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Bigos KJA, Quiles CG, Lunj S, Smith DJ, Krause M, Troost EGC, West CM, Hoskin P, Choudhury A. Tumour response to hypoxia: understanding the hypoxic tumour microenvironment to improve treatment outcome in solid tumours. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1331355. [PMID: 38352889 PMCID: PMC10861654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1331355] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumours affecting their biology and response to therapy. One of the main transcription factors activated by hypoxia is hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which regulates the expression of genes involved in various aspects of tumourigenesis including proliferative capacity, angiogenesis, immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, and cell migration. This can negatively impact patient outcomes by inducing therapeutic resistance. The importance of hypoxia is clearly demonstrated by continued research into finding clinically relevant hypoxia biomarkers, and hypoxia-targeting therapies. One of the problems is the lack of clinically applicable methods of hypoxia detection, and lack of standardisation. Additionally, a lot of the methods of detecting hypoxia do not take into consideration the complexity of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment (TME). Therefore, this needs further elucidation as approximately 50% of solid tumours are hypoxic. The ECM is important component of the hypoxic TME, and is developed by both cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumour cells. However, it is important to distinguish the different roles to develop both biomarkers and novel compounds. Fibronectin (FN), collagen (COL) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are important components of the ECM that create ECM fibres. These fibres are crosslinked by specific enzymes including lysyl oxidase (LOX) which regulates the stiffness of tumours and induces fibrosis. This is partially regulated by HIFs. The review highlights the importance of understanding the role of matrix stiffness in different solid tumours as current data shows contradictory results on the impact on therapeutic resistance. The review also indicates that further research is needed into identifying different CAF subtypes and their exact roles; with some showing pro-tumorigenic capacity and others having anti-tumorigenic roles. This has made it difficult to fully elucidate the role of CAFs within the TME. However, it is clear that this is an important area of research that requires unravelling as current strategies to target CAFs have resulted in worsened prognosis. The role of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment is also discussed as hypoxia has been associated with modulating immune cells to create an anti-tumorigenic environment. Which has led to the development of immunotherapies including PD-L1. These hypoxia-induced changes can confer resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the impact of hypoxia on the TME and its implications for therapy resistance. It also discusses the potential of hypoxia biomarkers as prognostic and predictive indictors of treatment response, as well as the challenges and opportunities of targeting hypoxia in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamilla JA. Bigos
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Conrado G. Quiles
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sapna Lunj
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Danielle J. Smith
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mechthild Krause
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiooncology and Clinical Radiotherapy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiooncology and Clinical Radiotherapy and Image-guided High Precision Radiotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiooncology and Clinical Radiotherapy and Image-guided High Precision Radiotherapy, Helmholtz Association / Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- School of Medicine, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Esther GC. Troost
- OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiation Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiooncology and Clinical Radiotherapy and Image-guided High Precision Radiotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Radiooncology and Clinical Radiotherapy and Image-guided High Precision Radiotherapy, Helmholtz Association / Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- School of Medicine, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Radiooncology – OncoRay, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Rossendorf, Germany
| | - Catharine M. West
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Christie Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hoskin
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, United Kingdom
| | - Ananya Choudhury
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Germany
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2
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Presence of regulatory T-cells in endometrial cancer predicts poorer overall survival and promotes progression of tumor cells. Cell Oncol 2022; 45:1171-1185. [PMID: 36098901 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00708-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynaecologic malignancies. Tumor infiltrating regulatory T-cells (Treg) have been reported to have a prognostic impact in many malignancies. Immunotherapeutic strategies are gaining interest for advanced and recurrent EC cases, where treatment options are rare. Our study was aimed at determining the value of Treg in EC progression. METHODS EC specimens from 275 patients and 28 controls were screened immunohistochemically for the presence of Treg represented by FoxP3. Correlations with clinicopathological and survival parameters were performed. Functional assays were performed using EC cell lines Ishikawa + and RL95-2 after co-culturing with isolated CD4 + CD25 + CD127dim Treg. To assess the influence of EC on the composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), flow cytometric analyses were performed. RESULTS We found that an increased infiltration of Treg was associated with high grades and a reduced overall survival. Treg were almost absent in endometrium tissues from healthy control patients. Co-culture of tumor cells with CD4 + CD25 + CD127dim Treg led to functional changes: enhanced invasion, migration and viability indicated that increased levels of Treg in the tumor microenvironment may promote tumor growth. Furthermore, we found that the presence of EC cells led to phenotypic changes in PBMC, showing significantly increased levels of CD25 and FoxP3. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the presence of Treg in the EC tumor environment is associated with a poorer outcome. A remarkable impact of Treg on tumor cell behaviour and vice versa of tumor cells on PBMC subpopulations support this notion mechanistically. Our findings provide a basis for focusing on Treg as potential future therapeutic targets in EC.
