Semaphorin Signaling in Cancer-Associated Inflammation

NK/DC crosstalk-modulating antitumor activity via Sema3E/PlexinD1 axis for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

The complex relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) within the tumor microenvironment significantly impacts the success of cancer immunotherapy. Recent advancements in cancer treatment have sought to bolster innate and adaptive immune responses through diverse modalities, aiming to tilt the immune equilibrium toward tumor elimination. Optimal antitumor immunity entails a multifaceted interplay involving NK cells, T cells and DCs, orchestrating immune effector functions. Although DC-based vaccines and NK cells' cytotoxic capabilities hold substantial therapeutic potential, their interaction is frequently hindered by immunosuppressive elements such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells. Chemokines and cytokines, such as CXCL12, CCL2, interferons, and interleukins, play crucial roles in modulating NK/DC interactions and enhancing immune responses. This review elucidates the mechanisms underlying NK/DC interaction, emphasizing their pivotal roles in augmenting antitumor immune responses and the impediments posed by tumor-induced immunosuppression. Furthermore, it explores the therapeutic prospects of restoring NK/DC crosstalk, highlighting the significance of molecules like Sema3E/PlexinD1 in this context, offering potential avenues for enhancing the effectiveness of current immunotherapeutic strategies and advancing cancer treatment paradigms. Harnessing the dynamic interplay between NK and DC cells, including the modulation of Sema3E/PlexinD1 signaling, holds promise for developing more potent therapies that harness the immune system's full potential in combating cancer.

PlexinB1 Inactivation Reprograms Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment, Inhibiting Breast Cancer Growth and Metastatic Dissemination

Semaphorin-plexin signaling plays a major role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, Semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) has been shown to promote tumor growth and metastasis; however, the role of its high-affinity receptor Plexin-B1 (PLXNB1), which is expressed in the TME, is poorly understood. In this study, we directly targeted PLXNB1 in the TME of triple-negative murine breast carcinoma to elucidate its relevance in cancer progression. We found that primary tumor growth and metastatic dissemination were strongly reduced in PLXNB1-deficient mice, which showed longer survival. PLXNB1 loss in the TME induced a switch in the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) toward a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and enhanced the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes both in primary tumors and in distant metastases. Moreover, PLXNB1 deficiency promoted a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance of the T-cell population and an antitumor gene signature, with the upregulation of Icos, Perforin-1, Stat3, and Ccl5 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We thus tested the translational relevance of TME reprogramming driven by PLXNB1 inactivation for responsiveness to immunotherapy. Indeed, in the absence of PLXNB1, the efficacy of anti-PD-1 blockade was strongly enhanced, efficiently reducing tumor growth and distant metastasis. Consistent with this, pharmacological PLXNB1 blockade by systemic treatment with a specific inhibitor significantly hampered breast cancer growth and enhanced the antitumor activity of the anti-PD-1 treatment in a preclinical model. Altogether, these data indicate that PLXNB1 signaling controls the antitumor immune response in the TME and highlight this receptor as a promising immune therapeutic target for metastatic breast cancers.

Semaphorins in tumor microenvironment: Biological mechanisms and therapeutic progress

Hallmark features of the tumor microenvironment include immune cells, stromal cells, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix (ECM), providing a conducive environment for the growth and survival of tumors. Recent advances in the understanding of cancer biology have highlighted the functional role of semaphorins (SEMAs). SEMAs are a large and diverse family of widely expressed secreted and membrane-binding proteins, which were initially implicated in axon guidance and neural development. However, it is now clear that they are widely expressed beyond the nervous system and participate in regulating immune responses and cancer progression. In fact, accumulating evidence disclosed that different SEMAs can either stimulate or restrict tumor progression, some of which act as important regulators of tumor angiogenesis. Conversely, limited information is known about the functional relevance of SEMA signals in TME. In this setting, we systematically elaborate the role SEMAs and their major receptors played in characterized components of TME. Furthermore, we provide a convergent view of current SEMAs pharmacological progress in clinical treatment and also put forward their potential application value and clinical prospects in the future.

Plexin B1 controls Treg numbers, limits allergic airway inflammation, and regulates mucins

We investigated the effect of global Plexin B1 deficiency on allergic airway responses to house dust mite (HDM) or ovalbumin (OVA). In the HDM model, there were higher Th2 cytokine levels in the BALF of Plexin B1 knock-out (KO) mice compared to wild type (WT), and tissue inflammation and mucus production were modestly enhanced. In the OVA model, Plexin B1 deficiency led to increases in lung inflammation, mucus production, and lung Th2 cytokines accompanied by dysregulated mucin gene expression without affecting anti-OVA IgE/IgG1 levels. Spleen cells from Plexin B1 KO mice proliferated more robustly than WT cells in vitro to a variety of stimuli. Plexin B1 KO CD4+ T cells from spleens expressed higher levels of Ki-67 and CD69 compared to WT cells. Spleen cells from naïve Plexin B1 KO mice secreted increased amounts of IL-4 and IL-6 when pulsed in vitro with OVA whereas in vivo OVA-primed spleen cells produced IL-4/IL-5 when subjected to in vitro OVA restimulation. The upregulated allergic inflammatory response in Plexin B1 KO mice was associated with a lower number of Tregs in the lung tissues. Moreover, these mice displayed lower numbers of Treg cells in the lymphoid tissues at the baseline. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized link between Plexin B1, Treg cells, and mucus in allergic lung inflammation.

