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Taghizadeh-Hesary F. "Reinforcement" by Tumor Microenvironment: The Seventh "R" of Radiobiology. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:727-733. [PMID: 38032584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Taghizadeh-Hesary
- ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Clinical Oncology Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Sun T, Liu B, Cai L, Zhou Y, Yang W, Li Y. Suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), a HDAC inhibitor, suppresses the effect of Treg cells by targeting the c-Myc/CCL1 pathway in glioma stem cells and improves PD-L1 blockade therapy. J Neurooncol 2024; 168:457-471. [PMID: 38652401 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04689-0] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A strong immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) represents the major barrier responsible for the failure of current immunotherapy approaches in treating Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Within the TME, the regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert immunosuppressive effects on CD8+ T cell - mediated anti-cancer immune killing. Consequently, targeting and inhibiting their immunosuppressive function emerges as an effective therapeutic strategy for GBM. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms and effects of Suberanilohydroxamic Acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on immunosuppressive Tregs. METHODS The tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the immunocompetent GBM intracranial implanted xenograft mouse model were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry techniques. The mRNA expressions were assessed through the RT-qPCR method, while the related protein expressions were determined using western blot, ELISA, immunofluorescence (IF), and flow cytometry techniques. The relationship between c-Myc and C-C motif Chemokine Ligand 1 (CCL1) promotor was validated through a dual-luciferase reporter assay system and chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS SAHA suppressed effectively tumor growth and extended significantly overall survival in the immunocompetent GBM intracranial xenograft mouse model. Additionally, it promoted the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes while suppressed the infiltration of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs. Furthermore, SAHA enhanced anti-PD-L1 immune therapy in the intracranial xenograft of mice. Mechanistically, SAHA exerted its effects by inhibiting histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), thereby suppressing the binding between c-Myc and the CCL1 promotor. CONCLUSION SAHA inhibited the binding of c-Myc with the CCL1 promoter and then suppressed the transcription of CCL1.Additionally, it effectively blocked the interplay of CCL1-CCR8, resulting in reduced activity of Tregs and alleviation of tumor immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Sun
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Liu
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- The Department of Neurosurgery at Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, Qinghai Province, China
| | - Lize Cai
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Youxin Zhou
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine at, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Yanyan Li
- The Department of Neurosurgery and Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Blinova VG, Zhdanov DD. Many Faces of Regulatory T Cells: Heterogeneity or Plasticity? Cells 2024; 13:959. [PMID: 38891091 PMCID: PMC11171907 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110959] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintaining the immune balance in normal and pathological conditions. In autoimmune diseases and transplantation, they restrain the loss of self-tolerance and promote engraftment, whereas in cancer, an increase in Treg numbers is mostly associated with tumor growth and poor prognosis. Numerous markers and their combinations have been used to identify Treg subsets, demonstrating the phenotypic diversity of Tregs. The complexity of Treg identification can be hampered by the unstable expression of some markers, the decrease in the expression of a specific marker over time or the emergence of a new marker. It remains unclear whether such phenotypic shifts are due to new conditions or whether the observed changes are due to initially different populations. In the first case, cellular plasticity is observed, whereas in the second, cellular heterogeneity is observed. The difference between these terms in relation to Tregs is rather blurred. Considering the promising perspectives of Tregs in regenerative cell-based therapy, the existing confusing data on Treg phenotypes require further investigation and analysis. In our review, we introduce criteria that allow us to distinguish between the heterogeneity and plasticity of Tregs normally and pathologically, taking a closer look at their diversity and drawing the line between two terms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Biochemistry, People’s Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya st. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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Zhang D, Zhan D, Zhang R, Sun Y, Duan C, Yang J, Wei J, Li X, Lu Y, Lai X. Treg-derived TGF-β1 dampens cGAS-STING signaling to downregulate the expression of class I MHC complex in multiple myeloma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11593. [PMID: 38773213 PMCID: PMC11109281 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62298-3] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) progression involves diminished tumor antigen presentation and an immunosuppressive microenvironment, characterized by diminished expression of major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) class I molecule and elevated programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) in MM cells, along with an enriched population of regulatory T cells (Tregs). To investigate Treg's influence on MM cells, we established a co-culture system using Tregs from MM patients and the MM cell lines (MM.1S and SK-MM-1) in vitro and assessed the effects of intervening in the relevant pathways connecting Tregs and MM cells in vivo. In vitro, Tregs induced transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) production, downregulated MHC I members, and increased PDL1 expression in MM cells. Treg-derived TGF-β1 suppressed the cGAS-STING pathway, contributing to the loss of MHC I molecule expression and PDL1 upregulation. Correspondingly, neutralizing TGF-β1 or activating the cGAS-STING pathway restored MHC I and PDL1 expression, effectively countering the pro-tumorigenic effect of Tregs on MM cells in vivo. These data elucidated how Tregs influence tumor antigen presentation and immunosuppressive signal in MM cells, potentially providing therapeutic strategies, such as neutralizing TGF-β1 or activating the cGAS-STING pathway, to address the immune escape and immunosuppressive dynamics in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disi Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Dong Zhan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embrology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yunyan Sun
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Ci Duan
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jiapeng Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xianshi Li
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yanqi Lu
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xun Lai
- Department of Hematology, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, No. 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
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5
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Davern M, O’ Donovan C, Donlon NE, Mylod E, Gaughan C, Bhardwaj A, Sheppard AD, Bracken-Clarke D, Butler C, Ravi N, Donohoe CL, Reynolds JV, Lysaght J, Conroy MJ. Analysing the Combined Effects of Radiotherapy and Chemokine Receptor 5 Antagonism: Complementary Approaches to Promote T Cell Function and Migration in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2024; 12:819. [PMID: 38672174 PMCID: PMC11048527 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The presence of an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is a major contributor to poor responses. Novel treatment strategies are required to supplement current regimens and improve patient survival. This study examined the immunomodulatory effects that radiation therapy and chemokine receptor antagonism impose on T cell phenotypes in OAC with a primary goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets to combine with radiation to improve anti-tumour responses. Compared with healthy controls, anti-tumour T cell function was impaired in OAC patients, demonstrated by lower IFN-γ production by CD4+ T helper cells and lower CD8+ T cell cytotoxic potential. Such diminished T cell effector functions were enhanced following treatment with clinically relevant doses of irradiation. Interestingly, CCR5+ T cells were significantly more abundant in OAC patient blood compared with healthy controls, and CCR5 surface expression by T cells was further enhanced by clinically relevant doses of irradiation. Moreover, irradiation enhanced T cell migration towards OAC patient-derived tumour-conditioned media (TCM). In vitro treatment with the CCR5 antagonist Maraviroc enhanced IFN-γ production by CD4+ T cells and increased the migration of irradiated CD8+ T cells towards irradiated TCM, suggesting its synergistic therapeutic potential in combination with irradiation. Overall, this study highlights the immunostimulatory properties of radiation in promoting anti-tumour T cell responses in OAC and increasing T cell migration towards chemotactic cues in the tumour. Importantly, the CCR5 antagonist Maraviroc holds promise to be repurposed in combination with radiotherapy to promote anti-tumour T cell responses in OAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Davern
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Cillian O’ Donovan
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Noel E. Donlon
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Eimear Mylod
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
- Cancer Immunology Research Group, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute and Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caoimhe Gaughan
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Anshul Bhardwaj
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Andrew D. Sheppard
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Dara Bracken-Clarke
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Christine Butler
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Narayanasamy Ravi
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Claire L. Donohoe
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - John V. Reynolds
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Joanne Lysaght
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland; (M.D.); (C.O.D.); (N.E.D.); (E.M.); (C.G.); (A.B.); (A.D.S.); (D.B.-C.); (C.B.); (N.R.); (C.L.D.); (J.V.R.); (J.L.)