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3
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Lin Y, Zhou X, Ni Y, Zhao X, Liang X. Metabolic reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer: A novel orientation for immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1030831. [PMID: 36311734 PMCID: PMC9613923 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1030831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic tumor, with the highest mortality rate. Numerous studies have been conducted on the treatment of ovarian cancer in the hopes of improving therapeutic outcomes. Immune cells have been revealed to play a dual function in the development of ovarian cancer, acting as both tumor promoters and tumor suppressors. Increasingly, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has been proposed and confirmed to play a unique role in tumor development and treatment by altering immunosuppressive and cytotoxic responses in the vicinity of tumor cells through metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, studies of immunometabolism have provided new insights into the understanding of the TIME. Targeting or activating metabolic processes of the TIME has the potential to be an antitumor therapy modality. In this review, we summarize the composition of the TIME of ovarian cancer and its metabolic reprogramming, its relationship with drug resistance in ovarian cancer, and recent research advances in immunotherapy.
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Abou Khouzam R, Zaarour RF, Brodaczewska K, Azakir B, Venkatesh GH, Thiery J, Terry S, Chouaib S. The Effect of Hypoxia and Hypoxia-Associated Pathways in the Regulation of Antitumor Response: Friends or Foes? Front Immunol 2022; 13:828875. [PMID: 35211123 PMCID: PMC8861358 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.828875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is an environmental stressor that is instigated by low oxygen availability. It fuels the progression of solid tumors by driving tumor plasticity, heterogeneity, stemness and genomic instability. Hypoxia metabolically reprograms the tumor microenvironment (TME), adding insult to injury to the acidic, nutrient deprived and poorly vascularized conditions that act to dampen immune cell function. Through its impact on key cancer hallmarks and by creating a physical barrier conducive to tumor survival, hypoxia modulates tumor cell escape from the mounted immune response. The tumor cell-immune cell crosstalk in the context of a hypoxic TME tips the balance towards a cold and immunosuppressed microenvironment that is resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Nonetheless, evidence is emerging that could make hypoxia an asset for improving response to ICI. Tackling the tumor immune contexture has taken on an in silico, digitalized approach with an increasing number of studies applying bioinformatics to deconvolute the cellular and non-cellular elements of the TME. Such approaches have additionally been combined with signature-based proxies of hypoxia to further dissect the turbulent hypoxia-immune relationship. In this review we will be highlighting the mechanisms by which hypoxia impacts immune cell functions and how that could translate to predicting response to immunotherapy in an era of machine learning and computational biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rania Faouzi Zaarour
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Klaudia Brodaczewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bilal Azakir
- Faculty of Medicine, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Goutham Hassan Venkatesh
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jerome Thiery
- INSERM U1186, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- INSERM U1186, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.,Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.,INSERM U1186, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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5
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Liu M, Yang J, Xu B, Zhang X. Tumor metastasis: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic interventions. MedComm (Beijing) 2021; 2:587-617. [PMID: 34977870 PMCID: PMC8706758 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In contrast to numerous discoveries that reveal the detailed mechanisms leading to the formation of the primary tumor, the biological underpinnings of the metastatic disease remain poorly understood. Cancer metastasis is a complex process in which cancer cells escape from the primary tumor, settle, and grow at other parts of the body. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and anoikis resistance of tumor cells are the main forces to promote metastasis, and multiple components in the tumor microenvironment and their complicated crosstalk with cancer cells are closely involved in distant metastasis. In addition to the three cornerstones of tumor treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, novel treatment approaches including targeted therapy and immunotherapy have been established in patients with metastatic cancer. Although the cancer survival rate has been greatly improved over the years, it is still far from satisfactory. In this review, we provided an overview of the metastasis process, summarized the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the dissemination and distant metastasis of cancer cells, and reviewed the important advances in interventions for cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Liu
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Medical Oncology UnitState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Jing Yang