Characterization of peripheral blood inflammatory indicators and OCT imaging biological markers in diabetic retinopathy with or without nephropathy

Objective

To observe the distribution characteristics of peripheral blood inflammatory indexes and retinal macular area optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging biomarkers in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) with or without diabetic nephropathy (DN), in order to seek clinical biomarkers that can predict the development of DR and DN.

Methods

A total of 169 inpatients with DR who visited the ophthalmology department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2020 to June 2022 and had complete clinical data were collected, and the patients with DR were divided into two major groups, DR and DR/DN, according to whether they had DN, and then further divided into four subgroups, Non-proliferative DR(NPDR), proliferative DR(PDR), NPDR/DN and PDR/DN, according to the stage of DR. The distribution characteristics of peripheral blood inflammatory indexes [Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and Platelet to neutrophil ratio(PLR)], renal function indexes [Cystatin-C(CYS-C), Creatinine(Crea), Uric acid(UA)and Urinary albumin to creatinine ratio(UACR)] and OCT imaging indexes [Hyperreflective foci(HRF), Disorgnization of retinal inner layers(DRIL), Outer retinal tubulations(ORTs), Central retinal thickness(CRT), Retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) and Ganglion cell layer(GCL)] were analyzed between the above subgroups.

Results

There was no difference between DR and DR/DN groups in terms of gender, family history of diabetes, duration of diabetes and Body mass index(BMI) (P>0.05), the mean age of the DR/DN group was significantly lower than that of the DR group (P<0.05), and the proportion of the DR/DN group with a history of hypertension was significantly higher than that of the DR group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in hemoglobin A1C(HbA1c) between DR and DR/DN groups (P>0.05). (P>0.05), Hemoglobin(HGB) was significantly higher in the DR group than in the DR/DN group (P <0.05), NLR, PLR, Crea, UA and CYS-C were significantly higher in the DR/DN group than in the DR group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the comparison of HRF, DRIL, ORTs positive rate and CRT between the DR and DR/DN groups (P>0.05). RNFL and GCL thickness were significantly lower in the DR/DN group than in the DR group (P<0.05); history of hypertension (OR=2.759), NLR (OR=1.316), PLR (OR=1.009), Crea (OR=1.018), UA (OR=1.004), CYS-C (OR=3.742) were the independent (OR=0.951), age (OR=0.951), HGB (OR=0.976), RNFL (OR=0.909) and GCL (OR=0.945) were independent protective factors for DR/DN; RNFL (OR=0.899) and GCL (OR=0.935) were independent protective factors for NPDR/DN, RNFL (OR=0.852) and GCL (OR=0.928) were independent protective factors for PDR/DN. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for CYS-C, PLR, Crea, UA and the combination of the four indicators to predict DR/DN were 0.717, 0.625, 0.647, 0.616 and 0.717, respectively.

Conclusions

(1) Low age combined with hypertension HGB, NLR, PLR, CYS-C, Crea and UA may be serum biological markers for predicting DN in DR; meanwhile, PLR, CYS-C, Crea, UA and the combination of the four indicators can be used for risk assessment and adjunctive diagnosis of DN in DR combined with hypertension. (2) The RNFL and GCL thickness in the temporal aspect of the central macular sulcus may be imaging biological markers for predicting DN in DR; meanwhile, GCL thickness may have important value for risk prediction and diagnosis of DN in combination with DR.

SEMA5A-PLXNB3 Axis Promotes PDAC Liver Metastasis Outgrowth through Enhancing the Warburg Effect

Patients bearing liver metastasis of pancreatic adeno carcinoma (PDAC) suffer from poor prognosis due to its short duration and high mortality. Complex tumor microenvironment (TME) exists in liver metastatic niches, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have play vital roles in metastasis generation and outgrowth. We have discovered that M2 type TAM-derived SEMA5A could bind to its tumor cell-expressed receptor PLXNB3 to promote tumor cell proliferation and outgrowth. We utilized liver metastasis samples of PDAC patients, intrasplenic injection mouse models, and Kras G12D/Trp53 R172H/Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mouse models for in vivo study. In mechanism investigation, we have discovered that SEMA5A-PLXNB3 axis could achieve tumor cell proliferation and survival via enhancing aerobic glycolysis termed as the Warburg effects. Targeting this axis may be a potential therapeutic approach for PDAC patients with unresectable liver metastasis.

