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Di Lorenzo A, Bolli E, Ruiu R, Ferrauto G, Di Gregorio E, Avalle L, Savino A, Poggio P, Merighi IF, Riccardo F, Brancaccio M, Quaglino E, Cavallo F, Conti L. Toll-like receptor 2 promotes breast cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2086752. [PMID: 35756841 PMCID: PMC9225225 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2086752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the main drivers of disease progression and chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer. Tumor progression and chemoresistance might then be prevented by CSC-targeted therapies. We previously demonstrated that Toll-like Receptor (TLR)2 is overexpressed in CSCs and fuels their self-renewal. Here, we show that high TLR2 expression is linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, therefore representing a candidate target for breast cancer treatment. By using a novel mammary cancer-prone TLR2KO mouse model, we demonstrate that TLR2 is required for CSC pool maintenance and for regulatory T cell induction. Accordingly, cancer-prone TLR2KO mice display delayed tumor onset and increased survival. Transplantation of TLR2WT and TLR2KO cancer cells in either TLR2WT or TLR2KO hosts shows that tumor initiation is mostly sustained by TLR2 expression in cancer cells. TLR2 host deficiency partially impairs cancer cell growth, implying a pro-tumorigenic effect of TLR2 expression in immune cells. Finally, we demonstrate that doxorubicin-induced release of HMGB1 activates TLR2 signaling in cancer cells, leading to a chemotherapy-resistant phenotype. Unprecedented use of TLR2 inhibitors in vivo reduces tumor growth and potentiates doxorubicin efficacy with no negative impact on the host immune system, opening new perspectives for the treatment of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Di Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lidia Avalle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Poggio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mara Brancaccio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Macagno M, Bandini S, Bolli E, Bello A, Riccardo F, Barutello G, Merighi IF, Forni G, Lamolinara A, Del Pizzo F, Iezzi M, Cavallo F, Conti L, Quaglino E. Role of ADCC, CDC, and CDCC in Vaccine-Mediated Protection against Her2 Mammary Carcinogenesis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020230. [PMID: 35203439 PMCID: PMC8869482 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification or mutation of the Her2 oncoantigen in human mammary glands leads to the development of an aggressive breast carcinoma. Several features of this breast carcinoma are reproduced in mammary carcinomas that spontaneously arise in female transgenic mice bearing the activated rat Her2 oncogene under transcriptional control of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter-BALB-neuT (neuT) mice. We previously demonstrated that carcinoma progression in neuT mice can be prevented by DNA vaccination with RHuT, a plasmid coding for a chimeric rat/human Her2 protein. RHuT vaccination exerts an antitumor effect, mostly mediated by the induction of a strong anti-rat Her2 antibody response. IgG induced by RHuT vaccine mainly acts by blocking Her2 signaling, thus impairing cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, but other indirect effector mechanisms could be involved in the antibody-mediated protection. The recruitment of cells with perforin-dependent cytotoxic activity, able to perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, has already been investigated. Less is known about the role of the complement system in sustaining antitumor response through complement-dependent cytotoxicity and cellular cytotoxicity in vaccinated mice. This work highlights that the weight of such mechanisms in RHuT-induced cancer protection is different in transplantable versus autochthonous Her2+ tumor models. These results may shed new light on the effector mechanisms involved in antibody-dependent anti-cancer responses, which might be exploited to ameliorate the therapy of Her2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Macagno
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Silvio Bandini
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Amanda Bello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Guido Forni
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- CAST-Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.L.); (F.D.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- CAST-Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.L.); (F.D.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- CAST-Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.L.); (F.D.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (L.C.); (E.Q.)
| | - Laura Conti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (L.C.); (E.Q.)
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (L.C.); (E.Q.)
