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Thome CD, Tausche P, Hohenberger K, Yang Z, Krammer S, Trufa DI, Sirbu H, Schmidt J, Finotto S. Short-chain fatty acids induced lung tumor cell death and increased peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in NSCLC and control patients ex vivo. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1328263. [PMID: 38650948 PMCID: PMC11033355 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1328263] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Despite therapy advances, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths still remains lung cancer. To improve current treatments or prevent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the role of the nutrition in cancer onset and progression needs to be understood in more detail. While in colorectal cancer, the influence of local microbiota derived SCFAs have been well investigated, the influence of SCFA on lung cancer cells via peripheral blood immune system should be investigated more deeply. In this respect, nutrients absorbed via the gut might affect the tumor microenvironment (TME) and thus play an important role in tumor cell growth. Objective This study focuses on the impact of the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) Sodium Butyrate (SB), on lung cancer cell survival. We previously described a pro-tumoral role of glucose on A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line. In this study, we wanted to know if SB would counteract the effect of glucose and thus cultured A549 and H520 in vitro with and without SB in the presence or absence of glucose and investigated how the treatment with SB affects the survival of lung cancer cells and its influence on immune cells fighting against lung cancer. Methods In this study, we performed cell culture experiments with A549, H520 and NSCLC-patient-derived epithelial cells under different SB levels. To investigate the influence on the immune system, we performed in vitro culture of peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) from control, smoker and lung cancer patients with increasing SB concentrations. Results To investigate the effect of SB on lung tumor cells, we first analyzed the effect of 6 different concentrations of SB on A549 cells at 48 and 72 hours cell culture. Here we found that, SB treatment reduced lung cancer cell survival in a concentration dependent manner. We next focused our deeper analysis on the two concentrations, which caused the maximal reduction in cell survival. Here, we observed that SB led to cell cycle arrest and induced early apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells. The expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins and A549 lung cancer stem cell markers (CD90) was induced. Additionally, this study explored the role of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and its receptor (IFN-γ-R1) in combination with SB treatment, revealing that, although IFN-γ-R1 expression was increased, IFN-γ did not affect the efficacy of SB in reducing tumor cell viability. Furthermore, we examined the effects of SB on immune cells, specifically CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells from healthy individuals, smokers, and NSCLC patients. SB treatment resulted in a decreased production of IFN-γ and granzyme B in CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Moreover, SB induced IFN-γ-R1 in NK cells and CD4+ T cells in the absence of glucose both in PBMCs from controls and NSCLC subjects. Conclusion Overall, this study highlights the potential of SB in inhibiting lung cancer cell growth, triggering apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, and modulating immune responses by activating peripheral blood CD4+ T cells while selectively inducing IFN-γ-R1 in NK cells in peripheral blood and inhibiting peripheral blood CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of action of SB in the TME and its influence on the immune system provide valuable insights of potentially considering SB as a candidate for adjunctive therapies in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin D. Thome
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Tausche
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Katja Hohenberger
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Zuqin Yang
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Krammer
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Denis I. Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Joachim Schmidt
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Medical School Hospital Erlangen (UKER) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
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Hartmann P, Trufa DI, Hohenberger K, Tausche P, Trump S, Mittler S, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Schieweck O, Sirbu H, Hartmann A, Finotto S. Contribution of serum lipids and cholesterol cellular metabolism in lung cancer development and progression. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5662. [PMID: 37024569 PMCID: PMC10079859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31575-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoplasms of the lungs are the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. Although immunotherapy has increased the overall survival of patients with lung cancer, there is the need to improve this treatment. At this regard, blood lipid levels are thought to be linked to cancer risk and thus a preventive intervention through regulation of the nutrition of patients with lung cancer is gaining much attention. In this study, we therefore asked about the contribution of serum lipids and cholesterol cellular metabolism in lung cancer development and progression. We measured different serum lipids and analyzed cholesterol synthesis enzymes 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and acetyl-coenzyme A cholesterol acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) as well as the cholesterol cellular export protein ATP-binding cassette (ABC) A-1 mRNA by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the control and tumoral regions of post-surgery lung tissues to analyze the accumulation of cholesterol in cancer cells in a cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We found that triglycerides in serum directly correlated with the body mass index (BMI) in patients with LUAD. By contrast, we found that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol inversely correlated with the BMI, C-reactive protein (CRP) and overall survival and total cholesterol inversely correlated with the tumor diameter, serum CRP and overall survival in these LUAD patients. Functionally, the role of cholesterol is indispensable for the growth and development of normal animal cells where it is tightly regulated. Excess of cellular cholesterol regulated by HMGCR is converted to cholesteryl esters by the enzyme ACAT1 and exported extracellularly by the cholesterol transporter ABCA1. Here we found HMGCR and ACAT1 upregulated and ABCA1 downregulated in the lung's tumoral region of our LUAD cohort, indicating cholesterol dysregulated cellular export in lung tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Hartmann
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katja Hohenberger
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Tausche
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja Trump
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Mittler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf J Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Schieweck
- Laboratory of Clinic Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91052, Erlangen, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.
