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Chen W, Guo L, Xu H, Dai Y, Yao J, Wang L. NAC1 transcriptional activation of LDHA induces hepatitis B virus immune evasion leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development. Oncogenesis 2024; 13:15. [PMID: 38704368 PMCID: PMC11069585 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-024-00515-4] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Our study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying NAC1 (nucleus accumbens associated 1) transcriptional regulation of LDHA and its role in HBV immune evasion, thus contributing to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Utilizing public datasets, we performed differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on HBV-induced cirrhosis/HCC data. We identified candidate genes by intersecting differentially expressed genes with co-expression modules. We validated these genes using the TCGA database, conducting survival analysis to pinpoint key genes affecting HBV-HCC prognosis. We also employed the TIMER database for immune cell infiltration data and analyzed correlations with identified key genes to uncover potential immune escape pathways. In vitro, we investigated the impact of NAC1 and LDHA on immune cell apoptosis and HBV immune evasion. In vivo, we confirmed these findings using an HBV-induced cirrhosis model. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 676 genes influenced by HBV infection, with 475 genes showing differential expression in HBV-HCC. NAC1 emerged as a key gene, potentially mediating HBV immune escape through LDHA transcriptional regulation. Experimental data demonstrated that NAC1 transcriptionally activates LDHA, promoting immune cell apoptosis and HBV immune evasion. Animal studies confirmed these findings, linking NAC1-mediated LDHA activation to cirrhosis and HCC development. NAC1, highly expressed in HBV-infected liver cells, likely drives HBV immune escape by activating LDHA expression, inhibiting CD8 + T cells, and promoting cirrhosis and HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbiao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Liliangzi Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Huixuan Xu
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Yong Dai
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, China.
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Xie Q, Tong C, Xiong X. An overview of the co-transcription factor NACC1: Beyond its pro-tumor effects. Life Sci 2024; 336:122314. [PMID: 38030057 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122314] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NACC1) is a member of the broad complex, tramtrack, bric-a-brac/poxvirus and zinc finger (BTB/POZ) protein families, mainly exerting its biological functions as a transcription co-regulator. NACC1 forms homo- or hetero-dimers through the BTB/POZ or BANP, E5R, and NACC1 (BEN) domain with other transcriptional regulators to regulate downstream signals. Recently, the overexpression of NACC1 has been observed in various tumors and is positively associated with tumor progression, high recurrence rate, indicating poor prognosis. NACC1 also regulates biological processes such as embryonic development, stem cell pluripotency, innate immunity, and related diseases. Our review combines recent research to summarize advancements in the structure, biological functions, and relative molecular mechanisms of NACC1. The future development of NACC1 clinical appliances is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Chang Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Xiangyang Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China; Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
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3
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Wang L, Song J. Role of T Cells in Microbial Pathogenesis. Pathogens 2023; 12:1321. [PMID: 38003786 PMCID: PMC10674777 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system functions as a sophisticated defense mechanism, shielding the body from harmful pathogenic invaders [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA;
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Peng HY, Wang L, Das JK, Kumar A, Ballard DJ, Ren Y, Xiong X, de Figueiredo P, Yang JM, Song J. Control of CD4 + T cells to restrain inflammatory diseases via eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:415. [PMID: 37875468 PMCID: PMC10598003 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells, particularly IL-17-secreting helper CD4+ T cells, play a central role in the inflammatory processes underlying autoimmune disorders. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase (eEF2K) is pivotal in CD8+ T cells and has important implications in vascular dysfunction and inflammation-related diseases such as hypertension. However, its specific immunological role in CD4+ T cell activities and related inflammatory diseases remains elusive. Our investigation has uncovered that the deficiency of eEF2K disrupts the survival and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, impairs their ability to secrete cytokines. Notably, this dysregulation leads to heightened production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17, fosters a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells is linked to increased metabolic activity and mitochondrial bioenergetics. We have shown that eEF2K regulates mitochondrial function and CD4+ T cell activity through the upregulation of the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Crucially, the deficiency of eEF2K exacerbates the severity of inflammation-related diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis. Strikingly, the use of C188-9, a small molecule targeting STAT3, mitigates colitis in a murine immunodeficiency model receiving eEF2K knockout (KO) CD4+ T cells. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of eEF2K in controlling the function and metabolism of CD4+ T cells and its indispensable involvement in inflammation-related diseases. Manipulating eEF2K represents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of inflammation-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Darby J Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77845, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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Cao J, Liao S, Zeng F, Liao Q, Luo G, Zhou Y. Effects of altered glycolysis levels on CD8 + T cell activation and function. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:407. [PMID: 37422501 PMCID: PMC10329707 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05937-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are an important component of the body's adaptive immune response. During viral or intracellular bacterial infections, CD8+ T cells are rapidly activated and differentiated to exert their immune function by producing cytokines. Alterations in the glycolysis of CD8+ T cells have an important effect on their activation and function, while glycolysis is important for CD8+ T cell functional failure and recovery. This paper summarizes the importance of CD8+ T cell glycolysis in the immune system. We discuss the link between glycolysis and CD8+ T cell activation, differentiation, and proliferation, and the effect of altered glycolysis on CD8+ T cell function. In addition, potential molecular targets to enhance and restore the immune function of CD8+ T cells by affecting glycolysis and the link between glycolysis and CD8+ T cell senescence are summarized. This review provides new insights into the relationship between glycolysis and CD8+ T cell function, and proposes novel strategies for immunotherapy by targeting glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Cao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Shan Liao
- Department of Pathology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Feng Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Gengqiu Luo
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Yanhong Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, Basic School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China.
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Wang L, Peng HY, Das JK, Kumar A, Ren Y, Ballard DJ, Xiong X, Yang W, Ren X, de Figueiredo P, Yang JM, Song J. NAC1 confines virus-specific memory formation of CD4 + T cells through the ROCK1-mediated pathway. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28957. [PMID: 37465969 PMCID: PMC10391642 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28957] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NAC1), a transcriptional cofactor, has been found to play important roles in regulating regulatory T cells, CD8+ T cells, and antitumor immunity, but little is known about its effects on T-cell memory. In this study, we found that NAC1 expression restricts memory formation of CD4+ T cells during viral infection. Analysis of CD4+ T cells from wild-type (WT) and NAC1-deficient (-/- ) mice showed that NAC1 is essential for T-cell metabolism, including glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and supports CD4+ T-cell survival in vitro. We further demonstrated that a deficiency of NAC1 downregulates glycolysis and correlates with the AMPK-mTOR pathway and causes autophagy defective in CD4+ T cells. Loss of NAC1 reduced the expression of ROCK1 and the phosphorylation and stabilization of BECLIN1. However, a forced expression of ROCK1 in NAC1-/- CD4+ T cells restored autophagy and the activity of the AMPK-mTOR pathway. In animal experiments, adoptively transferred NAC1-/- CD4+ T cells or NAC1-/- mice challenged with VACV showed enhanced formation of VACV-specific CD4+ memory T cells compared to adoptively transferred WT CD4+ T cells or WT mice. This memory T-cell formation enhancement was abrogated by forcing expression of ROCK1. Our study reveals a novel role for NAC1 as a suppressor of CD4+ T-cell memory formation and suggests that targeting NAC1 could be a new approach to promoting memory CD4+ T-cell development, which is critical for an effective immune response against pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Darby J Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Wen Yang
- Imgen BioSciences, Fall River, MA 02723, USA
| | - Xingcong Ren
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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Ngule CM, Hemati H, Ren X, Obaleye O, Akinyemi AO, Oyelami FF, Xiong X, Song J, Liu X, Yang JM. Identification of a NACC1-Regulated Gene Signature Implicated in the Features of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1223. [PMID: 37189841 PMCID: PMC10136325 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041223] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by a deficiency in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (HER2), is among the most lethal subtypes of breast cancer (BC). Nevertheless, the molecular determinants that contribute to its malignant phenotypes such as tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance, remain elusive. In this study, we sought to identify the stemness-associated genes involved in TNBC progression. Using bioinformatics approaches, we found 55 up- and 9 downregulated genes in TNBC. Out of the 55 