An Overview of the Molecular Cues and Their Intracellular Signaling Shared by Cancer and the Nervous System: From Neurotransmitters to Synaptic Proteins, Anatomy of an All-Inclusive Cooperation

We propose an overview of the molecular cues and their intracellular signaling involved in the crosstalk between cancer and the nervous system. While "cancer neuroscience" as a field is still in its infancy, the relation between cancer and the nervous system has been known for a long time, and a huge body of experimental data provides evidence that tumor-nervous system connections are widespread. They encompass different mechanisms at different tumor progression steps, are multifaceted, and display some intriguing analogies with the nervous system's physiological processes. Overall, we can say that many of the paradigmatic "hallmarks of cancer" depicted by Weinberg and Hanahan are affected by the nervous system in a variety of manners.

The Sympathetic Nervous System Contributes to the Establishment of Pre-Metastatic Pulmonary Microenvironments

Emerging evidence suggests that neural activity contributes to tumor initiation and its acquisition of metastatic properties. More specifically, it has been reported that the sympathetic nervous system regulates tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. The function of the sympathetic nervous system in primary tumors has been gradually elucidated. However, its functions in pre-metastatic environments and/or the preparation of metastatic environments far from the primary sites are still unknown. To investigate the role of the sympathetic nervous system in pre-metastatic environments, we performed chemical sympathectomy using 6-OHDA in mice and observed a decrease in lung metastasis by attenuating the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Furthermore, we note that neuro-immune cell interactions could be observed in tumor-bearing mouse lungs in conjunction with the decreased expression of Sema3A. These data indicate that the sympathetic nervous system contributes to the preparation of pre-metastatic microenvironments in the lungs, which are mediated by neuro-immune cell interactions.

Potential Cross Talk between Autism Risk Genes and Neurovascular Molecules: A Pilot Study on Impact of Blood Brain Barrier Integrity

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common pediatric neurobiological disorder with up to 80% of genetic etiologies. Systems biology approaches may make it possible to test novel therapeutic strategies targeting molecular pathways to alleviate ASD symptoms. A clinical database of autism subjects was queried for individuals with a copy number variation (CNV) on microarray, Vineland, and Parent Concern Questionnaire scores. Pathway analyses of genes from pathogenic CNVs yielded 659 genes whose protein-protein interactions and mRNA expression mapped 121 genes with maximal antenatal expression in 12 brain regions. A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)-derived neural circuits map revealed significant differences in anxiety, motor, and activities of daily living skills scores between altered CNV genes and normal microarrays subjects, involving Positive Valence (reward), Cognition (IQ), and Social Processes. Vascular signaling was identified as a biological process that may influence these neural circuits. Neuroinflammation, microglial activation, iNOS and 3-nitrotyrosine increase in the brain of Semaphorin 3F- Neuropilin 2 (Sema 3F-NRP2) KO, an ASD mouse model, agree with previous reports in the brain of ASD individuals. Signs of platelet deposition, activation, release of serotonin, and albumin leakage in ASD-relevant brain regions suggest possible blood brain barrier (BBB) deficits. Disruption of neurovascular signaling and BBB with neuroinflammation may mediate causative pathophysiology in some ASD subgroups. Although preliminary, these data demonstrate the potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies based on clinically derived data, genomics, cognitive neuroscience, and basic neuroscience methods.

SEMA4D/PlexinB1 promotes AML progression via activation of PI3K/Akt signaling

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. SEMA4D is a 150 kDa transmembrane protein that belongs to the IV class of the subfamily of semaphorin family. Previous studies have reported that SEMA4D is a multifunctional target in many solid tumors, involving multiple physiological systems, and there are emerging therapies to target these pathways. The role of SEMA4D in AML has not yet been explored.

Methods

The SEMA4D expression prolile, clinical data and potential prognostic analysis were acquired via the cBioPortal and GEPIA databases. SEMA4D expression was measured using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the malignant biological characteristics.

Results

We observed that SEMA4D was increased in AML patients and correlated with risk stratification and prognosis. Moreover, SEMA4D promotes the proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of AML cells by binding to its receptor, PlexinB1, and reduces the sensitivity of AML cells to daunorubicin. In addition, SEMA4D/PlexinB1 promotes the proliferation and survival of AML cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. VX15/2503, an anti-SEMA4D antibody, can inhibit the proliferation of AML cells in xenograft mouse models, thereby inhibiting the development of AML.

Conclusion

SEMA4D will serve as a unique predictive biomarker and a possible therapeutic target in AML.