| | - Melissa J. Conroy
- Cancer Immunology Research Group, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute and Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland
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Akinsipe T, Mohamedelhassan R, Akinpelu A, Pondugula SR, Mistriotis P, Avila LA, Suryawanshi A. Cellular interactions in tumor microenvironment during breast cancer progression: new frontiers and implications for novel therapeutics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1302587. [PMID: 38533507 PMCID: PMC10963559 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1302587] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is dynamic, with various immune and non-immune cells interacting to regulate tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity. It is now evident that the cells within the TME significantly contribute to breast cancer progression and resistance to various conventional and newly developed anti-tumor therapies. Both immune and non-immune cells in the TME play critical roles in tumor onset, uncontrolled proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to anti-tumor therapies. Consequently, molecular and cellular components of breast TME have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for developing novel treatments. The breast TME primarily comprises cancer cells, stromal cells, vasculature, and infiltrating immune cells. Currently, numerous clinical trials targeting specific TME components of breast cancer are underway. However, the complexity of the TME and its impact on the evasion of anti-tumor immunity necessitate further research to develop novel and improved breast cancer therapies. The multifaceted nature of breast TME cells arises from their phenotypic and functional plasticity, which endows them with both pro and anti-tumor roles during tumor progression. In this review, we discuss current understanding and recent advances in the pro and anti-tumoral functions of TME cells and their implications for developing safe and effective therapies to control breast cancer progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tosin Akinsipe
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Rania Mohamedelhassan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Ayuba Akinpelu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Satyanarayana R. Pondugula
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Panagiotis Mistriotis
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - L. Adriana Avila
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Amol Suryawanshi
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
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7
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Yi H, Qin L, Ye X, Song J, Ji J, Ye T, Li J, Li L. Progression of radio-labeled molecular imaging probes targeting chemokine receptors. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 195:104266. [PMID: 38232861 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104266] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemokine receptors are significantly expressed in the surface of most inflammatory cells and tumor cells. Guided by chemokines, inflammatory cells which express the relevant chemokine receptors migrate to inflammatory lesions and participate in the evolution of inflammation diseases. Similarly, driven by chemokines, immune cells infiltrate into tumor lesions not only induces alterations in the tumor microenvironment, disrupting the efficacy of tumor therapies, but also has the potential to selectively target tumoral cells and diminish tumor progression. Chemokine receptors, which are significantly expressed on the surface of tumor cell membranes, are regulated by chemokines and initiate tumor-associated signaling pathways within tumor cells, playing a complex role in tumor progression. Based on the antagonists targeting chemokine receptors, radionuclide-labeled molecular imaging probes have been developed for the emerging application of molecular imaging in diseases such as tumors and inflammation. The value and limitations of molecular probes in disease imaging are worth reviewing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heqing Yi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Lilin Qin
- Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Xuemei Ye
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Jinling Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Jianfeng Ji
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Ting Ye
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Juan Li
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dongfang Street 150, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| | - Linfa Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Banshan Street 1, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
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Liu J, Zhang B, Zhang G, Shang D. Reprogramming of regulatory T cells in inflammatory tumor microenvironment: can it become immunotherapy turning point? Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345838. [PMID: 38449875 PMCID: PMC10915070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345838] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and identifying widely used immunosuppressants with minimal side effects are two major challenges currently hampering cancer immunotherapy. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are present in almost all cancer tissues and play an important role in preserving autoimmune tolerance and tissue homeostasis. The tumor inflammatory microenvironment causes the reprogramming of Tregs, resulting in the conversion of Tregs to immunosuppressive phenotypes. This process ultimately facilitates tumor immune escape or tumor progression. However, current systemic Treg depletion therapies may lead to severe autoimmune toxicity. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of Treg reprogramming and develop immunotherapies that selectively target Tregs within tumors. This article provides a comprehensive review of the potential mechanisms involved in Treg cell reprogramming and explores the application of Treg cell immunotherapy. The interference with reprogramming pathways has shown promise in reducing the number of tumor-associated Tregs or impairing their function during immunotherapy, thereby improving anti-tumor immune responses. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive Treg cell reprogramming could reveal new molecular targets for future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Guolin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dong Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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9
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Jiang S, Lin X, Wu L, Wang L, Wu Y, Xu Z, Xu F. Unveiling the structural mechanisms of nonpeptide ligand recognition and activation in human chemokine receptor CCR8. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj7500. [PMID: 38306437 PMCID: PMC10836724 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The human CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) is an emerging therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune diseases. Understanding the molecular recognition of CCR8, particularly with nonpeptide ligands, is valuable for drug development. Here, we report three cryo-electron microscopy structures of human CCR8 complexed with Gi trimers in the ligand-free state or activated by nonpeptide agonists LMD-009 and ZK 756326. A conserved Y1.39Y3.32E7.39 motif in the orthosteric binding pocket is shown to play a crucial role in the chemokine and nonpeptide ligand recognition. Structural and functional analyses indicate that the lack of conservation in Y1143.33 and Y1724.64 among the CC chemokine receptors could potentially contribute to the selectivity of the nonpeptide ligand binding to CCR8. These findings present the characterization of the molecular interaction between a nonpeptide agonist and a chemokine receptor, aiding the development of therapeutics targeting related diseases through a structure-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Jiang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xi Lin
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ling Wang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ziyi Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Fei Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center, Shanghai 201210, China
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10
