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Galasso L, Cerrito L, Maccauro V, Termite F, Mignini I, Esposto G, Borriello R, Ainora ME, Gasbarrini A, Zocco MA. Inflammatory Response in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Double-Edged Weapon. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7191. [PMID: 39000296 PMCID: PMC11241080 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent among primary liver tumors (90%) and one of the main causes of cancer-related death. It develops usually in a chronically inflamed environment, ranging from compensatory parenchymal regeneration to fibrosis and cirrhosis: carcinogenesis can potentially happen in each of these stages. Inflammation determined by chronic viral infection (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis delta viruses) represents an important risk factor for HCC etiology through both viral direct damage and immune-related mechanisms. The deregulation of the physiological liver immunological network determined by viral infection can lead to carcinogenesis. The recent introduction of immunotherapy as the gold-standard first-line treatment for HCC highlights the role of the immune system and inflammation as a double-edged weapon in both HCC carcinogenesis and treatment. In this review we highlight how the inflammation is the key for the hepatocarcinogenesis in viral, alcohol and metabolic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Galasso
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Cerrito
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Maccauro
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Termite
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Mignini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Esposto
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Borriello
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Ainora
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Zocco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino, Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Cao Z, Wichmann CW, Burvenich IJG, Osellame LD, Guo N, Rigopoulos A, O'Keefe GJ, Scott FE, Lorensuhewa N, Lynch KP, Scott AM. Radiolabelling and preclinical characterisation of [ 89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 bispecific to PD-L1/4-1BB. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024:10.1007/s00259-024-06742-6. [PMID: 38730087 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06742-6] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE ATG-101, a bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets the immune checkpoint PD-L1 and the costimulatory receptor 4-1BB, activates exhausted T cells upon PD-L1 crosslinking. Previous studies demonstrated promising anti-tumour efficacy of ATG-101 in preclinical models. Here, we labelled ATG-101 with 89Zr to confirm its tumour targeting effect and tissue biodistribution in a preclinical model. We also evaluated the use of immuno-PET to study tumour uptake of ATG-101 in vivo. METHODS ATG-101, anti-PD-L1, and an isotype control were conjugated with p-SCN-Deferoxamine (Df). The Df-conjugated antibodies were radiolabelled with 89Zr, and their radiochemical purity, immunoreactivity, and serum stability were assessed. We conducted PET/MRI and biodistribution studies on [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 in BALB/c nude mice bearing PD-L1-expressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenografts for up to 10 days after intravenous administration of [89Zr]Zr-labelled antibodies. The specificity of [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 was evaluated through a competition study with unlabelled ATG-101 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies. RESULTS The Df-conjugation and [89Zr]Zr -radiolabelling did not affect the target binding of ATG-101. Biodistribution and imaging studies demonstrated biological similarity of [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 and [89Zr]Zr-Df-anti-PD-L1. Tumour uptake of [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 was clearly visualised using small-animal PET imaging up to 7 days post-injection. Competition studies confirmed the specificity of PD-L1 targeting in vivo. CONCLUSION [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 in vivo distribution is dependent on PD-L1 expression in the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model. Immuno-PET with [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 provides real-time information about ATG-101 distribution and tumour uptake in vivo. Our data support the use of [89Zr]Zr-Df-ATG-101 to assess tumour and tissue uptake of ATG-101.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Cao
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christian Werner Wichmann
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Chemistry - Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ingrid Julienne Georgette Burvenich
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Laura Danielle Osellame
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nancy Guo
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Angela Rigopoulos
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Graeme Joseph O'Keefe
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fiona Elizabeth Scott
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Andrew Mark Scott
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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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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Koroglu M, Ayvaz MA, Bakan SB, Sirin A, Akyuz U. Can quantitative surface antigen levels and systemic immune-inflammation index be predictive as a new indicator for the initiation of treatment in chronic hepatitis b? Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 36:489-497. [PMID: 38407853 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The natural history of chronic HBV infection (CHB) is generally divided into four phases: HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection (EPCI) and -hepatitis (EPCH), HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (ENCI) and -hepatitis (ENCH). This study aimed to investigate changes in serum quantitative surface antigen (qHBsAg), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) in a large number of CHB patients. METHOD Three hundred seventy-two CHB patients who underwent liver biopsy between January 2015 and February 2020 were evaluated. RESULTS The SII-values were strongly significant between EPCI-EPCH ( P = 0.002), however, there was significant difference between ENCI-ENCH ( P = 0.025). Considering the SIRI results, there was a significant difference between both EPCI-EPCH ( P = 0.009) and ENCI-ENCH ( P = 0.118). In HBeAg-positive patients HBV-DNA, qHBsAg, and SII were found to be predictive ( P = 0.029, P = 0.039, P = 0.027, respectively) while in HBeAg-negative patients, age, AST, HBV-DNA, qHBsAg, SII, and SIRI were found to be predictive ( P = 0.047, P = 0.084, P = <0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.012, P = 0.002, respectively). In EPCH phase, whereby accuracy rate results of HBV-DNA, qHBsAg, and SII were 75.3%, 73.4%, and 60.4%, respectively, while in the ENCH phase the accuracy rates of age, AST, HBV-DNA, qHBsAg, SII, and SIRI values were 57.8%, 65.6%, 68.3%, 63.8%, 57.3% and 53.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION HBV-DNA, qHBsAg, and SII are predictive in EPCH patients. Age, AST, HBV-DNA, qHBsAg, SII and SIRI are all predictive in ENCH patients. In patients with CHB, we recommend using SII to distinguish between EPCI-EPCH and ENCI-ENCH. Based on its sensitivity and features, we believe that qHBsAg and SII are suitable measuring instruments in discrimination both of EPCI-EPCH and ENCI-ENCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Koroglu
- University of Health Sciences, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Ali Ayvaz
- Klinikum Fuessen, Department of Gastroenterology, Teaching hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Suat Baran Bakan
- University of Health Sciences, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul
| | - Abdullatif Sirin
- Duzce University Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Duzce
| | - Umit Akyuz
- University of Health Sciences, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul, Turkey
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Huang F, Guo J, Zhao N, Hou M, Gai X, Yang S, Cai P, Wang Y, Ma Q, Zhao Q, Li L, Yang H, Jing Y, Jin D, Hu Z, Zha X, Wang H, Mao Y, Liu F, Zhang H. PTEN deficiency potentiates HBV-associated liver cancer development through augmented GP73/GOLM1. J Transl Med 2024; 22:254. [PMID: 38459588 PMCID: PMC10924424 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04976-4] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for hepatic cancer, the majority of HBV carriers do not develop this lethal disease. Additional molecular alterations are thus implicated in the process of liver tumorigenesis. Since phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is decreased in approximately half of liver cancers, we investigated the significance of PTEN deficiency in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS HBV-positive human liver cancer tissues were checked for PTEN expression. Transgenic HBV, Alb-Cre and Ptenfl/fl mice were inter-crossed to generate WT, HBV, Pten-/- and HBV; Pten-/- mice. Immunoblotting, histological analysis and qRT-PCR were used to study these livers. Gp73-/- mice were then mated with HBV; Pten-/- mice to illustrate the role of hepatic tumor biomarker golgi membrane protein 73 (GP73)/ golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) in hepatic oncogenesis. RESULTS Pten deletion and HBV transgene synergistically aggravated liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis and development of mixed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). GP73 was augmented in HBV; Pten-/- livers. Knockout of GP73 blunted the synergistic effect of deficient Pten and transgenic HBV on liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis and cancer development. CONCLUSIONS This mixed HCC-ICC mouse model mimics liver cancer patients harboring HBV infection and PTEN/AKT signaling pathway alteration. Targeting GP73 is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer patients with HBV infection and PTEN alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Na Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Mengjie Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Xiaochen Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Shuhui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Pei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Huayu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanling Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Di Jin
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhongdong Hu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojun Zha
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- International Co-Operation Laboratory On Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fangming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China.
| | - Hongbing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 5 Dong Dan San Tiao, Beijing, 100005, China.