- Laboratories of Cellular and Molecular Lung Immunology, Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany.
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Gähler A, Trufa DI, Chiriac MT, Tausche P, Hohenberger K, Brunst AK, Rauh M, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Krammer S, Leberle A, Neurath MF, Sirbu H, Hartmann A, Finotto S. Glucose-Restricted Diet Regulates the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Prevents Tumor Growth in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:873293. [PMID: 35574343 PMCID: PMC9102798 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.873293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundLung cancer is the second common cancer type in western countries and has a high mortality. During the development and progression of the tumor, the nutrients in its environment play a central role. The tumor cells depend crucially on glucose metabolism and uptake. Tumor cell metabolism is dominated by the Warburg effect, where tumor cells produce large amounts of lactate from pyruvate under aerobic conditions. We thus reasoned that, reducing carbohydrates in the diet might support anti-tumoral effects of current immunotherapy and additionally target tumor immune escape.ObjectivesThe link between reducing carbohydrates to improve current immunotherapy is not clear. We thus aimed at analyzing the effects of different glucose levels on the tumor development, progression and the anti-tumoral immune response.MethodsWe correlated the clinical parameters of our LUAD cohort with different metabolic markers. Additionally, we performed cell culture experiments with A549 tumor cell line under different glucose levels. Lastly, we investigated the effect of low and high carbohydrate diet in an experimental murine model of lung cancer on the tumor progression and different immune subsets.ResultsHere we found a positive correlation between the body mass index (BMI), blood glucose levels, reduced overall survival (OS) and the expression of Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) in the lung tumoral region of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Furthermore, increasing extracellular glucose induced IGF1R expression in A549 LUAD cells. Functional studies in a murine model of LUAD demonstrated that, glucose restricted diet resulted in decreased tumor load in vivo. This finding was associated with increased presence of lung infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T effector memory (TEM), tissue resident memory T (TRM) and natural killer cells as well as reduced IGFR mRNA expression, suggesting that glucose restriction regulates lung immunity in the tumor microenvironment.ConclusionsThese results indicate that, glucose restricted diet improves lung immune responses of the host and suppresses tumor growth in experimental lung adenocarcinoma. As glucose levels in LUAD patients were negatively correlated to postoperative survival rates, glucose-restricted diet emerges as therapeutic avenue for patients with LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gähler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I. Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mircea T. Chiriac
- Department of Medicine 1 - Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Tausche
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katja Hohenberger
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Brunst
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Rauh
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I. Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf J. Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Krammer
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Leberle
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F. Neurath
- Department of Medicine 1 - Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Susetta Finotto,
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Heim L, Yang Z, Tausche P, Hohenberger K, Chiriac MT, Koelle J, Geppert CI, Kachler K, Miksch S, Graser A, Friedrich J, Kharwadkar R, Rieker RJ, Trufa DI, Sirbu H, Neurath MF, Kaplan MH, Finotto S. IL-9 Producing Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Treg Subsets Drive Immune Escape of Tumor Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:859738. [PMID: 35514957 PMCID: PMC9065342 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.859738] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, the mechanisms how lung cancer cells evade the immune system remain incompletely understood. Here, we discovered IL-9-dependent signaling mechanisms that drive immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found increased IL-9 and IL-21 production by T cells in the tumoral region of the lung of patients with NSCLC, suggesting the presence of Th9 cells in the lung tumor microenvironment. Moreover, we noted IL-9 producing Tregs in NSCLC. IL-9 target cells in NSCLC consisted of IL-9R+ tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In two murine experimental models of NSCLC, and in vitro, IL-9 prevented cell death and controlled growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Targeted deletion of IL-9 resulted in successful lung tumor rejection in vivo associated with an induction of IL-21 and reduction of Treg cells. Finally, anti-IL-9 antibody immunotherapy resulted in suppression of tumor development even in established experimental NSCLC and was associated with reduced IL-10 production in the lung. In conclusion, our findings indicate that IL-9 drives immune escape of lung tumor cells via effects on tumor cell survival and tumor infiltrating T cells. Thus, strategies blocking IL-9 emerge as a new approach for clinical therapy of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne Heim