upregulated genes, a 5 gene-signature (CDK1, EZH2, CCNB1, CCNA2, and AURKA) involved in cell regeneration was positively correlated with the status of tumor hypoxia and clustered with stemness-associated genes, as recognized by Parametric Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (PGSEA). Enhanced infiltration of immunosuppressive cells was also positively correlated with the expression of these five genes. Moreover, our experiments showed that depletion of the transcriptional co-factor nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NAC1), which is highly expressed in TNBC, reduced the expression of these genes. Thus, the five genes signature identified by this study warrants further exploration as a potential new biomarker of TNBC heterogeneity/stemness characterized by high hypoxia, stemness enrichment, and immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrispus M. Ngule
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hami Hemati
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xingcong Ren
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Oluwafunminiyi Obaleye
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Amos O. Akinyemi
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Felix F. Oyelami
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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Wang L, Peng HY, Pham A, Villazana E, Ballard DJ, Das JK, Kumar A, Xiong X, Song J. T Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 Coinfection and Comorbidities. Pathogens 2023; 12:321. [PMID: 36839596 PMCID: PMC9965203 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
For the past three years, COVID-19 has become an increasing global health issue. Adaptive immune cells, especially T cells, have been extensively investigated in regard to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, human health and T cell responses are also impacted by many other pathogens and chronic diseases. We have summarized T cell performance during SARS-CoV-2 coinfection with other viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Furthermore, we distinguished if those altered T cell statuses under coinfection would affect their clinical outcomes, such as symptom severity and hospitalization demand. T cell alteration in diabetes, asthma, and hypertension patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was also investigated in our study. We have summarized whether changes in T cell response influence the clinical outcome during comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Aspen Pham
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Eber Villazana
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Darby J. Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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Ren Y, Kumar A, Das JK, Peng HY, Wang L, Balllard D, Xiong X, Ren X, Zhang Y, Yang JM, Song J. Tumorous expression of NAC1 restrains antitumor immunity through the LDHA-mediated immune evasion. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004856. [PMID: 36150745 PMCID: PMC9511653 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell-mediated antitumor immunity has a vital role in cancer prevention and treatment; however, the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) constitutes a significant contributor to immune evasion that weakens antitumor immunity. Here, we explore the relationship between nucleus accumbens-associated protein-1 (NAC1), a nuclear factor of the BTB (broad-complex, Tramtrack, bric a brac)/POZ (Poxvirus, and Zinc finger) gene family, and the TME. METHODS Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of mouse or human tumor antigen (Ag)-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) was tested in an immunocompetent or immunodeficient mouse model of melanoma with or without expression of NAC1. The effects of NAC1 expression on immune evasion in tumor cells were assessed in vitro and in vivo. CRISPR/Cas9, glycolysis analysis, retroviral transduction, quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometric analysis, immunoblotting, database analyses were used to screen the downstream target and underlying mechanism of NAC1 in tumor cells. RESULTS Tumorous expression of NAC1 negatively impacts the CTL-mediated antitumor immunity via lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA)-mediated suppressive TME. NAC1 positively regulated the expression of LDHA at the transcriptional level, which led to higher accumulation of lactic acid in the TME. This inhibited the cytokine production and induced exhaustion and apoptosis of CTLs, impairing their cell-killing ability. In the immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, NAC1 depleted melanoma tumors grew significantly slower and had an elevated infiltration of tumor Ag-specific CTLs following ACT, compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS Tumor expression of NAC1 contributes substantially to immune evasion through its regulatory role in LDHA expression and lactic acid production. Thus, therapeutic targeting of NAC1 warrants further exploration as a potential strategy to reinforce cancer immunotherapy, such as the ACT of CTLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Ren
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Jugal K Das
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Hao-Yun Peng
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Liqing Wang
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Darby Balllard
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Xingcong Ren
- Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
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