EGFR may participate in immune evasion through regulation of B7‑H5 expression in non‑small cell lung carcinoma

Aberrant expression of B7-H4 and B7-H5 contributes to the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common malignant tumor of the skin. B7 homolog 4 (B7-H4) and B7-H5 (B7 homolog 5) are associated with a variety of tumors. Investigate the potential role of B7-H4 and B7-H5 in regulating the tumorigenesis and progression of CSCC. B7-H4 and B7-H5 transcriptome data were collected from GEO and TCGA databases and subjected to bioinformatical analysis by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, functional enrichment analysis, immune analysis, and drug-gene interaction prediction analysis. We characterized the expression of B7-H4 and B7-H5 in carcinoma tissues of CSCC patients by immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, the clinical correlation of B7-H4 and B7-H5 in CSCC was explored by statistical analysis. B7-H4 and B7-H5 genes were under-expressed in CSCC and correlated with tumor staging. According to GO and KEGG Pathway enrichment analysis, B7-H4, and B7-H5 can regulate the proliferation and activation of T cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and the expression of cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-10, in CSCC. B7-H4 and B7-H5 are also jointly involved in the occurrence and development of CSCC via the JAK-STAT and Notch signaling pathways. We found that B7-H4 and B7-H5 proteins were abnormally highly expressed in CSCC tissue and correlated with tumor size and stage. Our findings offer new insights into the pathogenesis of CSCC and suggest that B7-H4 and B7-H5 are novel tissue biomarkers and promising therapeutic targets for CSCC.

Comprehensive characterization of B7 family members in NSCLC and identification of its regulatory network

B7 family members act as co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory molecules in the adaptive immune system. Thisstudy aimed to investigate the dysregulation, prognostic value and regulatory network of B7 family members in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) patients were extracted from public databases. Patient prognosis was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The downstream signaling pathways of B7 family were identified via GO and KEGG analysis. The key B7 related genes were selected by network, correlation and functional annotation analysis. Most B7 family members were dysregulated in LUAD and LUSC. The expression of B7-1/2/H3 and B7-H5 were significantly associated with overall survival in LUAD and LUSC, respectively. The major pathway affected by B7 family was the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and ErbB signaling pathway. MAPK1, MAPK3 and MAP2K1 were pivotal B7 related genes in both LUAD and LUSC. This study reveals an overall dysregulation of B7 family members in NSCLC and highlights the potential of combination use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors or MEK/ERK inhibitors with B7 member blockade for NSCLC treatment.

Crosstalk between the B7/CD28 and EGFR pathways: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

Somatic activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are one of the most common oncogenic drivers in cancers such as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. Molecular-targeted agents against EGFR signaling pathways have shown robust clinical efficacy, but patients inevitably experience acquired resistance. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have exhibited durable anti-tumor responses in a subset of patients across multiple cancer types, their efficacy is limited in cancers harboring activating gene alterations of EGFR. Increasing studies have demonstrated that upregulation of new B7/CD28 family members such as B7-H3, B7x and HHLA2, is associated with EGFR signaling and may contribute to resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies by creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the regulatory effect of EGFR signaling on the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and new B7/CD28 family member pathways. Understanding these interactions may inform combination therapeutic strategies and potentially overcome the current challenge of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies. We also summarize clinical data of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies in EGFR-mutated cancers, as well as ongoing clinical trials of combination of EGFR-targeted therapies and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies.

Heteronemin and Tetrac Induce Anti-Proliferation by Blocking EGFR-Mediated Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Overexpressed EGFR and mutant K-Ras play vital roles in therapeutic resistance in colorectal cancer patients. To search for an effective therapeutic protocol is an urgent task. A secondary metabolite in the sponge Hippospongia sp., Heteronemin, has been shown to induce anti-proliferation in several types of cancers. A thyroxine-deaminated analogue, tetrac, binds to integrin αvβ3 to induce anti-proliferation in different cancers. Heteronemin- and in combination with tetrac-induced antiproliferative effects were evaluated. Tetrac enhanced heteronemin-induced anti-proliferation in HT-29 cells (KRAS WT CRC) and HCT-116 cells (KRAS MT CRC). Heteronemin and tetrac arrested cell cycle in different phases. Combined treatment increased the cell accumulation in sub-G1 and S phases. The combined treatment also induced the inactivation of EGFR signaling and downregulated the phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein in both cell lines. Heteronemin and the combination showed the downregulation of the phosphorylated and total PI3K protein in HT-29 cells (KRAS WT CRC). Results by NanoString technology and RT-qPCR revealed that heteronemin and combined treatment suppressed the expression of EGFR and downstream genes in HCT-116 cells (KRAS MT CRC). Heteronemin or combined treatment downregulated genes associated with cancer progression and decreased cell motility. Heteronemin or the combined treatment suppressed PD-L1 expression in both cancer cell lines. However, only tetrac and the combined treatment inhibited PD-L1 protein accumulation in HT-29 cells (KRAS WT CRC) and HCT-116 cells (KRAS MT CRC), respectively. In summary, heteronemin induced anti-proliferation in colorectal cancer cells by blocking the EGFR-dependent signal transduction pathway. The combined treatment further enhanced the anti-proliferative effect via PD-L1 suppression. It can be an alternative strategy to suppress mutant KRAS resistance for anti-EGFR therapy.

