1
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Weingarten-Gabbay S, Chen DY, Sarkizova S, Taylor HB, Gentili M, Hernandez GM, Pearlman LR, Bauer MR, Rice CM, Clauser KR, Hacohen N, Carr SA, Abelin JG, Saeed M, Sabeti PC. The HLA-II immunopeptidome of SARS-CoV-2. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113596. [PMID: 38117652 PMCID: PMC10860710 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113596] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted synthetic vaccines have the potential to transform our response to viral outbreaks, yet the design of these vaccines requires a comprehensive knowledge of viral immunogens. Here, we report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) peptides that are naturally processed and loaded onto human leukocyte antigen-II (HLA-II) complexes in infected cells. We identify over 500 unique viral peptides from canonical proteins as well as from overlapping internal open reading frames. Most HLA-II peptides colocalize with known CD4+ T cell epitopes in coronavirus disease 2019 patients, including 2 reported immunodominant regions in the SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein. Overall, our analyses show that HLA-I and HLA-II pathways target distinct viral proteins, with the structural proteins accounting for most of the HLA-II peptidome and nonstructural and noncanonical proteins accounting for the majority of the HLA-I peptidome. These findings highlight the need for a vaccine design that incorporates multiple viral elements harboring CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes to maximize vaccine effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Weingarten-Gabbay
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Da-Yuan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hannah B Taylor
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matteo Gentili
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Leah R Pearlman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew R Bauer
- Harvard Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karl R Clauser
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nir Hacohen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Mohsan Saeed
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pardis C Sabeti
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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2
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James JL, Taylor BC, Axelrod ML, Sun X, Guerin LN, Gonzalez-Ericsson PI, Wang Y, Sanchez V, Fahey CC, Sanders ME, Xu Y, Hodges E, Johnson DB, Balko JM. Polycomb repressor complex 2 suppresses interferon-responsive MHC-II expression in melanoma cells and is associated with anti-PD-1 resistance. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007736. [PMID: 38315170 PMCID: PMC10660662 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007736] [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] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the remarkable success of immunotherapy in treating melanoma, understanding of the underlying mechanisms of resistance remains limited. Emerging evidence suggests that upregulation of tumor-specific major histocompatibility complex-II (tsMHC-II) serves as a predictive marker for the response to anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy in various cancer types. The genetic and epigenetic pathways modulating tsMHC-II expression remain incompletely characterized. Here, we provide evidence that polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)/EZH2 signaling and resulting H3K27 hypermethylation suppresses tsMHC-II. METHODS RNA sequencing data from tumor biopsies from patients with cutaneous melanoma treated with or without anti-PD-1, targeted inhibition assays, and assays for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing were used to observe the relationship between EZH2 inhibition and interferon (IFN)-γ inducibility within the MHC-II pathway. RESULTS We find that increased EZH2 pathway messenger RNA (mRNA) expression correlates with reduced mRNA expression of both presentation and T-cell genes. Notably, targeted inhibition assays revealed that inhibition of EZH2 influences the expression dynamics and inducibility of the MHC-II pathway following IFN-γ stimulation. Additionally, our analysis of patients with metastatic melanoma revealed a significant inverse association between PRC2-related gene expression and response to anti-PD-1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings demonstrate that EZH2 inhibition leads to enhanced MHC-II expression potentially resulting from improved chromatin accessibility at CIITA, the master regulator of MHC-II. These insights shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in tsMHC-II suppression and highlight the potential of targeting EZH2 as a therapeutic strategy to improve immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamaal L James
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brandie C Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Margaret L Axelrod
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiaopeng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lindsey N Guerin
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Paula I Gonzalez-Ericsson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Violeta Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Catherine C Fahey
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Melinda E Sanders
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yaomin Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Emily Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Justin M Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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3
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Draghi A, Presti M, Jensen AWP, Chamberlain CA, Albieri B, Rasmussen ACK, Andersen MH, Crowther MD, Svane IM, Donia M. Uncoupling CD4+ TIL-Mediated Tumor Killing from JAK-Signaling in Melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3937-3947. [PMID: 37126006 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-3853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Impaired MHCI-presentation and insensitivity to immune effector molecules are common features of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-resistant tumors and can be, respectively, associated with loss of β2 microglobulin (B2M) or impaired IFNγ signaling. Patients with ICB-resistant tumors can respond to alternative immunotherapies, such as infusion of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). CD4+ T cells can exert cytotoxic functions against tumor cells; however, it is unclear whether CD4+ T-cell responses can be exploited to improve the clinical outcomes of patients affected by ICB-resistant tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Here, we exploited CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 gene editing to reproduce immune-resistant tumor phenotypes via gene knockout (KO). To determine the role of cytotoxic CD4+ TILs in ICB-resistant tumors, we investigated CD4+ TIL-mediated cytotoxicity in matched pairs of TILs and autologous melanoma cell lines, used as a model of patient-specific immune-tumor interaction. Around 40% of melanomas constitutively express MHC Class II molecules; hence, melanomas with or without natural constitutive MHC Class II expression (MHCIIconst+ or MHCIIconst-) were used. RESULTS CD4+ TIL-mediated cytotoxicity was not affected by B2M loss but was dependent on the expression of CIITA. MHCIIconst+ melanomas were killed by tumor-specific CD4+ TILs even in the absence of IFNγ-mediated MHCII upregulation, whereas IFNγ was necessary for CD4+ TIL-mediated cytotoxicity against MHCIIconst- melanomas. Notably, although tumor-specific CD4+ TILs did not kill JAK1KO MHCIIconst- melanomas even after IFNγ stimulation, sensitivity to CD4+ TIL-mediated cytotoxicity was maintained by JAK1KO MHCIIconst+ melanomas. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our data indicate that exploiting tumor-specific cytotoxic CD4+ TILs could help overcome resistance to ICB mediated by IFNγ-signaling loss in MHCIIconst+ melanomas. See related commentary by Betof Warner and Luke, p. 3829.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Draghi
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mario Presti
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Agnete W P Jensen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Christopher A Chamberlain
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Benedetta Albieri
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Anne-Christine K Rasmussen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads H Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Michael D Crowther
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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4
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Goodman RS, Jung S, Balko JM, Johnson DB. Biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitor response and toxicity: Challenges and opportunities. Immunol Rev 2023; 318:157-166. [PMID: 37470280 PMCID: PMC10528475 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13249] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer therapy, but their optimal use is still constrained by lack of response and toxicity. Biomarkers of response may facilitate drug development by allowing appropriate therapy selection and focusing clinical trial enrollment. However, aside from PD-L1 staining in a subset of tumors and rarely mismatch repair deficiency, no biomarkers are routinely used in the clinic. In addition, severe toxicities may cause severe morbidity, therapy discontinuation, and even death. Here, we review the state of the field with a focus on our research in therapeutic biomarkers and toxicities from immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seungyeon Jung
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Justin M. Balko
- Department of Medicine, Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Douglas B. Johnson
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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5
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Macy AM, Herrmann LM, Adams AC, Hastings KT. Major histocompatibility complex class II in the tumor microenvironment: functions of nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 83:102330. [PMID: 37130456 PMCID: PMC10524529 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex class-II-restricted presentation by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells in the tumor microenvironment can regulate antitumor T-cell responses. In murine models, tumor cell-specific MHC class II expression decreases in vivo tumor growth, dependent on T cells. Tumor cell-specific MHC class II expression is associated with improved survival and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in human cancers. Antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (apCAF) present MHC class-II-restricted antigens and activate CD4 T cells. The role of MHC class II on apCAFs depends on the cell of origin. MHC class II on tumoral lymphatic endothelial cells leads to expansion of regulatory T cells and increased in vivo tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Macy
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA
| | - Lauren M Herrmann
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA
| | - Anngela C Adams
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA
| | - K Taraszka Hastings
- University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 425 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA; Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 650 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023, USA; University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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6
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Weingarten-Gabbay S, Chen DY, Sarkizova S, Taylor HB, Gentili M, Pearlman LR, Bauer MR, Rice CM, Clauser KR, Hacohen N, Carr SA, Abelin JG, Saeed M, Sabeti PC. The HLA-II immunopeptidome of SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.26.542482. [PMID: 37398281 PMCID: PMC10312465 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.26.542482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Targeted synthetic vaccines have the potential to transform our response to viral outbreaks; yet the design of these vaccines requires a comprehensive knowledge of viral immunogens, including T-cell epitopes. Having previously mapped the SARS-CoV-2 HLA-I landscape, here we report viral peptides that are naturally processed and loaded onto HLA-II complexes in infected cells. We identified over 500 unique viral peptides from canonical proteins, as well as from overlapping internal open reading frames (ORFs), revealing, for the first time, the contribution of internal ORFs to the HLA-II peptide repertoire. Most HLA-II peptides co-localized with the known CD4+ T cell epitopes in COVID-19 patients. We also observed that two reported immunodominant regions in the SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein are formed at the level of HLA-II presentation. Overall, our analyses show that HLA-I and HLA-II pathways target distinct viral proteins, with the structural proteins accounting for most of the HLA-II peptidome and non-structural and non-canonical proteins accounting for the majority of the HLA-I peptidome. These findings highlight the need for a vaccine design that incorporates multiple viral elements harboring CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes to maximize the vaccine effectiveness.