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Medical Oncology UnitState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Bushu Xu
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Medical Oncology UnitState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Xing Zhang
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Medical Oncology UnitState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
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6
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Domagala J, Lachota M, Klopotowska M, Graczyk-Jarzynka A, Domagala A, Zhylko A, Soroczynska K, Winiarska M. The Tumor Microenvironment-A Metabolic Obstacle to NK Cells' Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123542. [PMID: 33260925 PMCID: PMC7761432 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells have unique capabilities of recognition and destruction of tumor cells, without the requirement for prior immunization of the host. Maintaining tolerance to healthy cells makes them an attractive therapeutic tool for almost all types of cancer. Unfortunately, metabolic changes associated with malignant transformation and tumor progression lead to immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment, which in turn limits the efficacy of various immunotherapies. In this review, we provide a brief description of the metabolic changes characteristic for the tumor microenvironment. Both tumor and tumor-associated cells produce and secrete factors that directly or indirectly prevent NK cell cytotoxicity. Here, we depict the molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of immune effector cells by metabolic factors. Finally, we summarize the strategies to enhance NK cell function for the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Domagala
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieszko Lachota
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (M.K.)
| | - Marta Klopotowska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (M.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Graczyk-Jarzynka
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
| | - Antoni Domagala
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, 25-317 Kielce, Poland;
- Department of Urology, Holy Cross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andriy Zhylko
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
| | - Karolina Soroczynska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Winiarska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-225-992-199
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7
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Li C, Jiang P, Wei S, Xu X, Wang J. Regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironment: new mechanisms, potential therapeutic strategies and future prospects. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:116. [PMID: 32680511 PMCID: PMC7367382 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) characterized by the expression of the master transcription factor forkhead box protein p3 (Foxp3) suppress anticancer immunity, thereby hindering protective immunosurveillance of tumours and hampering effective antitumour immune responses in tumour-bearing hosts, constitute a current research hotspot in the field. However, Tregs are also essential for the maintenance of the immune tolerance of the body and share many molecular signalling pathways with conventional T cells, including cytotoxic T cells, the primary mediators of tumour immunity. Hence, the inability to specifically target and neutralize Tregs in the tumour microenvironment without globally compromising self-tolerance poses a significant challenge. Here, we review recent advances in characterizing tumour-infiltrating Tregs with a focus on the functional roles of costimulatory and inhibitory receptors in Tregs, evaluate their potential as clinical targets, and systematically summarize their roles in potential treatment strategies. Also, we propose modalities to integrate our increasing knowledge on Tregs phenotype and function for the rational design of checkpoint inhibitor-based combination therapies. Finally, we propose possible treatment strategies that can be used to develop Treg-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaofei Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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8
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Mohapatra SR, Sadik A, Tykocinski LO, Dietze J, Poschet G, Heiland I, Opitz CA. Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α Inhibits the Expression of Immunosuppressive Tryptophan-2,3-Dioxygenase in Glioblastoma. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2762. [PMID: 31866995 PMCID: PMC6905408 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal circulation in solid tumors results in hypoxia, which modulates both tumor intrinsic malignant properties as well as anti-tumor immune responses. Given the importance of hypoxia in glioblastoma (GBM) biology and particularly in shaping anti-tumor immunity, we analyzed which immunomodulatory genes are differentially regulated in response to hypoxia in GBM cells. Gene expression analyses identified the immunosuppressive enzyme tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) as the second most downregulated gene in GBM cells cultured under hypoxic conditions. TDO2 catalyses the oxidation of tryptophan to N-formyl kynurenine, which is the first and rate-limiting step of Trp degradation along the kynurenine pathway (KP). In multiple GBM cell lines hypoxia reduced TDO2 expression both at