Human Endogenous Retrovirus-H Long Terminal Repeat-Associating Protein 2 Possesses Prognostic Significance and Promotes Progression of Papillary Thyroid Cancer

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Dried Blood Specimens as an Alternative Specimen for Immune Response Monitoring During HIV Infection: A Proof of Concept and Simple Method in a Pediatric Cohort

Programs to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission do not reduce the number of infants exposed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. HIV-exposed but uninfected children (HEU) present higher risk of morbidity and mortality than HIV-unexposed and uninfected children (UU). In this line, the study of immune biomarkers in HIV could improve prediction of disease progression, allowing to diminish comorbidity risk. Dried blood specimens (DBS) are an alternative to serum for collecting and transporting samples in countries with limited infrastructure and especially interesting for groups such as pediatrics, where obtaining a high sample volume is challenging. This study explores the usefulness of DBS for immune profile monitoring in samples from 30 children under clinical follow-up in Kinshasa: 10 HIV-infected (HIV+), 10 HEU, and 10 UU. We have measured the gene expression levels of 12 immune and inflammatory markers (CD14, IL-6, TNFα, HVEM, B7.1, HIF-1α, Siglec-10, IRAK-M, CD163, B7H5, PD-L1, and Galectin-9) in DBS samples by reverse transcription of total RNA and RT-qPCR. Principal component analysis, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney test were performed in order to study group differences. HIV+ children presented significantly higher levels of seven biomarkers (CD14, IL-6 HVEM, B7.1, Siglec-10, HIF-1α, and CD163) than the UU group. In HEU, we found seven biomarkers significantly elevated (CD14, IL-6, HVEM, B7.1, Siglec-10, HIF-1α, and IRAK-M) vs. UU. Six biomarkers (CD14, IL-6, HVEM, B7.1, Siglec-10, and HIF-1α) showed a significantly higher expression in both HIV+ and HEU vs. UU, with HVEM and CD14 being significantly overexpressed among HIV+ vs. HEU. Our data reveal the utility of DBS for immune response monitoring. Moreover, significant differences in specific biomarker expression across groups strongly suggest the effect of HIV infection and/or HIV exposure on these immune biomarkers' expressions.

Comparative Investigation of Composition, Antifungal, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Essential Oil from Three Industrial Hemp Varieties from Italian Cultivation

Industrial hemp is characterized by a huge amount of by-products, such as inflorescences, that may represent high-quality sources of biomolecules with pharmaceutical interest. In the present study, we have evaluated the phytochemical profile, including terpene and terpenophenolic compounds, of the essential oils (EOs) of Futura 75, Carmagnola selezionata and Eletta campana hemp varieties. The EOs were also tested for antifungal properties toward Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Arthroderma crocatum, Arthroderma quadrifidum, Arthroderma gypseum, Arthroderma curreyi, and Arthroderma insingulare. In parallel, we investigated the inhibitory effects of the EOs against tyrosinase, and the production of prostaglandin E₂ in isolated mouse skin exposed to hydrogen peroxide. In human H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cells, we also evaluated the influence of the EOs on the gene expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which are involved in SARS-CoV-2 entry in human host. E-caryophyllene and α-pinene were the prominent terpenes in the EOs, whereas the cannabidiolic acid was the terpenophenol present at higher concentration. The EOs inhibited the growth of all tested dermatophytes species. In isolated skin specimens, EOs prevented the hydrogen-peroxide-induced synthesis of prostaglandin E₂, consistent with the intrinsic antityrosinase activity. Finally, in H1299 cells, all tested EOs reduced the gene expression of ACE-2 and TMPRSS2, as well. Therefore, the present findings highlight the rationale for the use of the present EOs against infectious diseases.