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3
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Conti L, Bolli E, Di Lorenzo A, Franceschi V, Macchi F, Riccardo F, Ruiu R, Russo L, Quaglino E, Donofrio G, Cavallo F. Immunotargeting of the xCT Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter Potentiates the Efficacy of HER2-Targeted Immunotherapies in Breast Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:1039-1053. [PMID: 32532810 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite HER2-targeted therapies improving the outcome of HER2+ breast cancer, many patients experience resistance and metastatic progression. Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a role in this resistance and progression, thus combining HER2 targeting with CSC inhibition could improve the management of HER2+ breast cancer. The cystine-glutamate antiporter, xCT, is overexpressed in mammary CSCs and is crucial for their redox balance, self-renewal, and resistance to therapies, representing a potential target for breast cancer immunotherapy. We developed a combined immunotherapy targeting HER2 and xCT using the Bovine Herpes virus-4 vector, a safe vaccine that can confer immunogenicity to tumor antigens. Mammary cancer-prone BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for rat Her2, were immunized with the single or combined vaccines. Anti-HER2 vaccination slowed primary tumor growth, whereas anti-xCT vaccination primarily prevented metastasis formation. The combination of the two vaccines exerted a complementary effect by mediating the induction of cytotoxic T cells and of HER2 and xCT antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and hinder cancer cell proliferation. Antibodies targeting xCT, but not those targeting HER2, directly affected CSC viability, self-renewal, and migration, inducing the antimetastatic effect of xCT vaccination. Our findings present a new therapy for HER2+ breast cancer, demonstrating that CSC immunotargeting via anti-xCT vaccination synergizes with HER2-directed immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Macchi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Russo
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Riccardo F, Barutello G, Petito A, Tarone L, Conti L, Arigoni M, Musiu C, Izzo S, Volante M, Longo DL, Merighi IF, Papotti M, Cavallo F, Quaglino E. Immunization against ROS1 by DNA Electroporation Impairs K-Ras-Driven Lung Adenocarcinomas . Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020166. [PMID: 32268572 PMCID: PMC7349290 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapeutic approaches, there is still an urgent need for novel strategies to improve patient survival. ROS1, a tyrosine kinase receptor endowed with oncoantigen features, is activated by chromosomal rearrangement or overexpression in NSCLC and in several tumor histotypes. In this work, we have exploited transgenic mice harboring the activated K-Ras oncogene (K-RasG12D) that spontaneously develop metastatic NSCLC as a preclinical model to test the efficacy of ROS1 immune targeting. Indeed, qPCR and immunohistochemical analyses revealed ROS1 overexpression in the autochthonous primary tumors and extrathoracic metastases developed by K-RasG12D mice and in a derived transplantable cell line. As proof of concept, we have evaluated the effects of the intramuscular electroporation (electrovaccination) of plasmids coding for mouse- and human-ROS1 on the progression of these NSCLC models. A significant increase in survival was observed in ROS1-electrovaccinated mice challenged with the transplantable cell line. It is worth noting that tumors were completely rejected, and immune memory was achieved, albeit only in a few mice. Most importantly, ROS1 electrovaccination was also found to be effective in slowing the development of autochthonous NSCLC in K-RasG12D mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Angela Petito
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Chiara Musiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Stefania Izzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (S.I.); (M.V.); (M.P.)
| | - Marco Volante
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (S.I.); (M.V.); (M.P.)
| | - Dario Livio Longo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (S.I.); (M.V.); (M.P.)
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (E.Q.); Tel.: +39-011670-6457 (F.C. & E.Q.)
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (F.R.); (G.B.); (A.P.); (L.T.); (L.C.); (M.A.); (C.M.); (I.F.M.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (E.Q.); Tel.: +39-011670-6457 (F.C. & E.Q.)
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Lo Nigro C, Macagno M, Sangiolo D, Bertolaccini L, Aglietta M, Merlano MC. NK-mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in solid tumors: biological evidence and clinical perspectives. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:105. [PMID: 31019955 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.01.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The process of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) makes use of the innate immune cells providing antitumor cytotoxicity activated by antibodies linked to target cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are a small set of lymphocytes, but are considered the most important cells among those able to induce ADCC. They provoke innate immune responses and harmonise spontaneous cytotoxicity towards tumor and virus-infected cells. They are able to swiftly produce biochemical signals and cytokines so as to stimulate subsequent adaptive immune responses. Immunotherapeutics that target NK cells, augmenting their immune response, can cause the antitumor dynamics of the antibodies to be improved. The recent developments in the field of NK cell immunotherapy and genotypic factors which might affect patient responses to antibody-dependent immunotherapies are the main subject of this review, with a particular focus on the manipulations and strategies used to augment ADCC. In the next years combined treatment with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and immunomodulatory drugs will be an important part in antitumor therapy. The main challenge remains the difficulty in distinguishing in the clinical setting, between the target effect that many mAbs exert against specific cell membrane receptors and the ADCC effect that they too also can induce. Drugs able to activate NK cells, that are major actors in mAb-mediated ADCC, will improve the ADCC effect against tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Lo Nigro