mRNA and protein levels. The downregulation of TDO2 through hypoxia was reversible as re-oxygenation rescued TDO2 expression. Computational modeling of tryptophan metabolism predicted reduced flux through the KP and lower intracellular concentrations of kynurenine and its downstream metabolite 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid under hypoxia. Metabolic measurements confirmed the predicted changes, thus demonstrating the ability of the mathematical model to infer intracellular tryptophan metabolite concentrations. Moreover, we identified hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) to regulate TDO2 expression under hypoxic conditions, as the HIF1α-stabilizing agents dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and cobalt chloride reduced TDO2 expression. Knockdown of HIF1α restored the expression of TDO2 upon cobalt chloride treatment, confirming that HIF1α controls TDO2 expression. To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of this novel mechanism of TDO2 regulation, we co-cultured isolated T cells with TDO2-expressing GBM cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Under normoxia TDO2-expressing GBM cells suppressed T cell proliferation, while hypoxia restored the proliferation of the T cells, likely due to the reduction in kynurenine levels produced by the GBM cells. Taken together, our data suggest that the regulation of TDO2 expression by HIF1α may be involved in modulating anti-tumor immunity in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya R Mohapatra
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Sadik
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Bioscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars-Oliver Tykocinski
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine V, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jørn Dietze
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gernot Poschet
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ines Heiland
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christiane A Opitz
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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9
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Ma Y, Feng C, Wang J, Chen Z, Wei P, Fan A, Wang X, Yu X, Ge D, Xie H, Liu L, Zhang Q, Li XH. Hydroxyl safflower yellow A regulates the tumor immune microenvironment to produce an anticancer effect in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2019; 17:3503-3510. [PMID: 30867790 PMCID: PMC6396201 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.9946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious threat to human health. Chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin are widely used in cancer treatment, but can cause severe side effects. Hydroxyl safflower yellow A (HSYA) is a water-soluble chalcone glycoside substance extracted from safflowers (Carthamus tinctorius L.) that has been reported to inhibit tumor growth with few side effects. The tumor immune microenvironment is crucial for the proliferation and invasiveness of tumor cells, and it is mediated by forkhead box P3-positive (FOXP3+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γ (RORγ)-expressing Th17 cells. FOXP3+ Tregs inhibit immunoreaction and FOXP3 is a key indicator of Tregs. RORγ isoform 2, also known as RORγt, is an important transcription factor in Th17 cells that may promote cancer progression. In the present study, the antitumor effect of HSYA on HCC was investigated, as well as its impact on the tumor immune microenvironment. Following the establishment of a mouse model for HCC, hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to observe histological changes in liver tumors, and the spleen and thymus were weighed to calculate the spleen and thymus indexes. The proportion of FOXP3+ Tregs in the spleen was determined by flow cytometry, and expression levels of Foxp3 and Rorγt were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The results of the present study showed that cisplatin inhibited tumor growth, caused weight loss and reduced the immunoreactivity of the mice. HSYA inhibited tumor growth without causing significant weight loss. The proportion of FOXP3-expressing Tregs in the spleen and the expression of Foxp3 and Rorγt mRNA decreased following treatment with certain doses of HSYA. In conclusion, HSYA inhibited tumor growth without detrimental effects on the weight of the mice, indicating that HSYA may be suitable as a novel therapy for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicong Ma
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314006, P.R. China
| | - Cuiling Feng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
- Oncology Microstart Intervention Department, Anyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anyang, Henan 455000, P.R. China
| | - Ziwei Chen
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Peng Wei
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Angran Fan
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xu Wang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xue Yu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Dongyu Ge
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Hua Xie
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, P.R. China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314006, P.R. China
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10