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Abdel-Rahman SA, Santini BL, Calvo-Barreiro L, Zacharias M, Gabr M. Design of cyclic peptides as novel inhibitors of ICOS/ICOSL interaction. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 99:129599. [PMID: 38185345 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129599] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Compared to small molecules and antibodies, cyclic peptides exhibit unique biochemical and therapeutic attributes in the realm of pharmaceutical applications. The interaction between the inducible costimulator (ICOS) and its ligand (ICOSL) plays a key role in T-cell differentiation and activation. ICOS/ICOSL inhibition results in a reduction in the promotion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Herein, we implement the computational cPEPmatch approach to design the first examples of cyclic peptides that inhibit ICOS/ICOSL interaction. The top cyclic peptide from our approach possessed an IC50 value of 1.87 ± 0.15 μM as an ICOS/ICOSL inhibitor and exhibited excellent in vitro pharmacokinetic properties as a drug candidate. Our work will lay the groundwork for future endeavors in cancer drug discovery, with the goal of developing cyclic peptides that target the ICOS/ICOSL interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somaya A Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Brianda L Santini
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Straße 8, Garching, Germany
| | - Laura Calvo-Barreiro
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Martin Zacharias
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Straße 8, Garching, Germany
| | - Moustafa Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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11
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Santosh Nirmala S, Kayani K, Gliwiński M, Hu Y, Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ D, Piotrowska-Mieczkowska M, Sakowska J, Tomaszewicz M, Marín Morales JM, Lakshmi K, Marek-Trzonkowska NM, Trzonkowski P, Oo YH, Fuchs A. Beyond FOXP3: a 20-year journey unravelling human regulatory T-cell heterogeneity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1321228. [PMID: 38283365 PMCID: PMC10811018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321228] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial idea of a distinct group of T-cells responsible for suppressing immune responses was first postulated half a century ago. However, it is only in the last three decades that we have identified what we now term regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and subsequently elucidated and crystallized our understanding of them. Human Tregs have emerged as essential to immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases and are typically contemporaneously characterized by their CD3+CD4+CD25high CD127lowFOXP3+ phenotype. It is important to note that FOXP3+ Tregs exhibit substantial diversity in their origin, phenotypic characteristics, and function. Identifying reliable markers is crucial to the accurate identification, quantification, and assessment of Tregs in health and disease, as well as the enrichment and expansion of viable cells for adoptive cell therapy. In our comprehensive review, we address the contributions of various markers identified in the last two decades since the master transcriptional factor FOXP3 was identified in establishing and enriching purity, lineage stability, tissue homing and suppressive proficiency in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, our review delves into recent breakthroughs in innovative Treg-based therapies, underscoring the significance of distinct markers in their therapeutic utilization. Understanding Treg subsets holds the key to effectively harnessing human Tregs for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayani Kayani
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Academic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Gliwiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Yueyuan Hu
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Justyna Sakowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Tomaszewicz
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Kavitha Lakshmi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network - Rare Liver Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Fuchs
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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12
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Albelda SM. CAR T cell therapy for patients with solid tumours: key lessons to learn and unlearn. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:47-66. [PMID: 37904019 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been approved for use in patients with B cell malignancies or relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, yet efficacy against most solid tumours remains elusive. The limited imaging and biopsy data from clinical trials in this setting continues to hinder understanding, necessitating a reliance on imperfect preclinical models. In this Perspective, I re-evaluate current data and suggest potential pathways towards greater success, drawing lessons from the few successful trials testing CAR T cells in patients with solid tumours and the clinical experience with tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. The most promising approaches include the use of pluripotent stem cells, co-targeting multiple mechanisms of immune evasion, employing multiple co-stimulatory domains, and CAR ligand-targeting vaccines. An alternative strategy focused on administering multiple doses of short-lived CAR T cells in an attempt to pre-empt exhaustion and maintain a functional effector pool should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Albelda
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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13
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Peng X, Zheng J, Liu T, Zhou Z, Song C, Geng Y, Wang Z, Huang Y. Tumor Microenvironment Heterogeneity, Potential Therapeutic Avenues, and Emerging Therapies. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:288-307. [PMID: 37537777 DOI: 10.2174/1568009623666230712095021] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review describes the comprehensive portrait of tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, we provided a panoramic perspective on the transformation and functions of the diverse constituents in TME, and the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance, beginning with the immune cells and metabolic dynamics within TME. Lastly, we summarized the most auspicious potential therapeutic strategies. RESULTS TME is a unique realm crafted by malignant cells to withstand the onslaught of endogenous and exogenous therapies. Recent research has revealed many small-molecule immunotherapies exhibiting auspicious outcomes in preclinical investigations. Furthermore, some pro-immune mechanisms have emerged as a potential avenue. With the advent of nanosystems and precision targeting, targeted therapy has now transcended the "comfort zone" erected by cancer cells within TME. CONCLUSION The ceaseless metamorphosis of TME fosters the intransigent resilience and proliferation of tumors. However, existing therapies have yet to surmount the formidable obstacles posed by TME. Therefore, scientists should investigate potential avenues for therapeutic intervention and design innovative pharmacological and clinical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Peng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jingfan Zheng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tianzi Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ziwen Zhou
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chen Song
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Geng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Zichuan Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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14