- Department of Oncology, S. Croce & Carle Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Marco Macagno
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Bertolaccini
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, AUSL Bologna Maggiore Teaching Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Donofrio G, Tebaldi G, Lanzardo S, Ruiu R, Bolli E, Ballatore A, Rolih V, Macchi F, Conti L, Cavallo F. Bovine herpesvirus 4-based vector delivering the full length xCT DNA efficiently protects mice from mammary cancer metastases by targeting cancer stem cells. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1494108. [PMID: 30524888 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1494108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite marked advancements in its treatment, breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women, due to relapses and distal metastases. Breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), are a cellular reservoir for recurrence, metastatic evolution and disease progression, making the development of novel therapeutics that target CSCs, and thereby inhibit metastases, an urgent need. We have previously demonstrated that the cystine-glutamate antiporter xCT (SLC7A11), a protein that was shown to be overexpressed in mammary CSCs and that plays a key role in the maintenance of their redox balance, self-renewal and resistance to chemotherapy, is a potential target for mammary cancer immunotherapy. This paper reports on the development of an anti-xCT viral vaccine that is based on the bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) vector, which we have previously showed to be a safe vaccine that can transduce cells in vivo and confer immunogenicity to tumor antigens. We show that the vaccination of BALB/c mice with BoHV-4 expressing xCT (BoHV-4-mxCT), impaired lung metastases induced by syngeneic mammary CSCs both in preventive and therapeutic settings. Vaccination induced T lymphocyte activation and the production of anti-xCT antibodies that can mediate antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC), and directly impair CSC phenotype, self-renewal and redox balance. Our findings pave the way for the potential future use of BoHV-4-based vector targeting xCT in metastatic breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Tebaldi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballatore
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Macchi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
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Spetz J, Presser AG, Sarosiek KA. T Cells and Regulated Cell Death: Kill or Be Killed. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 342:27-71. [PMID: 30635093 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell death plays two major complementary roles in T cell biology: mediating the removal of cells that are targeted by T cells and the removal of T cells themselves. T cells serve as major actors in the adaptive immune response and function by selectively killing cells which are infected or dysfunctional. This feature is highly involved during homeostatic maintenance, and is relied upon and modulated in the context of cancer immunotherapy. The vital recognition and elimination of both autoreactive T cells and cells which are unable to recognize threats is a highly selective and regulated process. Moreover, detection of potential threats will result in the activation and expansion of T cells, which on resolution of the immune response will need to be eliminated. The culling of these T cells can be executed via a multitude of cell death pathways which are used in context-specific manners. Failure of these processes may result in an accumulation of misdirected or dysfunctional T cells, leading to complications such as autoimmunity or cancer. This review will focus on the role of cell death regulation in the maintenance of T cell homeostasis, as well as T cell-mediated elimination of infected or dysfunctional cells, and will summarize and discuss the current knowledge of the cellular mechanisms which are implicated in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Spetz
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adam G Presser
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kristopher A Sarosiek
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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8