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Salek-Ardakani S, Zajonc DM, Croft M. Agonism of 4-1BB for immune therapy: a perspective on possibilities and complications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228486. [PMID: 37662949 PMCID: PMC10469789 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228486] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Costimulatory receptors on immune cells represent attractive targets for immunotherapy given that these molecules can increase the frequency of individual protective immune cell populations and their longevity, as well as enhance various effector functions. 4-1BB, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, also known as CD137 and TNFRSF9, is one such molecule that is inducible on several cell types, including T cells and NK cells. Preclinical studies in animal models have validated the notion that stimulating 4-1BB with agonist reagents or its natural ligand could be useful to augment conventional T cell and NK cell immunity to protect against tumor growth and against viral infection. Additionally, stimulating 4-1BB can enhance regulatory T cell function and might be useful in the right context for suppressing autoimmunity. Two human agonist antibodies to 4-1BB have been produced and tested in clinical trials for cancer, with variable results, leading to the production of a wealth of second-generation antibody constructs, including bi- and multi-specifics, with the hope of optimizing activity and selectivity. Here, we review the progress to date in agonism of 4-1BB, discuss the complications in targeting the immune system appropriately to elicit the desired activity, together with challenges in engineering agonists, and highlight the untapped potential of manipulating this molecule in infectious disease and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dirk M. Zajonc
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Michael Croft
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Adugna A. Antigen Recognition and Immune Response to Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:2159-2166. [PMID: 37223107 PMCID: PMC10202203 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s411492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The antigen recognition and immune response to acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are the result of both the innate and adaptive immune response. The innate immune response comprises Dendritic Cells (DCs), which served as professional antigen-presenting cells and a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity, Kupffer cells and inflammatory monocytes for the continuous inflammation of hepatocyte, neutrophils for hepatic tissue damage due to acute inflammation, type I interferons (IFN), which induce an antiviral state on infected cells, directs natural killer (NK) cells to kill virally infected cells, reduces the population of infected cells, and promotes the effective maturation and site recruitment of adaptive immunity through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Through stimulating B cells, T-helper, and cytotoxic T cells, the adaptive immune system also protects against hepatitis B infection. During HBV infection, a network of cell types that can either play protective or harmful functions creates the anti-viral adaptive immune response. These many elements, such as Cluster of differentiation four (CD4) T cells (traditionally known as helper T cells), are potent cytokine producers and necessary for the effective maturation of effector cytotoxic cluster of differentiation eight (CD8) T cells and B cell antibody production. By cytolytic and non-cytolytic processes, CD8 T cells are able to eliminate HBV-infected hepatocytes and directly detect virus-infected cells, and circulating CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells for the modulation of immune system. In order to avoid reinfection, B cells can produce antibodies that destroy free viral particles. Moreover, by presenting HBV antigens to helper T cells, B cells may also influence how well these cells operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adane Adugna
- Medical Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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8
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Dumolard L, Aspord C, Marche PN, Macek Jilkova Z. Immune checkpoints on T and NK cells in the context of HBV infection: Landscape, pathophysiology and therapeutic exploitation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148111. [PMID: 37056774 PMCID: PMC10086248 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the interplay between the virus and the host immune system is crucial in determining the pathogenesis of the disease. Patients who fail to mount a sufficient and sustained anti-viral immune response develop chronic hepatitis B (CHB). T cells and natural killer (NK) cells play decisive role in viral clearance, but they are defective in chronic HBV infection. The activation of immune cells is tightly controlled by a combination of activating and inhibitory receptors, called immune checkpoints (ICs), allowing the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Chronic exposure to viral antigens and the subsequent dysregulation of ICs actively contribute to the exhaustion of effector cells and viral persistence. The present review aims to summarize the function of various ICs and their expression in T lymphocytes and NK cells in the course of HBV infection as well as the use of immunotherapeutic strategies targeting ICs in chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Dumolard
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Epigenetics, Immunity, Metabolism, Cell Signaling & Cancer, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Aspord
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Epigenetics, Immunity, Metabolism, Cell Signaling & Cancer, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- R&D Laboratory, Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Patrice N. Marche
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Epigenetics, Immunity, Metabolism, Cell Signaling & Cancer, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Zuzana Macek Jilkova
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Epigenetics, Immunity, Metabolism, Cell Signaling & Cancer, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
- Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- *Correspondence: Zuzana Macek Jilkova,
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Melero I, Sanmamed MF, Glez-Vaz J, Luri-Rey C, Wang J, Chen L. CD137 (4-1BB)-Based Cancer Immunotherapy on Its 25th Anniversary. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:552-569. [PMID: 36576322 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, we reported that agonist anti-CD137 monoclonal antibodies eradicated transplanted mouse tumors because of enhanced CD8+ T-cell antitumor immunity. Mouse models indicated that anti-CD137 agonist antibodies synergized with various other therapies. In the clinic, the agonist antibody urelumab showed evidence for single-agent activity against melanoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma but caused severe liver inflammation in a fraction of the patients. CD137's signaling domain is included in approved chimeric antigen receptors conferring persistence and efficacy. A new wave of CD137 agonists targeting tumors, mainly based on bispecific constructs, are in early-phase trials and are showing promising safety and clinical activity. SIGNIFICANCE CD137 (4-1BB) is a costimulatory receptor of T and natural killer lymphocytes whose activity can be exploited in cancer immunotherapy strategies as discovered 25 years ago. Following initial attempts that met unacceptable toxicity, new waves of constructs acting agonistically on CD137 are being developed in patients, offering signs of clinical and pharmacodynamic activity with tolerable safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel F Sanmamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Departments of Immunology-Immunotherapy and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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10
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Fourman LT, Stanley TL, Ockene MW, McClure CM, Toribio M, Corey KE, Chung RT, Torriani M, Kleiner DE, Hadigan CM, Grinspoon SK. Proteomic Analysis of Hepatic Fibrosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Demonstrates Up-regulation of Immune Response and Tissue Repair Pathways. J Infect Dis 2023; 227:565-576. [PMID: 36461941 PMCID: PMC10152500 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac475] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by a high prevalence of hepatic fibrosis as a strong clinical predictor of all-cause and liver-specific mortality risk. METHODS We leveraged data from an earlier clinical trial to define the circulating proteomic signature of hepatic fibrosis in HIV-associated NAFLD. A total of 183 plasma proteins within 2 high-multiplex panels were quantified at baseline and at 12 months (Olink Cardiovascular III; Immuno-Oncology). RESULTS Twenty proteins were up-regulated at baseline among participants with fibrosis stages 2-3 versus 0-1. Proteins most differentially expressed included matrix metalloproteinase 2 (P < .001), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (P = .001), and collagen α1(I) chain (P = .001). Proteins were enriched within pathways including response to tumor necrosis factor and aminopeptidase activity. Key proteins correlated directly with visceral adiposity and glucose intolerance and inversely with CD4+ T-cell count. Within the placebo-treated arm, 11 proteins differentially increased among individuals with hepatic fibrosis progression over a 12-month period (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Among individuals with HIV-associated NAFLD, hepatic fibrosis was associated with a distinct proteomic signature involving up-regulation of tissue repair and immune response pathways. These findings enhance our understanding of potential mechanisms and biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis in HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay T Fourman
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Takara L Stanley
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mollie W Ockene
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Colin M McClure
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mabel Toribio
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen E Corey
- Liver Center, Gastroenterology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center, Gastroenterology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Martin Torriani
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Colleen M Hadigan
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven K Grinspoon
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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11
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Han HT, Jin WL, Li X. Mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy in liver diseases. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:23. [PMID: 35895169 PMCID: PMC9326420 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00088-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple immune cells and their products in the liver together form a complex and unique immune microenvironment, and preclinical models have demonstrated the importance of imbalances in the hepatic immune microenvironment in liver inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases. Various immunotherapies have been attempted to modulate the hepatic immune microenvironment for the purpose of treating liver diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a comprehensive and plastic immunomodulatory capacity. On the one hand, they have been tried for the treatment of inflammatory liver diseases because of their excellent immunosuppressive capacity; On the other hand, MSCs have immune-enhancing properties in immunocompromised settings and can be modified into cellular carriers for targeted transport of immune enhancers by genetic modification, physical and chemical loading, and thus they are also used in the treatment of immunocompromised liver diseases such as chronic viral infections and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the immunological basis and recent strategies of MSCs for the treatment of the aforementioned liver diseases. Specifically, we update the immune microenvironment of the liver and summarize the distinct mechanisms of immune microenvironment imbalance in inflammatory diseases and immunocompromised liver diseases, and how MSCs can fully exploit their immunotherapeutic role in liver diseases with both immune imbalance patterns.
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12
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Identification of Key Genes in the HBV-Related HCC Immune Microenvironment Using Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:2797033. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/2797033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has poor prognosis and high mortality among gastrointestinal tumors because of its insidious onset and strong invasiveness. However, there was little understanding of their pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to use bioinformatics analysis to identify genes associated with the immune microenvironment in HBV-related HCC and to develop new therapeutic targets to prevent and treat cancer. Methods. RNA-seq data of HBV-related HCC cases were downloaded from TCGA-LIHC database. ESTIMATE and Deseq2 algorithms were used to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs). WGCNA was used to construct gene coexpression networks. In key modules, functional enrichment analysis was performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) was used to screen hub genes, and survival analysis was conducted to assess their prognostic significance. Following, we search for key genes differentially expressed between cancerous and paracancerous tissues in GSE136247 and GSE121248 datasets. Reveal the potential links between key genes in immune infiltration by using TIMER. Finally, in TCGA-LIHC database, integration of key genes with clinical data were used to further validate their correlation with prognosis. Results. In the cohort of HBV-related HCC patients, immune/stromal/ESTIMATE scores were not significantly associated with patient prognosis. After bioinformatics analysis, screening out five key genes was significantly related to the prognosis of HBV-related HCC. Downregulation of SLAMF1 and TRAF3IP3 suggested poor prognosis and was related to a variety of immune cell infiltration. Furthermore, compared with adjacent nontumor tissues, TRAF3IP3 and SLAMF1 were highly expressed in tumor tissues and were linked to tumor recurrences. Conclusion. In conclusion, SLAMF1 and TRAF3IP3 were identified with higher expression in tumor tissues and associated with tumor recurrence. It will be a new research direction of tumor progress and treatment.
