Overexpression of CD147 is associated with poor prognosis, tumor cell migration and ERK signaling pathway activation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Application of adoptive cell therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge. Novel treatment modalities are urgently needed to extend the overall survival of patients. The liver plays an immunomodulatory function due to its unique physiological structural characteristics. Therefore, following surgical resection and radiotherapy, immunotherapy regimens have shown great potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Adoptive cell immunotherapy is rapidly developing in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we summarize the latest research on adoptive immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The focus is on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells. Then tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), natural killer (NK) cells, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, and macrophages are briefly discussed. The main overview of the application and challenges of adoptive immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. It aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the current status of HCC adoptive immunotherapy and offers some strategies. We hope to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Combining bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing data to develop an NK cell-related prognostic signature for hepatocellular carcinoma based on an integrated machine learning framework

BACKGROUND

The application of molecular targeting therapy and immunotherapy has notably prolonged the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, multidrug resistance and high molecular heterogeneity of HCC still prevent the further improvement of clinical benefits. Dysfunction of tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells was strongly related to HCC progression and survival benefits of HCC patients. Hence, an NK cell-related prognostic signature was built up to predict HCC patients' prognosis and immunotherapeutic response.

METHODS

NK cell markers were selected from scRNA-Seq data obtained from GSE162616 data set. A consensus machine learning framework including a total of 77 algorithms was developed to establish the gene signature in TCGA-LIHC data set, GSE14520 data set, GSE76427 data set and ICGC-LIRI-JP data set. Moreover, the predictive efficacy on ICI response was externally validated by GSE91061 data set and PRJEB23709 data set.

RESULTS

With the highest C-index among 77 algorithms, a 11-gene signature was established by the combination of LASSO and CoxBoost algorithm, which classified patients into high- and low-risk group. The prognostic signature displayed a good predictive performance for overall survival rate, moderate to high predictive accuracy and was an independent risk factor for HCC patients' prognosis in TCGA, GEO and ICGC cohorts. Compared with high-risk group, low-risk patients showed higher IPS-PD1 blocker, IPS-CTLA4 blocker, common immune checkpoints expression but lower TIDE score, which indicated low-risk patients might be prone to benefiting from ICI treatment. Moreover, a real-world cohort, PRJEB23709, also revealed better immunotherapeutic response in low-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the present study developed a gene signature based on NK cell-related genes, which offered a novel platform for prognosis and immunotherapeutic response evaluation of HCC patients.

Elevated Serum Vinculin in Patients with HBV/HCV-Associated Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pilot Study

Background

The stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) controls many cellular processes, such as migration and differentiation. Cells detect stiffness through adhesion structures termed focal adhesions (FAs). Vinculin, an actin-binding FA protein, plays a pivotal role in FA-mediated mechanotransduction.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the role of vinculin in the development of HBV/HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Vinculin levels in a total number of 100 serum samples from patients with HBV/HCV-induced liver cirrhosis and HCC, as well as healthy controls, were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

In patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis, the serum vinculin levels were significantly greater than in controls (503.8±242.2 and 728.4±1044.8 vs 77.7±36.1 respectively, p<0.001). However, results showed no link between serum vinculin and the clinicopathological features of HCC.

Conclusion

Patients with HBVor HCV-induced liver cirrhosis and HCC have significantly higher serum levels of vinculin than do controls. This might point to a potential role for vinculin in the development of HCC. More research into how this protein affects the development of HCC at the molecular level could lead to better clinical treatments and the development of new molecular therapies.

Novel antigens for targeted radioimmunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer is the sixth common cancer and forth cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Based on usually advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the time of diagnosis, therapeutic options are limited and, in many cases, not effective, and typically result in the tumor recurrence with a poor prognosis. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) offers a selective internal radiation therapy approach using beta or alpha emitting radionuclides conjugated with tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), or specific selective peptides. When compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, radiolabeled mAbs against cancer-associated antigens could provide a high therapeutic and exclusive radiation dose for cancerous cells while decreasing the exposure-induced side effects to healthy tissues. The recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, such as blockade of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has changed the landscape of cancer therapy, and the efficacy of different classes of immunotherapy has been tested in many clinical trials. Taking into account the use of ICIs in the liver tumor microenvironment, combined therapies with different approaches may enhance the outcome in the future clinical studies. With the development of novel immunotherapy treatment options in the recent years, there has been a great deal of information about combining the diverse treatment modalities to boost the effectiveness of immunomodulatory drugs. In this opinion review, we will discuss the recent advancements in RIT. The current status of immunotherapy and internal radiotherapy will be updated, and we will propose novel approaches for the combination of both techniques. Potential target antigens for radioimmunotherapy in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC radioimmunotherapy target antigens are the most specific and commonly accessible antigens on the surface of HCC cells. CTLA-4 ligand and receptor, TAMs, PD-1/PD-L, TIM-3, specific IEXs/TEXs, ROBO1, and cluster of differentiation antigens CD105, CD147 could all be used in HCC radioimmunotherapy. Abbreviations: TAMs, tumor-associated macrophages; CTLA-4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4; PD-1, Programmed cell death protein 1; PD-L, programmed death-ligand1; TIM-3, T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig) and mucin-domain containing protein-3; IEXs, immune cell-derived exosomes; TEXs, tumor-derived exosomes.

