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Enzler T, Shi J, McGue J, Griffith BD, Sun L, Sahai V, Nathan H, Frankel TL. A Comparison of Spatial and Phenotypic Immune Profiles of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Precursor Lesions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2953. [PMID: 38474199 PMCID: PMC10932200 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with a 5-year survival rate of 12.5%. PDAC predominantly arises from non-cystic pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and cystic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). We used multiplex immunofluorescence and computational imaging technology to characterize, map, and compare the immune microenvironments (IMEs) of PDAC and its precursor lesions. We demonstrate that the IME of IPMN was abundantly infiltrated with CD8+ T cells and PD-L1-positive antigen-presenting cells (APCs), whereas the IME of PanIN contained fewer CD8+ T cells and fewer PD-L1-positive APCs but elevated numbers of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Thus, immunosuppression in IPMN and PanIN seems to be mediated by different mechanisms. While immunosuppression in IPMN is facilitated by PD-L1 expression on APCs, Tregs seem to play a key role in PanIN. Our findings suggest potential immunotherapeutic interventions for high-risk precursor lesions, namely, targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in IPMN and CTLA-4-positive Tregs in PanIN to restore immunosurveillance and prevent progression to cancer. Tregs accumulate with malignant transformation, as observed in PDAC, and to a lesser extent in IPMN-associated PDAC (IAPA). High numbers of Tregs in the microenvironment of PDAC went along with a markedly decreased interaction between CD8+ T cells and cancerous epithelial cells (ECs), highlighting the importance of Tregs as key players in immunosuppression in PDAC. We found evidence that a defect in antigen presentation, further aggravated by PD-L1 expression on APC, may contribute to immunosuppression in IAPA, suggesting a role for PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of IAPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Enzler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Jake McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.); (B.D.G.); (L.S.); (H.N.)
| | - Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.); (B.D.G.); (L.S.); (H.N.)
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.); (B.D.G.); (L.S.); (H.N.)
| | - Vaibhav Sahai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hari Nathan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.); (B.D.G.); (L.S.); (H.N.)
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.M.); (B.D.G.); (L.S.); (H.N.)
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Griffith BD, Frankel TL. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: Impact on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Modulation as a Potential Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:472. [PMID: 38339226 PMCID: PMC10854841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ubiquitous nuclear receptor with a broad range of functions, both in tumor cells and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Activation of AhR has been shown to have a carcinogenic effect in a variety of organs, through induction of cellular proliferation and migration, promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and inhibition of apoptosis, among other functions. However, the impact on immune cell function is more complicated, with both pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles identified. Although targeting AhR in cancer has shown significant promise in pre-clinical studies, there has been limited efficacy in phase III clinical trials to date. With the contrasting roles of AhR activation on immune cell polarization, understanding the impact of AhR activation on the tumor immune microenvironment is necessary to guide therapies targeting the AhR. This review article summarizes the state of knowledge of AhR activation on the TME, limitations of current findings, and the potential for modulation of the AhR as a cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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3
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Griffith BD, Lazarus J, McGue J, Krishnan S, D’Angelica MI, Shia J, Dobrosotskaya I, Shi J, Edwards J, Rao A, Frankel TL. Unique characteristics of the tumor immune microenvironment in young patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1289402. [PMID: 38152402 PMCID: PMC10751347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1289402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains a common and highly morbid disease, with a recent increase in incidence in patients younger than 50 years. There is an acute need to better understand differences in tumor biology, molecular characteristics, and other age-related differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods 111 patients undergoing curative-intent resection of colorectal liver metastases were stratified by age into those <50 years or >65 years old, and tumors were subjected to multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC) to characterize immune infiltration and cellular engagement. Results There was no difference in infiltration or proportion of immune cells based upon age, but the younger cohort had a higher proportion of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)+ expressing antigen presenting cells (APCs) and demonstrated decreased intercellular distance and increased cellular engagement between tumor cells (TCs) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and between TCs and APCs. These trends were independent of microsatellite instability in tumors. Discussion Age-related differences in PD-L1 expression and cellular engagement in the tumor microenvironment of patients with mCRC, findings which were unrelated to microsatellite status, suggest a more active immune microenvironment in younger patients that may offer an opportunity for therapeutic intervention with immune based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jenny Lazarus
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jake McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Santhoshi Krishnan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michael I. D’Angelica
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jinru Shia
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Irina Dobrosotskaya
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jaiqi Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jacob Edwards
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Arvind Rao
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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4