Identifying Function Determining Residues in Neuroimmune Semaphorin 4A

Semaphorin 4A (Sema4A) exerts a stabilizing effect on human Treg cells in PBMC and CD4+ T cell cultures by engaging Plexin B1. Sema4A deficient mice display enhanced allergic airway inflammation accompanied by fewer Treg cells, while Sema4D deficient mice displayed reduced inflammation and increased Treg cell numbers even though both Sema4 subfamily members engage Plexin B1. The main objectives of this study were: 1. To compare the in vitro effects of Sema4A and Sema4D proteins on human Treg cells; and 2. To identify function-determining residues in Sema4A critical for binding to Plexin B1 based on Sema4D homology modeling. We report here that Sema4A and Sema4D display opposite effects on human Treg cells in in vitro PBMC cultures; Sema4D inhibited the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cell numbers and CD25/Foxp3 expression. Sema4A and Sema4D competitively bind to Plexin B1 in vitro and hence may be doing so in vivo as well. Bayesian Partitioning with Pattern Selection (BPPS) partitioned 4505 Sema domains from diverse organisms into subgroups based on distinguishing sequence patterns that are likely responsible for functional differences. BPPS groups Sema3 and Sema4 into one family and further separates Sema4A and Sema4D into distinct subfamilies. Residues distinctive of the Sema3,4 family and of Sema4A (and by homology of Sema4D) tend to cluster around the Plexin B1 binding site. This suggests that the residues both common to and distinctive of Sema4A and Sema4D may mediate binding to Plexin B1, with subfamily residues mediating functional specificity. We mutated the Sema4A-specific residues M198 and F223 to alanine; notably, F223 in Sema4A corresponds to alanine in Sema4D. Mutant proteins were assayed for Plexin B1-binding and Treg stimulation activities. The F223A mutant was unable to stimulate Treg stability in in vitro PBMC cultures despite binding Plexin B1 with an affinity similar to the WT protein. This research is a first step in generating potent mutant Sema4A molecules with stimulatory function for Treg cells with a view to designing immunotherapeutics for asthma.

SEMA6B Overexpression Predicts Poor Prognosis and Correlates With the Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Semaphorin 6b (SEMA6B) is a member of the semaphorin axon-guidance family and has been demonstrated to both induce and inhibit tumor progression. However, the role of SEMA6B in colorectal cancer (CRC) has remained unclear. This study sought to explore the promising prognostic biomarker for CRC and to understand the expression pattern, clinical significance, immune effects, and biological functions of SEMA6B.

Methods: SEMA6B expression in CRC was evaluated via multiple gene and protein expression databases and we identified its prognostic value through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Correlations between SEMA6B expression and components of the tumor immune microenvironment were analyzed by packages implemented in R, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), and Tumor-Immune System Interactions database (TISIDB). RNA interference was performed to silence the expression of SEMA6B to explore its biological roles in the colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and LoVo.

Results: The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of SEMA6B and the protein expression were higher in CRC tissues than adjacent normal tissues from multiple CRC datasets. High SEMA6B expression was significantly associated with dismal survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that SEMA6B was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS). The nomogram showed a favorable predictive ability in PFS. Functional enrichment analysis and the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm revealed that the gene cluster associated with the high SEMA6B group were prominently involved in immune responses and inflammatory activities. Notably, SEMA6B expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4⁺ T cells, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Moreover, SEMA6B expression displayed strong correlations with diverse marker sets of immunosuppressive cells in CRC. Integrative analysis revealed that immunosuppressive molecules and immune checkpoints were markedly upregulated in CRC samples with high SEMA6B expression. Furthermore, knockdown of SMEA6B in colon cancer cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and reduced the mRNA levels of immunosuppressive molecules.

Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that high SEMA6B expression correlated with adverse prognosis and the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment in CRC patients. Therefore, SEMA6B may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for CRC, which offers further insights into developing CRC-targeted immunotherapies.

Tristetraprolin expression by keratinocytes protects against skin carcinogenesis

Cancer is caused primarily by genomic alterations resulting in deregulation of gene regulatory circuits in key growth, apoptosis, or DNA repair pathways. Multiple genes associated with the initiation and development of tumors are also regulated at the level of mRNA decay, through the recruitment of RNA-binding proteins to AU-rich elements (AREs) located in their 3'-untranslated regions. One of these ARE-binding proteins, tristetraprolin (TTP; encoded by Zfp36), is consistently dysregulated in many human malignancies. Herein, using regulated overexpression or conditional ablation in the context of cutaneous chemical carcinogenesis, we show that TTP represents a critical regulator of skin tumorigenesis. We provide evidence that TTP controlled both tumor-associated inflammation and key oncogenic pathways in neoplastic epidermal cells. We identify Areg as a direct target of TTP in keratinocytes and show that EGFR signaling potentially contributed to exacerbated tumor formation. Finally, single-cell RNA-Seq analysis indicated that ZFP36 was downregulated in human malignant keratinocytes. We conclude that TTP expression by epidermal cells played a major role in the control of skin tumorigenesis.