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Shimizu T, Ishizuka M, Shibuya N, Tanaka G, Abe A, Aoki T, Kubota K. Preoperative globulin-to-albumin ratio predicts outcome after curative resection in patients with gastric cancer. Ann Gastroenterol Surg 2018; 2:367-375. [PMID: 30238078 PMCID: PMC6139717 DOI: 10.1002/ags3.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The globulin-to-albumin ratio (GAR) is useful for prognostication of patients with various cancers. However, the significance of GAR in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between the GAR and outcome after curative resection in GC patients. METHODS Three-hundred and seventy-six patients who had undergone curative resection for GC were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazard model were performed to detect clinical characteristics that correlated with overall survival (OS), and their cut-off values were identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used for comparison of OS and relapse-free survival (RFS). RESULTS Multivariate analysis using 17 clinical characteristics selected by univariate analyses revealed that GAR (>0.80/≤0.80) was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.305; 95% CI, 1.122-4.735; P = 0.023), as well as lymph node metastasis (presence/absence) (HR, 2.417; 95% CI, 1.077-5.426; P = 0.032), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (>2.7/≤2.7) (HR, 2.368; 95% CI, 1.138-4.930; P = 0.002), and serosal invasion (presence/absence) (HR, 3.443; 95% CI, 1.048-11.31; P = 0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test demonstrated that the OS and RFS of patients with a high GAR (>0.80) were significantly poorer than those with low GAR (≤0.80). CONCLUSIONS The GAR is a useful predictor of postoperative outcome among GC patients undergoing curative resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Shimizu
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Mitsuru Ishizuka
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Norisuke Shibuya
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Genki Tanaka
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Akihito Abe
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Taku Aoki
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Keiichi Kubota
- Second Department of SurgeryDokkyo Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
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Pan J, Yuan K, Peng S, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Hu Y, Feng Y, Shi Y, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhou N, Min W. Gene silencing of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase hinders tumor growth through angiogenesis inhibition. Int J Oncol 2017; 50:2136-2144. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.3975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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12
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Wei C, Mei J, Tang L, Liu Y, Li D, Li M, Zhu X. 1-Methyl-tryptophan attenuates regulatory T cells differentiation due to the inhibition of estrogen-IDO1-MRC2 axis in endometriosis. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2489. [PMID: 27906184 PMCID: PMC5260991 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells contribute to the local dysfunctional immune environment in endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease, which affects the function of ectopic endometrial tissue clearance by the immune system. The reason for the high percentage of peritoneal Treg in endometriosis patients is unknown. Here, we show that the proportion of peritoneal Treg cells increases as endometriosis progresses. To determine the probable mechanism, we established a naive T cell-macrophage-endometrial stromal cell (ESC) co-culture system to mimic the peritoneal cavity microenvironment. After adding 1-methyl-tryptophan (1-MT), a specific inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), to the co-culture system, we found that the differentiation of Treg cells, mainly IL-10+ Treg cells, decreased. Therefore, 1-MT-pretreated ESCs-educated Treg cells performed impaired suppressive function. Moreover, estrogen promoted the differentiation of Treg cells by elevating IDO1 expression in the ectopic lesion. Subsequently, we examined mannose receptor C, type 2 (MRC2), which is an up-stream molecule of IL-10, by bioinformatics analysis and real-time PCR validation. MRC2 expression in ectopic ESCs was notably lower than that in normal ESCs, which further negatively regulated the expression of IDO1 and Ki-67 in ESCs. Furthermore, MRC2 is required for Treg differentiation in the ectopic lesion, especially that for CD4high Treg. Therefore, MRC2-silenced ESCs-educated Treg manifested a stronger suppressive function in vitro. Consistently, the percentage of Treg increased when MRC2-shRNA was administered in the peritoneal cavity of endometriosis-disease mice model. Besides, 1-MT improved the condition of endometriosis, in terms of reducing the number and weight of total ectopic lesions in vivo. These results indicate that the estrogen-IDO1-MRC2 axis participates in the differentiation and function of Treg and is involved in the development of endometriosis. Thus, blockage of IDO1 in the ectopic lesion, which does not influence physiological functions of estrogen, may be considered a potential therapy for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Wei
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jie Mei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medicine School, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Lingli Tang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yukai Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Dajin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Mingqing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
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