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Novak EA, Crawford EC, Mentrup HL, Griffith BD, Fletcher DM, Flanagan MR, Schneider C, Firek B, Rogers MB, Morowitz MJ, Piganelli JD, Wang Q, Mollen KP. Epithelial NAD + depletion drives mitochondrial dysfunction and contributes to intestinal inflammation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1231700. [PMID: 37744380 PMCID: PMC10512956 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1231700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We have previously demonstrated that a pathologic downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) within the intestinal epithelium contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanism underlying downregulation of PGC1α expression and activity during IBD is not yet clear. Methods Mice (male; C57Bl/6, Villincre/+;Pgc1afl/fl mice, and Pgc1afl/fl) were subjected to experimental colitis and treated with nicotinamide riboside. Western blot, high-resolution respirometry, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) quantification, and immunoprecipitation were used to in this study. Results We demonstrate a significant depletion in the NAD+ levels within the intestinal epithelium of mice undergoing experimental colitis, as well as humans with ulcerative colitis. While we found no decrease in the levels of NAD+-synthesizing enzymes within the intestinal epithelium of mice undergoing experimental colitis, we did find an increase in the mRNA level, as well as the enzymatic activity, of the NAD+-consuming enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1). Treatment of mice undergoing experimental colitis with an NAD+ precursor reduced the severity of colitis, restored mitochondrial function, and increased active PGC1α levels; however, NAD+ repletion did not benefit transgenic mice that lack PGC1α within the intestinal epithelium, suggesting that the therapeutic effects require an intact PGC1α axis. Discussion Our results emphasize the importance of PGC1α expression to both mitochondrial health and homeostasis within the intestinal epithelium and suggest a novel therapeutic approach for disease management. These findings also provide a mechanistic basis for clinical trials of nicotinamide riboside in IBD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Novak
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Erin C. Crawford
- Division of Gastroenterology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Heather L. Mentrup
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - David M. Fletcher
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | | | - Corinne Schneider
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian Firek
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Matthew B. Rogers
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Michael J. Morowitz
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jon D. Piganelli
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kevin P. Mollen
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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5
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Carpenter ES, Elhossiny AM, Kadiyala P, Li J, McGue J, Griffith BD, Zhang Y, Edwards J, Nelson S, Lima F, Donahue KL, Du W, Bischoff AC, Alomari D, Watkoske HR, Mattea M, The S, Espinoza CE, Barrett M, Sonnenday CJ, Olden N, Chen CT, Peterson N, Gunchick V, Sahai V, Rao A, Bednar F, Shi J, Frankel TL, Pasca di Magliano M. Analysis of Donor Pancreata Defines the Transcriptomic Signature and Microenvironment of Early Neoplastic Lesions. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1324-1345. [PMID: 37021392 PMCID: PMC10236159 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The adult healthy human pancreas has been poorly studied given the lack of indication to obtain tissue from the pancreas in the absence of disease and rapid postmortem degradation. We obtained pancreata from brain dead donors, thus avoiding any warm ischemia time. The 30 donors were diverse in age and race and had no known pancreas disease. Histopathologic analysis of the samples revealed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions in most individuals irrespective of age. Using a combination of multiplex IHC, single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics, we provide the first-ever characterization of the unique microenvironment of the adult human pancreas and of sporadic PanIN lesions. We compared healthy pancreata to pancreatic cancer and peritumoral tissue and observed distinct transcriptomic signatures in fibroblasts and, to a lesser extent, macrophages. PanIN epithelial cells from healthy pancreata were remarkably transcriptionally similar to cancer cells, suggesting that neoplastic pathways are initiated early in tumorigenesis. SIGNIFICANCE Precursor lesions to pancreatic cancer are poorly characterized. We analyzed donor pancreata and discovered that precursor lesions are detected at a much higher rate than the incidence of pancreatic cancer, setting the stage for efforts to elucidate the microenvironmental and cell-intrinsic factors that restrain or, conversely, promote malignant progression. See related commentary by Hoffman and Dougan, p. 1288. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen S. Carpenter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ahmed M. Elhossiny
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Padma Kadiyala
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jay Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jake McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Yaqing Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jacob Edwards
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sarah Nelson
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Fatima Lima
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Wenting Du
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Danyah Alomari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Michael Mattea
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Stephanie The
- Cancer Data Science Resource, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Meredith Barrett
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | | | - Chin-Tung Chen
- Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nicole Peterson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Valerie Gunchick
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Vaibhav Sahai
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Arvind Rao
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Cancer Data Science Resource, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Filip Bednar
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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6
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McGue JJ, Edwards JJ, Griffith BD, Frankel TL. Multiplex Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry for Preservation of Tumor Microenvironment Architecture and Spatial Relationship of Cells in Tumor Tissues. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2660:235-246. [PMID: 37191801 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3163-8_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of immune cells, antigens, and local soluble factors, is integral to cancer development and progression. Traditional techniques such as immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or flow cytometry limit the analysis of spatial data and cellular interactions within the TME, as they are restricted to colocalization of a small number of antigens or the loss of tissue architecture. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC) allows for detection of multiple antigens within a single tissue sample, providing a more comprehensive description of tissue composition and spatial interactions within the TME. This technique utilizes antigen retrieval, application of primary and secondary antibodies, followed by a tyramide-based chemical reaction to covalently bind a fluorophore to an epitope of interest and, eventually, stripping of the antibodies. This allows for multiple rounds of antibody application without concern for species cross-reactivity, as well as signal amplification which abrogates the autofluorescence that frequently plagues analysis of fixed tissues. As such, mfIHC can be used to quantify multiple cellular populations and their interactions, in situ, unlocking key biologic data that was previously unavailable. This chapter provides an overview of the experimental design, staining, and imaging strategies using a manual technique in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake J McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jacob J Edwards