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Zuqin Yang
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Tausche
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katja Hohenberger
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mircea T. Chiriac
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Koelle
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol-Immanuel Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katerina Kachler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Miksch
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Graser
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juliane Friedrich
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rakshin Kharwadkar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Ralf J. Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I. Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F. Neurath
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mark H. Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Susetta Finotto,
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Bénard A, Podolska MJ, Czubayko F, Kutschick I, Klösch B, Jacobsen A, Naschberger E, Brunner M, Krautz C, Trufa DI, Sirbu H, Lang R, Grützmann R, Weber GF. Pleural Resident Macrophages and Pleural IRA B Cells Promote Efficient Immunity Against Pneumonia by Inducing Early Pleural Space Inflammation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:821480. [PMID: 35493510 PMCID: PMC9047739 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.821480] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway infection is a major cause of mortality worldwide. The identification of new mechanisms aiding in effective host immune response is therefore required. Here, we show that the specific depletion of the pleural immune cell compartment during bacterial pneumonia resulted in a reduced pulmonary immune response and increased mortality in mice. Bacterial airway infection provoked early pleural space (PS) inflammation characterized by innate response activator (IRA) B cell development and pleural large resident macrophage (LRM) necroptosis, the repopulation of LRMs being driven by cellular proliferation in situ. Necroptotic LRMs amplified PS inflammation by stimulating pleural Mincle-expressing macrophages whereas IRA B cells contributed partially to GM-CSF-induced PS inflammation. Upon pulmonary infection, the induction of PS inflammation resulted in reduced bacterial burden whereas the specific depletion of pleural resident macrophages led to increased mortality and bacterial burden and reduced pulmonary immunity. Moreover, mice in which B cells were unable to produce GM-CSF exhibited reduced CD103+ dendritic cells and reduced CD4+ T cell numbers in the draining lymph node. Altogether, our results describe a previously unrecognized mechanism of pleural space inflammation necessary for effective protection against bacterial airway infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Bénard
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Malgorzata J. Podolska
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Czubayko
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabella Kutschick
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bettina Klösch
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anne Jacobsen
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Naschberger
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Brunner
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Krautz
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I. Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Roland Lang
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert Grützmann
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg F. Weber
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Georg F. Weber,
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Finotto S, Tausche P, Hohenberger K, Neurath L, Trufa DI, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Finotto S. Tumour immune evasion mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer by inducing Blimp-1 in CD4+CD25+Foxp-3+ T regulatory cells. The Journal of Immunology 2021. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.supp.56.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Immunotherapy improves the life expectancy of patients with lung cancer by targeting the immune inhibitory T cell surface markers resulting in the activation of anti-tumor T cell survival and suppression of tumor cell growth.
The transcription factor repressor Positive Regulatory Domain Containing Protein 1 (encoded in humans by the Prdm1 gene) also known as B lymphocytes-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1) affects the homeostasis and function of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as T regulatory cells (T regs).