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Abizanda-Campo S, Virumbrales-Muñoz M, Humayun M, Marmol I, Beebe DJ, Ochoa I, Oliván S, Ayuso JM. Microphysiological systems for solid tumor immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:154. [PMID: 38106674 PMCID: PMC10724276 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00616-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy remains more effective for hematologic tumors than for solid tumors. One of the main challenges to immunotherapy of solid tumors is the immunosuppressive microenvironment these tumors generate, which limits the cytotoxic capabilities of immune effector cells (e.g., cytotoxic T and natural killer cells). This microenvironment is characterized by hypoxia, nutrient starvation, accumulated waste products, and acidic pH. Tumor-hijacked cells, such as fibroblasts, macrophages, and T regulatory cells, also contribute to this inhospitable microenvironment for immune cells by secreting immunosuppressive cytokines that suppress the antitumor immune response and lead to immune evasion. Thus, there is a strong interest in developing new drugs and cell formulations that modulate the tumor microenvironment and reduce tumor cell immune evasion. Microphysiological systems (MPSs) are versatile tools that may accelerate the development and evaluation of these therapies, although specific examples showcasing the potential of MPSs remain rare. Advances in microtechnologies have led to the development of sophisticated microfluidic devices used to recapitulate tumor complexity. The resulting models, also known as microphysiological systems (MPSs), are versatile tools with which to decipher the molecular mechanisms driving immune cell antitumor cytotoxicity, immune cell exhaustion, and immune cell exclusion and to evaluate new targeted immunotherapies. Here, we review existing microphysiological platforms to study immuno-oncological applications and discuss challenges and opportunities in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Abizanda-Campo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Tissue Microenvironment Lab (TME lab), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IISA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red. Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Virumbrales-Muñoz
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Mouhita Humayun
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Ines Marmol
- Tissue Microenvironment Lab (TME lab), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IISA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - David J Beebe
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue Microenvironment Lab (TME lab), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IISA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red. Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Oliván
- Tissue Microenvironment Lab (TME lab), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IISA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose M Ayuso
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
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15
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Negura I, Pavel-Tanasa M, Danciu M. Regulatory T cells in gastric cancer: Key controllers from pathogenesis to therapy. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 120:102629. [PMID: 37769435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102629] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly aggressive malignancy that remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide, despite a decline in incidence in recent years. Early-stage GC poses a diagnostic challenge due to its asymptomatic nature, leading to poor prognoses for most patients. Conventional treatment approaches, including chemotherapy and surgery, have shown limited efficacy in improving outcomes for GC patients. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer therapy, yielding durable responses across various malignancies. However, the clinical benefits of ICIs in GC have been modest, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of immune cell functions within the GC tumor microenvironment (TME). Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of T lymphocytes, play a pivotal role in GC development and progression and serve as prognostic biomarkers for GC patients. This review aims to elucidate the multifaceted roles of Tregs in the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of gastric cancer, and establish their actual and future potential as therapeutic targets. By providing insights into the intricate interplay between Tregs and the TME, this review strives to stimulate further investigation and facilitate the development of targeted Treg-based therapeutic strategies for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion Negura
- Department of Pathology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mariana Pavel-Tanasa
- Department of Immunology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
| | - Mihai Danciu
- Department of Pathology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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16
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Varisli L, Dancik GM, Tolan V, Vlahopoulos S. Critical Roles of SRC-3 in the Development and Progression of Breast Cancer, Rendering It a Prospective Clinical Target. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5242. [PMID: 37958417 PMCID: PMC10648290 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215242] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BCa) is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in women and is also one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Most breast tumors are hormone-dependent and estrogen signaling plays a critical role in promoting the survival and malignant behaviors of these cells. Estrogen signaling involves ligand-activated cytoplasmic estrogen receptors that translocate to the nucleus with various co-regulators, such as steroid receptor co-activator (SRC) family members, and bind to the promoters of target genes and regulate their expression. SRC-3 is a member of this family that interacts with, and enhances, the transcriptional activity of the ligand activated estrogen receptor. Although SRC-3 has important roles in normal homeostasis and developmental processes, it has been shown to be amplified and overexpressed in breast cancer and to promote malignancy. The malignancy-promoting potential of SRC-3 is diverse and involves both promoting malignant behavior of tumor cells and creating a tumor microenvironment that has an immunosuppressive phenotype. SRC-3 also inhibits the recruitment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with effector function and promotes stemness. Furthermore, SRC-3 is also involved in the development of resistance to hormone therapy and immunotherapy during breast cancer treatment. The versatility of SRC-3 in promoting breast cancer malignancy in this way makes it a good target, and methodical targeting of SRC-3 probably will be important for the success of breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokman Varisli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey;
| | - Garrett M. Dancik
- Department of Computer Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT 06226, USA;
| | - Veysel Tolan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey;
| | - Spiros Vlahopoulos
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
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17
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Wei F, Fang R, Lyu K, Liao J, Long Y, Yang J, Wen W, Sun W. Exosomal PD-L1 derived from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma promotes immune evasion by activating the positive feedback loop of activated regulatory T cell-M2 macrophage. Oral Oncol 2023; 145:106532. [PMID: 37499326 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The positive feedback loop of activated regulatory T cells (aTregs) and M2 macrophages (M2) play a vital role in promoting the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the key factors regulating the positive feedback loop remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the effect of PD-L1 carried on exosomes derived from tumor cells (TEXs) on the aTreg-M2 positive feedback loop, as well as their role in mediating immunosuppression. In our study, TEXs with or without PD-L1 (TEX-PD-L1 or TEX-PD-L1KO) were treated with CD4+CD25- T cells and M0 macrophages, and the effect on the differentiation of aTregs, M2 and the aTreg-M2 positive feedback loop was assessed. TEXs carried more PD-L1 than tumor cells and not only promoted the differentiation of aTregs and M2, but also, most importantly, enhanced the positive feedback loop of aTreg-M2, which inhibited the proliferation of CD4+CD25- T cells and in turn led to tumor immune escape. Moreover, in vivo study showed that TEX-PD-L1KO could inhibit tumor growth and significantly improve the antitumor efficacy in both the peripheral and tumor microenvironments. Collectively this study revealed the role and mechanism of TEX-PD-L1 in negative immune regulation, and targeting TEX-PD-L1 may be a new idea and strategy for immunotherapy of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanqin Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ruihua Fang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Kexing Lyu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jing Liao
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yudong Long
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jinchao Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Weiping Wen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Otorhinolarygology, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, PR China.