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian D Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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7
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Griffith BD, Turcotte S, Lazarus J, Lima F, Bell S, Delrosario L, McGue J, Krishnan S, Oneka MD, Nathan H, Smith JJ, D’Angelica MI, Shia J, Di Magliano MP, Rao A, Frankel TL. MHC Class II Expression Influences the Composition and Distribution of Immune Cells in the Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4092. [PMID: 36077630 PMCID: PMC9454847 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in therapy over the past decades, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains a highly morbid disease. While the impact of MHC-I on immune infiltration in mCRC has been well studied, data on the consequences of MHC-II loss are lacking. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC) was performed on 149 patients undergoing curative intent resection for mCRC and stratified into high and low human leukocyte antigen isotype DR (HLA-DR) expressing tumors. Intratumoral HLA-DR expression was found in stromal bands, and its expression level was associated with different infiltrating immune cell makeup and distribution. Low HLA-DR expression was associated with increased intercellular distances and decreased population mixing of T helper cells and antigen-presenting cells (APC), suggestive of decreased interactions. This was associated with less co-localization of tumor cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which tended to be in a less activated state as determined by Ki67 and granzyme B expression. These findings suggest that low HLA-DR in the tumor microenvironment of mCRC may reflect a state of poor helper T-cell interactions with APCs and CTL-mediated anti-tumor activity. Efforts to restore/enhance MHC-II presentation may be a useful strategy to enhance checkpoint inhibition therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Simon Turcotte
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 3E4, Canada
| | - Jenny Lazarus
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Fatima Lima
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Samantha Bell
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Jake McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Santhoshi Krishnan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Morgan D. Oneka
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hari Nathan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - J. Joshua Smith
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael I. D’Angelica
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jinru Shia
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Arvind Rao
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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8
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Vincent G, Novak EA, Siow VS, Cunningham KE, Griffith BD, Comerford TE, Mentrup HL, Stolz DB, Loughran P, Ranganathan S, Mollen KP. Nix-Mediated Mitophagy Modulates Mitochondrial Damage During Intestinal Inflammation. Antioxid Redox Signal 2020; 33:1-19. [PMID: 32103677 PMCID: PMC7262642 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2018.7702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aims: Mitochondrial stress and dysfunction within the intestinal epithelium are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the importance of mitophagy during intestinal inflammation remains poorly understood. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how the mitophagy protein BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein-interacting protein 3-like (BNIP3L/NIX) mitigates mitochondrial damage during intestinal inflammation in the hopes that these data will allow us to target mitochondrial health in the intestinal epithelium as an adjunct to immune-based treatment strategies. Results: In the intestinal epithelium of patients with ulcerative colitis, we found that NIX was upregulated and targeted to the mitochondria. We obtained similar findings in wild-type mice undergoing experimental colitis. An increase in NIX expression was found to depend on stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1α), which binds to the Nix promoter region. Using the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger MitoTEMPO, we were able to attenuate disease and inhibit both HIF1α stabilization and subsequent NIX expression, suggesting that mitochondrially derived ROS are crucial to initiating the mitophagic response during intestinal inflammation. We subjected a global Nix-/- mouse to dextran sodium sulfate colitis and found that these mice developed worse disease. In addition, Nix-/- mice were found to exhibit increased mitochondrial mass, likely due to the inability to clear damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria. Innovation: These results demonstrate the importance of mitophagy within the intestinal epithelium during IBD pathogenesis. Conclusion: NIX-mediated mitophagy is required to maintain intestinal homeostasis during inflammation, highlighting the impact of mitochondrial damage on IBD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garret Vincent
- Division of Pediatric Surgery; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Novak
- Division of Pediatric Surgery; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vei Shaun Siow
- Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kellie E Cunningham
- Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Heather L Mentrup
- Division of Pediatric Surgery; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Donna B Stolz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patricia Loughran
- Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Kevin P Mollen
- Division of Pediatric Surgery; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Surgery and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Kelley BP, Corrigan JJ, Patel SC, Griffith BD. Neuropsychiatric Lupus with Antibody-Mediated Striatal Encephalitis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018; 39:2263-2269. [PMID: 30467216 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies resulting in tissue injury across multiple organs; up to 50% of patients develop neurologic involvement, collectively referred to as neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. The cases in this clinical report will highlight a subtype of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus demonstrating imaging findings of striatal inflammation responsive to plasmapheresis similar to those in the subset of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor autoimmune encephalitis that involves the striatum. Although the cause for this striking imaging appearance is not definitely known, literature will be presented supporting the hypothesis that it is due to peripheral anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies entering the central nervous system to cross-react with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Kelley
- From the Department of Neuroradiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan.
