implicated in a reduction in the number and function of CD4+ T cells. TCF7 and LEF-1 facilitate early T cell development and lineage selection of CD4+ T cells. However, the function and mechanism of TCF7 and LEF-1 in sepsis are uncharacterized. This study intended to delineate effect of TCF7 and LEF-1 on sepsis and the impact on proliferation of CD4+ T cells in sepsis. METHODS A mouse sepsis model was constructed by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method. Expression of TCF7 and LEF-1 in sepsis was investigated using bioinformatics analysis and molecular experiments. We then constructed TCF7 and LEF-1 overexpression cell lines to investigate their effects on proliferation, apoptosis, effector activation, and immunosuppressive molecules of CD4+ T cells in sepsis. RESULTS TCF7 and LEF-1 were downregulated in sepsis. As the duration of sepsis induction increased, the levels of TCF7 and LEF-1 gradually decreased, as did the number of CD4+ T cells. Cell experiments showed that overexpression of TCF7 and LEF-1 enhanced proliferation and effector activation of CD4+ T cells, reduced apoptosis, decreased PD-1 and LAG3 expression, and promoted immune response in sepsis. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study confirmed that downregulation of TCF7 and LEF-1 expression in sepsis inhibited proliferation of CD4+ T cells, leading to immune suppression. This finding suggested that TCF7 and LEF-1 were potential biological targets for sepsis and indicated that immunotherapy aimed at improving CD4+ T cell proliferation may be a new strategy for immune therapy in sepsis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyuan Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China
| | - Liuhua Pan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China
| | - Yueming Wu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China
| | - Miaomiao Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China
| | - Junlong Xu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China.
| | - Tianzheng Lou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, 23000, China.
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mTOR Modulates the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced CD4+ T Cell Apoptosis Mediated by ROS in Septic Immunosuppression. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:6077570. [PMID: 35915740 PMCID: PMC9338879 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6077570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction When sepsis attacks the body, the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production can result to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and eventually cause lymphocyte apoptosis. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is essential for regulating lymphocyte apoptosis; we hypothesized that it mediates CD4+ T cell apoptosis during ROS-related ERS. Method We, respectively, used ROS and ERS blockers to intervene septic mice and then detected ERS protein expression levels to verify the relationship between them. Additionally, we constructed T cell-specific mTOR and TSC1 gene knockout mice to determine the role of mTOR in ROS-mediated, ERS-induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis. Results Blocking ROS significantly suppressed the CD4+ T cell apoptosis associated with the reduction in ERS, as revealed by lower levels of GRP78 and CHOP. ERS rapidly induced mTOR activation, leading to the induction of CD4+ T cell apoptosis. However, mTOR knockout mice displayed reduced expression of apoptotic proteins and less ER vesiculation and expansion than what was observed in the wild-type sepsis controls. Conclusion By working to alleviate ROS-mediated, ERS-induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis, the mTOR pathway is vital for CD4+ T cell survival in sepsis mouse model.
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Chen J, Wang H, Guo R, Li H, Cui N. Early Expression of Functional Markers on CD4+ T Cells Predicts Outcomes in ICU Patients With Sepsis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:938538. [PMID: 35898496 PMCID: PMC9309518 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.938538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective There is evidence that metabolic disorder, dysfunction and abnormal apoptosis of immune cells are closely related to immunosuppression in sepsis. Single monitoring of exhaustion receptors does not reflect well the immune status of septic patients; therefore, we monitored immune status in relation to metabolism, function and apoptosis of immune cells to find good prognostic indicators for sepsis. Design A single-center prospective observational study. Setting Teaching hospital including an academic tertiary care center. Patients 81 patients with sepsis and 22 without sepsis admitted to the ICU. Interventions Patients were divided according to Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score: mild sepsis 2–5 points and severe sepsis ≥6 points. SOFA score was recalculated daily. If it changed by ≥2 points within 2 days, T-cell metabolism, function and apoptotic makers [mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), T-bet, interferon (IFN)-γ, granzyme B, and programmed cell death (PD)-1] were continuously monitored on days 1, 3 and 5 after admission. Measurements and Main Results The overall status of immune cells was compared among patients with different severity of sepsis. Patients with severe sepsis, compared with mild and no sepsis, had lower lymphocyte counts, higher expression of receptors associated with cell metabolism, activation and apoptosis, and lower expression of functional receptors. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that frequency of CD4+ T cells expressing mTOR, IFN-γ and PD-1 at admission was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that frequency of CD4+ T cells expressing mTOR, IFN-γ and PD-1 predicted 28-day mortality, with cutoffs of 30.57%, 12.81% and 22.46%, respectively. The expression of related receptors on CD8+ T cells showed similar trend to that on CD4+ T cells, but no significant difference was found. Conclusions Abnormally increased expression of metabolic and apoptotic receptors on CD4+ T cells and decreased expression of functional factors are associated with poor prognosis in ICU patients with sepsis. Poor prognosis can be identified by early detection of expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), IFN-γ and PD-1 on CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Guo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haolong Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Na Cui
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Na Cui,
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