Semaphorins as emerging clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer

Semaphorins are a large family of developmental regulatory signals, characterized by aberrant expression in human cancers. These molecules crucially control cell-cell communication, cell migration, invasion and metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, inflammatory and anti-cancer immune responses. Semaphorins comprise secreted and cell surface-exposed molecules and their receptors are mainly found in the Plexin and Neuropilin families, which are further implicated in a signaling network controlling the tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidence indicates that semaphorins may be considered as novel clinical biomarkers for cancer, especially for the prediction of patient survival and responsiveness to therapy. Moreover, preclinical experimental studies have demonstrated that targeting semaphorin signaling can interfere with tumor growth and/or metastatic dissemination, suggesting their relevance as novel therapeutic targets in cancer; this has also prompted the development of semaphorin-interfering molecules for application in the clinic. Here we will survey, in diverse human cancers, the current knowledge about the relevance of semaphorin family members, and conceptualize potential lines of future research development in this field.

High SEMA4C expression promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and predicts poor prognosis in colorectal carcinoma

Semaphorin 4C (SEMA4C), is an important regulator of axonal guidance and aggravates tumor development. However, the roles and prognostic value of SEMA4C in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Here, bioinformatics analyses of transcriptome data from multiple CRC patient datasets and immunohistochemical staining of a CRC tissue microarray (TMA) (n=83) showed that SEMA4C mRNA and protein expression were higher in CRC tissues than normal colorectal tissues. SEMA4C mRNA and protein expression correlated with pathologic stage and metastasis in CRC patients. Higher SEMA4C expression was associated with shorter overall survival, consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4), and DNA hypomethylation of SEMA4C in CRC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that SEMA4C expression was an independent prognostic predictor in CRC patients. Gene set expression analysis (GSEA) illustrated that SEMA4C expression had remarkable correlations with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, and Notch signaling pathways. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that SEMA4C expression accurately distinguished between the CMS4 and CMS1-3 subtypes of CRC patients. By inhibiting EMT, SEMA4C silencing reduced in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion by CRC cells. These findings suggest that SEMA4C is a CMS4-associated gene that enhances CRC progression by inducing EMT.

Mechanisms Underlying the Inhibition of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Induced Anorexia and Fatigue by Royal Jelly in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients and the Correlation between Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor and Inflammatory Mediators

Inflammation is a common adverse event of anti-cancer therapy. Royal jelly (RJ) modulates inflammation by regulating the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and interleukin (IL)-6 produced by macrophages. Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a crucial regulator of macrophage activities, and we hypothesized that RJ alters M-CSF levels. In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the association between M-CSF and adverse events in renal cell carcinoma patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) after an oral intake of RJ (n = 16) or placebo (n = 17). The serum levels of M-CSF, TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-6 were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their temporal changes and correlation between such changes were analyzed. The post-/pretreatment ratio of M-CSF levels was associated with anorexia after 2 weeks and fatigue after 2, 4, and 12 weeks. The M-CSF level in the RJ group was higher than that in the placebo group at the same timepoints. The TNF-α level in the RJ group was lower than that in the placebo group between 6 and 12 weeks, and the TGF-β level in the RJ group was higher than that in the placebo group; however, contrasting findings were detected after 12 weeks. Additionally, the M-CSF level was significantly correlated with the TGF-β level after 4 weeks and IL-6 level after 8 and 10 weeks. Among TNF-α, TGF-β, and IL-6, the post-/pretreatment ratio of TGF-β after 12 weeks was associated with TKI-induced anorexia, and the ratios after 10 and 12 weeks were associated with fatigue. Our results demonstrated that an oral intake of RJ suppressed anorexia and fatigue via complex mechanisms associated with inflammation-related factors, such as M-CSF and TGF-β in renal cell carcinoma patients treated with TKIs. In addition, we newly found that such RJ-related effects were dependent on the treatment duration.

Semaphorins in health and disease

Cell-cell communication is pivotal to guide embryo development, as well as to maintain adult tissues homeostasis and control immune response. Among extracellular factors responsible for this function, are the Semaphorins, a broad family of around 20 different molecular cues conserved in evolution and widely expressed in all tissues. The signaling cascades initiated by semaphorins depend on a family of conserved receptors, called Plexins, and on several additional molecules found in the receptor complexes. Moreover, multiple intracellular pathways have been described to act downstream of semaphorins, highlighting significant diversity in the signaling cascades controlled by this family. Notably, semaphorin expression is altered in many human diseases, such as immunopathologies, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This underscores the importance of semaphorins as regulatory factors in the tissue microenvironment and has prompted growing interest for assessing their potential relevance in medicine. This review article surveys the main contexts in which semaphorins have been found to regulate developing and healthy adult tissues, and the signaling cascades implicated in these functions. Vis a vis, we will highlight the main pathological processes in which semaphorins are thought to have a role thereof.