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Bolli E, O'Rourke JP, Conti L, Lanzardo S, Rolih V, Christen JM, Barutello G, Forni M, Pericle F, Cavallo F. A Virus-Like-Particle immunotherapy targeting Epitope-Specific anti-xCT expressed on cancer stem cell inhibits the progression of metastatic cancer in vivo. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1408746. [PMID: 29399412 PMCID: PMC5790338 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1408746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggressive forms of breast cancer, such as Her2+ and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), are enriched in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) and have limited therapeutic options. BCSC represent a key cellular reservoir for relapse, metastatic progression and therapeutic resistance. Their ability to resist common cytotoxic therapies relies on different mechanisms, including improved detoxification. The cystine-glutamate antiporter protein xCT (SLC7A11) regulates cystine intake, conversion to cysteine and subsequent glutathione synthesis, protecting cells against oxidative and chemical insults. Our previous work showed that xCT is highly expressed in tumorspheres derived from breast cancer cell lines and downregulation of xCT altered BCSC function in vitro and inhibited pulmonary metastases in vivo. We further strengthened these observations by developing a virus-like-particle (VLP; AX09-0M6) immunotherapy targeting the xCT protein. AX09-0M6 elicited a strong antibody response against xCT including high levels of IgG2a antibody. IgG isolated from AX09-0M6 treated mice bound to tumorspheres, inhibited xCT function as assessed by reactive oxygen species generation and decreased BCSC growth and self-renewal. To assess if AX09-0M6 impacts BCSC in vivo seeding, Her2+ TUBO-derived tumorspheres were injected into the tail vein of AX09-0M6 or control treated female BALB/c mice. AX09-0M6 significantly inhibited formation of pulmonary nodules. To evaluate its ability to impact metastases, AX09-0M6 was administered to mice with established subcutaneous 4T1 tumors. AX09-0M6 administration significantly hampered tumor growth and development of pulmonary metastases. These data show that a VLP-based immunization approach inhibits xCT activity, impacts BCSC biology and significantly reduces metastatic progression in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Forni
- EuroClone S.p.A Research Laboratory, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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The IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway requires Morgana to drive breast cancer metastasis. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1636. [PMID: 29158506 PMCID: PMC5696377 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-κB is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of multiple physiological and pathological cellular processes, including inflammation, cell survival, proliferation, and cancer cell metastasis. NF-κB is frequently hyperactivated in several cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer. Here we show that NF-κB activation in breast cancer cells depends on the presence of the CHORDC1 gene product Morgana, a previously unknown component of the IKK complex and essential for IκBα substrate recognition. Morgana silencing blocks metastasis formation in breast cancer mouse models and this phenotype is reverted by IκBα downregulation. High Morgana expression levels in cancer cells decrease recruitment of natural killer cells in the first phases of tumor growth and induce the expression of cytokines able to attract neutrophils in the primary tumor, as well as in the pre-metastatic lungs, fueling cancer metastasis. In accordance, high Morgana levels positively correlate with NF-κB target gene expression and poor prognosis in human patients. NF-κB regulates inflammation, cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis and is often hyperactivated in triple-negative breast cancer. Here the authors show that Morgana, a protein highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancers, drives NF-kB activation to promote metastasis and neutrophil recruitment.
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10
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Arias M, Martínez-Lostao L, Santiago L, Ferrandez A, Granville DJ, Pardo J. The Untold Story of Granzymes in Oncoimmunology: Novel Opportunities with Old Acquaintances. Trends Cancer 2017; 3:407-422. [PMID: 28718416 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
For more than 20 years perforin and granzymes (GZMs) have been recognized as key cell death executors of cytotoxic T (Tc) and natural killer (NK) cells during cancer immunosurveillance. In immune surveillance, perforin and GZMB, the most potent cytotoxic molecules, act mainly as antitumoral and anti-infectious factors. However, when expressed by immune regulatory cells they may contribute to immune evasion of specific cancer types. By contrast, the other major granzyme, GZMA, seems not to play a major role in Tc/NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, but acts as a proinflammatory cytokine that might contribute to cancer development. Members of the GZM family also regulate other biological processes unrelated to cell death, such as angiogenesis, vascular integrity, extracellular matrix remodeling, and barrier function, all of which contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Thus, a new paradigm is emerging in the field of oncoimmunology. Can GZMs act as protumoral factors under some circumstances? We review the diverse roles of GZMs in cancer progression, and new therapeutic opportunities emerging from targeting these protumoral roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maykel Arias
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Luis Martínez-Lostao
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, and Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Servicio de Inmunología Hospital Clínico Universitario Lorenzo Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain; Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Llipsy Santiago
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Angel Ferrandez
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lorenzo Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julián Pardo
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, and Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon I+D Foundation (ARAID), Zaragoza, Spain.