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7
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Shen H, Huang F, Zhang X, Ojo OA, Li Y, Trummell HQ, Anderson JC, Fiveash J, Bredel M, Yang ES, Willey CD, Chong Z, Bonner JA, Shi LZ. Selective suppression of melanoma lacking IFN-γ pathway by JAK inhibition depends on T cells and host TNF signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5013. [PMID: 36008408 PMCID: PMC9411168 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32754-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance to immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) in melanoma patients is a pressing issue, of which tumor loss of IFN-γ signaling genes is a major underlying mechanism. However, strategies of overcoming this resistance mechanism have been largely elusive. Moreover, given the indispensable role of tumor-infiltrating T cells (TILs) in ICBs, little is known about how tumor-intrinsic loss of IFN-γ signaling (IFNγR1KO) impacts TILs. Here, we report that IFNγR1KO melanomas have reduced infiltration and function of TILs. IFNγR1KO melanomas harbor a network of constitutively active protein tyrosine kinases centered on activated JAK1/2. Mechanistically, JAK1/2 activation is mediated by augmented mTOR. Importantly, JAK1/2 inhibition with Ruxolitinib selectively suppresses the growth of IFNγR1KO but not scrambled control melanomas, depending on T cells and host TNF. Together, our results reveal an important role of tumor-intrinsic IFN-γ signaling in shaping TILs and manifest a targeted therapy to bypass ICB resistance of melanomas defective of IFN-γ signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Fengyuan Huang
- Department of Genetics and Informatics Institute, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Xiangmin Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Oluwagbemiga A Ojo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Yuebin Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Hoa Quang Trummell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Joshua C Anderson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - John Fiveash
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Markus Bredel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eddy S Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Christopher D Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Zechen Chong
- Department of Genetics and Informatics Institute, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - James A Bonner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA. .,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Lewis Zhichang Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB-SOM), Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA. .,O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA. .,Programs in Immunology, UAB-SOM, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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8
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High GILT Expression Is Associated with Improved Survival in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092200. [PMID: 35565329 PMCID: PMC9100272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092200] [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: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with melanoma being among the deadliest of skin cancers due to its propensity to metastasize. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) generate anti-tumor immune responses resulting in improved outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma. However, only a subset of melanoma patients responds to these therapies, which are costly and come with a risk of adverse effects. Therefore, there is a need for biomarkers to predict which patients will respond to ICI. We found that ICI-treated metastatic melanoma patients with high GILT mRNA expression in bulk tumor samples had improved survival. Additionally, high GILT protein expression within metastatic melanoma cells was associated with improved survival in patients treated with ICI. This study suggests that GILT may serve as a biomarker to predict which patients will respond to ICI, which could improve patient care, reduce healthcare costs, and facilitate appropriate selection of therapies for patients with metastatic melanoma. Abstract Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is critical for MHC class II restricted presentation of multiple melanoma antigens. There is variable GILT protein expression in malignant melanocytes in melanoma specimens. High GILT mRNA expression in melanoma specimens is associated with improved overall survival, before the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). However, the association of GILT in metastatic melanoma with survival in patients treated with ICI and the cell type expressing GILT associated with survival have not been determined. Using RNA sequencing datasets, high GILT mRNA expression in metastatic melanoma specimens was associated with improved progression-free and overall survival in patients treated with ICI. A clinical dataset of metastatic melanoma specimens was generated and annotated with clinical information. Positive GILT immunohistochemical staining in antigen presenting cells and melanoma cells was observed in 100% and 65% of metastatic melanoma specimens, respectively. In the subset of patients treated with ICI in the clinical dataset, high GILT protein expression within melanoma cells was associated with improved overall survival. The association of GILT mRNA and protein expression with survival was independent of cancer stage. These studies support that high GILT mRNA expression in bulk tumor samples and high GILT protein expression in melanoma cells is associated with improved survival in ICI-treated patients. These findings support further investigation of GILT as a biomarker to predict the response to ICI.
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9
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Thirmanne HN, Wu F, Janssens DH, Swanger J, Diab A, Feldman H, Amezquita RA, Gottardo R, Paddison PJ, Henikoff S, Clurman BE. Global and context-specific transcriptional consequences of oncogenic Fbw7 mutations. eLife 2022; 11:74338. [PMID: 35225231 PMCID: PMC8926403 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74338] [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: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fbw7 ubiquitin ligase targets many proteins for proteasomal degradation, which include oncogenic transcription factors (TFs) (e.g., c-Myc, c-Jun, and Notch). Fbw7 is a tumor suppressor and tumors often contain mutations in FBXW7, the gene that encodes Fbw7. The complexity of its substrate network has obscured the mechanisms of Fbw7-associated tumorigenesis, yet this understanding is needed for developing therapies. We used an integrated approach employing RNA-Seq and high-resolution mapping (cleavage under target and release using nuclease) of histone modifications and TF occupancy (c-Jun and c-Myc) to examine the combinatorial effects of misregulated Fbw7 substrates in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells with engineered tumor-associated FBXW7 null or missense mutations. Both Fbw7 mutations caused widespread transcriptional changes associated with active chromatin and altered TF occupancy: some were common to both Fbw7 mutant cell lines, whereas others were mutation specific. We identified loci where both Jun and Myc were coregulated by Fbw7, suggesting that substrates may have synergistic effects. One coregulated gene was CIITA, the master regulator of MHC Class II gene expression. Fbw7 loss increased MHC Class II expression and Fbw7 mutations were correlated with increased CIITA expression in TCGA colorectal tumors and cell lines, which may have immunotherapeutic implications for Fbw7-associated cancers. Analogous studies in neural stem cells in which FBXW7 had been acutely deleted closely mirrored the results in CRC cells. Gene set enrichment analyses revealed Fbw7-associated pathways that were conserved across both cell types that may reflect fundamental Fbw7 functions. These analyses provide a framework for understanding normal and neoplastic context-specific Fbw7 functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Feinan Wu
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Derek H Janssens
- Basic Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Jherek Swanger
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Ahmed Diab
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Heather Feldman
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Robert A Amezquita
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Raphael Gottardo
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Patrick J Paddison
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Bruce E Clurman
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
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10
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Kalaora S, Nagler A, Nejman D, Alon M, Barbolin C, Barnea E, Ketelaars SLC, Cheng K, Vervier K, Shental N, Bussi Y, Rotkopf R, Levy R, Benedek G, Trabish S, Dadosh T, Levin-Zaidman S, Geller LT, Wang K, Greenberg P, Yagel G, Peri A, Fuks G, Bhardwaj N, Reuben A, Hermida L, Johnson SB, Galloway-Peña JR, Shropshire WC, Bernatchez C, Haymaker C, Arora R, Roitman L, Eilam R, Weinberger A, Lotan-Pompan M, Lotem M, Admon A, Levin Y, Lawley TD, Adams DJ, Levesque MP, Besser MJ, Schachter J, Golani O, Segal E, Geva-Zatorsky N, Ruppin E, Kvistborg P, Peterson SN, Wargo JA, Straussman R, Samuels Y. Identification of bacteria-derived HLA-bound peptides in melanoma. Nature 2021; 592:138-143. [PMID: 33731925 PMCID: PMC9717498 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03368-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A variety of species of bacteria are known to colonize human tumours1-11, proliferate within them and modulate immune function, which ultimately affects the survival of patients with cancer and their responses to treatment12-14. However, it is not known whether antigens derived from intracellular bacteria are presented by the human leukocyte antigen class I and II (HLA-I and HLA-II, respectively) molecules of tumour cells, or whether such antigens elicit a tumour-infiltrating T cell immune response. Here we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and HLA peptidomics to identify a peptide repertoire derived from intracellular bacteria that was presented on HLA-I and HLA-II molecules in melanoma tumours. Our analysis of 17 melanoma metastases (derived from 9 patients) revealed 248 and 35 unique HLA-I and HLA-II peptides, respectively, that were derived from 41 species of bacteria. We identified recurrent bacterial peptides in tumours from different patients, as well as in different tumours from the same patient. Our study reveals that peptides derived from intracellular bacteria can be presented by tumour cells and elicit immune reactivity, and thus provides insight into a mechanism by which bacteria influence activation of the immune system and responses to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Kalaora
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adi Nagler
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Deborah Nejman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Alon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Chaya Barbolin
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eilon Barnea
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Steven L C Ketelaars
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kuoyuan Cheng
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Noam Shental
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel
| | - Yuval Bussi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ron Rotkopf
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ronen Levy
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gil Benedek
- Tissue Typing and Immunogenetics Unit, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sophie Trabish
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Dadosh
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Smadar Levin-Zaidman
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Leore T Geller
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kun Wang
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Polina Greenberg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gal Yagel
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aviyah Peri
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Garold Fuks
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Neerupma Bhardwaj
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Alexandre Reuben
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leandro Hermida
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah B Johnson
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Chantale Bernatchez
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cara Haymaker
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Reetakshi Arora
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lior Roitman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Raya Eilam
- Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Adina Weinberger
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maya Lotan-Pompan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Lotem
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arie Admon
- Department of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yishai Levin
- The de Botton Institute for Protein Profiling, The Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | | | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michal J Besser
- The Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno Oncology and Melanoma, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jacob Schachter
- The Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno Oncology and Melanoma, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofra Golani
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eran Segal
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Naama Geva-Zatorsky
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- MaRS Centre, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Azrieli Global Scholar, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory (CDSL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pia Kvistborg
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Scott N Peterson
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ravid Straussman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yardena Samuels
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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11