Support Vector Machine for Lung Adenocarcinoma Staging Through Variant Pathways

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most common malignant tumors. How to effectively diagnose LUAD at an early stage and make an accurate judgement of the occurrence and progression of LUAD are still the focus of current research. Support vector machine (SVM) is one of the most effective methods for diagnosing LUAD of different stages. The study aimed to explore the dynamic change of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different stages of LUAD, and to assess the risk of LUAD through DEGs enriched pathways and establish a diagnostic model based on SVM method. Based on TMN stages and gene expression profiles of 517 samples in TCGA-LUAD database, coefficient of variation (CV) combined with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to screen out feature genes in different TMN stages after data standardization. Unsupervised clustering analysis was conducted on samples and feature genes. The feature genes were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient to construct a co-expression network. Fisher exact test was conducted to verify the most enriched pathways, and the variation of each pathway in different stages was analyzed. SVM networks were trained and ROC curves were drawn based on the predicted results so as to evaluate the predictive effectiveness of the SVM model. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis results showed that almost all the samples in stage III/IV were clustered together, while samples in stage I/II were clustered together. The correlation of feature genes in different stages was different. In addition, with the increase of malignant degree of lung cancer, the average shortest path of the network gradually increased, while the closeness centrality gradually decreased. Finally, four feature pathways that could distinguish different stages of LUAD were obtained and the ability was tested by the SVM model with an accuracy of 91%. Functional level differences were quantified based on the expression of feature genes in lung cancer patients of different stages, so as to help the diagnosis and prediction of lung cancer. The accuracy of our model in differentiating between stage I/II and stage III/IV could reach 91%.

Characterization of Class-3 Semaphorin Receptors, Neuropilins and Plexins, as Therapeutic Targets in a Pan-Cancer Study

Class-3 semaphorins (SEMA3s), initially characterized as axon guidance cues, have been recognized as key regulators for immune responses, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis and drug responses. The functions of SEMA3s are attributed to the activation of downstream signaling cascades mainly mediated by cell surface receptors neuropilins (NRPs) and plexins (PLXNs), yet their roles in human cancers are not completely understood. Here, we provided a detailed pan-cancer analysis of NRPs and PLXNs in their expression, and association with key signal transducers, patient survival, tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug responses. The expression of NRPs and PLXNs were dysregulated in many cancer types, and the majority of them were further dysregulated in metastatic tumors, indicating a role in metastatic progression. Importantly, the expression of these genes was frequently associated with key transducers, patient survival, TME, and drug responses; however, the direction of the association varied for the particular gene queried and the specific cancer type/subtype tested. Specifically, NRP1, NRP2, PLXNA1, PLXNA3, PLXNB3, PLXNC1, and PLXND1 were primarily associated with aggressive phenotypes, whereas the rest were more associated with favorable prognosis. These data highlighted the need to study each as a separate entity in a cancer type- and subtype-dependent manner.

Cisplatin Changes Expression of SEMA3B in Endometrial Cancer

BACKGROUND

Semaphorin 3B (SEMA3B) is characterized as a strong suppressing factor of the proliferation of cancerous cells and also by its anti-angiogenic effect. However, the knowledge on the changes in the expression profile of SEMA3B under the influence of cisplatin in endometrial cancer remains fragmented. The aim of this work was to note the changes in expression of SEMA3B when under the influence of cisplatin in the endometrial cancer cell line.

METHODS

Ishikawa cell line cells were exposed to three different concentrations of cisplatin: 2.5μM; 5μM; 10μM for 12, 24 and 48 hours and were compared to cells untreated by the drug. Changes in the expression profile of SEMA3B were determined based upon RtqPCR (mRNA) alongside the ELISA assay (protein). The Statistica 13.0 PL program was used for statistical analysis (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Changes on the transcriptome level seem to be more dynamic than on the proteome level. Regardless of the concentration given or the exposition period, the expression of semaphorin 3B was, in fact, higher in cells exposed to cisplatin. Statistically substantial differences (p<0.05) in the expression of SEMA3B mRNA and protein were seen for all incubation periods at the given cisplatin level when compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin causes a growth in the expression of SEMA3B in an endometrial cancer cell culture, this results in the restoration in the state of cell homeostasis and shows the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy, including a low risk of drug resistance.

Targeting Semaphorin 4D in Cancer: A Look from Different Perspectives

Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) plays a role in various cell types including B lymphocytes, differentiating neurons, endothelial cells, and cancer cells. Preclinical and in vitro studies have shown that Sema4D-directed antibodies in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors reshape the tumor microenvironment by promoting recruitment of effector lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells, while reducing immunosuppressive cell types, which ultimately leads to tumor rejection. Hence, early-stage clinical trials with combination therapies including anti-Sema4D antibodies are ongoing. In this issue of Cancer Research, Zuazo-Gaztelu and colleagues report an unexpected proinvasive effect induced by anti-Sema4D antibodies in a preclinical model of neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer (Rip1-Tag2), mediated by retrograde signaling of transmembrane Sema4D in macrophages, which increases their recruitment to tumors, SDF-1 secretion, and metastasis-promoting phenotype.See related article by Zuazo-Gaztelu et al., p. 5328.