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11
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Tallerico R, Conti L, Lanzardo S, Sottile R, Garofalo C, Wagner AK, Johansson MH, Cristiani CM, Kärre K, Carbone E, Cavallo F. NK cells control breast cancer and related cancer stem cell hematological spread. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1284718. [PMID: 28405511 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1284718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and recurrence of a number of cancers is driven by a scarce population of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are resistant to most current therapies. It has been shown previously that natural killer (NK) cells recognize human glioma, melanoma, colon and prostate CSCs in vitro. We herein show that human and mouse breast CSCs are also susceptible to NK cytotoxic activity in vitro. Moreover, CSC induced autologous NK cell activation and expansion in vivo, which correlate with the inhibition of CSC metastatic spread. These data suggest that NK cells control CSC metastatic spread in vivo and that their use in breast cancer therapy may well be fruitful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Tallerico
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin , Turin, Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin , Turin, Italy
| | - Rosa Sottile
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cinzia Garofalo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Arnika K Wagner
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria H Johansson
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Costanza Maria Cristiani
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Klas Kärre
- Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ennio Carbone
- Tumor Immunology and Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Microbiology, Cell and Tumor Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin , Turin, Italy
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12
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Gross ETE, Han S, Vemu P, Peinado CD, Marsala M, Ellies LG, Bui JD. Immunosurveillance and immunoediting in MMTV-PyMT-induced mammary oncogenesis. Oncoimmunology 2016; 6:e1268310. [PMID: 28344881 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1268310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence of cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting processes has been primarily demonstrated in mouse models of chemically induced oncogenesis. Although these models are very tractable, they are characterized by high mutational loads that represent a minority of human cancers. In this study, we sought to determine whether cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting could be demonstrated in a more clinically relevant oncogene-induced model of carcinogenesis, the MMTV-PyMT (PyMT) mammary carcinoma model. This model system in the FVB/NJ strain background was previously used to demonstrate that adaptive immunity had no role in limiting primary cancer formation and in fact promoted metastasis, thus calling into question whether cancer immunosurveillance operated in preventing the development of breast cancer. Our current study in the C57BL/6 strain backgrounds provides a different conclusion, as we report here the existence of an adaptive immunosurveillance of PyMT mammary carcinomas using two independent models of immune deficiency. PyMT mice bred onto a Rag1-/- background or immune suppressed by chronic tacrolimus therapy both demonstrated accelerated development of mammary carcinomas. By generating a bank of cell lines from these animals, we further show that a subset of PyMT cell lines had delayed growth after transplantation into wild-type (WT) syngeneic, but not immune-deficient hosts. This reduced growth rate in immunocompetent animals was characterized by an increase in immune cell infiltration and tissue differentiation. Furthermore, loss of the immune cell infiltration that characterized immunoediting of slow growing cell lines, changed them into fast growing variants capable of progressing in the immunocompetent model. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that immunosurveillance and immunoediting of PyMT-derived cell lines modulate tumor progression in this oncogene-induced model of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie T E Gross
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Semi Han
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Prasantha Vemu
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Carlos D Peinado
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Martin Marsala
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lesley G Ellies
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jack D Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
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Bandini S, Macagno M, Hysi A, Lanzardo S, Conti L, Bello A, Riccardo F, Ruiu R, Merighi IF, Forni G, Iezzi M, Quaglino E, Cavallo F. The non-inflammatory role of C1q during Her2/neu-driven mammary carcinogenesis. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1253653. [PMID: 28123895 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1253653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an ever increasing amount of evidence to support the hypothesis that complement C1q, the first component of the classical complement pathway, is involved in the regulation of cancer growth, in addition to its role in fighting infections. It has been demonstrated that C1q is expressed in the microenvironment of various types of human tumors, including breast adenocarcinomas. This study compares carcinogenesis progression in C1q deficient (neuT-C1KO) and C1q competent neuT mice in order to investigate the role of C1q in mammary carcinogenesis. Significantly accelerated autochthonous neu+ carcinoma progression was paralleled by accelerated spontaneous lung metastases occurrence in C1q deficient mice. Surprisingly, this effect was not caused by differences in the tumor-infiltrating cells or in the activation of the complement classical pathway, since neuT-C1KO mice did not display a reduction in C3 fragment deposition at the tumor site. By contrast, a significant higher number of intratumor blood vessels and a decrease in the activation of the tumor suppressor WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) were observed in tumors from neuT-C1KO as compare with neuT mice. In parallel, an increase in Her2/neu expression was observed on the membrane of tumor cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that C1q plays a direct role both on halting tumor angiogenesis and on inducing apoptosis in mammary cancer cells by coordinating the signal transduction pathways linked to WWOX and, furthermore, highlight the role of C1q in mammary tumor immune surveillance regardless of complement system activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Bandini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Macagno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Albana Hysi