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18
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Abdel-Rahman SA, Świderek K, Gabr MT. First-in-class small molecule inhibitors of ICOS/ICOSL interaction as a novel class of immunomodulators. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1767-1777. [PMID: 37731692 PMCID: PMC10507805 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00150d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction of the inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) with its ligand (ICOSL) plays key roles in T-cell differentiation and activation of T-cell to B-cell functions. The ICOS/ICOSL pathway is a validated target for T-cell lymphomas induced by the proliferation of T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Moreover, the inhibition of ICOS/ICOSL interaction can decrease the enhancement of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. However, targeting ICOS/ICOSL interaction is currently restricted to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and there are no small molecules in existence that can block ICOS/ICOSL. To fill this gap, we report herein the first time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay to evaluate the ability of small molecules to inhibit ICOS/ICOSL interaction. Implementation of the developed TR-FRET assay in high-throughput screening (HTS) of a focused chemical library resulted in the identification of AG-120 as a first-in-class inhibitor of ICOS/ICOSL interaction. We further employed docking studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to identify the plausible mechanism of blocking ICOS/ICOSL complex formation by AG-120. Using the structure-activity relationship (SAR) by catalog approach, we identified AG-120-X with an IC50 value of 4.68 ± 0.47 μM in the ICOS/ICOSL TR-FRET assay. Remarkably, AG-120-X revealed a dose-dependent ability to block ICOS/ICOSL interaction in a bioluminescent cellular assay based on co-culturing Jurkat T cells expressing ICOS and CHO-K1 cells expressing ICOSL. This work will pave the way for future drug discovery efforts aiming at the development of small molecule inhibitors of ICOS/ICOSL interaction as potential therapeutics for cancer as well as other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somaya A Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY 10065 USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University Mansoura 35516 Egypt
| | - Katarzyna Świderek
- BioComp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I 12071 Castellon Spain
| | - Moustafa T Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY 10065 USA
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19
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Wang J, Zhao X, Wan YY. Intricacies of TGF-β signaling in Treg and Th17 cell biology. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:1002-1022. [PMID: 37217798 PMCID: PMC10468540 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01036-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Balanced immunity is pivotal for health and homeostasis. CD4+ helper T (Th) cells are central to the balance between immune tolerance and immune rejection. Th cells adopt distinct functions to maintain tolerance and clear pathogens. Dysregulation of Th cell function often leads to maladies, including autoimmunity, inflammatory disease, cancer, and infection. Regulatory T (Treg) and Th17 cells are critical Th cell types involved in immune tolerance, homeostasis, pathogenicity, and pathogen clearance. It is therefore critical to understand how Treg and Th17 cells are regulated in health and disease. Cytokines are instrumental in directing Treg and Th17 cell function. The evolutionarily conserved TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) cytokine superfamily is of particular interest because it is central to the biology of both Treg cells that are predominantly immunosuppressive and Th17 cells that can be proinflammatory, pathogenic, and immune regulatory. How TGF-β superfamily members and their intricate signaling pathways regulate Treg and Th17 cell function is a question that has been intensely investigated for two decades. Here, we introduce the fundamental biology of TGF-β superfamily signaling, Treg cells, and Th17 cells and discuss in detail how the TGF-β superfamily contributes to Treg and Th17 cell biology through complex yet ordered and cooperative signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xingqi Zhao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yisong Y Wan
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Yang J, Bae H. Drug conjugates for targeting regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment: guided missiles for cancer treatment. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:1996-2004. [PMID: 37653036 PMCID: PMC10545761 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01080-3] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in suppressing anticancer immune responses; therefore, various strategies targeting Tregs are becoming important for tumor therapy. To prevent the side effects of nonspecific Treg depletion, such as immunotherapy-related adverse events (irAEs), therapeutic strategies that specifically target Tregs in the TME are being investigated. Tumor-targeting drug conjugates are efficient drugs in which a cytotoxic payload is assembled into a carrier that binds Tregs via a linker. By allowing the drug to act selectively on target cells, this approach has the advantage of increasing the therapeutic effect and minimizing the side effects of immunotherapy. Antibody-drug conjugates, immunotoxins, peptide-drug conjugates, and small interfering RNA conjugates are being developed as Treg-targeting drug conjugates. In this review, we discuss key themes and recent advances in drug conjugates targeting Tregs in the TME, as well as future design strategies for successful use of drug conjugates for Treg targeting in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juwon Yang
- Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsu Bae
- Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Xiang C, Zhang M, Shang Z, Chen S, Zhao J, Ding B, Jiang D, Zhu Q, Teng H, Zhu L, Shao J, Zhao R, Ye M, Yu Y, Han Y. Single-cell profiling reveals the trajectory of FOLR2-expressing tumor-associated macrophages to regulatory T cells in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:493. [PMID: 37532692 PMCID: PMC10397223 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06021-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
An immunosuppressive microenvironment enriched with regulatory CD4+ T lymphocytes (Tregs) facilitates the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study aims to investigate the cellular mechanism underlying the formation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment in LUAD. LUAD samples (n = 12) and normal lung samples (n = 3) were obtained from patients with different pathological stages of LUAD. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to classify cellular components and analyze the transcriptomes, including transcription factors/targets and chemokine ligands/receptors, followed by bioinformatics study such as pseudotime analysis. Myeloid cells and T cells were the most abundant cell types in tumors and normal lung tissues, while tumor-associated macrophage-folate receptor 2 (TAM-FOLR2) and CD4+ nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 3 (NR4A3) exhibited sharp increases in invasive adenocarcinoma (IA). The enrichment of TAM-FOLR2 in IA might result from alveolar resident macrophage-resistin (ARM-RETN) transformation and recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) and other TAMs, as evidenced by temporal trajectories and differential expression profiles of chemokine ligands/receptors versus those in the early stages of tumors. High expression of CCL17/19/22 was observed in IA as well as in DCs, along with the strong interaction of TAM-FOLR2 with DCs. The results of pseudotime analysis suggested that CD4+NR4A3 might potentially convert to CD4+FOXP3, further supported by the high expression of NR4A3 target genes in CD4+FOXP3 cells. This study provides a single-cell transcriptome atlas from preinvasive to invasive LUAD and reveals a potential ARM-RETN/TAM-FOLR2/DCs/CD4+NR4A3/CD4+FOXP3 trajectory in shaping the immune suppressive microenvironment along the pathogenesis of LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Xiang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Novogene Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Zhanxian Shang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Shengnan Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jikai Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Bowen Ding
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Dong Jiang
- Novogene Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haohua Teng
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jinchen Shao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Ruiying Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Min Ye
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Novogene Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100015, China.