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13
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He Z, Xin Z, Yang Q, Wang C, Li M, Rao W, Du Z, Bai J, Guo Z, Ruan X, Zhang Z, Fang X, Zhao H. Mapping the single-cell landscape of acral melanoma and analysis of the molecular regulatory network of the tumor microenvironments. eLife 2022; 11:78616. [PMID: 35894206 PMCID: PMC9398445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acral melanoma (AM) exhibits a high incidence in Asian patients with melanoma, and it is not well treated with immunotherapy. However, little attention has been paid to the characteristics of the immune microenvironment in AM. Therefore, in this study, we collected clinical samples from Chinese patients with AM and conducted single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the heterogeneity of its tumor microenvironments (TMEs) and the molecular regulatory network. Our analysis revealed that genes, such as TWIST1, EREG, TNFRSF9, and CTGF could drive the deregulation of various TME components. The molecular interaction relationships between TME cells, such as MIF-CD44 and TNFSF9-TNFRSF9, might be an attractive target for developing novel immunotherapeutic agents. Acral melanoma is a type of cancer that affects the hands and feet. It tends to form on the palms, soles, and under the nails. It is rare in people of European descent, but in Asian populations it makes up more than half of all melanoma cases. Unlike other types of skin cancer, it does not respond well to immunotherapy, but scientists did not understand why. Historically, cancer research has focused on the genetics of whole tumors. But cancer is complicated. Malignant cells recruit other cells to help them survive and grow, and to protect them from attacks by the immune system. Together, they create their own ecosystem, called the tumor microenvironment. The exact makeup of the tumor microenvironment differs depending on the type of cancer and on the genetics of the individual. Investigating the cells that ‘support’ the tumor could help to explain how acral melanoma develops and why it does not respond to treatment. To address these questions, He et al. collected samples from six patients with acral melanoma and examined the genes used by more than 60,000 individual cells. This revealed nine different types of cells in the tumor microenvironment. Most were cancer cells, but there were also immune cells, blood vessel cells, skin cells, and a type of cell that makes connective tissue. He et al. also identified four genes that most likely shape the tumor microenvironment, and two gene pairs that may control some of the interactions between the cells. Investigating these early findings in more detail could open new treatment avenues for acral melanoma. The number of samples in this study was small, but it provides a starting point for future investigation. With more data, researchers could start to develop treatments that target the unique tumor microenvironment of this type of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zan He
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Zijuan Xin
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Yang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Li
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Rao
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Zhimin Du
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Bai
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Zixuan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuyan Ruan
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaojun Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangdong Fang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
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14
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Zaki MYW, Fathi AM, Samir S, Eldafashi N, William KY, Nazmy MH, Fathy M, Gill US, Shetty S. Innate and Adaptive Immunopathogeneses in Viral Hepatitis; Crucial Determinants of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1255. [PMID: 35267563 PMCID: PMC8909759 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections remain the most common risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and their heterogeneous distribution influences the global prevalence of this common type of liver cancer. Typical hepatitis infection elicits various immune responses within the liver microenvironment, and viral persistence induces chronic liver inflammation and carcinogenesis. HBV is directly mutagenic but can also cause low-grade liver inflammation characterized by episodes of intermittent high-grade liver inflammation, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis, which can progress to decompensated liver disease and HCC. Equally, the absence of key innate and adaptive immune responses in chronic HCV infection dampens viral eradication and induces an exhausted and immunosuppressive liver niche that favors HCC development and progression. The objectives of this review are to (i) discuss the epidemiological pattern of HBV and HCV infections, (ii) understand the host immune response to acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and (iii) explore the link between this diseased immune environment and the development and progression of HCC in preclinical models and HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Y. W. Zaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
- National Institute for Health Research Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit and Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ahmed M. Fathi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Samara Samir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
| | - Nardeen Eldafashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Kerolis Y. William
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt;
| | - Maiiada Hassan Nazmy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Moustafa Fathy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Upkar S. Gill
- Barts Liver Centre, Centre for Immunobiology, Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, QMUL, London E1 2AT, UK;
| | - Shishir Shetty
- National Institute for Health Research Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit and Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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15
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus and an important human pathogen. There are an estimated 296 million people in the world that are chronically infected by this virus, and many of them will develop severe liver diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV is a small DNA virus that replicates via the reverse transcription pathway. In this review, we summarize the molecular pathways that govern the replication of HBV and its interactions with host cells. We also discuss viral and non-viral factors that are associated with HBV-induced carcinogenesis and pathogenesis, as well as the role of host immune responses in HBV persistence and liver pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Chuang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kuen-Nan Tsai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jing-Hsiung James Ou
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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16
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Borgia M, Dal Bo M, Toffoli G. Role of Virus-Related Chronic Inflammation and Mechanisms of Cancer Immune-Suppression in Pathogenesis and Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174387. [PMID: 34503196 PMCID: PMC8431318 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis is dependent on a chronic inflammation caused by several factors, including hepatotropic viruses, such as HCV and HBV. This chronic inflammation is established in the context of the immunotolerogenic environment peculiar of the liver, in which the immune system can be stimulated by HCV and HBV viral antigens. This complex interaction can be influenced by direct-acting antiviral drug treatments, capable of (almost totally) rapidly eradicating HCV infection. The influence of anti-viral treatments on HCC pathogenesis and progression remains to be fully clarified. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be classified as a prototypical inflammation-driven cancer that generally arises from a background of liver cirrhosis, but that in the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), could develop in the absence of fibrosis or cirrhosis. Tumor-promoting inflammation characterizes HCC pathogenesis, with an epidemiology of the chronic liver disease frequently encompassing hepatitis virus B (HBV) or C (HCV). HCC tumor onset and progression is a serial and heterogeneous process in which intrinsic factors, such as genetic mutations and chromosomal instability, are closely associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which may have features associated with the etiopathogenesis and expression of the viral antigens, which favor the evasion of tumor neoantigens to immune surveillance. With the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for HCV infection, sustained virological response (SVR) has become very high, although occurrence of HCC and reactivation of HBV in patients with co-infection, who achieved SVR in short term, have been observed in a significant proportion of treated cases. In this review, we discuss the main molecular and TME features that are responsible for HCC pathogenesis and progression. Peculiar functional aspects that could be related to the presence and treatment of HCV/HBV viral infections are also dealt with.
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17
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Cho HJ, Cheong JY. Role of Immune Cells in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158011. [PMID: 34360777 PMCID: PMC8348470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops almost entirely in the presence of chronic inflammation. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with recurrent immune-mediated liver damage ultimately leads to cirrhosis and HCC. It is widely accepted that HBV infection induces the dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune responses that engage various immune cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are associated with early antiviral and antitumor properties. On the other hand, inflammatory cells release various cytokines and chemokines that may promote HCC tumorigenesis. Moreover, immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressive cells play a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. HBV-specific CD8+ T cells have been identified as pivotal players in antiviral responses, whilst extremely activated CD8+ T cells induce enormous inflammatory responses, and chronic inflammation can facilitate hepatocarcinogenesis. Controlling and maintaining the balance in the immune system is an important aspect in the management of HBV-related HCC. We conducted a review of the current knowledge on the immunopathogenesis of HBV-induced inflammation and the role of such immune activation in the tumorigenesis of HCC based on the recent studies on innate and adaptive immune cell dysfunction in HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jae-Youn Cheong
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-219-6939; Fax: +82-31-219-5999
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18
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Zhai T, Wang C, Xu Y, Huang W, Yuan Z, Wang T, Dai S, Peng S, Pang T, Jiang W, Huang Y, Zou Y, Xu Y, Sun J, Gong X, Zhang J, Tsun A, Li B, Miao X. Generation of a safe and efficacious llama single-domain antibody fragment (vHH) targeting the membrane-proximal region of 4-1BB for engineering therapeutic bispecific antibodies for cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002131. [PMID: 34172514 PMCID: PMC8237747 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The discovery of checkpoint inhibitors towards cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) has been revolutionary for the treatment of cancers. These therapies have only offered an average of 20%–30% response rates across the tumor spectrum and the combination of agonists towards the tumor-necrosis superfamily members, such as 4-1BB and CD40, has shown potent efficacy in preclinical studies; however, these agonists have exhibited high degrees of toxicity with limited efficacy in human trials. In this study, we have generated a single-domain antibody towards a unique epitope of 4-1BB that limits its potential on-target toxicity while maintaining sufficient potency. This 4-1BB binder is ideal for use in the engineering of multispecific antibodies to localize 4-1BB activation within the tumor microenvironment, as shown here by a anti-PD-L1/4-1BB bispecific candidate (PM1003). Methods To determine the functional activity of the 4-1BB- and PD-L1-binding elements of PM1003, in vitro luciferase reporter and primary cell assays were used to test the potency of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade and PD-L1-mediated 4-1BB activation via cross-bridging. X-ray crystallography was conducted to resolve the binding epitopes of the respective binding arms, and accurate binding kinetics were determined using standard affinity measurement techniques. Human 4-1BB and/or PD-L1 knock-in mice were used in cancer models for testing the in vivo antitumor efficacy of PM1003, and safety was evaluated further. Results PM1003 shows potent activation of 4-1BB and blockade of PD-L1 in cell-based assays. 4-1BB activation was exerted through the bridging of PD-L1 on target cells and 4-1BB on effector cells. No PD-L1-independent activation of 4-1BB was observed. Through X-ray crystallography, a unique binding epitope in the cysteine-rich domain 4 (CRD4) region was resolved that provides high potency and potentially low on-target toxicity as determined by primary immune cell assays and toxicity evaluation in vivo. Conclusions A unique single-domain antibody was discovered that binds to the CRD4 domain of 4-1BB. When incorporated into a 4-1BB/PD-L1 bispecific (PM1003), we have shown the potent inhibition of PD-L1 activity with 4-1BB agonism upon cross-bridging with PD-L1 in vitro. Antitumor activity with minimal toxicity was found in vivo. Thus, PM1003 is a uniquely differentiating and next generation therapeutic agent for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhang Zhai
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Weifeng Huang
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhijun Yuan
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shuang Dai
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Shaogang Peng
- Discovery Biology, Biotheus (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Tuling Pang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenchao Jiang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuefeng Zou
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingda Xu
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Joanne Sun
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xinjiang Gong
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jinping Zhang
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Andy Tsun
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoniu Miao
- Discovery Biology & Discovery Technology, Biotheus Inc, Zhuhai, China .,Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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19
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Immunopathology of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection: Role of Innate and Adaptive Immune Response in Disease Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115497. [PMID: 34071064 PMCID: PMC8197097 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 250 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B despite the availability of highly effective vaccines and oral antivirals. Although innate and adaptive immune cells play crucial roles in controlling hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, they are also accountable for inflammation and subsequently cause liver pathologies. During the initial phase of HBV infection, innate immunity is triggered leading to antiviral cytokines production, followed by activation and intrahepatic recruitment of the adaptive immune system resulting in successful virus elimination. In chronic HBV infection, significant alterations in both innate and adaptive immunity including expansion of regulatory cells, overexpression of co-inhibitory receptors, presence of abundant inflammatory mediators, and modifications in immune cell derived exosome release and function occurs, which overpower antiviral response leading to persistent viral infection and subsequent immune pathologies associated with disease progression towards fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of innate and adaptive immune cells transformations that are associated with immunopathogenesis and disease outcome in CHB patients.