We recently reported that Blimp-1 is induced in the lung tumoral region of patients with lung ADC. To further investigate whether Blimp-1 could be a candidate gene involved in the regulation of the anti-tumor immune-response in lung cancer, we started to investigate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy control subjects and NSCLC patients for Blimp-1 expression in immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T regs. The PBMCs were cultured with and without antiCD3/CD28 antibodies, without and with TGF-beta, to mimic the tumor microenvironment, for 4 days and subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry using antibodies against Blimp-1, Foxp3, CD4 and CD25(IL-2R alpha chain).
Here we found, by trend, induced CD4+Blimp1+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in unstimulated PBMCs from patients with lung cancer. Moreover, TGF-beta further induced these Blimp1+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in PBMCs obtained both from healthy controls and from NSCLC patients.
Taken together these data indicate that the tumor microenvironment induces Blimp-1 in immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs via TGF-beta.
Thus, current immunotherapy should be combined to TGF-beta inhibitors to target CD4+CD25+Blimp1+Foxp-3+ T regulatory cells.
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Hohenberger K, Trufa DI, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Finotto S. IL-2 decreased PU.1 and PD-1 expression in NK-cells in NSCLC patients. The Journal of Immunology 2021. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.supp.57.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The transcription factor PU box binding-1 (PU.1), which is encoded by the SPI1 gene, is required for the development of most myeloid cell lineages as well as B- and T cells. Consequently, an alteration of the SPI1 gene and thus PU.1 can have severe impact on the immune system. However, the role of PU.1 in cancer is not yet fully understood.
In this study, we were looking for a hint on the influence of PU.1 expression on various cell types during non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To start the investigation, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with NSCLC as well as from healthy controls. The PBMCs were cultured with different cytokines for 4 days and subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, RNA was isolated from the PBMCs and qPCR was performed.
The qPCR results showed induced PU.1 mRNA levels in NSCLC patients in relation to GAPDH, compared to control patients. By flow cytometry, we could detect higher PU.1 expression in CD56+ Natural killer (NK) cells from lung cancer patients compared to the healthy donors. Moreover, NK-cells from lung cancer patients, in contrast to healthy controls, expressed the immunosuppressive protein Programmed Death 1 (PD-1). Furthermore, PBMCs from NSCLC patients that were cultured with aCD3/aCD28 antibodies, showed suppression of PU.1 as well as PD-1 in NK-cells, which was even more prominent after addition of IL-2.
These preliminary data suggest, that conditions inducing T cell activation like IL-2 and antiCD3/antiCD28 stimulation, can downregulate both the transcription factor PU.1 and PD-1 in NK-cells in tumor patients. Thus, improvement of current immunotherapy could use additional IL-2, which targets PU-1 as well as PD-1 in NK cells in lung cancer.
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Tausche P, Trufa DI, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Finotto S. Lung tumor immune evasion mechanism in Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) targets pSTAT5 in CD4+CD25+FoxP3− T effector cells. The Journal of Immunology 2021. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.supp.56.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The mechanisms of lung cancer evading the immune system are still not fully understood. As regulatory T cells (Tregs) exhibit a pro-tumoral function they are in focus of immunotherapies. Peripheral Treg differentiation is driven by TCR and its co-stimulation. A further crucial signal displays the binding of IL-2 to the high affinity receptor CD25 with downstream involvement of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5). STAT5 activation as well as TGF-beta stimulation in the periphery leads to expression of the Treg key factor FoxP3.
In this study, we wanted to investigate the role of STAT5 and its activated status via phosphorylation (pSTAT5) within lung cancer. We thus isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from NSCLC patients and healthy donors. PBMCs were cultured under different stimulation conditions for 4 days and analyzed by FACS.
Here we found CD4+ T cells with high induction of pSTAT5A and CD25 upon aCD3 and aCD28 antibody treatment. Moreover, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs were detected under T cell activating conditions, and were found to be increased by TGFβ in smokers and NSCLC patients. The Treg population was further inducible by adding low doses of IL-2 while CD4+CD25+FoxP3− effector T cells decreased in the presence of TGFβ. Our findings point to an immunosuppressive microenvironment induced by the tumor with increased TGFβ and reduced IL-2 forcing effector T cells into a Treg state. These preliminary data suggest that current immunotherapy by aCD3/aCD28 antibody treatment could be improved by an additional blockade of TGFβ and induction of IL-2 levels. This treatment would result in an increase of CD4+CD25+pSTAT5+FoxP3− effector cells and a reduction of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+STAT5+ Tregs.