| | - J J Corrigan
- From the Department of Neuroradiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
| | - S C Patel
- From the Department of Neuroradiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
| | - B D Griffith
- From the Department of Neuroradiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
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10
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Cunningham KE, Novak EA, Vincent G, Siow VS, Griffith BD, Ranganathan S, Rosengart MR, Piganelli JD, Mollen KP. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) activation contributes to the pathogenesis of experimental colitis via inhibition of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. FASEB J 2018; 33:1330-1346. [PMID: 30113881 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800535r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasing worldwide. IBD is known to be multifactorial, but inflammatory signaling within the intestinal epithelium and a subsequent failure of the intestinal epithelial barrier have been shown to play essential roles in disease pathogenesis. CaMKIV is a multifunctional protein kinase associated with inflammation and cell cycle regulation. CaMKIV has been extensively studied in autoimmune diseases, but a role in idiopathic intestinal inflammation has not been described. In this study, active CaMKIV was highly expressed within the intestinal epithelium of humans with ulcerative colitis and wild-type (WT) mice with experimental induced colitis. Clinical disease severity directly correlates with CaMKIV activation, as does expression of proinflammatory cytokines and histologic features of colitis. In WT mice, CaMKIV activation is associated with increases in expression of 2 cell cycle proarrest signals: p53 and p21. Cell cycle arrest inhibits proliferation of the intestinal epithelium and ultimately results in compromised intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, further perpetuating intestinal inflammation during experimental colitis. Using a CaMKIV null mutant mouse, we demonstrate that a loss of CaMKIV protects against murine DSS colitis. Small molecules targeting CaMKIV activation may provide therapeutic benefit for patients with IBD.-Cunningham, K. E., Novak, E. A., Vincent, G., Siow, V. S., Griffith, B. D., Ranganathan, S., Rosengart, M. R., Piganelli, J. D., Mollen, K. P. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) activation contributes to the pathogenesis of experimental colitis via inhibition of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie E Cunningham
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Novak
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Garret Vincent
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vei Shaun Siow
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brian D Griffith
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarangarajan Ranganathan
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew R Rosengart
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jon D Piganelli
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kevin P Mollen
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Tavenor NA, Reinert ZE, Lengyel GA, Griffith BD, Horne WS. Comparison of design strategies for α-helix backbone modification in a protein tertiary fold. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:3789-92. [PMID: 26853882 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc00273k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We report here the comparison of five classes of unnatural amino acid building blocks for their ability to be accommodated into an α-helix in a protein tertiary fold context. High-resolution structural characterization and analysis of folding thermodynamics yield new insights into the relationship between backbone composition and folding energetics in α-helix mimetics and suggest refined design rules for engineering the backbones of natural sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Tavenor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Zachary E Reinert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - George A Lengyel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Brian D Griffith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - W Seth Horne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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12
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Lengyel GA, Reinert ZE, Griffith BD, Horne WS. Comparison of backbone modification in protein β-sheets by α→γ residue replacement and α-residue methylation. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 12:5375-81. [PMID: 24909436 DOI: 10.1039/c4ob00886c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The mimicry of protein tertiary structure by oligomers with unnatural backbones is a significant contemporary research challenge. Among common elements of secondary structure found in natural proteins, sheets have proven the most difficult to address. Here, we report the systematic comparison of different strategies for peptide backbone modification in β-sheets with the goal of identifying the best method for replacing a multi-stranded sheet in a protein tertiary fold. The most effective sheet modifications examined led to native-like tertiary folding behavior with a thermodynamic folded stability comparable to the prototype protein on which the modified backbones are based.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Lengyel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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