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Gadeyne L, Van Herck Y, Milli G, Atak ZK, Bolognesi MM, Wouters J, Marcelis L, Minia A, Pliaka V, Roznac J, Alexopoulos LG, Cattoretti G, Bechter O, Oord JVD, De Smet F, Antoranz A, Bosisio FM. A Multi-Omics Analysis of Metastatic Melanoma Identifies a Germinal Center-Like Tumor Microenvironment in HLA-DR-Positive Tumor Areas. Front Oncol 2021; 11:636057. [PMID: 33842341 PMCID: PMC8029980 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.636057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors has dramatically changed the therapeutic landscape for patients with advanced melanoma. However, relatively low response rates and a high incidence of severe immune-related adverse events have prompted the search for predictive biomarkers. A positive predictive value has been attributed to the aberrant expression of Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR (HLA-DR) by melanoma cells, but it remains unknown why this is the case. In this study, we have examined the microenvironment of HLA-DR positive metastatic melanoma samples using a multi-omics approach. First, using spatial, single-cell mapping by multiplexed immunohistochemistry, we found that the microenvironment of HLA-DR positive melanoma regions was enriched by professional antigen presenting cells, including classical dendritic cells and macrophages, while a more general cytotoxic T cell exhaustion phenotype was present in these regions. In parallel, transcriptomic analysis on micro dissected tissue from HLA-DR positive and HLA-DR negative areas showed increased IFNγ signaling, enhanced leukocyte adhesion and mononuclear cell proliferation in HLA-DR positive areas. Finally, multiplexed cytokine profiling identified an increased expression of germinal center cytokines CXCL12, CXCL13 and CCL19 in HLA-DR positive metastatic lesions, which, together with IFNγ and IL4 could serve as biomarkers to discriminate tumor samples containing HLA-DR overexpressing tumor cells from HLA-DR negative samples. Overall, this suggests that HLA-DR positive areas in melanoma attract the anti-tumor immune cell infiltration by creating a dystrophic germinal center-like microenvironment where an enhanced antigen presentation leads to an exhausted microenvironment, nevertheless representing a fertile ground for a better efficacy of anti-PD-1 inhibitors due to simultaneous higher levels of PD-1 in the immune cells and PD-L1 in the HLA-DR positive melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yannick Van Herck
- Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Milli
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jasper Wouters
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Marcelis
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jan Roznac
- ProtATonce Ltd, Athens, Greece.,Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Leonidas G Alexopoulos
- ProtATonce Ltd, Athens, Greece.,Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Giorgio Cattoretti
- Pathology, Department of Medicine & Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Oliver Bechter
- Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Van Den Oord
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Smet
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Asier Antoranz
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Maria Bosisio
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Inderberg-Suso EM, Trachsel S, Lislerud K, Rasmussen AM, Gaudernack G. Widespread CD4+ T-cell reactivity to novel hTERT epitopes following vaccination of cancer patients with a single hTERT peptide GV1001. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:670-686. [PMID: 22934259 PMCID: PMC3429571 DOI: 10.4161/onci.20426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the basis of a successful clinical response after treatment with therapeutic cancer vaccines is essential for the development of more efficacious therapy. After vaccination with the single telomerase (hTERT) 16-mer peptide, GV1001, some patients experienced clinical responses and long-term survival. This study reports in-depth immunological analysis of the T-cell response against telomerase (hTERT) in clinically responding patients compared with clinical non-responders following vaccination with the single hTERT 16-mer peptide, GV1001. Extensive characterization of CD4+ T-cell clones specific for GV1001 generated from a lung cancer patient in complete remission after vaccination demonstrated a very broad immune response to this single peptide vaccine with differences in fine specificity, HLA restriction, affinity and function. Some CD4+ T-cell clones were cytotoxic against peptide-loaded target cells and also recognized processed recombinant hTERT protein. Furthermore, T-cell responses against several unrelated hTERT epitopes, some of which are novel, were detected, indicating extensive epitope spreading which was confirmed in other clinical responders. In contrast, patients responding immunologically, but not clinically, after vaccination did not display this intramolecular epitope spreading. Multifunctional CD4+ T-cell clones specific for novel hTERT epitopes were generated and shown to recognize a melanoma cell line. Pentamer analysis of T cells in peripheral blood also demonstrated the presence of an important CD8+ T-cell response recognizing an HLA-B7 epitope embedded in GV1001 not previously described. These results indicate that the highly diverse hTERT-specific T-cell response, integrating both T helper and CTL responses, is essential for tumor regression and the generation of long-term T-cell memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Else-Marit Inderberg-Suso
- Unit for Immunotherapy; Section for Immunology; Institute for Cancer Research; Oslo University Hospital; Norwegian Radium Hospital; Oslo, Norway
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13
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Balhorn R, Balhorn MC. Therapeutic applications of the selective high affinity ligand drug SH7139 extend beyond non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to many other types of solid cancers. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3315-3349. [PMID: 32934776 PMCID: PMC7476732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27709] [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: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
SH7139, the first of a series of selective high affinity ligand (SHAL) oncology drug candidates designed to target and bind to the HLA-DR proteins overexpressed by B-cell lymphomas, has demonstrated exceptional efficacy in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma xenografts in mice and a safety profile that may prove to be unprecedented for an oncology drug. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139 are expressed by different subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and by other solid cancers that have been reported to express HLA-DR. Binding studies conducted with SH7129, a biotinylated analog of SH7139, reveal that more than half of the biopsy sections obtained from patients with different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Similar analyses of tumor biopsy tissue obtained from patients diagnosed with eighteen other solid cancers show the majority of these tumors also express the HLA-DRs targeted by SH7139. Cervical, ovarian, colorectal and prostate cancers expressed the most HLA-DR. Only a few esophageal and head and neck tumors bound the diagnostic. Within an individual’s tumor, cell to cell differences in HLA-DR target expression varied by only 2 to 3-fold while the expression levels in tumors obtained from different patients varied as much as 10 to 100-fold. The high frequency with which SH7129 was observed to bind to these cancers suggests that many patients diagnosed with B-cell lymphomas, myelomas, and other non-hematological cancers should be considered potential candidates for new therapies such as SH7139 that target HLA-DR-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- SHAL Technologies Inc., Livermore, CA 94550, USA
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14
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Kagoya Y, Guo T, Yeung B, Saso K, Anczurowski M, Wang CH, Murata K, Sugata K, Saijo H, Matsunaga Y, Ohashi Y, Butler MO, Hirano N. Genetic Ablation of HLA Class I, Class II, and the T-cell Receptor Enables Allogeneic T Cells to Be Used for Adoptive T-cell Therapy. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:926-936. [PMID: 32321775 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy can induce sustained therapeutic effects in some cancers. Antitumor T-cell grafts are often individually prepared in vitro from autologous T cells, which requires an intensive workload and increased costs. The quality of the generated T cells can also be variable, which affects the therapy's antitumor efficacy and toxicity. Standardized production of antitumor T-cell grafts from third-party donors will enable widespread use of this modality if allogeneic T-cell responses are effectively controlled. Here, we generated HLA class I, HLA class II, and T-cell receptor (TCR) triple-knockout (tKO) T cells by simultaneous knockout of the B2M, CIITA, and TRAC genes through Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoprotein electroporation. Although HLA-deficient T cells were targeted by natural killer cells, they persisted better than HLA-sufficient T cells in the presence of allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in immunodeficient mice. When transduced with a CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and stimulated by tumor cells, tKO CAR-T cells persisted better when cultured with allogeneic PBMCs compared with TRAC and B2M double-knockout T cells. The CD19 tKO CAR-T cells did not induce graft-versus-host disease but retained antitumor responses. These results demonstrated the benefit of HLA class I, HLA class II, and TCR deletion in enabling allogeneic-sourced T cells to be used for off-the-shelf adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kagoya
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tingxi Guo
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian Yeung
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kayoko Saso
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Anczurowski
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chung-Hsi Wang
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kenji Murata
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kenji Sugata
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hiroshi Saijo
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yukiko Matsunaga
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yota Ohashi
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcus O Butler
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Naoto Hirano
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Codolo G, Toffoletto M, Chemello F, Coletta S, Soler Teixidor G, Battaggia G, Munari G, Fassan M, Cagnin S, de Bernard M. Helicobacter pylori Dampens HLA-II Expression on Macrophages via the Up-Regulation of miRNAs Targeting CIITA. Front Immunol 2020; 10:2923. [PMID: 31969878 PMCID: PMC6960189 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages have a major role in infectious and inflammatory diseases, and the available data suggest that Helicobacter pylori persistence can be explained in part by the failure of the bacterium to be killed by professional phagocytes. Macrophages are cells ready to kill the engulfed pathogen, through oxygen-dependent and -independent mechanisms; however, their killing potential can be further augmented by the intervention of T helper (Th) cells upon the specific recognition of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II–peptide complexes on the surface of the phagocytic cells. As it pertains to H. pylori, the bacterium is engulfed by macrophages, but it interferes with the phagosome maturation process leading to phagosomes with an altered degradative capacity, and to megasomes, wherein H. pylori resists killing. We recently showed that macrophages infected with H. pylori strongly reduce the expression of HLA-II molecules on the plasma membrane and this compromises the bacterial antigen presentation to Th lymphocytes. In this work, we demonstrate that H. pylori hampers HLA-II expression in macrophages, activated or non-activated by IFN-γ, by down-regulating the expression of the class II major histocompatibility complex transactivator (CIITA), the “master control factor” for the expression of HLA class II genes. We provided evidence that this effect relies on the up-regulation of let-7f-5p, let-7i-5p, miR-146b-5p, and -185-5p targeting CIITA. MiRNA expression analysis performed on biopsies from H. pylori-infected patients confirmed the up-regulation of let-7i-5p, miR-146b-5p, and -185-5p in gastritis, in pre-invasive lesions, and in gastric cancer. Taken together, our results suggest that specific miRNAs may be directly involved in the H. pylori infection persistence and may contribute to confer the risk of developing gastric neoplasia in infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Codolo
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Chemello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara Coletta
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | - Giada Munari
- Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IRCCS), Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Cagnin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,CIR-Myo Myology Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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16
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Expressions of HLA Class II Genes in Cutaneous Melanoma Were Associated with Clinical Outcome: Bioinformatics Approaches and Systematic Analysis of Public Microarray and RNA-Seq Datasets. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9020059. [PMID: 31212865 PMCID: PMC6628136 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9020059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, encoded by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, play important roles in antigen presentation and initiation of immune responses. However, the correlation between HLA class II gene expression level and patient survival and disease progression in cutaneous melanoma is still under investigation. In the present study, we analyzed microarray and RNA-Seq data of cutaneous melanoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using different bioinformatics tools. Survival analysis revealed higher expression level of HLA class II genes in cutaneous melanoma, especially HLA-DP and -DR, was significantly associated with better overall survival. Furthermore, the expressions of HLA class II genes were most closely associated with survival in cutaneous melanoma as compared with other cancer types. The expression of HLA class II co-expressed genes, which were found to associate with antigen processing, immune response, and inflammatory response, was also positively associated with overall survival in cutaneous melanoma. Therefore, the results indicated that increased HLA class II expression may contribute to enhanced anti-tumor immunity and related inflammatory response via presenting tumor antigens to the immune system. The expression pattern of HLA class II genes may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic targets in cutaneous melanoma.