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20
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Li Y, Wang J, Song K, Liu S, Zhang H, Wang F, Ni C, Zhai W, Liang J, Qin Z, Zhang J. S100A4 promotes hepatocellular carcinogenesis by intensifying fibrosis-associated cancer cell stemness. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1725355. [PMID: 32117590 PMCID: PMC7028350 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1725355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A cancer-promoting role of fibrogenesis in the liver has long been speculated; however, the molecular mechanisms regarding this phenomenon are largely unknown. We demonstrated in our previous study that macrophage-derived S100A4 promotes liver fibrosis via activation of hepatic stellate cells; however, whether and how S100A4 directly contributes to the development of fibrosis-associated liver cancer remains elusive. High expression of S100A4 in the fibrotic region was observed in human liver tumor tissues which associated with advanced disease severity. Through an established hepatocarcinogenesis model involving apparent liver fibrogenesis, we found that S100A4-deficient mice developed significantly less and smaller liver tumor nodules, with no change in the liver inflammation but decreased liver fibrosis and expression of stem cell markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. Mechanistically, S100A4 directly promoted stem cell-associated genes signatures in a way synergistic with its interacting protein, extracellular matrix component collagen I. This process is dependent on the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, the liver tumor sphere formation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo were greatly enhanced only when the cancer cells were pretreated with both S100A4 and collagen I. Our work firstly demonstrated a key role of S100A4 in synergy with extracellular matrix in the promotion of hepatocellular carcinoma by affecting the stemness of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Immunobiology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kun Song
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangqing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huilei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chen Ni
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenlong Zhai
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jialu Liang
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhihai Qin
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
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21
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Wang H, Yan Z, Hao J, Yang B, Wang J, Yi L, Wang X, Li S, Zhang H, Zhang S. CD137 ligand feedback upregulates PD-L1 expression on lung cancer via T cell production of IFN-γ. Thorac Cancer 2019; 10:2225-2235. [PMID: 31625289 PMCID: PMC6885434 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of PD-L1 and its regulation in tumors remains unclear. The importance of IFN-γ in upregulating the PD-L1 expression in various tumors, and the effects of other essential cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME), need to be further elucidated. METHODS Constitutive expression of PD-L1 and CD137L in all 13 lung cancer cell lines were tested by flow cytometry. CD137L mRNA of lung cancer cell lines was detected by RT-PCR. PD-L1 expression rates following stimulation with these cytokines (IFN-γ, TNFα and IL2) were measured. After coculture of cells expressing CD137L (lung cancer cells or 293FT cells transfected with CD137L plasmid) with T cells, the PDL1 expression of lung cancer cells and IFN-γ in supernatant was detected. RESULTS Our data revealed that adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cells had the highest positive expression rate. IFN-γ was the core-inducing factor for enhancing the PD-L1 expression. CD137L was also widely expressed in the lung cancer cell lines at the mRNA level, whereas its expression was generally low at the protein level. However, the low expression of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN-γ, which subsequently increased the PD-L1 expression by lung cancer cells. The CD137 signal induces IFN-γ secretion by T cells, which stimulates high-level of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells; this negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape regulation. CONCLUSIONS CD137L mRNA was widely expressed in lung cancer cell lines whereas levels of protein expression were generally low. The low level of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN-γ that subsequently increased PD-L1 expression. The CD137L-induced negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohong Yan
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jianqing Hao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghui Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Yi
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shuping Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shucai Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
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22
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Chen Y, Tian Z. HBV-Induced Immune Imbalance in the Development of HCC. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2048. [PMID: 31507621 PMCID: PMC6718466 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the high-risk factors for human HCC. Despite the integration of virus DNA and the oncoprotein HBx, chronic necroinflammation and hepatocellular regeneration account for hepatocarcinogenesis. As a non-cytopathic virus, HBV is extensively recognized to mediate chronic liver damage through abnormal immune attack. However, the mechanisms driving HBV infection to HCC are poorly understood. During chronic HBV infection in humans, the adaptive immunity changes from immune tolerance to progressive immune activation, inactivation, reactivation and exhaustion, all of which may be the immune pathogenic factors for the development of HCC. Recently, the immunopathogenic mechanisms were described in mouse HBV-induced HCC models, which is absolutely dependent on the presence of HBV-specific T cell response and NK cell-derived IFN-γ, findings which are consistent with the observations from CHB and HCC patients. In this review, we summarize recent research progression on the HBV-specific CD8+ T cells, and also CD4+ T cells, B cells and non-specific immune cells and molecules underlying chronic HBV infection and eventual HCC development to demonstrate the pathogenesis of HBV-induced immune imbalance. Based on the progression, we discussed the potential of immune-based therapies and their challenges in the treatment of HBV-related HCC, including the checkpoint inhibition, genetically modified T cell transfer, therapeutic vaccines and metabolic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyan Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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23
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Su TT, Gao X, Wang J. A Tumor-Localized Approach to Bypass Anti-4-1BB Immuno-Toxicity. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:5732-5734. [PMID: 31366600 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137) is an important costimulatory molecule upregulated on antigen-experienced T cells, however, clinical development of 4-1BB agonists has stalled because of significant liver immuno-toxicity. Using rational protein engineering, a next-generation anticalin-antibody-based therapy achieved localized 4-1BB activation triggered by tumor-expressed antigen, helping to revitalize this pathway in immuno-oncology.See related article by Hinner et al., p. 5878.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Tianjiao Su
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Xiaobin Gao
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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24
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Han X, Huang T, Han J. Cytokines derived from innate lymphoid cells assist Helicobacter hepaticus to aggravate hepatocellular tumorigenesis in viral transgenic mice. Gut Pathog 2019; 11:23. [PMID: 31123503 PMCID: PMC6521485 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-019-0302-0] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, intestinal microbiome has been involved in hepatic diseases due to the immunologic and metabolic communication between liver and intestine. Initiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently attributes to conspiracy between immune cells and infectious carcinogens. Here, the hypothesis that the tumorigenesis of HCC with HBV infection will be aggravated by specific intestinal bacteria was verified in viral transgenic mouse models. Methods Comparative 16S rRNA sequencing was adopted to observe the intestinal enrichment of Helicobacter hepaticus in HCC. Oral administration of Helicobacter hepaticus was carried out to evaluate its hepatic carcinogenic effect in HBV transgenic mice or wildtype C57BL/6. The livers of experimental mice were collected and examined for the degree of tumorigenesis. Results We found that Helicobacter hepaticus more likely colonized at lower colon of HBV-infected mice with HCC, compared with C57BL/6 and HBV-infected mice without neoplasm. Pretreatment of Helicobacter hepaticus in transgenic mice aggravated tumor formation, with higher incidence, more tumor nodule and higher serum AFP. Then, a cytokines expression patterns with inclined IFN-γ, IFN-γR1, IL-17 and IL-23 was found in HBV-infected mice with Helicobacter hepaticus. Furthermore, innate lymphoid cells, especially Th17 and NK cells which can secret IL-17 and IFN-γ respectively, might be recruited by Helicobacter hepaticus cooperated with HBV. Besides, increased expression of CD69, NKG2D and IFN-γ showed activation of cytokine production in intrahepatic NK cells. Finally, IFN-γ decreased E-cadherin expression through p-STAT1 pathway, resulting in epithelial–mesenchymal transition with inclined expression of Snail2, SIP1 and CXCR4 in vitro. p-STAT1 inhibitor was able to reverse the expression of E-cadherin and EMT resulted from IFN-γ function on HBsAg-positive hepatocytes. Conclusions Helicobacter hepaticus generate a detrimental immune microenvironment by IFN-γ/p-STAT1 axis which can promote the tumorigenesis of hepatitis B via recruiting innate lymphoid cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13099-019-0302-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Han
- 1Department of Experiment, Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, 71# Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021 China
| | - Tianren Huang
- 1Department of Experiment, Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, 71# Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021 China
| | - Junqing Han
- 2Department of Tumor Research and Therapy Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324# Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021 China
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25