Novel Nanotechnology Approaches to Overcome Drug Resistance in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Glypican 3 as a Useful Target for Innovative Therapies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal tumor, with a 5-year survival rate of 18%. Early stage HCC is potentially treatable by therapies with curative intent, whereas chemoembolization/radioembolization and systemic therapies are the only therapeutic options for intermediate or advanced HCC. Drug resistance is a critical obstacle in the treatment of HCC that could be overcome by the use of targeted nanoparticle-based therapies directed towards specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) to improve drug delivery. Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a member of the glypican family, heparan sulfate proteoglycans bound to the cell surface via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. The high levels of GPC3 detected in HCC and the absence or very low levels in normal and non-malignant liver make GPC3 a promising TAA candidate for targeted nanoparticle-based therapies. The use of nanoparticles conjugated with anti-GPC3 agents may improve drug delivery, leading to a reduction in severe side effects caused by chemotherapy and increased drug release at the tumor site. In this review, we describe the main clinical features of HCC and the common treatment approaches. We propose the proteoglycan GPC3 as a useful TAA for targeted therapies. Finally, we describe nanotechnology approaches for anti-GPC3 drug delivery systems based on NPs for HCC treatment.

An IgM monoclonal antibody against domain 1 of CD147 induces non-canonical RIPK-independent necroptosis in a cell type specific manner in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

CD147/Basigin/EMMPRIN is overexpressed in several cancerous tissues and it has been shown to induce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) whose expression is associated with cancer metastasis. Thus, targeting CD147 with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) potentially has therapeutic applications in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report the use of anti-CD147 mAbs targeting domain 1 of CD147, namely M6-1D4 (IgM), M6-1F3 (IgM), M6-2F9 (IgM) and M6-1E9 (IgG2a), against several human cancer cell lines. Strikingly, IgM but not IgG mAbs against CD147, especially clone M6-1D4, induced acute cellular swelling, and this phenomenon appeared to be specifically found with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Furthermore, molecular investigation upon treating HepG2 cells with M6-1D4 showed unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, autophagosome accumulation, and cell cycle arrest, but without classic apoptosis related features. More interestingly, prolonged M6-1D4 treatment (24 h) resulted in irreversible oncosis leading to necroptosis. Furthermore, treatment with a mixed lineage kinase domain-like psuedokinase (MLKL) inhibitor and partial knockout of MLKL resulted in reduced sensitivity to necroptosis in M6-1D4-treated HepG2 cells. Surprisingly however, the observed necroptotic signaling axis appeared to be non-canonical as it was independent of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase (RIPK) phosphorylation. In addition, no cytotoxic effect on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) was observed after incubation with M6-1D4. Taken together, this study provides clues to target CD147 in HCC using mAbs, as well as sheds new light on a novel strategy to kill cancerous cells by the induction of necroptosis.

CD147-Cyclophilin a Interactions Promote Proliferation and Survival of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

CD147, a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, and cyclophilin A (CypA), one of the binding partners of CD147, are overexpressed in tumor cells and associated with the progression of several malignancies, including both solid and hematological malignancies. However, CD147 and CypA involvement in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) has not been reported. In this study, we examined CD147 and CypA expression and function using clinical samples of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) and CTCL cell lines. CD147 and CypA were overexpressed by tumor cells of MF/SS, and CypA was also expressed by epidermal keratinocytes in MF/SS lesional skin. Serum CypA levels were increased and correlated with disease severity markers in MF/SS patients. Anti-CD147 antibody and/or anti-CypA antibody suppressed the proliferation of CTCL cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo, via downregulation of phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt. These results suggest that CD147-CypA interactions can contribute to the proliferation of MF/SS tumor cells in both a autocrine and paracrine manner, and that the disruption of CD147-CypA interactions could be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MF/SS.

Discovery and Biological Evaluation of CD147 N-Glycan Inhibitors: A New Direction in the Treatment of Tumor Metastasis

N-glycosylation is instrumental to the regulation of CD147 functions, including the maturation of CD147, secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and promotion of tumor metastasis. Glycosylated CD147 is highly expressed in various cancer types, participates in metastasis, and is associated with the poor prognosis of malignant tumors. However, to date, there has been little development of target-specific inhibitors for CD147 glycosylation. In this work, we report a strategy for discovering CD147 glycosylation inhibitors through computer-aided screening and inhibition assays. Four compounds were screened as potential CD147 glycosylation inhibitors. Of these, compound 72 was finally identified as the best candidate. Further experiments confirmed that compound 72 inhibited the production of MMPs and the metastasis of cancer cells in the Hela cell line. Results further suggest that compound 72 could promote the expression of E-cadherin by targeting CD147, thereby inhibiting tumor migration. Finally, the structures of the other potential CD147 N-glycosylation inhibitors may eventually provide guidance for future optimization.