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17
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Axelrod ML, Cook RS, Johnson DB, Balko JM. Biological Consequences of MHC-II Expression by Tumor Cells in Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:2392-2402. [PMID: 30463850 PMCID: PMC6467754 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a key pillar of cancer treatment. To build upon the recent successes of immunotherapy, intense research efforts are aimed at a molecular understanding of antitumor immune responses, identification of biomarkers of immunotherapy response and resistance, and novel strategies to circumvent resistance. These studies are revealing new insight into the intricacies of tumor cell recognition by the immune system, in large part through MHCs. Although tumor cells widely express MHC-I, a subset of tumors originating from a variety of tissues also express MHC-II, an antigen-presenting complex traditionally associated with professional antigen-presenting cells. MHC-II is critical for antigen presentation to CD4+ T lymphocytes, whose role in antitumor immunity is becoming increasingly appreciated. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that tumor-specific MHC-II associates with favorable outcomes in patients with cancer, including those treated with immunotherapies, and with tumor rejection in murine models. Herein, we will review current research regarding tumor-enriched MHC-II expression and regulation in a range of human tumors and murine models, and the possible therapeutic applications of tumor-specific MHC-II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Axelrod
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rebecca S Cook
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Justin M Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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18
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Castro F, Cardoso AP, Gonçalves RM, Serre K, Oliveira MJ. Interferon-Gamma at the Crossroads of Tumor Immune Surveillance or Evasion. Front Immunol 2018; 9:847. [PMID: 29780381 PMCID: PMC5945880 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 724] [Impact Index Per Article: 120.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a pleiotropic molecule with associated antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and antitumor mechanisms. This effector cytokine, often considered as a major effector of immunity, has been used in the treatment of several diseases, despite its adverse effects. Although broad evidence implicating IFN-γ in tumor immune surveillance, IFN-γ-based therapies undergoing clinical trials have been of limited success. In fact, recent reports suggested that it may also play a protumorigenic role, namely, through IFN-γ signaling insensitivity, downregulation of major histocompatibility complexes, and upregulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and of checkpoint inhibitors, as programmed cell-death ligand 1. However, the IFN-γ-mediated responses are still positively associated with patient's survival in several cancers. Consequently, major research efforts are required to understand the immune contexture in which IFN-γ induces its intricate and highly regulated effects in the tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the current knowledge on the pro- and antitumorigenic effects of IFN-γ as part of the complex immune response to cancer, highlighting the relevance to identify IFN-γ responsive patients for the improvement of therapies that exploit associated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Castro
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Cardoso
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Madeira Gonçalves
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Karine Serre
- IMM – Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria José Oliveira
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Patologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Byrne EH, Fisher DE. Immune and molecular correlates in melanoma treated with immune checkpoint blockade. Cancer 2017; 123:2143-2153. [PMID: 28543699 PMCID: PMC5445935 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma has a decades-long history, and the relatively recent use of checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized treatment. Durable and sometimes complete remission of metastatic melanoma is now achievable in some patients who receive checkpoint-blocking therapy. However, it is unclear why some patients fare better than others. This review highlights several molecular indicators of response to checkpoint inhibition in metastatic melanoma, focusing on tumor programmed death ligand 1 expression, major histocompatibility complex class I expression, mutational load in the tumor, and T-cell infiltration into the tumor. In addition, clinical correlates of response, notably vitiligo and other immune-related adverse events, can potentially shed light on the mechanisms by which checkpoint blockade may achieve such great success, particularly in melanoma. The authors propose that microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-a key regulator of melanocyte survival, melanin production, and melanoma transformation-produces a molecular landscape in melanocytes and melanoma cells that can make melanomas particularly susceptible to checkpoint blockade and also can result in immune attack on normal melanocytes. Cancer 2017;123:2143-53. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth H Byrne
- Department of Dermatology and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David E Fisher
- Department of Dermatology and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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20
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Costantini F, Barbieri G. The HLA-DR mediated signalling increases the migration and invasion of melanoma cells, the expression and lipid raft recruitment of adhesion receptors, PD-L1 and signal transduction proteins. Cell Signal 2017; 36:189-203. [PMID: 28495591 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The constitutive expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules is restricted to professional Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs), nevertheless almost 50% of melanomas express constitutively the MHC class II molecules. Therefore, in two MHC class II constitutive expressing melanoma cell lines we studied the signalling mediated by the HLA-DR molecules in the aim to understand the consequence of class II mediated signalling on metastatic dissemination of melanoma. In particular, we reported that the HLA-DR mediated signalling play a new role in melanoma progression, increasing the migration and invasion of melanoma cells. Furthermore, we showed that the HLA-DR mediated signalling increases the expression and the lipid raft localisation of class II molecules, PD-L1 receptor, Integrin and CAM adhesion receptors, FAK, AKT and STAT3 signalling proteins. We also showed that the HLA-DR mediated signalling increases the activation of FAK, AKT, ERK, PKC and STAT3 signalling proteins and the expression of ILK, PAX, BRAF, ERK and PKC. Indeed, the results showed suggest that the HLA-DR mediated signalling provides a platform useful to frustrate an effective anti-tumour response and to increase melanoma migration and metastatic dissemination of this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Costantini
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Barbieri
- Istituto di Biomedicina e Immunologia Molecolare "Alberto Monroy", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
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Abstract
T-cell-mediated immunity has the ability to produce durable antimelanoma responses, resulting in improved survival of patients with advanced melanoma. Antigen presentation is a key determinant of T-cell responses. Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) is critical for MHC class II-restricted presentation of multiple melanoma antigens to CD4+ T cells. However, GILT expression in melanoma has not been defined. We evaluated GILT and MHC class II expression in human primary and metastatic melanomas and nevi using immunohistochemical analysis. GILT staining in melanocytes was observed in 70% of primary and 58% of metastatic melanomas versus 0% of nevi. When present, the GILT staining intensity in melanocytes was typically faint. Both GILT and MHC class II expression were increased in melanocytes of primary and metastatic melanomas compared with nevi. GILT staining in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was detected in 100% of primary and metastatic melanomas versus 31% of nevi, and it was typically intense. GILT expression was increased in APCs of primary and metastatic melanomas compared with nevi, whereas MHC class II had equivalent high expression in APCs of all melanocytic lesions. GILT staining in keratinocytes was detected in 67% of primary melanomas versus 14% of nevi and 6% of metastatic melanomas. GILT, but not MHC class II, expression was increased in keratinocytes of primary melanomas compared with nevi and metastases. GILT expression is anticipated to result in improved presentation of melanoma antigens and more effective antimelanoma T-cell responses. GILT expression may be a biomarker of immune recognition of melanoma.