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Chen Y, Hao X, Sun R, Wei H, Tian Z. Natural Killer Cell-Derived Interferon-Gamma Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Axis in Hepatitis B Virus Transgenic Mice. Hepatology 2019; 69:1735-1750. [PMID: 30329167 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), at least partially due to dysfunctional anti-HBV adaptive immunity; however, the role of innate immune response to HBV in this process is not well understood. In this study, low-dose polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly [I:C]), a natural killer (NK) cell activator (3 μg/g body weight, twice/week for 8 weeks), induced HCC in HBV transgenic (HBs-Tg) mice, with an incidence of 100% after 6 months, while HBs-Tg mice without treatment only had HCC with an incidence of 16.7%. In HBs-Tg mice, poly (I:C) induced liver inflammation with markedly increased infiltrating lymphocytes, along with the concurrently increased apoptosis and proliferation of hepatocytes, leading to the accelerated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of hepatocytes shown by increased expression of the typical transcriptional factors (Slug, Twist, and mothers against decapentaplegic-interacting protein 1) and phenotypic proteins (vimentin and chemokine [C-X-C motif] receptor 4). The EMT and tumorigenesis in this model depended on the presence of NK cells because depletion of these cells significantly reduced the HCC rate to 28.6%. Further, intrahepatic NK cells highly expressed interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), anti-IFN-γ neutralizing monoclonal antibody might obviously alleviate the hepatitis, and hepatocyte-specific IFN-γ overexpression promoted HCC. Moreover, IFN-γ deficiency in HBs-Tg mice prevented HCC occurring, though hepatic NK cells existed and could be activated, suggesting the critical role of IFN-γ in NK cell-mediated tumorigenesis. In an in vitro experiment, IFN-γ up-regulated epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression through phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (p-STAT1) pathway, which was followed by EMT, and p-STAT1 inhibitor might absolutely abolish the expression of EpCAM and EMT in HBV surface antigen-positive hepatocytes. Conclusion: This work demonstrates that NK cell-derived IFN-γ promotes HCC through the EpCAM-EMT axis in HBs-Tg mice, revealing the importance of innate immunity in pathogenesis of HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyan Chen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, and Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaolei Hao
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, and Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, and Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, and Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, and Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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26
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Zhang Y, Zhao W, Li S, Lv M, Yang X, Li M, Zhang Z. CXCL11 promotes self-renewal and tumorigenicity of α2δ1 + liver tumor-initiating cells through CXCR3/ERK1/2 signaling. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:163-171. [PMID: 30771435 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), which are responsible for sustaining tumor growth and recurrence, rely on several regulatory factors. However, the mechanism of inflammation-related molecules in the acquisition and maintenance of TIC properties in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. We previously demonstrated that the voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ1 subunit is a functional surface marker of HCC TICs. Here, we found that the expression of an inflammation-related molecule C-X-C motif chemokine 11 (CXCL11) was significantly upregulated in α2δ1+ HCC TICs and that CXCL11 induced the expression of stem cell-related genes, such as BMI1, NANOG, MDR1, ABCG2, and CACNA2D1. Furthermore, CXCL11 could promote the acquisition and maintenance of self-renewal, tumorigenic, and chemoresistance properties of α2δ1+ HCC TICs by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) through its affinity receptor CXCR3. Collectively, our results suggest that CXCL11 may positively regulate the stemness of α2δ1+ HCC TICs via ERK1/2 activation through an autocrine signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Mengzhu Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xiaodan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Meng Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100142, China.
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27
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Wan LF, Shen JJ, Wang YH, Zhao W, Fang NY, Yuan X, Xue BY. Extracts of Qizhu decoction inhibit hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in C57BL/6 mice by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1415. [PMID: 30723284 PMCID: PMC6363746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38391-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma are serious human diseases. Here, we examined the in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effect of extracts of Qizhu decoction (a traditional Chinese medicine) on hepatitis caused by diethylnitrosamine or hepatitis B virus and on diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. The results showed that both the aqueous and ethanol extracts (QC and QS, respectively) of Qizhu decoction significantly inhibited hepatic inflammation and liver cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine or hepatitis B virus by suppressing NF-κB signaling and decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. Both QC and QS inhibited the proliferation and migration of primary cancer hepatocytes by reducing cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and N-cadherin expression and increasing E-cadherin expression. QC and QS also promoted the apoptosis of primary cancer hepatocytes by upregulating caspase-3 and downregulating BCL-2 expression. The knockdown of p65 in NF-κB signaling inhibited the ability of QC and QS to significantly reduce the colony formation ability of liver cancer cells. Additionally, QC and QS might significantly inhibit the DNA replication of hepatitis B virus in vivo and in vitro, and we found that corilagin and polydatin were the active compounds of QC and QS. Taken together, our in vitro findings and our results in C57BL/6 mice showed that extracts of Qizhu decoction might inhibit hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing NF-κB signaling.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/chemically induced
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Diethylnitrosamine/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Hep G2 Cells
- Hepatitis B virus/genetics
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Hepatitis, Animal/chemically induced
- Hepatitis, Animal/drug therapy
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Transcription Factor RelA/antagonists & inhibitors
- Transcription Factor RelA/genetics
- Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Feng Wan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian-Jiang Shen
- Department of Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yao-Hui Wang
- Department of Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu medical college, 783 Xindu Road, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Nan-Yuan Fang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo-Yu Xue
- Department of Infectious Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- The First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 155 HanZhong Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
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28
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Breakdown of adaptive immunotolerance induces hepatocellular carcinoma in HBsAg-tg mice. Nat Commun 2019; 10:221. [PMID: 30644386 PMCID: PMC6333806 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08096-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can induce chronic inflammation, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite evidence suggesting a link between adaptive immunity and HBV-related diseases in humans, the immunopathogenic mechanisms involved are seldom described. Here we show that expression of TIGIT, a promising immune checkpoint in tumor immunotherapy, increases with age on hepatic CD8+ T cells in HBsAg-transgenic (HBs-tg) mice whose adaptive immune system is tolerant to HBsAg. TIGIT blockade or deficiency leads to chronic hepatitis and fibrosis, along with the emergence of functional HBsAg-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), suggesting adaptive immune tolerance could be broken by TIGIT blockade or deficiency. Importantly, HBsAg vaccination further induces nonresolving inflammation and HCC in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner in TIGIT-blocked or -deficient HBs-tg mice. Therefore, CD8+ T cells play an important role in adaptive immunity-mediated tumor progression and TIGIT is critical in maintenance of liver tolerance by keeping CTLs in homeostatic balance. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with immune tolerance to HBV. Here the authors show, in a transgenic mouse model, that rescuing T cells function via inhibition of co-inhibitory receptor TIGIT results in HCC development via supporting inflammation.
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29
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Wang C, Cheng Y, Zhang X, Li N, Zhang L, Wang S, Tong X, Xu Y, Chen GQ, Cheng S, Fan X, Liu J. Vacuolar Protein Sorting 33B Is a Tumor Suppressor in Hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatology 2018; 68:2239-2253. [PMID: 29729199 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polarity defects are frequently involved in liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It was reported that vacuolar protein sorting 33B (Vps33b) plays critical roles in the maintenance of hepatocyte polarity; however, the functional roles and mechanisms of Vps33b in HCC occurrence and progression remain unknown. First of all, we showed that Vps33b is down-regulated in human and mouse liver cancer samples, and the low expression levels of Vps33b correlate with the poor prognosis of many HCC patients. Liver-specific Vps33b deficiency induces liver damage, progressive hepatitis, fibrosis, and HCC in male mice, indicating that Vps33b is a crucial contributory factor to hepatocarcinogenesis. Vps33b deficiency-caused liver damage was primarily due to the disorders of structural and functional hepatocyte polarity, which were reflected by the decreased protein levels of E-cadherin because of inaccurate location to lysosomes and polarity defects at both apical and lateral plasma membrane proteins. The results of a mechanism study revealed that Vps33b interacts with VPS33B-interacting protein, which is involved in polarity and apical protein restriction; vesicle-trafficking protein Sec22b; and Flotillin-1 in hepatocytes and is in charge of the normal distribution of polarity-determined proteins. Expression levels of Vps33b negatively correlated with the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in livers from diethylnitrosamine-induced or transgenic HCC mouse models, and the inflammatory stimuli suppressed the expression of Vps33b in vitro. Conclusion: Down-regulation of Vps33b expression is a critical step for inflammation-driven HCC, and Vps33b serves as an important tumor suppressor in hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqiang Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuping Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemei Tong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuqun Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuemei Fan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junling Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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30
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The promise and challenges of immune agonist antibody development in cancer. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:509-527. [PMID: 29904196 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immune cell functions are regulated by co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptors. The first two generations of cancer immunotherapy agents consist primarily of antagonist antibodies that block negative immune checkpoints, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA4). Looking ahead, there is substantial promise in targeting co-stimulatory receptors with agonist antibodies, and a growing number of these agents are making their way through various stages of development. This Review discusses the key considerations and potential pitfalls of immune agonist antibody design and development, their differentiating features from antagonist antibodies and the landscape of agonist antibodies in clinical development for cancer treatment.