Efficacy of anti-CD147 chimeric antigen receptors targeting hepatocellular carcinoma

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for treating multiple refractory blood cancers, but further advances are required for solid tumor CAR therapy. One challenge is identifying a safe and effective tumor antigen. Here, we devise a strategy for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, one of the deadliest malignancies). We report that T and NK cells transduced with a CAR that recognizes the surface marker, CD147, also known as Basigin, can effectively kill various malignant HCC cell lines in vitro, and HCC tumors in xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. To minimize any on-target/off-tumor toxicity, we use logic-gated (log) GPC3–synNotch-inducible CD147-CAR to target HCC. LogCD147-CAR selectively kills dual antigen (GPC3⁺CD147⁺), but not single antigen (GPC3^-CD147⁺) positive HCC cells and does not cause severe on-target/off-tumor toxicity in a human CD147 transgenic mouse model. In conclusion, these findings support the therapeutic potential of CD147-CAR-modified immune cells for HCC patients.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapy for the treatment of liver cancer represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Here the authors show that CD147-targeting CAR-NK or CAR-T can induce anti-tumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

Discovery and validation of surface N-glycoproteins in MM cell lines and patient samples uncovers immunotherapy targets

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. While recent advances in treatment for MM have improved patient outcomes, the 5-year survival rate remains ~50%. A better understanding of the MM cell surface proteome could facilitate development of new directed therapies and assist in stratification and monitoring of patient outcomes.

METHODS

In this study, we first used a mass spectrometry (MS)-based discovery-driven cell surface capture (CSC) approach to map the cell surface N-glycoproteome of MM cell lines. Next, we developed targeted MS assays, and applied these to cell lines and primary patient samples to refine the list of candidate tumor markers. Candidates of interest detected by MS on MM patient samples were further validated using flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTS

We identified 696 MM cell surface N-glycoproteins by CSC, and developed 73 targeted MS detection assays. MS-based validation using primary specimens detected 30 proteins with significantly higher abundance in patient MM cells than controls. Nine of these proteins were identified as potential immunotherapeutic targets, including five that were validated by FCM, confirming their expression on the cell surface of primary MM patient cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This MM surface N-glycoproteome will be a valuable resource in the development of biomarkers and therapeutics. Further, we anticipate that our targeted MS assays will have clinical benefit for the diagnosis, stratification, and treatment of MM patients.

Dual effects of an anti-CD147 antibody for Esophageal cancer therapy

Background: Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive neoplasm. Targeted therapy has been proven to be a promising way for cancer therapy. Here, we report a novel anti-CD147 antibody for esophageal cancer therapy, which is a chimeric antibody with modified glycoform in Fc region. Methods: ADCC assay was used to explore the antitumor efficacy of Metuzumab against esophageal cancer in vitro. Wound healing assay and Boyden Chamber invasion assay were performed to explore whether Metuzumab could inhibit migration and invasion of esophageal cancer in vitro. Insulin-like growth factors 1 (IGF-1) and PI3k/Akt was assayed for elaborating antagonistic mechanism of Metuzumab in migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells. Subcutaneous xenograft nude mouse model was used to investigate the antitumor efficacy of Metuzumab against esophageal cancer in vivo. The esophageal cancer tissue microarrays (TMA) was examined for identification of association of CD147 with lymph node metastasis, and the footpad xenograft nude mouse model was used to explore whether Metuzumab could inhibit lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer in vivo. Results: The results showed that Metuzumab exhibited higher ADCC compared to the wild type antibody cHAb18. Metuzumab inhibited migration and invasion of esophageal cancer through blockade of CD147 in vitro. The results of Western blot showed Metuzumab might inhibit migration and invasion of esophageal cancer cells through suppressing activation of PI3k/Akt and expression of IGF-1. Experiments in vivo showed that Metuzumab exhibited significant antitumor efficacy and inhibited lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer in xenograft models. The immunochemical staining of TMA showed CD147 was high-expressed on various kinds of esophageal cancer tissues and associated with the grade of lymph node-metastasis. Conclusions: The in vitro and in vivo study demonstrated dual effects of Metuzumab in effectively mediating ADCC by activating effector cells, and inhibiting metastasis of esophageal cancer through blockade the function of CD147, providing justification for moving Metuzumab forward to clinical development in esophageal cancer.