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22
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Conservation of immune gene signatures in solid tumors and prognostic implications. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:911. [PMID: 27871313 PMCID: PMC5118876 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2948-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes can either limit cancer growth or facilitate its spread. Diagnostic strategies that comprehensively assess the functional complexity of tumor immune infiltrates could have wide-reaching clinical value. In previous work we identified distinct immune gene signatures in breast tumors that reflect the relative abundance of infiltrating immune cells and exhibited significant associations with patient outcomes. Here we hypothesized that immune gene signatures agnostic to tumor type can be identified by de novo discovery of gene clusters enriched for immunological functions and possessing internal correlation structure conserved across solid tumors from different anatomic sites. Methods We assembled microarray expression datasets encompassing 5,295 tumors of the breast, colon, lung, ovarian and prostate. Unsupervised clustering methods were used to determine number and composition of gene clusters within each dataset. Immune-enriched gene clusters (signatures) identified by gene ontology enrichment were analyzed for internal correlation structure and conservation across tumors then compared against expression profiles of: 1) flow-sorted leukocytes from peripheral blood and 2) >300 cancer cell lines from solid and hematologic cancers. Cox regression analysis was used to identify signatures with significant associations with clinical outcome. Results We identified nine distinct immune-enriched gene signatures conserved across all five tumor types. The signatures differentiated specific leukocyte lineages with moderate discernment overall, and naturally organized into six discrete groups indicative of admixed lineages. Moreover, seven of the signatures exhibit minimal and uncorrelated expression in cancer cell lines, suggesting that these signatures derive predominantly from infiltrating immune cells. All nine immune signatures achieved statistically significant associations with patient prognosis (p<0.05) in one or more tumor types with greatest significance observed in breast and skin cancers. Several signatures indicative of myeloid lineages exhibited poor outcome associations that were most apparent in brain and colon cancers. Conclusions These findings suggest that tumor infiltrating immune cells can be differentiated by immune-specific gene expression patterns that quantify the relative abundance of multiple immune infiltrates across a range of solid tumor types. That these markers of immune involvement are significantly associated with patient prognosis in diverse cancers suggests their clinical utility as pan-cancer markers of tumor behavior and immune responsiveness. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2948-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Xue W, Metheringham RL, Brentville VA, Gunn B, Symonds P, Yagita H, Ramage JM, Durrant LG. SCIB2, an antibody DNA vaccine encoding NY-ESO-1 epitopes, induces potent antitumor immunity which is further enhanced by checkpoint blockade. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1169353. [PMID: 27471648 PMCID: PMC4938367 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1169353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade has demonstrated promising antitumor responses in approximately 10-40% of patients. However, the majority of patients do not make a productive immune response to their tumors and do not respond to checkpoint blockade. These patients may benefit from an effective vaccine that stimulates high-avidity T cell responses in combination with checkpoint blockade. We have previously shown that incorporating TRP-2 and gp100 epitopes into the CDR regions of a human IgG1 DNA (ImmunoBody®: IB) results in significant tumor regression both in animal models and patients. This vaccination strategy is superior to others as it targets antigen to antigen-presenting cells and stimulates high-avidity T cell responses. To broaden the application of this vaccination strategy, 16 NY-ESO-1 epitopes, covering over 80% of HLA phenotypes, were incorporated into the IB (SCIB2). They produced higher frequency and avidity T cell responses than peptide vaccination. These T cells were of sufficient avidity to kill NY-ESO-1-expressing tumor cells, and in vivo controlled the growth of established B16-NY-ESO-1 tumors, resulting in long-term survival (35%). When SCIB2 was given in combination with Treg depletion, CTLA-4 blockade or PD-1 blockade, long-term survival from established tumors was significantly enhanced to 56, 67 and 100%, respectively. Translating these responses into the clinic by using a combination of SCIB2 vaccination and checkpoint blockade can only further improve clinical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xue
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus , Nottingham, UK
| | - Rachael L Metheringham
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus , Nottingham, UK
| | - Victoria A Brentville
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus , Nottingham, UK
| | - Barbara Gunn
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus , Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter Symonds
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus , Nottingham, UK
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Judith M Ramage
- Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus , Nottingham, UK
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Scancell Limited, Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, UK; Academic Department of Clinical Oncology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, UK
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Donia M, Andersen R, Kjeldsen JW, Fagone P, Munir S, Nicoletti F, Andersen MH, Thor Straten P, Svane IM. Aberrant Expression of MHC Class II in Melanoma Attracts Inflammatory Tumor-Specific CD4+ T- Cells, Which Dampen CD8+ T-cell Antitumor Reactivity. Cancer Res 2015; 75:3747-59. [PMID: 26183926 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the absence of a local inflammatory response, expression of MHC class II molecules is restricted mainly to hematopoietic cells and thymus epithelium. However, certain tumors, such as melanoma, may acquire aberrant constitutive expression of MHC class II. In a set of primary melanoma cell populations and correspondingly expanded autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), we show how MHC class II expression on melanoma cells associates with strong MHC class II-restricted CD4(+) T-cell responses that are specific for tumors. Notably, we found that tumor-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses were dominated by TNF production. TNF reduced CD8(+) T-cell activation in IFNγ-rich environments resembling a tumor site. Conversely, direct CD4(+) T-cell responses had no influence on either the proliferation or viability of melanoma cells. Taken together, our results illustrate a novel immune escape mechanism that can be activated by aberrant expression of MHC class II molecules, which by attracting tumor-specific CD4(+) T cells elicit a local inflammatory response dominated by TNF that, in turn, inhibits cytotoxic CD8(+) T-cell responses
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Donia
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark. Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Rikke Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark. Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Julie W Kjeldsen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Shamaila Munir
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark. Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
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25
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Linnemann C, van Buuren MM, Bies L, Verdegaal EME, Schotte R, Calis JJA, Behjati S, Velds A, Hilkmann H, Atmioui DE, Visser M, Stratton MR, Haanen JBAG, Spits H, van der Burg SH, Schumacher TNM. High-throughput epitope discovery reveals frequent recognition of neo-antigens by CD4+ T cells in human melanoma. Nat Med 2014; 21:81-5. [PMID: 25531942 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 524] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-specific neo-antigens that arise as a consequence of mutations are thought to be important for the therapeutic efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. Accumulating evidence suggests that neo-antigens may be commonly recognized by intratumoral CD8+ T cells, but it is unclear whether neo-antigen-specific CD4+ T cells also frequently reside within human tumors. In view of the accepted role of tumor-specific CD4+ T-cell responses in tumor control, we addressed whether neo-antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell reactivity is a common property in human melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Linnemann
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marit M van Buuren
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura Bies
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Els M E Verdegaal
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jorg J A Calis
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sam Behjati
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Arno Velds
- Central Genomics Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henk Hilkmann
- Peptide Synthesis Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dris El Atmioui
- Peptide Synthesis Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marten Visser
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michael R Stratton
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - John B A G Haanen
- 1] Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. [2] Division of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hergen Spits
- AIMM Therapeutics B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ton N M Schumacher
- Division of Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Ferrone S, Campoli M. A fresh look at an old story: revisiting HLA class II antigen expression by melanoma cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/17469872.1.6.805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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27
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Hastings KT. GILT: Shaping the MHC Class II-Restricted Peptidome and CD4(+) T Cell-Mediated Immunity. Front Immunol 2013; 4:429. [PMID: 24409178 PMCID: PMC3885806 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The MHC class II-restricted antigen processing pathway generates peptide:MHC complexes in the endocytic pathway for the activation of CD4(+) T cells. Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) reduces protein disulfide bonds in the endocytic compartment, thereby exposing buried epitopes for MHC class II binding and presentation. T cell hybridoma responses and elution of MHC class II bound peptides have identified GILT-dependent epitopes, GILT-independent epitopes, and epitopes that are more efficiently presented in the absence of GILT termed GILT-prevented epitopes. GILT-mediated alteration in the MHC class II-restricted peptidome modulates T cell development in the thymus and peripheral tolerance and influences the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Recent studies suggest an emerging role for GILT in the response to pathogens and cancer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Taraszka Hastings
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine , Phoenix, AZ , USA
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28
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Pisapia L, Pozzo GD, Barba P, Citro A, Harris PE, Maffei A. Contrasting effects of IFNα on MHC class II expression in professional vs. nonprofessional APCs: Role of CIITA type IV promoter. RESULTS IN IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 2:174-83. [PMID: 24371581 DOI: 10.1016/j.rinim.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that, in ex vivo cultures, IFNα downregulates the expression of MHC class II (MHCII) genes in human non-professional APCs associated with pancreatic islets. IFNα has an opposing effect on MHCII expression in professional APCs. In this study, we found that the mechanism responsible for the IFNα-mediated MHCII's downregulation in human MHCII-positive non-professional antigen presenting human non-hematopoietic cell lines is the result of the negative feedback system that regulates cytokine signal transduction, which eventually inhibits promoters III and IV of CIITA gene. Because the CIITA-PIV isoform is mostly responsible for the constitutive expression of MHCII genes in non-professional APCs, we pursued and achieved the specific knockdown of CIITA-PIV mRNA in our in vitro system, obtaining a partial silencing of MHCII molecules similar to that obtained by IFNα. We believe that our results offer a new understanding of the potential significance of CIITA-PIV as a therapeutic target for interventional strategies that can manage autoimmune disease and allograft rejection with little interference on the function of professional APCs of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pisapia
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Del Pozzo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Barba
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Citro
- Department of Medicine of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul E Harris
- Department of Medicine of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonella Maffei
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy ; Department of Medicine of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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29
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Hemon P, Jean-Louis F, Ramgolam K, Brignone C, Viguier M, Bachelez H, Triebel F, Charron D, Aoudjit F, Al-Daccak R, Michel L. MHC Class II Engagement by Its Ligand LAG-3 (CD223) Contributes to Melanoma Resistance to Apoptosis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 186:5173-83. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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30
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Degenhardt Y, Huang J, Greshock J, Horiates G, Nathanson K, Yang X, Herlyn M, Weber B. Distinct MHC gene expression patterns during progression of melanoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2010; 49:144-54. [PMID: 19862823 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in melanoma has been reported previously. However, the MHC molecule expression patterns in different growth phases of melanoma and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that in vertical growth phase (VGP) melanomas, MHC genes are subject to increased rates of DNA copy number gains, accompanied by increased expression, in comparison to normal melanocytes. In contrast, MHC expression in metastatic melanomas drastically decreased compared to VGP melanomas, despite still prevalent DNA copy number gains. Subsequent investigations found that the master transactivator of MHC genes, CIITA, was also significantly downregulated in metastatic melanomas when compared to VGP melanomas. This could be one of the mechanisms accounting for the discrepancy between DNA copy number and expression level in metastatic melanomas, a potentially separate mechanism of gene regulation. These results infer a dynamic role of MHC function in melanoma progression. We propose potential mechanisms for the overexpression of MHC molecules in earlier stages of melanoma as well as for its downregulation in metastatic melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Degenhardt
- Cancer Metabolism DPU, Oncology, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA.