| | - Yuchen Han
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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22
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Moreno Ayala MA, Campbell TF, Zhang C, Dahan N, Bockman A, Prakash V, Feng L, Sher T, DuPage M. CXCR3 expression in regulatory T cells drives interactions with type I dendritic cells in tumors to restrict CD8 + T cell antitumor immunity. Immunity 2023; 56:1613-1630.e5. [PMID: 37392735 PMCID: PMC10752240 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Infiltration of regulatory T (Treg) cells, an immunosuppressive population of CD4+ T cells, into solid cancers represents a barrier to cancer immunotherapy. Chemokine receptors are critical for Treg cell recruitment and cell-cell interactions in inflamed tissues, including cancer, and thus are an ideal therapeutic target. Here, we show in multiple cancer models that CXCR3+ Treg cells were increased in tumors compared with lymphoid tissues, exhibited an activated phenotype, and interacted preferentially with CXCL9-producing BATF3+ dendritic cells (DCs). Genetic ablation of CXCR3 in Treg cells disrupted DC1-Treg cell interactions and concomitantly increased DC-CD8+ T cell interactions. Mechanistically, CXCR3 ablation in Treg cells increased tumor antigen-specific cross-presentation by DC1s, increasing CD8+ T cell priming and reactivation in tumors. This ultimately impaired tumor progression, especially in combination with anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Overall, CXCR3 is shown to be a critical chemokine receptor for Treg cell accumulation and immune suppression in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela A Moreno Ayala
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Timothy F Campbell
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Noa Dahan
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Alissa Bockman
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Varsha Prakash
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Lawrence Feng
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Theo Sher
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michel DuPage
- Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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23
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Sun L, Su Y, Jiao A, Wang X, Zhang B. T cells in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:235. [PMID: 37332039 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China.
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24
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Khanam A, Ghosh A, Chua JV, Kottilil S. Blockade of CCR4 breaks immune tolerance in chronic hepatitis B patients by modulating regulatory pathways. J Transl Med 2023; 21:271. [PMID: 37081509 PMCID: PMC10120209 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04104-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotargets including checkpoint inhibitors and toll-like receptor 8 agonists have recently gained attention for the recovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cell exhaustion in chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Chemokine receptors have a similar significant role during viral infections; however, their role in CHB remains poorly understood. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the role of chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) in deriving immunosuppression during CHB. METHODS We characterized CCR4+CD8+ T cells in CHB and identified their involvement in immunosuppression. Further, we examined if CCR4 blockade with mogamulizumab antibody can recover the functional exhaustion in HBsAg-specific T cells. RESULTS CHB patients exhibit higher frequency of CCR4+CD8+ T cells that increase with higher HBsAg levels and fibrosis scores. In vitro, HBs antigen triggers CCR4 expression. These cells express multiple inhibitory receptors and exhibit immunosuppressive functions by producing excessive immunoregulatory cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TGF-β1. CCR4 Blockade significantly boosted HBsAg-specific antiviral-cytokine production(IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-21) in T cells through enhancing their proliferation capacity and polarizing these cells towards T helper 1(Th1) and T follicular helper cells(TFH) in case of CD4 cells, and cytotoxic T cell 1(TC1) and cytotoxic T follicular(TCF) cells in case of CD8. Cytotoxic potential was improved, while no induction of immunosuppressive-cytokines was seen after anti-CCR4 treatment thereby eliminating the risk of treatment-induced immunosuppression. CCR4 blockade inhibited the development and effector function of Tregs by controlling their expansion and TGF-β1 production preventing Tregs-induced immunotolearance. CONCLUSIONS CCR4 blockade reconstitutes antiviral immune response in T cells and limits the immunosuppressive functions of Tregs, representing them as a promising immunotherapeutic target for functional cure of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshi Khanam
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Alip Ghosh
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joel V Chua
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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25
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Mussa A, Afolabi HA, Syed NH, Talib M, Murtadha AH, Hajissa K, Mokhtar NF, Mohamud R, Hassan R. The NF-κB Transcriptional Network Is a High-Dose Vitamin C-Targetable Vulnerability in Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041060. [PMID: 37189677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer type among women with a distinct clinical presentation, but the survival rate remains moderate despite advances in multimodal therapy. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the molecular etiology is required for the development of more effective treatments for BC. The relationship between inflammation and tumorigenesis is well established, and the activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) is frequently identified in BC. Constitutive NF-κB activation is linked to cell survival, metastasis, proliferation, and hormonal, chemo-, and radiotherapy resistance. Moreover, the crosstalk between NF-κB and other transcription factors is well documented. It is reported that vitamin C plays a key role in preventing and treating a number of pathological conditions, including cancer, when administered at remarkably high doses. Indeed, vitamin C can regulate the activation of NF-κB by inhibiting specific NF-κB-dependent genes and multiple stimuli. In this review, we examine the various NF-κB impacts on BC development. We also provide some insight into how the NF-κB network may be targeted as a potential vulnerability by using natural pro-oxidant therapies such as vitamin C.