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Zhang J, Song K, Wang J, Li Y, Liu S, Dai C, Chen L, Wang S, Qin Z. S100A4 blockage alleviates agonistic anti-CD137 antibody-induced liver pathology without disruption of antitumor immunity. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1296996. [PMID: 29632708 PMCID: PMC5889198 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1296996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver-related autoimmune toxicities triggered by agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies have greatly limited their use in clinical applications. Here, we found that anti-CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in mice induced the infiltration of a large number of S100A4+ macrophages into the liver. Depletion of these cells or deficiency of S100A4 decreased inflammatory cytokine profiles and drastically reduced the number of liver pathogenic CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, soluble S100A4 directly activated the Akt pathway and specifically prolonged CD8+ T cell survival. Interestingly, one S100A4 neutralizing mAb selectively alleviated liver abnormalities but did not affect the antitumor immunity induced by anti-CD137 mAb therapy. Thus, our study presents a novel molecular link to the liver pathology induced by an immune stimulatory antibody and proposes that combinational immunotherapies targeting those pathways could potentially elicit optimal antitumor immunity with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Song
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Immunobiology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yanan Li
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangqing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengliang Dai
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihai Qin
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Medical Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
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32
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Yang Z, Jia M, Liu G, Hao H, Chen L, Li G, Liu S, Li Y, Wu CI, Lu X, Wang S. Genomic sequencing identifies a few mutations driving the independent origin of primary liver tumors in a chronic hepatitis murine model. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187551. [PMID: 29117265 PMCID: PMC5678715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of high-throughput genomic analysis, sequencing a mouse primary cancer model provides a new opportunity to understand fundamental mechanisms of tumorigenesis and progression. Here, we characterized the genomic variations in a hepatitis-related primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse model. A total of 12 tumor sections and four adjacent non-tumor tissues from four mice were used for whole exome and/or whole genome sequencing and validation of genotyping. The functions of the mutated genes in tumorigenesis were studied by analyzing their mutation frequency and expression in clinical HCC samples. A total of 46 single nucleotide variations (SNVs) were detected within coding regions. All SNVs were only validated in the sequencing samples, except the Hras mutation, which was shared by three tumors in the M1 mouse. However, the mutated allele frequency varied from high (0.4) to low (0.1), and low frequency (0.1-0.2) mutations existed in almost every tumor. Together with a diploid karyotype and an equal distribution pattern of these SNVs within the tumor, these results suggest the existence of subclones within tumors. A total of 26 mutated genes were mapped to 17 terms describing different molecular and cellular functions. All 41 human homologs of the mutated genes were mutated in the clinical samples, and some mutations were associated with clinical outcomes, suggesting a high probability of cancer driver genes in the spontaneous tumors of the mouse model. Genomic sequencing shows that a few mutations can drive the independent origin of primary liver tumors and reveals high heterogeneity among tumors in the early stage of hepatitis-related primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuyu Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingming Jia
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guojing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huaining Hao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanghao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sixue Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yawei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chung-I Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Ecology and Evolution, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Xuemei Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, China Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (SW); (XL)
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (SW); (XL)
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33
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Immunotherapy targeting 4-1BB: mechanistic rationale, clinical results, and future strategies. Blood 2017; 131:49-57. [PMID: 29118009 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-06-741041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 9) is an inducible costimulatory receptor expressed on activated T and natural killer (NK) cells. 4-1BB ligation on T cells triggers a signaling cascade that results in upregulation of antiapoptotic molecules, cytokine secretion, and enhanced effector function. In dysfunctional T cells that have a decreased cytotoxic capacity, 4-1BB ligation demonstrates a potent ability to restore effector functions. On NK cells, 4-1BB signaling can increase antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Agonistic monoclonal antibodies targeting 4-1BB have been developed to harness 4-1BB signaling for cancer immunotherapy. Preclinical results in a variety of induced and spontaneous tumor models suggest that targeting 4-1BB with agonist antibodies can lead to tumor clearance and durable antitumor immunity. Clinical trials of 2 agonist antibodies, urelumab and utomilumab, are ongoing. Despite initial signs of efficacy, clinical development of urelumab has been hampered by inflammatory liver toxicity at doses >1 mg/kg. Utomilumab has a superior safety profile, but is a less potent 4-1BB agonist relative to urelumab. Both antibodies have demonstrated promising results in patients with lymphoma and are being tested in combination therapy trials with other immunomodulatory agents. In an effort to optimally leverage 4-1BB-mediated immune activation, the next generation of 4-1BB targeting strategies attempts to decouple the observed antitumor efficacy from the on-target liver toxicity. Multiple therapeutics that attempt to restrict 4-1BB agonism to the tumor microenvironment and minimize systemic exposure have emerged. 4-1BB is a compelling target for cancer immunotherapy and future agents show great promise for achieving potent immune activation while avoiding limiting immune-related adverse events.
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Huang F, Cai P, Wang Y, Zhou X, Chen H, Liao W, Mao Y, Zha X, Zhang H, Hu Z. Up-regulation of brain-expressed X-linked 2 is critical for hepatitis B virus X protein-induced hepatocellular carcinoma development. Oncotarget 2017; 8:65789-65799. [PMID: 29029472 PMCID: PMC5630372 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause for HCC. Hepatitis B virus X (HBx), one of four proteins encoded by HBV genome, plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of HBV-induced HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms of HBx-triggered HCC remain largely undetermined. Here we revealed that the expression of Brain-expressed X-linked 2 (BEX2) and Osteopontin (OPN) were elevated in liver tissues of HBV transgenic mice and human HCC specimens. Moreover, a positive correlation between BEX2 and OPN was exhibited in samples from HCC patients with HBV infection. The protein levels of BEX2 and OPN were both higher in HBV-positive HCC specimens compared to that of HBV-negative HCC specimens. HBx potentiated OPN expression through up-regulation of BEX2. Importantly, the depletion of BEX2 suppressed tumorigenic potential of HCC cells with highly expressed HBx. We demonstrated the important role of BEX2 in HCC pathogenesis, and BEX2 may be a novel therapeutic target for HCC patients with HBV infection. The newly identified HBx/BEX2/OPN signaling cassette is implicated in the pathogenesis of HBV-induced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Pei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjun Liao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojun Zha
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongbing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongdong Hu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Bao S, Zheng J, Shi G. The role of T helper 17 cells in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (Review). Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:3713-3719. [PMID: 28731149 PMCID: PMC5646947 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients, T helper 17 (Th17) cells are significantly elevated. Th17 cells initiate immune-mediated pathogenesis and have a critical role in the process of HBV-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC). The mechanisms underlying this process are attributed to Th17-secreted cytokines, which include interleukin (IL)-17, IL-21 and IL-22; however, a systemic analysis regarding these mechanisms has yet to be conducted. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of HBV-LC. All randomized clinical trials, case series, case reports and meta-analyses that contained the aforementioned keywords were included in the review process. In addition, unpublished information from the Food and Drug Administration was included. The findings indicated that Th17-secreted cytokines, including IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22, function by activating or silencing hepatic stellate cells, modulating proinflammatory and pro- or antifibrogenic effectors, regulating extracellular matrix formation, upregulating chemokine expression, and inducing hepatocellular damage or hepatoprotection during the HBV-LC process. In addition, Th17 cells and Th17-secreted cytokines may be considered a potential tool in the diagnosis or treatment of HBV-LC. The present review summarized the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of HBV-LC in order to deepen the clinical understanding of the role of Th17 cells and also to support the development of effective therapies for patients with HBV-LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suxia Bao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Jianming Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Guangfeng Shi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
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36
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Ramzan M, Sturm N, Decaens T, Bioulac-Sage P, Bancel B, Merle P, Tran Van Nhieu J, Slama R, Letoublon C, Zarski JP, Jouvin-Marche E, Marche PN, Leroy V. Liver-infiltrating CD8(+) lymphocytes as prognostic factor for tumour recurrence in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int 2016. [PMID: 26215124 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic liver inflammation and immune/inflammatory response promote hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to characterize the immune status of HCV-related cirrhosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV-HCC) as compared to HCV patients without hepatocellular carcinoma. METHOD Immune markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56, TCRγδ, FoxP3) and gene expression profiles (CD8α, CD8β, FoxP3, IL-6, IFN-γ, perforin, RANTES) were analysed in a test cohort by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR analysis on serial non-tumorous and tumorous tissues. RESULTS Immune micro-environment was more inflammatory in HCV-HCC than HCV cirrhotic livers. The number of CD3(+) , CD4(+) , CD8(+) and CD20(+) liver-infiltrating lymphocytes was significantly higher, whereas the number of CD56(+) cells was significantly lower in HCV-HCC compared to HCV cirrhotic parenchyma. These differences were restricted to fibrous septa for CD4(+) and CD20(+) cells and to nodular parenchyma for CD8(+) cells. Gene expressions of CD8α, FoxP3 and RANTES were also significantly higher in HCV-HCC than in HCV cirrhosis. Interestingly, in a large cohort of 63 HCV-HCC patients. The number of CD8(+) cells ≥100/field was associated with significant higher tumour recurrence (P = 0.003) and lower overall survival (P = 0.05) at 5 years. CONCLUSION High densities of liver-infiltrating lymphocytes in HCV-HCC cirrhotic parenchyma prevail inflammatory conditions and could contribute to tumorigenesis and tumour recurrence. These results could contribute towards better clinical evaluation of patients susceptible for HCC recurrence after curative surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ramzan
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France
| | - Nathalie Sturm
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France.,Département d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Decaens
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France.,Clinique d' Hépatogastroentérologie, pôle DigiDune, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Paulette Bioulac-Sage
- Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | - Brigitte Bancel
- Service de Pathologie, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM UMR-S1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Merle
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM UMR-S1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France