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Yayi H, Danqing W, Shuyun L, Jicheng L. Immunologic abnormality of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63:267-73. [PMID: 20085564 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00798.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy risk because of the possibility of pre-term delivery and sudden intrauterine fetal death. Its pathogenesis is still under discussion. METHOD OF STUDY The analysis of the recent findings on the complex immunologic events that occur in ICP were performed. RESULTS In ICP, an increase of type 1 cytokine (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) associated with a decrease of type 2 cytokine (IL-4). The decreased production of the suppressor cytokine TGF-beta2 may increase the type 1 cytokine. Fas appeared to be increased and FasL appeared to be decreased in syncytiotrophoblasts of ICP. The human leukocyte antigen gene (HLA-G, E) in extravillous trophoblasts of ICP were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and HLA play important roles in the tolerance and maintenance of pregnancy. ICP may be resulting from breach of the maternal fetal immune tolerance during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Yayi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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32
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Coexpression of major histocompatibility complex class II with chemokines and nuclear NFkappaB p50 in melanoma: a rational for their association with poor prognosis. Melanoma Res 2009; 19:226-37. [PMID: 19574933 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0b013e32832e0bc3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The constitutive expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules in melanoma is highly unusual and has been associated with unfavorable clinical outcome and higher metastatic dissemination. This association remains poorly understood and therefore, in this study we looked to whether it is caused by intracellular events that promote tumor progression. We previously reported that MHC II expression in melanoma cells requires active mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase. However, our comparative and molecular analyses of a panel of melanoma cell lines herein provide clear evidence that mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase is not sufficient for HLA-DR expression. We found that the expression of HLA-DR in these tumors rather coincides with the expression of CXCL-1 and CXCL-8 chemokines, both known to be expressed in tumors that invade early and are related to invasive stages of melanoma. The expression of HLA-DR also nicely paralleled that of the nuclear NFkappaB p50 subunit, regulating the expression of these chemokines in melanoma and previously correlated with poor prognosis of melanoma patients, although we provide evidence that NFkappaB is not directly regulating MHC II expression level. The molecular basis for class II transactivator and HLA-DR expression in melanoma therefore remains unsolved, but our findings linking together the expression of HLA-DR, of chemokines involved in invasiveness, and of nuclear NFkappaB p50 strongly support the content that MHC II may be a marker of invasive primary melanoma, and could explain the long-standing association of MHC II expression with overall poor prognosis and unfavorable clinical outcome.
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Xu L, Niesen MI, Blanck G. Linkage of a tumor immune function and cell cycle de-regulation via a gene regulatory network subcircuit. Mol Immunol 2008; 46:569-75. [PMID: 18952290 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2008.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2008] [Revised: 07/22/2008] [Accepted: 07/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene regulatory network (GRN) subcircuits have been described for cell fate progressions in animal development. The hallmark of these subcircuits is the integration of promoters, and positive- and negative-acting promoter binding proteins, such that an alteration in function of any one member of the defined subcircuit, occurring with a change in cell fate, defines a change in status for all other members of the subcircuit. Here we describe a GRN subcircuit that links a tumor immune function with cell cycle de-regulation. All members of this subcircuit have a predictable status change in response to rescue of the growth-controlled phenotype. Given the similarities between the molecular mechanisms underlying cell status changes in tumorigenesis and development, application of GRN paradigms to tumor progression is particularly apt and offers the hope of providing a more concise, reliable, and therapeutically useful series of predictions linking gene regulation and tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Xu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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de Bruin EC, van de Velde CJH, van Krieken JHJM, Marijnen CAM, Medema JP. Epithelial human leukocyte antigen-DR expression predicts reduced recurrence rates and prolonged survival in rectal cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:1073-9. [PMID: 18281539 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The development of local and distant recurrences is a major problem in the treatment of rectal cancer patients. In this study, we investigated whether epithelial human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression allowed discrimination between high and low tumor recurrence rates, and analyzed the mechanism behind its expression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The role of IFNgamma in HLA-DR expression was studied in rectal cancer cell lines and tumors by promoter-specific analyses of class II transactivator (CIITA). The predictive value of epithelial HLA-DR expression was investigated by immunohistochemical evaluation of 1,016 rectal tumors, obtained from a large prospective trial. Associations with recurrences and survival were determined by univariate and multivariate log-rank testing. RESULTS HLA-DR was induced by IFNgamma in rectal cancer cell lines. Activity of the IFNgamma-inducible pIV-CIITA promoter correlated with epithelial HLA-DR expression in rectal tumors. Patients with HLA-DR-positive tumors developed less frequent local and distant recurrences [1.6% versus 9.1% (P = 0.0015) and 15.3% versus 29.9% (P < 0.0001), respectively, after 5 years of follow-up] and had better survival (78.6% versus 61.3%; P < 0.0001) than patients with HLA-DR-negative tumors. Epithelial HLA-DR was more often found in lower tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. Next to TNM and circumferential resection margin, HLA-DR expression was independently associated with lower distant recurrence rates and prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS Epithelial HLA-DR expression can be used as a marker to discriminate patients with high or low risk of developing recurrences. The possible involvement of IFNgamma, the relationship with lower TNM stages, and the independent effect on recurrence development together suggest that the host immune response plays an important role in controlling tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elza C de Bruin
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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35
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Martins I, Deshayes F, Baton F, Forget A, Ciechomska I, Sylla K, Aoudjit F, Charron D, Al-Daccak R, Alcaide-Loridan C. Pathologic expression of MHC class II is driven by mitogen-activated protein kinases. Eur J Immunol 2007; 37:788-97. [PMID: 17304627 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200636620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The class II transactivator (CIITA) is the master regulator of MHC class II molecules (MHC II). In melanoma, the MHC II are constitutively expressed due to an abnormal transcription of CIITA from its promoter III (pIII), and requires the presence of a 1-kb enhancer located upstream from this latter. Since mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) have been shown to be activated in most melanomas, we sought to analyze their possible involvement in CIITA expression. Using chemical inhibitors and dominant-negative constructs of MAPK-ERK kinase (Mek1) and MAPK-JNK, we evidenced the inhibition of MHC II and CIITA expression in melanoma cell lines displaying activated MAPK. Transcriptional regulation by MAPK is known to involve the AP-1 transcription factor family. Sequence analysis revealed an AP-1-responsive motif in the enhancer of CIITA pIII at -5954/-5947 from the site of transcription initiation. Its mutagenesis reduced CIITA expression four- to fivefold in melanoma cell lines and alleviated the effect of dominant-negative constructs of the MAPK pathway. Together, our findings demonstrate that MAPK-ERK and MAPK-JNK are regulators of CIITA transcription in melanoma, and pinpoint an AP-1-responsive site in the CIITA gene pIII. This should have considerable impact on our understanding of the physio-pathologic expression of MHC II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Martins
- INSERM U662, Institut Universitaire d'Hematologie, University Paris 7, Hopital St Louis, Paris, France
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Kohoutek J, Blazek D, Peterlin BM. Hexim1 sequesters positive transcription elongation factor b from the class II transactivator on MHC class II promoters. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:17349-54. [PMID: 17088550 PMCID: PMC1859933 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0603079103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The class II transactivator (CIITA) is the master integrator of expression of MHC class II genes. It interacts with variety of basal transcription factors to initiate and elongate transcription of these genes. Among others, it recruits positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) to MHC class II promoters. In cells, P-TEFb is found in small active or large inactive complexes. The large complex is composed of P-TEFb, 7SK small nuclear RNA, and hexamethylene bisacetamide-inducible protein 1 (Hexim1). The present study identifies Hexim1 as a potent inhibitor of CIITA-mediated transcription. Not only the exogenously expressed but also IFN-gamma-induced CIITA was inhibited by Hexim1. This inhibition did not result from an association between Hexim1 and CIITA but depended on the intact Cyclin T1-binding domain in Hexim1. Importantly, Hexim1 sequestered P-TEFb from CIITA, as documented by binding competition and ChIP assays. Conversely, the depletion of Hexim1 from cells by siRNA increased CIITA-mediated transcription. Thus, modulating ratios between active and inactive P-TEFb complexes is an additional mechanism of regulating transcriptional activators such as CIITA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Kohoutek
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology, Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0703
| | - Dalibor Blazek
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology, Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0703
| | - B. Matija Peterlin
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology, Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0703
- *To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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37
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van der Stoep N, Quinten E, Alblas G, Plancke A, van Eggermond MCJA, Holling TM, van den Elsen PJ. Constitutive and IFNgamma-induced activation of MHC2TA promoter type III in human melanoma cell lines is governed by separate regulatory elements within the PIII upstream regulatory region. Mol Immunol 2006; 44:2036-46. [PMID: 17067677 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2006.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2006] [Revised: 09/11/2006] [Accepted: 09/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cell lines established from tumor tissue of cutaneous melanoma biopsies often display constitutive and IFNgamma-inducible expression of MHC class II molecules. The expression of MHC class II molecules in melanoma is associated with an overall poor prognosis and unfavorable clinical outcome. We have analyzed the DNA elements and interacting transcription factors that control the constitutive and IFNgamma-inducible expression of the class II transactivator (CIITA), a co-activator essential for transcription of all MHC class II genes. Our studies reveal the activation of multiple CIITA promoter regions (CIITA-PII, -PIII and -PIV) in melanoma cell lines for both the constitutive and IFNgamma-inducible expression of MHC class II molecules. Furthermore, we show that constitutive and IFNgamma-inducible expression of the CIITA-PIII isoform is governed by separate regulatory elements within the PIII upstream regulatory region (PURR). Similarly constitutive activation in melanoma of CIITA-PII, CIITA-PIII, and CIITA-PIV does not require components of the IFNgamma signaling pathway. However, these components are readily recruited to the PURR and CIITA-PIV after exposure of cells to IFNgamma and account for the IFNgamma-induced expression of CIITA. Together, our data reveal the contribution of distinct elements and factors in the constitutive and IFNgamma-inducible expression of CIITA in melanoma cell lines of the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke van der Stoep
- Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Building 1, E3-Q, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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38
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Harris PE, Malanga D, Liu Z, Hardy MA, Souza F, Del Pozzo G, Winchester RJ, Maffei A. Effect of interferon alpha on MHC class II gene expression in ex vivo human islet tissue. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2006; 1762:627-35. [PMID: 16782520 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2006.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2006] [Revised: 05/05/2006] [Accepted: 05/09/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans. One still open question is where naive islet-reactive T cells encounter antigens and become stimulated. In this report we have re-examined the expression of MHC class II (MHCII) genes in human islets to further explore the possibility that non-professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) within islets contribute to autoimmunity. Since development of T1D has been linked to viral infections, we also studied ex-vivo MHCII expression in response to interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) in islet tissue and in different APCs. The findings are: first, MHCII genes expression in human islets is linked with the expression of the class II transactivator isoform transcribed from the promoter IV, similar to that described in non-professional APCs. Second, there is IFNalpha-mediated lineage-specific regulation of MHCII genes expression, seen as a decrease in the accumulation of MHCII transcripts in pancreatic islets opposite to an increase in dendritic cells and B-lymphoblastoid cell lines. Third, there is allele-specific regulation of the HLA-DQA1 gene by IFNalpha in islet tissue. These findings may begin to explain the molecular events that create favorable conditions for organ-specific autoimmunity and explain the incomplete penetrance of T1D susceptibility alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Harris
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Naples, Italy
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39
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Reith W, LeibundGut-Landmann S, Waldburger JM. Regulation of MHC class II gene expression by the class II transactivator. Nat Rev Immunol 2005; 5:793-806. [PMID: 16200082 DOI: 10.1038/nri1708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
MHC class II molecules are pivotal for the adaptive immune system, because they guide the development and activation of CD4+ T helper cells. Fulfilling these functions requires that the genes encoding MHC class II molecules are transcribed according to a strict cell-type-specific and quantitatively modulated pattern. This complex gene-expression profile is controlled almost exclusively by a single master regulatory factor, which is known as the class II transactivator. As we discuss here, differential activation of the three independent promoters that drive expression of the gene encoding the class II transactivator ultimately determines the exquisitely regulated pattern of MHC class II gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Reith
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva Medical School, Centre Médical Universitaire, 1 Rue Michel-Servet, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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40
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Li P, Gregg JL, Wang N, Zhou D, O'Donnell P, Blum JS, Crotzer VL. Compartmentalization of class II antigen presentation: contribution of cytoplasmic and endosomal processing. Immunol Rev 2005; 207:206-17. [PMID: 16181338 DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2005.00297.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
During antigen processing, peptides are generated and displayed in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to modulate immune responses to foreign antigens and guide self-tolerance. Exogenous and cytoplasmic antigens are processed by distinct routes within APCs to yield class II ligands. Exogenous antigens are internalized, processed, and bound to class II molecules within endosomal and lysosomal compartments of APCs. Studies reviewed here demonstrate the importance of reduction in regulating exogenous antigen presentation. The differential expression of a gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase in professional APCs and melanomas is discussed in the context of tumor immune evasion. Cytoplasmic autoantigens, by contrast, are degraded by the proteasome and other enzymes in the cytosol, with the resulting peptides translocating to endosomal and lysosomal compartments for intersection with class II molecules. Processing and editing of these antigenic peptides within endosomes and lysosomes may be critical in regulating their display via class II proteins. Multiple pathways may regulate the transit of cytosolic peptides to class II molecules. The role of lysosome-associated membrane protein-2a and heat-shock cognate protein 70 in promoting cytoplasmic peptide presentation by MHC class II molecules is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunobiology, and Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Walther Cancer Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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41
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Baton F, Deruyffelaere C, Chapin M, Prod'homme T, Charron D, Al-Daccak R, Alcaide-Loridan C. Class II transactivator (CIITA) isoform expression and activity in melanoma. Melanoma Res 2004; 14:453-61. [PMID: 15577315 DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200412000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In contrast with melanocytes, melanomas display constitutive expression of HLA-DR (HLA-DR+). This abnormal expression has been associated with tumour progression and metastatic dissemination. We have previously reported that this deregulation of HLA-D genes is due to the abnormal constitutive expression of the lymphocyte-specific isoform of class II transactivator (B-CIITA), in addition to its fibroblast form (F-CIITA), which is usually expressed in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-negative interferon-gamma-induced cell types, such as melanocytes. In this study, we investigated the abnormal expression of B-CIITA in a panel of melanoma cell lines displaying differential HLA-DR expression profiles, and analysed whether such a molecular event can participate in tumour progression. Our results showed that the abnormal expression of B-CIITA did not have any particular effect, in comparison with F-CIITA, on the classical activity of CIITA HLA-D gene regulation. As CIITA has also been shown to regulate genes other than HLA-D, we evaluated the modulation of those encoding cyclin D1, YARS (tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase) and TRIP1 (transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor-interacting protein), proteins involved in cell cycle/apoptosis balance, angiogenesis and resistance to TGF-beta, respectively. In contrast with other cell types, neither B-CIITA nor F-CIITA was able to modulate these genes in melanoma cell lines. Thus, the activity of CIITA, whether lymphocyte-specific or fibroblast-specific, is restricted to HLA-D gene expression in these tumours. Accordingly, our data suggest that CIITA is not involved per se in tumour progression; rather, it is the MHC class II molecules themselves, through tumour antigen presentation and the induction of tumour antigen-specific CD4 lymphocyte anergy, that may participate in immune escape and melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Baton
- INSERM U396, Centre de Recherches Biomédicales des Cordeliers, Paris, France
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42
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Aoudjit F, Guo W, Gagnon-Houde JV, Castaigne JG, Alcaide-Loridan C, Charron D, Al-Daccak R. HLA-DR signaling inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis in A375 melanoma cells. Exp Cell Res 2004; 299:79-90. [PMID: 15302575 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2004.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2004] [Revised: 05/06/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Although melanocytes are devoid of the human major histocompatibility complex class II (HLA II) molecules, melanomas often display constitutive expression of these molecules, particularly HLA-DR. This constitutive expression of HLA-DR molecules is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis but the molecular basis for this association remains poorly understood. Within the hypothesis of a role in immune escape, we analyzed the regulation of Fas-mediated apoptosis by HLA-DR signaling in the HLA-DR-positive malignant melanoma cell line A375. Our study demonstrates that engagement of HLA-DR molecules with anti-HLA-DR-specific monoclonal antibody L243 significantly reduces Fas-mediated apoptosis; DNA fragmentation and cell death were decreased by 50% and 40%, respectively. We found that while HLA-DR signaling does not affect Fas receptor expression, it significantly reduces Fas-induced activation of caspase-8 and Bid. Furthermore, inhibition studies and expression of dominant negative form of Mek-1 demonstrated that HLA-DR-mediated inhibition of caspase-8/Bid activation and apoptosis are dependent on the activation of the MAPK/Erk pathway. Together, our results provide evidence that HLA-DR signaling activates the MAPK/Erk pathway in A375 melanoma cells, which has a functional role in the resistance of these cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. These observations underline the potential importance that HLA-DR signaling might have in melanoma immune escape and tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawzi Aoudjit
- Centre de Recherche en Rhumatologie et Immunologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Pavillon CHUL, and Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1V 4G2
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43
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O'Donnell PW, Haque A, Klemsz MJ, Kaplan MH, Blum JS. Cutting edge: induction of the antigen-processing enzyme IFN-gamma-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase in melanoma cells Is STAT1-dependent but CIITA-independent. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 173:731-5. [PMID: 15240658 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.2.731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Presentation and CD4(+) T cell responses to Ag in the context of MHC class II molecules require processing of native proteins into short peptide fragments. Within this pathway, IFN-gamma-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) functions to catalyze thiol bond reduction, thus unfolding native protein Ag and facilitating further processing via cellular proteases. In contrast with professional APCs such as B cells, class II-positive human melanomas expressed relatively little to no GILT protein or mRNA. Tumor cell GILT expression was partially restored with IFN-gamma treatment but unlike other genes required for class II Ag presentation, GILT was not regulated by CIITA. Rather, studies revealed STAT1 plays a direct role in IFN-gamma-inducible GILT expression. These results define a molecular mechanism for the uncoupled regulation of MHC class II genes and the processing enzyme GILT in human melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W O'Donnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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44
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Reply: CIITA methylation and decreased levels of HLA-DR in tumour progression. Br J Cancer 2004. [PMCID: PMC2364781 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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45