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Gähler A, Hohenberger K, Tausche P, Chiriac MT, Rauh M, Trufa DI, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Finotto S. Effects of glucose concentration in the tumor microenvironment on Non Small Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Progression. The Journal of Immunology 2021. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.206.supp.56.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the western world, with a high lethality and increasing incidence. One major factor, supporting tumor growth is a high sugar diet. Thus, reducing the sugar intake by different diets might be a way to improve current cancer treatment. These metabolic changes are accompanied by regulation of systemic levels of Insulin and insulin like growth factors. As oppose to normal cells, tumor cells metabolism mainly depends on glycolysis. Thus, reducing diet carbohydrate intake might be a way to improve current immunotherapy by inducing immunological changes caused by the extracellular glucose concentration in tumor microenvironment.
Therefore, we cultured the human lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) cell line A549 with different extracellular glucose concentrations to analyze effects by flow cytometry and qPCR. Moreover, lung tissue samples from patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), were analyzed by qPCR. In a murine model of lung ADC, tumor cells were injected intravenously and mice were fed with different diets. Lung cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry.
Here we show that, IGF1R expression is upregulated in A549 cells line, depending on increasing extracellular glucose concentration. Moreover, in studies on human cohorts of patients with NSCLC, we found a direct correlation between BMI and IGF1R expression and its downstream signaling. Finally, in a murine model of disease, diet glucose restriction decreased significantly tumor load associated with increased lung infiltrating CD8+ T-cells and tissue-resident memory T-cells.
Thus, this study supports the need to introduce glucose restrictions in the diet of patients with NSCLC in association with current immunotherapy.
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Tausche P, Trufa DI, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Neurath-Finotto S. Late Breaking Abstract - Role of phosphorylated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (pSTAT5) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung Cancer 2020. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.1643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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11
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Heim L, Kachler K, Siegmund R, Trufa DI, Mittler S, Geppert CI, Friedrich J, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Finotto S. Increased expression of the immunosuppressive interleukin-35 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 2019; 120:903-912. [PMID: 30956278 PMCID: PMC6734661 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The immunosuppressive role of the cytokine IL-35 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poorly understood. In this study, we analysed the localisation and regulation of IL-35 in the lung of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to further elucidate the immune-escape of cancer cells in perioperative course of disease. Methods Interleukin 35 (IL-35) was measured by ELISA in postoperative serum from 7 patients with NSCLC as well as 8 samples from healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry, FACS analysis, real-time PCR, as well as western blot from samples of the control (CTR), peri-tumoural (PT) and the tumoural (TU) region of the lung derived from patients with NSCLC and 10 controls were performed. Results Here we found elevated levels of IL-35 in the TU region as well as postoperative serum from patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Consistently, we found an increased expression of IL-35+Foxp-3+ cells, which associated with ARG1 mRNA expression and decreased TNFA in the TU region of the lung of patients with NSCLC as compared to their CTR region. Furthermore, in the CTR region of the lung of patients with NSCLC, CD68+ macrophages were induced and correlated with IL-35+ cells. Finally, IL-35 positively correlated with TTF-1+PD-L1+ cells in the TU region of NSCLC patients. Conclusions Induced IL-35+Foxp3+ cell numbers in the TU region of the lung of patients with NSCLC associated with ARG1 mRNA expression and with TTF-1+PD-L1+ cells. In the tumour-free CTR area, IL-35 correlated with CD68+ macrophages. Thus inhibitors to IL-35 would probably succeed in combination with antibodies against immune checkpoints like PD-L1 and PD-1 currently used against NSCLC because they would inhibit immunosuppressive macrophages and T regulatory cells while promoting T cell-mediated anti-tumoural immune responses in the microenvironment as well as the TU region of NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne Heim
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katerina Kachler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raphaela Siegmund
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Mittler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol-Immanuel Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juliane Friedrich