| | - Jeanne Tran Van Nhieu
- Département de Pathologie, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor, Val de Marne, Université Paris Est-Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France
| | - Christian Letoublon
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France.,Clinique de Chirurgie Digestive, pôle DIGIDUNE, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Zarski
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France.,Clinique d' Hépatogastroentérologie, pôle DigiDune, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Evelyne Jouvin-Marche
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France
| | - Patrice N Marche
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France.,Clinique d' Hépatogastroentérologie, pôle DigiDune, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Vincent Leroy
- INSERM, Unité 823, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble-Alpes, Faculté de Médecine, UMR-S823, Grenoble, France.,Clinique d' Hépatogastroentérologie, pôle DigiDune, CHU de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
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37
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Bartkowiak T, Curran MA. 4-1BB Agonists: Multi-Potent Potentiators of Tumor Immunity. Front Oncol 2015; 5:117. [PMID: 26106583 PMCID: PMC4459101 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a rapidly expanding field of oncology aimed at targeting, not the tumor itself, but the immune system combating the cancerous lesion. Of the many approaches currently under study to boost anti-tumor immune responses; modulation of immune co-receptors on lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment has thus far proven to be the most effective. Antibody blockade of the T cell co-inhibitory receptor cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) has become the first FDA approved immune checkpoint blockade; however, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes express a diverse array of additional stimulatory and inhibitory co-receptors, which can be targeted to boost tumor immunity. Among these, the co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB (CD137/TNFSF9) possesses an unequaled capacity for both activation and pro-inflammatory polarization of anti-tumor lymphocytes. While functional studies of 4-1BB have focused on its prominent role in augmenting cytotoxic CD8 T cells, 4-1BB can also modulate the activity of CD4 T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. 4-1BB’s expression on both T cells and antigen presenting cells, coupled with its capacity to promote survival, expansion, and enhanced effector function of activated T cells, has made it an alluring target for tumor immunotherapy. In contrast to immune checkpoint blocking antibodies, 4-1BB agonists can both potentiate anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity, while at the same time ameliorating autoimmune disease. Despite this, 4-1BB agonists can trigger high grade liver inflammation which has slowed their clinical development. In this review, we discuss how the underlying immunobiology of 4-1BB activation suggests the potential for therapeutically synergistic combination strategies in which immune adverse events can be minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Bartkowiak
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston , Houston, TX , USA
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38
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Chen L, Li J, Zhang J, Dai C, Liu X, Wang J, Gao Z, Guo H, Wang R, Lu S, Wang F, Zhang H, Chen H, Fan X, Wang S, Qin Z. S100A4 promotes liver fibrosis via activation of hepatic stellate cells. J Hepatol 2015; 62:156-64. [PMID: 25111176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS S100A4 has been linked to the fibrosis of several organs due to its role as a fibroblast-specific marker. However, the role of S100A4 itself in the development of fibrosis has not been much investigated. Here, we determined whether S100A4 regulates liver fibrogenesis and examined its mechanism by focusing on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS S100A4 deficient mice were used to determine the role of S100A4 in liver fibrogenesis. The effect of S100A4 on HSC activation was estimated by using primary mouse HSCs and the human HSC cell line LX-2. Serum levels of S100A4 in cirrhotic patients were determined by ELISA. RESULTS S100A4 was found to be secreted by a subpopulation of macrophages and to promote the development of liver fibrosis. It accumulated in the liver during the progression of liver fibrosis and activated HSCs in mice. In vitro studies demonstrated that S100A4 induced the overexpression of alpha-smooth muscle actin through c-Myb in HSCs. Both, the selective depletion of S100A4-expressing cells and knockdown of S100A4 in the liver by RNA interference, resulted in a reduction of liver fibrosis following injury. Importantly, increased S100A4 levels in both the liver tissue and serum correlated positively with liver fibrosis in humans. CONCLUSIONS S100A4 promotes liver fibrosis by activating HSCs, which may represent a potential target for anti-fibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengliang Dai
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhitao Gao
- Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fusheng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hongsong Chen
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolong Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, Laboratory of Neuroscience and Brain Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Center for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihai Qin
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Zhao J, Zhang Z, Luan Y, Zou Z, Sun Y, Li Y, Jin L, Zhou C, Fu J, Gao B, Fu Y, Wang FS. Pathological functions of interleukin-22 in chronic liver inflammation and fibrosis with hepatitis B virus infection by promoting T helper 17 cell recruitment. Hepatology 2014; 59:1331-42. [PMID: 24677193 PMCID: PMC3970185 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED It is well established that interleukin (IL)-22 has hepatoprotective and antifibrotic functions in acute liver injury models; however, its function in patients with liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis (LC) remains obscure. In the current study, we demonstrated that expression of numerous IL-22 pathway-associated genes was significantly up-regulated in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected liver tissues, compared to normal controls, through microarray analysis. In agreement with these findings, liver-infiltrating IL-22(+) cells were largely increased in HBV-infected patients with LC, compared to those without LC or healthy subjects, and were positively associated with liver fibrosis staging scores. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometric analyses revealed that IL-22 was produced by multiple intrahepatic immune cells and, preferentially, by T-helper (Th) 17 cells in LC patients. In an HBV transgenic (Tg) mouse model of T-cell-mediated chronic liver inflammation and fibrosis, blockade of IL-22 attenuated hepatic expression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) and subsequently reduced Th17 recruitment and liver inflammation and fibrosis progression. In vitro treatment with IL-22 stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to secrete several chemokines and subsequently promoted Th17 cell chemotaxis. Blocking C-X-C chemokine receptor type 3 or CCL20 reduced Th17 cell chemotaxis by IL-22-treated HSCs. CONCLUSIONS IL-22 plays a pathological role in exacerbating chronic liver inflammation and fibrosis by recruiting hepatic Th17 cells in HBV-infected patients and HBV Tg mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Zhao
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yan Luan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhengsheng Zou
- Center for Non-infectious Liver Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yanling Sun
- Research Center for Liver transplantation, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yonggang Li
- Integrative Medicine Center, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Chunbao Zhou
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Junliang Fu
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yangxin Fu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
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40
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Yi L, Zhao Y, Wang X, Dai M, Hellström KE, Hellström I, Zhang H. Human and mouse CD137 have predominantly different binding CRDs to their respective ligands. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86337. [PMID: 24466035 PMCID: PMC3897701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to CD137 (a.k.a. 4-1BB) have anti-tumor efficacy in several animal models and have entered clinical trials in patients with advanced cancer. Importantly, anti-CD137 mAbs can also ameliorate autoimmunity in preclinical models. As an approach to better understand the action of agonistic and antagonistic anti-CD137 mAbs we have mapped the binding region of the CD137 ligand (CD137L) to human and mouse CD137. By investigating the binding of CD137L to cysteine rich domain II (CRDII )and CRDIII of CD137, we found that the binding interface was limited and differed between the two species in that mouse CD137L mainly combined with CRDII and human CD137L mainly combined with CRDIII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University and Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanlin Zhao
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University and Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Dai
- Department of Pathology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Karl Erik Hellström
- Department of Pathology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ingegerd Hellström
- Department of Pathology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University and Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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41
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Wu B, Zou Q, Hu Y, Wang B. Interleukin-22 as a molecular adjuvant facilitates IL-17-producing CD8+ T cell responses against a HBV DNA vaccine in mice. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2013; 9:2133-41. [PMID: 23941891 PMCID: PMC3906397 DOI: 10.4161/hv.26047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is mainly produced by activated Th1 cells, Th17 cells and NK cells and promotes anti-microbial defense, pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling responses. However, its potential use as a vaccine adjuvant has not been tested. In this study, we tested if a DNA construct expressing IL-22 (pVAX-IL-22) could be used as a molecular adjuvant to enhance host immune responses induced by HBV DNA vaccination (pcD-S2). After immunizing mice with pcD-S2 combined with pVAX-IL-22, we didn't find enhancement of HBsAg-specific antibody responses in comparison to mice immunized with pcD-S2 alone. However, there was an enhancement of the level of IL-17 expression in antigen specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Tc17). By using CD8 T-cell knockout (KO) and IL-17 KO mice, Tc17 cells were found to be a dominant population driving cytotoxicity. Importantly, there was a correlation between pVAX-IL-22 enhancement of T lymphocytes and a reduction of HBsAg-positive hepatocytes in HBsAg transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that IL-22 might be used as an effective adjuvant to enhance cellular immune responses during HBsAg DNA vaccination since it can induce Tc17 cells to break tolerance in HBsAg transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Agro-Biotechnology; College of Biological Science; China Agricultural University; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Agro-Biotechnology; College of Biological Science; China Agricultural University; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yanxin Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine; China Agricultural University; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agro-Biotechnology; College of Biological Science; China Agricultural University; Beijing, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOH and MOE; Fudan University Shanghai Medical College; Shanghai, P.R. China
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42
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Wortzman ME, Clouthier DL, McPherson AJ, Lin GHY, Watts TH. The contextual role of TNFR family members in CD8+T-cell control of viral infections. Immunol Rev 2013; 255:125-48. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Derek L. Clouthier
- The Department of Immunology; University of Toronto; Toronto; ON; Canada
| | - Ann J. McPherson
- The Department of Immunology; University of Toronto; Toronto; ON; Canada
| | - Gloria H. Y. Lin
- The Department of Immunology; University of Toronto; Toronto; ON; Canada
| | - Tania H. Watts
- The Department of Immunology; University of Toronto; Toronto; ON; Canada
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43