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Takamura Y, Ikeda H, Kanaseki T, Toyota M, Tokino T, Imai K, Houkin K, Sato N. Regulation of MHC class II expression in glioma cells by class II transactivator (CIITA). Glia 2004; 45:392-405. [PMID: 14966870 DOI: 10.1002/glia.10343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We first classified 12 malignant glioma cell lines into three different groups (types 1-3) with respect to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression and analyzed each group based on the different expression status of the class II transactivator (CIITA) gene. Glioma type 1 (2 of 12) showed constitutive expression of all class II molecules that might be mediated by activation of B cell-specific CIITA promoter III. Glioma type 2 represented the major phenotype (66.7 %) of malignant glioma cell lines, and MHC class II expression was induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in this phenotype. Analysis of glioma tissue samples revealed that CIITA promoter IV was detected in 9 of 11 patients (81.8%); however, promoter III was only in two (18.2%). Moreover, cultured glioma cells obtained from a fresh tumor sample upregulated expression of CIITA and class II molecules in the presence of IFN-gamma, strongly suggesting that glioma type 2 might be predominant in glioma tissues. Glioma type 3 (2 of 12) showed CIITA transcripts but loss of MHC class II expression even in the presence of IFN-gamma. In addition, we determined that the constitutive MHC class II expression in the glioma cell lines (type 1) was the result of transcriptional activation of the CIITA gene. This phenomenon was mediated by global histone acetylation over 6 kb upstream from the transcriptional start site of CIITA promoter III. Moreover, stable transfection of CIITA promoter IV as well as promoter III into MHC class II inducible cell lines restored the constitutive expression of all class II molecules. These studies lay the foundation to understand the molecular basis for the expression of class II molecules in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Takamura
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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46
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Morimoto Y, Toyota M, Satoh A, Murai M, Mita H, Suzuki H, Takamura Y, Ikeda H, Ishida T, Sato N, Tokino T, Imai K. Inactivation of class II transactivator by DNA methylation and histone deacetylation associated with absence of HLA-DR induction by interferon-gamma in haematopoietic tumour cells. Br J Cancer 2004; 90:844-52. [PMID: 14970863 PMCID: PMC2410180 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
By presenting immunogenic peptides at the cell surface, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules play a key role in the control of adaptive immune responses. Whether expressed constitutively or induced by interferon-γ, expression of MHC class II molecules is regulated via coactivator class II transactivator (CIITA); moreover, suppression of their expression is one mechanism by which cancer cells escape host immunity. In this study, we surveyed the relationship between the expression of one MHC class II antigen, HLA–DR, and its coactivators in a group of haematopoietic cell lines, and explored the role of the aberrant DNA methylation in silencing HLA-DR expression. Among 26 cell lines studied, HLA-DR expression was lost from eight T-cell and two myeloid leukaemia cell lines, and this loss was closely associated with suppression of CIITA-PIV expression. Notably, nine of the 10 cell lines that lost CIITA-PIV expression showed methylation of the gene's 5′ CpG island. Thus, DNA methylation is believed to inhibit the expression of MHC class II molecules in haematopoietic tumour cells by silencing its coactivator, CIITA-PIV. Furthermore, methylation of CIITA-PIV was detected in seven of 32 primary acute myeloid leukaemia specimens, indicating that epigenetic alteration is not a cell line-specific phenomenon. Collectively, these data suggest that, by suppressing expression of MHC class II molecules, epigenetic inactivation of CIITA provides a survival advantage to a subset of haematopoietic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Morimoto
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - M Toyota
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan. E-mail:
| | - A Satoh
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - M Murai
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - H Mita
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - H Suzuki
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - Y Takamura
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, South 1,West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - H Ikeda
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, South 1,West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - T Ishida
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - N Sato
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University, South 1,West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - T Tokino
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
| | - K Imai
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
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Prod'homme T, Dekel B, Barbieri G, Lisowska-Grospierre B, Katz R, Charron D, Alcaide-Loridan C, Pollack S. Splicing defect in RFXANK results in a moderate combined immunodeficiency and long-duration clinical course. Immunogenetics 2003; 55:530-9. [PMID: 14574520 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-003-0609-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2003] [Revised: 08/25/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
MHC class II deficiency provokes a severe immunodeficiency characterized by a lack of antigen-specific immune response. In the absence of bone marrow transplantation (the only curative treatment), patients affected by this genetic recessive disease die in early childhood. However, others and we have recently described cases of mild or asymptomatic immunodeficiencies with defects in either CIITA (class II transactivator) or RFX5, both proteins required for the transcription of HLA-D genes. We describe in this report the first case of moderate immunodeficiency resulting from a defect in RFXANK, another transcription factor essential for HLA-D expression. The patient did not display any detectable expression of MHC class II molecules on B lymphocytes, monocytes or activated T lymphocytes. Accordingly HLA-D transcription was altered in the corresponding B-lymphoblastoid cell line. The defect in RFXANK was observed both at the transcript and protein level. Indeed a homozygous IVS4+5G>A mutation was evidenced in RFXANK, and shown to hamper the splicing of intron 4. However, we had shown previously that a defect in intron 4 can lead to the skipping of exon 4, and that the resulting truncated protein retains the capacity to activate HLA-DR expression. Therefore, like the two cases of moderate immunodeficiencies described previously, we demonstrate that the RFXANK defect presented here is coherent with a residual activity of the mutant protein. We thus propose that the common feature displayed by mildly immunodeficient patients is the leakiness of the mutations, which might allow a local or temporal expression of MHC class II molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Prod'homme
- INSERM U396, Centre de Recherches Biomedicales des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l'Ecole de Medecine, 75006 Paris, France
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Muczynski KA, Ekle DM, Coder DM, Anderson SK. Normal human kidney HLA-DR-expressing renal microvascular endothelial cells: characterization, isolation, and regulation of MHC class II expression. J Am Soc Nephrol 2003; 14:1336-48. [PMID: 12707403 DOI: 10.1097/01.asn.0000061778.08085.9f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human, but not murine, renal peritubular and glomerular capillaries constitutively express class II major histocompatibility (MHC) proteins at high levels in normal human kidney. Expression of class II proteins on renal microvascular endothelial cells (RMEC) makes it available to circulating lymphocytes and imparts a surveillance capacity to RMEC for controlling inflammatory responses. In this report, the co-expression of HLA-DR and the endothelial marker CD31 are used to identify RMEC as a distinct population of cells within a standard renal biopsy using flow cytometry. A three-laser, multicolor flow cytometry analysis using Alexa dyes, developed for characterizing the expression of cell surface antigens, identifies RMEC as a population separate from HLA-DR-expressing leukocytes. HLA-DR RMEC co-express HLA-DP and HLA-DQ. RMEC also express the T cell costimulatory factor CD58 but not CD80, CD86, or CD40. On the basis of high HLA-DR expression, RMEC are isolated for culture using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and magnetic beads. Cultured RMEC require normal basal physiologic concentrations of gamma interferon (gammaIFN) to maintain HLA protein expression. This expression is regulated by CIITA, the MHC class II-specific transcription factor. Four tissue-specific promoters have been described for CIITA. In freshly isolated RMEC, RT-PCR and hybridization using specific oligonucleotide probes to CIITA promoter sequences identify only the statin-sensitive gammaIFN-induced promoter IV of CIITA. Therefore, the constitutive expression of HLA-DR on RMEC in normal human kidney is located in a position for immune surveillance, depends on basal physiologic concentrations of gammaIFN, and may be amenable to regulation with statins.
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Bernsen MR, Håkansson L, Gustafsson B, Krysander L, Rettrup B, Ruiter D, Håkansson A. On the biological relevance of MHC class II and B7 expression by tumour cells in melanoma metastases. Br J Cancer 2003; 88:424-31. [PMID: 12569387 PMCID: PMC2747534 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of studies have indicated that specific immune reactivity plays a crucial role in the control of malignant melanoma. In this context, expression of MHC I, MHC II and B7 molecules by melanoma cells is seen as relevant for the immune response against the tumour. For a better understanding of the biological relevance of MHC II and B7 expression by tumour cells in metastatic melanoma, we studied the expression of these molecules in melanoma metastases in relation to the inflammatory response, regression of the tumour and survival from 27 patients treated with biochemotherapy (30 mg m(-2) Cisplatin and 250 mg m(-2) decarbazine (dimethyl-triazene-imidazole-carboxamide, DTIC) on days 1-3 i.v., and 10(7) IU IFN-alpha 2b 3 days a week s.c., q. 28d). In 19 out of 27 lesions studied, we found expression of MHC II by the tumour cells, while only in one out of 11 tumour biopsies obtained from untreated metastatic melanoma patients, MHC II expression was detected. Expression of B7.1 and B7.2 by tumour cells was found in nine out of 24 and 19 out of 24 lesions, respectively. In all cases where B7.1 expression was found, expression of B7.2 by the tumour cells was also seen. In general, no or only few inflammatory cells positive for B7 were found. Expression of MHC II by tumour cells was positively correlated with the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, regression of the lesion, and with time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) of the patient. However, no significant correlation between B7.1 or B7.2 expression and regression of the tumour, TTP or OS was found. In light of other recent findings, these data altogether do support a role as biomarker for MHC II expression by tumour cells; however, its exact immunological pathomechanism(s) remain to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Bernsen
- Division of Clinical Tumour Immunology, Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
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Lüder CGK, Lang C, Giraldo-Velasquez M, Algner M, Gerdes J, Gross U. Toxoplasma gondii inhibits MHC class II expression in neural antigen-presenting cells by down-regulating the class II transactivator CIITA. J Neuroimmunol 2003; 134:12-24. [PMID: 12507768 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00320-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression by microglia and astrocytes is critical for CD4+-mediated immune responses within the central nervous system. Here, we demonstrate that the obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, down-regulates activation-induced MHC class II expression in human-derived glioblastoma cells as well as in primary astrocytes and microglia from cortices of rat fetuses. Down-regulation of MHC class II proteins was predominantly observed in parasite-positive, but not parasite-negative, host cells of T. gondii-infected cell cultures. MHC class II transcript levels induced by IFN-gamma alone or in combination with TNF-alpha were also clearly diminished after parasitic infection. Furthermore, T. gondii dose-dependently down-regulated the transcript levels of the class II transactivator CIITA. These results suggest that T. gondii partially evade CD4+-mediated intracerebral immune responses, a mechanism which may contribute to long-term persistence of the parasite within the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten G K Lüder
- Department of Bacteriology, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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