A pan-cancer study of class-3 semaphorins as therapeutic targets in cancer

BACKGROUND

Initially characterized as axon guidance factors, semaphorins also have been implicated to have critical roles in multiple physiological and developmental functions, including the regulation of immune responses, angiogenesis, organ formation, and the etiology of multiple forms of cancer. Moreover, their contribution in immunity and the regulation of tumour microenvironment is becoming increasingly recognized. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of class-3 semaphorins, the only secreted family of genes among veterbrate semaphorins, in terms of their expression profiles and their association with patient survival. We also relate their role with immune subtypes, tumour microenvironment, and drug sensitivity using a pan-cancer study.

RESULTS

Expression profiles of class-3 semaphorins (SEMA3s) and their association with patient survival and tumour microenvironment were studied in 31 cancer types using the TCGA pan-cancer data. The expression of SEMA3 family varies in different cancer types with striking inter- and intra- cancer heterogeneity. In general, our results show that SEMA3A, SEMA3C, and SEMA3F are primarily upregulated in cancer cells, while the rest of SEMA3s are mainly down-regulated in the tested tumours. The expression of SEMA3 family members was frequently associated with patient overall survival. However, the direction of the association varied with regards to the particular SEMA3 isoform queried and the specific cancer type tested. More specifically, SEMA3A and SEMA3E primarily associate with a poor prognosis of survival, while SEMA3G typically associates with survival advantage. The rest of SEMA3s show either survival advantage or disadvantage dependent on cancer type. In addition, all SEMA3 genes show significant association with immune infiltrate subtypes, and they also correlate with level of stromal cell infiltration and tumour cell stemness with various degrees. Finally, our study revealed that SEMA3 genes, especially SEMA3C and SEMA3F may contribute to drug induced cancer cell resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic analysis of class-3 semaphorin gene expression and their association with immune infiltrates, tumour microenvironment and cancer patient outcomes highlights the need to study each SEMA3 member as a separate entity within each specific cancer type. Also our study validated the identification of class-3 semaphorin signals as promising therapeutic targets in cancer although further laboratory validation still needed.

Semaphorin 4A, 4C, and 4D: Function comparison in the autoimmunity, allergy, and cancer

Semaphorins are a group of proteins that are divided into eight subclasses and identified by a conserved Sema domain on their carboxyl terminus. Sema4A, 4C, and 4D are the members of the fourth class of semaphorin family, which are known as membrane semaphorins; however, these molecules can be altered to soluble semaphorins by proteolytic cleavage. Semaphorins have various roles in the immune, nervous, and metabolic systems. In the immune system, these molecules contribute to the formation of cellular, humoral, and innate immune responses, such as inflammation, leukocyte migration, immunological synapse formation, and germinal center events. Given the diverse roles of semaphorins in the immune system, in this review, we have tried to give a comprehensive look at the role of these molecules in autoimmunity, allergy, and cancer. Sema4D and 4A seem to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. In contrast, it has been shown that Sema4A and 4C have beneficial effects on allergies, and their absence can exacerbate the severity of the disease. In the case of cancer, an increase in all three of these molecules has been reported. Sema4D and 4C can contribute to tumor progression in human patients or experimental models, while the role of Sema4A has not yet been fully understood. In conclusion, semaphorins seem to be a favorable therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases and allergies. However, in cancer, studies have not yet been able to identify the exact role of semaphorins, and further studies are needed.

Cho S, Britton W, S. Kern T, Antonetti DA, Hellström A, E.H. Smith L. Targeting Neurovascular Interaction in Retinal Disorders

The tightly structured neural retina has a unique vascular network comprised of three interconnected plexuses in the inner retina (and choroid for outer retina), which provide oxygen and nutrients to neurons to maintain normal function. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that neuronal metabolic needs control both normal retinal vascular development and pathological aberrant vascular growth. Particularly, photoreceptors, with the highest density of mitochondria in the body, regulate retinal vascular development by modulating angiogenic and inflammatory factors. Photoreceptor metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation may cause adaptive but ultimately pathological retinal vascular responses, leading to blindness. Here we focus on the factors involved in neurovascular interactions, which are potential therapeutic targets to decrease energy demand and/or to increase energy production for neovascular retinal disorders.

Neuropilin: Handyman and Power Broker in the Tumor Microenvironment

Neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2 form a small family of transmembrane receptors, which, due to the lack of a cytosolic protein kinase domain, act primarily as co-receptors for various ligands. Performing at the molecular level both the executive and organizing functions of a handyman as well as of a power broker, they are instrumental in controlling the signaling of various receptor tyrosine kinases, integrins, and other molecules involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological angiogenic processes. In this setting, the various neuropilin ligands and interaction partners on various cells of the tumor microenvironment, such as cancer cells, endothelial cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells, are surveyed. The suitability of various neuropilin-targeting substances and the intervention in neuropilin-mediated interactions is considered as a possible building block of tumor therapy.