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26
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Yan Y, Huang L, Liu Y, Yi M, Chu Q, Jiao D, Wu K. Metabolic profiles of regulatory T cells and their adaptations to the tumor microenvironment: implications for antitumor immunity. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:104. [PMID: 35948909 PMCID: PMC9364625 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterized by the expression of the critical transcription factor forkhead box protein P3, regulatory T (Treg) cells are an essential part of the immune system, with a dual effect on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Targeting Tregs to reestablish the proinflammatory and immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) is an increasingly attractive strategy for cancer treatment and has been emphasized in recent years. However, attempts have been significantly hindered by the subsequent autoimmunity after Treg ablation owing to systemic loss of their suppressive capacity. Cellular metabolic reprogramming is acknowledged as a hallmark of cancer, and emerging evidence suggests that elucidating the underlying mechanisms of how intratumoral Tregs acquire metabolic fitness and superior immunosuppression in the TME may contribute to clinical benefits. In this review, we discuss the common and distinct metabolic profiles of Tregs in peripheral tissues and the TME, as well as the differences between Tregs and other conventional T cells in their metabolic preferences. By focusing on the critical roles of different metabolic programs, such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism, as well as their essential regulators in modulating Treg proliferation, migration, and function, we hope to provide new insights into Treg cell-targeted antitumor immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuheng Yan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Dechao Jiao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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27
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Jung K, Jeon YK, Jeong DH, Byun JM, Bogen B, Choi I. VSIG4-expressing tumor-associated macrophages impair anti-tumor immunity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 628:18-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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28
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Worsley CM, Veale RB, Mayne ES. The acidic tumour microenvironment: Manipulating the immune response to elicit escape. Hum Immunol 2022; 83:399-408. [PMID: 35216847 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The success of cancer treatment relies on the composition of the tumour microenvironment which is comprised of tumour cells, blood vessels, stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components. Barriers to effective cancer treatment need to be overcome, and the acidic microenvironment of the tumour provides a key target for treatment. This review intends to provide an overview of the effects that low extracellular pH has on components of the tumour microenvironment and how they contribute to immune escape. Further, potential therapeutic targets will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Worsley
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa.
| | - Rob B Veale
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth S Mayne
- Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Department of Immunology Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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29
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Kravtsov DS, Erbe AK, Sondel PM, Rakhmilevich AL. Roles of CD4+ T cells as mediators of antitumor immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:972021. [PMID: 36159781 PMCID: PMC9500154 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.972021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been well established that CD8+ T cells serve as effector cells of the adaptive immune response against tumors, whereas CD4+ T cells either help or suppress the generation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. However, in several experimental models as well as in cancer patients, it has been shown that CD4+ T cells can also mediate antitumor immunity either directly by killing tumor cells or indirectly by activating innate immune cells or by reducing tumor angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss the growing evidence of this underappreciated role of CD4+ T cells as mediators of antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy S. Kravtsov
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Amy K. Erbe
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Paul M. Sondel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Alexander L. Rakhmilevich
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Alexander L. Rakhmilevich,
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30
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Karin N. Chemokines in the Landscape of Cancer Immunotherapy: How They and Their Receptors Can Be Used to Turn Cold Tumors into Hot Ones? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6317. [PMID: 34944943 PMCID: PMC8699256 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, monoclonal antibodies to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), also known as immune checkpoint blockers (ICB), have been the most successful approach for cancer therapy. Starting with mAb to cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors in metastatic melanoma and continuing with blockers of the interactions between program cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand program cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) or program cell death ligand 2 (PDL-2), that have been approved for about 20 different indications. Yet for many cancers, ICI shows limited success. Several lines of evidence imply that the limited success in cancer immunotherapy is associated with attempts to treat patients with "cold tumors" that either lack effector T cells, or in which these cells are markedly suppressed by regulatory T cells (Tregs). Chemokines are a well-defined group of proteins that were so named due to their chemotactic properties. The current review focuses on key chemokines that not only attract leukocytes but also shape their biological properties. CXCR3 is a chemokine receptor with 3 ligands. We suggest using Ig-based fusion proteins of two of them: CXL9 and CXCL10, to enhance anti-tumor immunity and perhaps transform cold tumors into hot tumors. Potential differences between CXCL9 and CXCL10 regarding ICI are discussed. We also discuss the possibility of targeting the function or deleting a key subset of Tregs that are CCR8+ by monoclonal antibodies to CCR8. These cells are preferentially abundant in several tumors and are likely to be the key drivers in suppressing anti-cancer immune reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Karin
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, P.O. Box 9697, Haifa 31096, Israel
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31
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Ma X, Gao Y, Chen Y, Liu J, Yang C, Bao C, Wang Y, Feng Y, Song X, Qiao S. M2-Type Macrophages Induce Tregs Generation by Activating the TGF-β/Smad Signalling Pathway to Promote Colorectal Cancer Development. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:5391-5402. [PMID: 34908844 PMCID: PMC8665883 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s336548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The increase of both M2-type macrophages and Tregs is closely associated with the development of colorectal cancer. However, the mechanism of their interaction is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the correlation of M2-type macrophages with Tregs and the possible mechanisms between them. Methods Using immunohistochemistry, we analysed Smad3 (a key protein in the TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway) expression in colorectal cells, as well as infiltrating numbers of CD163 (a marker for M2-type macrophages), Foxp3 (a marker for Tregs) in 250 surgically resected colorectal cancer tissues, matched normal and paracancerous tissues. The relation of CD163 and Foxp3 was investigated in CRC with clinicopathological characteristics and preoperative tumour markers. Results CD163, Foxp3 and Smad3 were upregulated in CRC tissues compared to matched normal and paracancerous tissues. Interestingly, CD163 and Foxp3 were significantly positively correlated in CRC, and both were significantly positively correlated with Smad3. Both CD163 and Foxp3 were upregulated with increasing tumour TNM staging, increasing number of lymph node metastases and increasing vascular invasion. Additionally, CD163 was upregulated with increasing depth of infiltration. The number of M2-type macrophages and the expression levels of preoperative CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 were significantly positively correlated. The number of Tregs was significantly positively correlated with the expression levels of preoperative CEA and CA19-9. Conclusion M2-type macrophages may induce Tregs generation through activation of the TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway, which can promote the development of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqian Ma
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Gao
- Computer Teaching and Research Section, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanlei Chen
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhao Liu
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyu Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuifen Bao
- Basic Medical Experimental Teaching Center, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Wang
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Feng
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Shifeng Qiao
- The Second Ward of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
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Multifaceted Roles of Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in Tumor Immunity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236132. [PMID: 34885241 PMCID: PMC8656932 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Various immune cells are involved in host immune responses to cancer. T-helper (Th) 1 cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and natural killer cells are the major effector cells in anti-tumor immunity, whereas cells such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells are negatively involved in anti-tumor immunity. Th2 cells and Th17 cells have been shown to have both pro-tumor and anti-tumor activities. The migratory properties of various immune cells are essential for their function and critically regulated by the chemokine superfamily. In this review, we summarize the roles of various immune cells in tumor immunity and their migratory regulation by the chemokine superfamily. We also assess the therapeutic possibilities of targeting chemokines and chemokine receptors in cancer immunotherapy. Abstract Various immune cells are involved in host tumor immune responses. In particular, there are many T cell subsets with different roles in tumor immunity. T-helper (Th) 1 cells are involved in cellular immunity and thus play the major role in host anti-tumor immunity by inducing and activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). On the other hand, Th2 cells are involved in humoral immunity and suppressive to Th1 responses. Regulatory T (Treg) cells negatively regulate immune responses and contribute to immune evasion of tumor cells. Th17 cells are involved in inflammatory responses and may play a role in tumor progression. However, recent studies have also shown that Th17 cells are capable of directly inducting CTLs and thus may promote anti-tumor immunity. Besides these T cell subsets, there are many other innate immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that are involved in host immune responses to cancer. The migratory properties of various immune cells are critical for their functions and largely regulated by the chemokine superfamily. Thus, chemokines and chemokine receptors play vital roles in the orchestration of host immune responses to cancer. In this review, we overview the various immune cells involved in host responses to cancer and their migratory properties regulated by the chemokine superfamily. Understanding the roles of chemokines and chemokine receptors in host immune responses to cancer may provide new therapeutic opportunities for cancer immunotherapy.