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Ayub A, Ashfaq UA, Haque A. HBV induced HCC: major risk factors from genetic to molecular level. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:810461. [PMID: 23991421 PMCID: PMC3749539 DOI: 10.1155/2013/810461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly and emerging disease leading to death in Asian countries. High hepatitis B virus (HBV) load and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection increase the risk of developing HCC. HBV is a DNA virus that can integrate DNA into host genome thereby increase the yield of transactivator protein HBxAg that may deregulate many pathways involving in metabolism of cells. Several monogenic and polygenic risk factors are also involved in HCC development. This review summarizes the mechanism involved in HCC development and discusses some promising therapies to make HCC curative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambreen Ayub
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Usman Ali Ashfaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Asma Haque
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
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Li X, Liu Z, Yan X, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhao B, Wang S, Zhou X, Gao GF, Meng S. Induction of regulatory T cells by high-dose gp96 suppresses murine liver immune hyperactivation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68997. [PMID: 23874845 PMCID: PMC3715452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunization with high-dose heat shock protein gp96, an endoplasmic reticulum counterpart of the Hsp90 family, significantly enhances regulatory T cell (Treg) frequency and suppressive function. Here, we examined the potential role and mechanism of gp96 in regulating immune-mediated hepatic injury in mice. High-dose gp96 immunization elicited rapid and long-lasting protection of mice against concanavalin A (Con A)-and anti-CD137-induced liver injury, as evidenced by decreased alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels, hepatic necrosis, serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6), and number of IFN-γ + CD4+ and IFN-γ + CD8+ T cells in the spleen and liver. In contrast, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg frequency and suppressive function were both increased, and the protective effect of gp96 could be generated by adoptive transfer of Treg cells from gp96-immunized mice. In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that gp96 stimulation enhanced Treg proliferation and suppressive function, and up-regulation of Foxp3, IL-10, and TGF-β1 induced by gp96 was dependent on TLR2- and TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation. Our work shows that activation of Tregs by high-dose gp96 immunization protects against Con A- and anti-CD137-induced T cell-hepatitis and provides therapeutic potential for the development of a gp96-based anti-immune hyperactivation vaccine against immune-mediated liver destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Yan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - George F. Gao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Songdong Meng
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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45
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Abstract
Inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) are among the most successful protein-based drugs (biologics) and have proven to be clinically efficacious at reducing inflammation associated with several autoimmune diseases. As a result, attention is focusing on the therapeutic potential of additional members of the TNF superfamily of structurally related cytokines. Many of these TNF-related cytokines or their cognate receptors are now in preclinical or clinical development as possible targets for modulating inflammatory diseases and cancer as well as other indications. This Review focuses on the biologics that are currently in clinical trials for immune-related diseases and other syndromes, discusses the successes and failures to date as well as the expanding therapeutic potential of modulating the activity of this superfamily of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Croft
- Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
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46
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Yao S, Zhu Y, Chen L. Advances in targeting cell surface signalling molecules for immune modulation. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2013; 12:130-46. [PMID: 23370250 PMCID: PMC3698571 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed a surge in the development of immunomodulatory approaches to combat a broad range of human diseases, including cancer, viral infections, autoimmunity and inflammation as well as in the prevention of transplant rejection. Immunomodulatory approaches mostly involve the use of monoclonal antibodies or recombinant fusion proteins that target cell surface signalling molecules on immune cells to drive immune responses towards the desired direction. Advances in our understanding of the human immune system, along with valuable lessons learned from the first generation of therapeutic biologics, are aiding the design of the next generation of immunomodulatory biologics with better therapeutic efficacy, minimized adverse effects and long-lasting clinical benefit. The recent encouraging results from antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) and B7 homolog 1 (B7H1; also known as PDL1) for the treatment of various advanced human cancers show that immunomodulatory therapy has come of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yao
- Department of Immunobiology and Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06519, USA
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47
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Memory CD8+ T cells are sufficient to alleviate impaired host resistance to influenza A virus infection caused by neonatal oxygen supplementation. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2012; 19:1432-41. [PMID: 22787195 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00265-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Supplemental oxygen administered to preterm infants is an important clinical intervention, but it is associated with life-long changes in lung development and increased sensitivity to respiratory viral infections. The precise immunological changes caused by neonatal oxygen treatment remain poorly understood. We previously reported that adult mice exposed to supplemental oxygen as neonates display persistent pulmonary inflammation and enhanced mortality after a sublethal influenza A virus infection. These changes suggest that neonatal hyperoxia impairs the cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell response required to clear the virus. In this study, we show that although host resistance to several different strains of influenza A virus is reduced by neonatal hyperoxia, this treatment does not impair viral clearance, nor does it alter the magnitude of the virus-specific CD8(+) T cell response to primary infection. Moreover, memory T cells are sufficient to ameliorate the increased morbidity and mortality and alleviate the excessive lung damage observed in mice exposed to high oxygen levels as neonates, and we attribute this sufficiency principally to virus-specific memory CD8(+) T cells. Thus, we show that neonatal hyperoxia reduces host resistance to influenza virus infection without diminishing the function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes or the generation of virus-specific memory T cells and that CD8(+) memory T cells are sufficient to provide protection from negative consequences of this important life-saving intervention. Our findings suggest that vaccines that generate robust T cell memory may be efficacious at reducing the increased sensitivity to respiratory viral infections in people born prematurely.
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48
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Snell LM, Lin GHY, McPherson AJ, Moraes TJ, Watts TH. T-cell intrinsic effects of GITR and 4-1BB during viral infection and cancer immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2012; 244:197-217. [PMID: 22017440 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2011.01063.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
GITR [glucocorticoid inducible tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-related protein] and 4-1BB are costimulatory TNFR family members that are expressed on regulatory and effector T cells as well as on other cells of the immune system. Here we discuss the role of GITR and 4-1BB on T cells during viral infections and in cancer immunotherapy. Systemic treatment with agonistic anti-4-1BB antibody leads to a number of immune system abnormalities, and clinical trials of anti-4-1BB have been terminated. However, other modes of 4-1BB ligation may be less toxic. To date, similar toxicities have not been reported for anti-GITR treatment of mice, although anti-GITR antibodies can exacerbate mouse autoimmune models. Intrinsic effects of GITR and 4-1BB on effector T cells appear to predominate over their effects on other cell types in some models. Despite their similarities in enhancing T-cell survival, 4-1BB and GITR are clearly not redundant, and both pathways are required for maximal CD8(+) T-cell responses and mouse survival following severe respiratory influenza infection. GITR uses TNFR-associated factor (TRAF) 2 and TRAF5, whereas 4-1BB recruits TRAF1 and TRAF2 to mediate survival signaling in T cells. The differential use of signaling adapters combined with their differential expression may explain the non-redundant roles of GITR and 4-1BB in the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Snell
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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49
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Theamboonlers A, Abe K, Thongmee C, Poovorawan Y. Complete coding sequence and molecular analysis of hepatitis A virus from a chimpanzee with fulminant hepatitis. J Med Primatol 2011; 41:11-7. [PMID: 22017331 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2011.00515.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infects both humans and non-human primates, in experimentally infected chimpanzees is typically milder than in humans. In 1982, Abe and Shikata reported a first case of a chimpanzee with fulminant hepatitis caused by spontaneous HAV infection, and the underlying mechanisms of the disease remain unknown. METHODS To characterize denoted CFH-HAV, we conducted cloning and near full-length sequence analysis. RESULTS Phylogenetic analyses of VP1-2A and complete sequence comparison between various genotypes and the sample sequence showed clustering in genotype IB. Based on BLAST analysis, the sequence was most closely related to the wild-type (HM175/WT) isolate. Amino acid and nucleic acid similarities were 99.8% and 94.41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The chimpanzee may have been infected with human HAV genotype IB. The substitutions in VP2, VP4, 2B, 2C, and 3D, which may enhance virus proliferation, contributed to disease severity culminating in fulminant hepatic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apiradee Theamboonlers
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
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50
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Cheng L, Wang J, Li X, Xing Q, Du P, Su L, Wang S. Interleukin-6 induces Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid cells to suppress CD8+ T cell-mediated liver injury in mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17631. [PMID: 21394214 PMCID: PMC3048877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2010] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agonist antibodies against CD137 (4-1BB) on T lymphocytes are used to increase host anti-tumor immunity, but often leading to severe liver injury in treated mice or in patients during clinical trials. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been reported to protect hepatocyte death, but the role of IL-6 in protecting chronic T cell-induced liver diseases is not clearly defined due to lack of relevant animal models. We aimed to define the role of IL-6 in CD8+ T cell-mediated liver injury induced by a CD137 agonistic mAb (clone 2A) in mice. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We expressed IL-6 in the liver by hydrodynamic gene delivery in mice treated with 2A or control mAb and studied how IL-6 treatment affected host immunity and T cell-mediated liver injury. We found that ectopic IL-6 expression in the liver elevated intrahepatic leukocyte infiltration but prevented CD8+ T cell-mediated liver injury. In IL-6 treated mice, CD8+ T cells proliferation and IFN-γ expression were inhibited in the liver. We discovered that IL-6 increased accumulation of Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the liver and spleen. These MDSCs had the ability to inhibit T cells proliferation and activation. Finally, we showed that the MDSCs were sufficient and essential for IL-6-mediated protection of anti-CD137 mAb-induced liver injury. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We concluded that IL-6 induced Gr-1+CD11b+ MDSCs in the liver to inhibit T cell-mediated liver injury. The findings have defined a novel mechanism of IL-6 in protecting liver from CD8+ T cell-mediated injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Graduate University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Graduate University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaozhu Li
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiao Xing
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peishuang Du
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lishan Su
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (LS); (SW)
| | - Shengdian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (LS); (SW)
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