Differences in the Expression Pattern of mRNA Protein SEMA3F in Endometrial Cancer in vitro under Cisplatin Treatment

BACKGROUND

Semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F) plays a substantial role in carcinogenesis, because of its role in inducing angiogenesis, and creating a microenvironment for the developing tumor.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this work was to assess the impact of cisplatin, depending on the concentration and exposure time on the expression pattern of SEMA3F in an endometrial cancer cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cultures of the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells were incubated with cisplatin with the following concentrations: 2.5μM; 5μM; and 10μM and for the following periods of time: 12; 24; and 48 hours. Cells not incubated with the drug constituted the control in the experiment. To determine the effect of cisplatin on the expression of SEMA3F, the real-time quantitative reverse transcription reaction (RtqPCR; mRNA) was used, as well as the ELISA assay (protein). The statistical analysis was done with the admission of p<0.05.

RESULTS

The silencing of SEMA3F expression on the transcriptome and proteome levels in a culture unexposed to the effects of cisplatin in comparison to endometrial cancer cells under the influence of cisplatin (p<0.05) were noted. Along with an increase in the concentration of the drug used, the number of copies of the gene transcript, during the shortest incubation period had a gradual increase. Only for the highest concentration of the drug, substantial statistical differences in the expression of the SEMA3F protein between 24 and 48 hour incubation periods (p<0.05) were determined.

CONCLUSION

Using cisplatin in an endometrial cancer cell culture results in an increased expression of SEMA3F, which advantageously affects the normalization of the neoplastic angiogenic process and lowers the proliferation of the cells making up the mass of the tumor.

Tumor self-responsive upconversion nanomedicines for theranostic applications

To date, malignant tumors continue to be the most lethal disease, causing more than 8.2 million deaths worldwide each year. In recent years, nanostructures based on rare-earth upconversion luminescent nanoparticles have shown significant advantages in the integration of multimodal imaging and therapy. Compared with normal tissues, the tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibits unique characteristics including high interstitial fluid pressure, abnormal blood vessels, a hypoxic and slightly acidic environment, and high levels of glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). According to these characteristics, increasing attention in the antitumor field has been given to designing nanomedicines with specific responses to the TME based on rare-earth upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and to achieving efficient tumor diagnosis and treatment under the premise of reducing side effects. Nevertheless, a review that systematically summarizes TME-responsive upconversion nanomedicines (UCNMs) for realizing tumor self-enhanced theranostics has not been published to date. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in UCNP-based nanotherapeutics by highlighting the increasingly developing trend of TME-responsive UCNMs. The general characteristics of the TME are introduced in detail and their utilization in designing TME-responsive UCNMs is systematically discussed. Based on NIR light-excited optical imaging, we discuss the superiority of UCNMs when applied in tumor theranostics with an emphasis on how to use them to realize TME-mediated multimodal imaging-guided therapy.

Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Human EA.hy926 Endothelial Cells under Inflammatory Conditions and Their Interactions with A549 Tumour Cells

Purpose

Most tumours are characterized by an inflammatory microenvironment, and correlations between inflammation and cancer progression have been shown. Endothelial cells (ECs), as part of the tumour microenvironment, play a crucial role in inflammatory processes as well as in angiogenesis and could be critical targets of cancer therapy like irradiation. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effect of ionizing radiation on endothelial cells under inflammatory conditions and their interactions with tumour cells.

Methods

Nonactivated and TNF-α treatment-activated human EC EA.hy926 were irradiated with doses between 0.1 Gy and 6 Gy with a linear accelerator. Using a multiplex assay, the accumulation of various chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1, E-selectin, and P-selectin) and soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and VCAM-1) as well as protein values of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured in the supernatant at different time points. The adhesion capability of irradiated and nonirradiated A549 tumour cells to EA.hy926 cells was measured using flow cytometry, and the migration of tumour cells was investigated with a scratch motility assay.

Results

In contrast to unirradiated cells, IR of ECs resulted in a modified release of chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 as well as the adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the EC, whereas concentrations of E-selectin and P-selectin as well as VEGF were not influenced. IR always affected the adhesion capability of tumour cells to ECs with the effect dependent on the IR-treated cell type. TNF-α treatment generally increased adhesion ability of the tumour cells. Tumour cell migration was clearly inhibited after IR. This inhibitory effect was eliminated for radiation doses from 0.5 to 2 Gy when, additionally, an inflammatory environment was predominant.

Conclusions

Our results support past findings suggesting that ECs, as part of the inflammatory microenvironment of tumours, are important regulators of the actual tumour response to radiation therapy.