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Navasardyan I, Bonavida B. Regulation of T Cells in Cancer by Nitric Oxide. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102655. [PMID: 34685635 PMCID: PMC8534057 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The T cell-mediated immune response is primarily involved in the fight against infectious diseases and cancer and its underlying mechanisms are complex. The anti-tumor T cell response is regulated by various T cell subsets and other cells and tissues in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Various mechanisms are involved in the regulation of these various effector cells. One mechanism is the iNOS/.NO that has been reported to be intimately involved in the regulation and differentiation of the various cells that regulate the anti-tumor CD8 T cells. Both endogenous and exogenous .NO are implicated in this regulation. Importantly, the exposure of T cells to .NO had different effects on the immune response, depending on the .NO concentration and time of exposure. For instance, iNOS in T cells regulates activation-induced cell death and inhibits Treg induction. Effector CD8 T cells exposed to .NO result in the upregulation of death receptors and enhance their anti-tumor cytotoxic activity. .NO-Tregs suppress CD4 Th17 cells and their differentiation. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) expressing iNOS inhibit T cell functions via .NO and inhibit anti-tumor CD8 T cells. Therefore, both .NO donors and .NO inhibitors are potential therapeutics tailored to specific target cells that regulate the T cell effector anti-tumor response.
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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: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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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Pancreatic Cancer Small Extracellular Vesicles (Exosomes): A Tale of Short- and Long-Distance Communication. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194844. [PMID: 34638330 PMCID: PMC8508300 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Even today, pancreatic cancer still has a dismal prognosis. It is characterized by a lack of early symptoms and thus late diagnosis as well as early metastasis. The majority of patients suffer from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDACs communicate extensively with cellular components of their microenvironment, but also with distant metastatic niches to facilitate tumor progression and dissemination. This crosstalk is substantially enabled by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, exosomes) with a size of 30–150 nm that are released from the tumor cells. sEVs carry bioactive cargos that reprogram target cells to promote tumor growth, migration, metastasis, immune evasion, or chemotherapy resistance. Interestingly, sEVs also carry novel diagnostic, prognostic and potentially also predictive biomarkers. Moreover, engineered sEVs may be utilized as therapeutic agents, improving treatment options. The role of sEVs for PDAC development, progression, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment is the focus of this review. Abstract Even with all recent advances in cancer therapy, pancreatic cancer still has a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 7%. The most prevalent tumor subtype is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDACs display an extensive crosstalk with their tumor microenvironment (TME), e.g., pancreatic stellate cells, but also immune cells to regulate tumor growth, immune evasion, and metastasis. In addition to crosstalk in the local TME, PDACs were shown to induce the formation of pre-metastatic niches in different organs. Recent advances have attributed many of these interactions to intercellular communication by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs, exosomes). These nanovesicles are derived of endo-lysosomal structures (multivesicular bodies) with a size range of 30–150 nm. sEVs carry various bioactive cargos, such as proteins, lipids, DNA, mRNA, or miRNAs and act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to educate recipient cells. In addition to tumor formation, progression, and metastasis, sEVs were described as potent biomarker platforms for diagnosis and prognosis of PDAC. Advances in sEV engineering have further indicated that sEVs might once be used as effective drug carriers. Thus, extensive sEV-based communication and applications as platform for biomarker analysis or vehicles for treatment suggest a major impact of sEVs in future PDAC research.
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Multifaceted Role of the Transforming Growth Factor β on Effector T Cells and the Implication for CAR-T Cell Therapy. IMMUNO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno1030010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Evading the immune system is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Tumors escape anti-tumor immunity through cell-intrinsic means and the assembly of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. By significantly boosting the host immune system, cancer immunotherapies targeting immune checkpoint receptors (CTLA-4 and PD-1) improved survival in patients even with cancers previously considered rapidly fatal. Nevertheless, an important group of patients is refractory or relapse rapidly. The factors involved in the heterogeneous responses observed are still poorly understood. Other immunotherapeutic approaches are being developed that may widen the options, including adoptive cell therapy using CAR-T cells alone or in combination. Despite impressive results in B cell malignancies, many caveats and unanswered questions remain in other cancers, thus limiting the potential of this approach to treat aggressive diseases. In particular, a complex TME could impair the survival, proliferation, and effector functions of CAR-T cells. Recent reports highlight the potential of targeting TGF-β signaling to improve CAR-T cell therapy. TGF-β is a well-known regulatory cytokine with pleiotropic effects in the TME, including immunosuppression. This review summarizes recent work investigating the potential effects of TGF-β within the TME, with a focus on CAR-T behavior and efficacy. We also discuss several key questions to be addressed to accelerate clinical translation of this approach.
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