- Department of Medicine Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-Met), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara , Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Amanda Bello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Guido Forni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Department of Medicine Science, Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-Met), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara , Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino , Torino, Italy
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15
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Croci S, Nanni P, Palladini A, Nicoletti G, Grosso V, Benegiamo G, Landuzzi L, Lamolinara A, Ianzano ML, Ranieri D, Dall'Ora M, Iezzi M, De Giovanni C, Lollini PL. Interleukin-15 is required for immunosurveillance and immunoprevention of HER2/neu-driven mammary carcinogenesis. Breast Cancer Res 2015; 17:70. [PMID: 25997501 PMCID: PMC4462012 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-015-0588-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction We previously demonstrated that HER2/neu-driven mammary carcinogenesis can be prevented by an interleukin-12 (IL-12)-adjuvanted allogeneic HER2/neu-expressing cell vaccine. Since IL-12 can induce the release of interleukin-15 (IL-15), in the present study we investigated the role played by IL-15 in HER2/neu driven mammary carcinogenesis and in its immunoprevention. Methods HER2/neu transgenic mice with homozygous knockout of IL-15 (here referred to as IL15KO/NeuT mice) were compared to IL-15 wild-type HER2/neu transgenic mice (NeuT) regarding mammary carcinogenesis, profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes and splenocytes and humoral and cellular responses induced by the vaccine. Results IL15KO/NeuT mice showed a significantly earlier mammary cancer onset than NeuT mice, with median latency times of 16 and 20 weeks respectively, suggesting a role for IL-15 in cancer immunosurveillance. Natural killer (NK) and CD8+ lymphocytes were significantly lower in IL15KO/NeuT mice compared to mice with wild-type IL-15. The IL-12-adjuvanted allogeneic HER2/neu-expressing cell vaccine was still able to delay mammary cancer onset but efficacy in IL-15-lacking mice vanished earlier: all vaccinated IL15KO/NeuT mice developed tumors within 80 weeks of age (median latency of 53 weeks), whereas more than 70 % of vaccinated NeuT mice remained tumor-free up to 80 weeks of age. Vaccinated IL15KO/NeuT mice showed less necrotic tumors with fewer CD3+ lymphocyes and lacked perforin-positive infiltrating cells compared to NeuT mice. Concerning the anti-vaccine antibody response, antibody titer was unaffected by the lack of IL-15, but less antibodies of IgM and IgG1 isotypes were found in IL15KO/NeuT mice. A lower induction by vaccine of systemic interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) was also observed in IL15KO/NeuT mice when compared to NeuT mice. Finally, we found a lower level of CD8+ memory cells in the peripheral blood of vaccinated IL15KO/NeuT mice compared to NeuT mice. Conclusions We demonstrated that IL-15 has a role in mammary cancer immunosurveillance and that IL-15-regulated NK and CD8+ memory cells play a role in long-lasting immunoprevention, further supporting the potential use of IL-15 as adjuvant in immunological strategies against tumors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-015-0588-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Croci
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy. .,Present address: Unit of Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Viale Risorgimento 80, Reggio Emilia, 42123, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy. .,Interdepartmental Centre for Cancer Research "Giorgio Prodi", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
| | - Arianna Palladini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Giordano Nicoletti
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Via di Barbiano 1/10, Bologna, 40136, Italy.
| | - Valentina Grosso
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Benegiamo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Via di Barbiano 1/10, Bologna, 40136, Italy.
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- CESI Aging Research Center, G. D'Annunzio University, Via Colle dell'Ara, Chieti Scalo, Chieti, 66013, Italy.
| | - Marianna L Ianzano
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Dario Ranieri
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Dall'Ora
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- CESI Aging Research Center, G. D'Annunzio University, Via Colle dell'Ara, Chieti Scalo, Chieti, 66013, Italy.
| | - Carla De Giovanni
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy. .,Interdepartmental Centre for Cancer Research "Giorgio Prodi", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastases, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, Bologna, 40126, Italy. .,Interdepartmental Centre for Cancer Research "Giorgio Prodi", University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
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Microenvironment, oncoantigens, and antitumor vaccination: lessons learned from BALB-neuT mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:534969. [PMID: 25136593 PMCID: PMC4065702 DOI: 10.1155/2014/534969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene is amplified in approximately 20% of human breast cancers and is associated with an aggressive clinical course and the early development of metastasis. Its crucial role in tumor growth and progression makes HER2 a prototypic oncoantigen, the targeting of which may be critical for the development of effective anticancer therapies. The setup of anti-HER2 targeting strategies has revolutionized the clinical outcome of HER2+ breast cancer. However, their initial success has been overshadowed by the onset of pharmacological resistance that renders them ineffective. Since the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in drug resistance, the design of more effective anticancer therapies should depend on the targeting of both cancer cells and their TME as a whole. In this review, starting from the successful know-how obtained with a HER2+ mouse model of mammary carcinogenesis, the BALB-neuT mice, we discuss the role of TME in mammary tumor development. Indeed, a deeper knowledge of antigens critical for cancer outbreak and progression and of the mechanisms that regulate the interplay between cancer and stromal cell populations could advise promising ways for the development of the best anticancer strategy.
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