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf J Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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Friedrich J, Heim L, Trufa DI, Sirbu H, Rieker RJ, Chiriac MT, Finotto S. STAT1 deficiency supports PD-1/PD-L1 signaling resulting in dysfunctional TNFα mediated immune responses in a model of NSCLC. Oncotarget 2018; 9:37157-37172. [PMID: 30647851 PMCID: PMC6324686 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26441] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we described that Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) is a key point regulator of PD-1 in tumour infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 in Tumour associated macrophages (TAM) in NSCLC. In our murine model of adenocarcinoma targeted deletion of Stat1 was found associated with enhanced tumour growth, impaired differentiation into M1-like macrophages from the bone marrow, the accumulation of tumor associated macrophages overexpressing PD-L1 and impaired T cell responses in the tumor microenvironment by affecting TNFα responses. In our human NSCLC patient cohort we found that loss of isoforms STAT1 α and STAT1β mRNA in the tumoural region of the lung correlates with increased tumor size in NSCLC patients. Therefore, STAT1 isoform regulation could be considered for future therapeutical strategies associated to current immune-checkpoint blockade therapy in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Friedrich
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisanne Heim
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf J Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mircea T Chiriac
- Department of Medicine 1-Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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13
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Kachler K, Holzinger C, Trufa DI, Sirbu H, Finotto S. The role of Foxp3 and Tbet co-expressing Treg cells in lung carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1456612. [PMID: 30221050 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1456612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the opposite roles of Tbet and Foxp3 in the immune system as well as in tumour biology, recent studies have demonstrated the presence of of CD4+ T cells, expressing both, Tbet and Foxp3. Although Tbet+Foxp3+ T cells are currently a subject of intense research, less is known about their biological function especially in cancer. Here we found a considerable accumulation of Tbet+Foxp3+CD4+ T cells, mediated by the immunosuppressive cytokine TGFβ in the lungs of tumour bearing mice. This is in line with previous studies, demonstrating the important role of TGFβ for the immunopathogenesis of cancer. By gathering results both in murine model and in human disease, we demonstrate that, the conversion of IFNγ producing anti-tumoral T-bet+Th1 CD4+ T cells into immunosuppressive Tbet and Foxp3-PD1 co-expressing regulatory cells could represent an additional important mechanism of TGFβ-mediated blockade of anti-tumour immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Kachler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Corinna Holzinger
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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14
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Heim L, Friedrich J, Engelhardt M, Trufa DI, Geppert CI, Rieker RJ, Sirbu H, Finotto S. NFATc1 Promotes Antitumoral Effector Functions and Memory CD8 + T-cell Differentiation during Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Development. Cancer Res 2018; 78:3619-3633. [PMID: 29691251 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-3297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) is a transcription factor activated by T-cell receptor (TCR) and Ca2+ signaling that affects T-cell activation and effector function. Upon tumor antigen challenge, TCR and calcium-release-activated channels are induced, promoting NFAT dephosphorylation and translocation into the nucleus. In this study, we report a progressive decrease of NFATc1 in lung tumor tissue and in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of patients suffering from advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mice harboring conditionally inactivated NFATc1 in T cells (NFATc1ΔCD4) showed increased lung tumor growth associated with impaired T-cell activation and function. Furthermore, in the absence of NFATc1, reduced IL2 influenced the development of memory CD8+ T cells. We found a reduction of effector memory and CD103+ tissue-resident memory (TRM) T cells in the lung of tumor-bearing NFATc1ΔCD4 mice, underlining an impaired cytotoxic T-cell response and a reduced TRM tissue-homing capacity. In CD4+ICOS+ T cells, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) was induced in the draining lymph nodes of these mice and associated with lung tumor cell growth. Targeting PD-1 resulted in NFATc1 induction in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice and was associated with increased antitumor cytotoxic functions. This study reveals a role of NFATc1 in the activation and cytotoxic functions of T cells, in the development of memory CD8+ T-cell subsets, and in the regulation of T-cell exhaustion. These data underline the indispensability of NFATc1 for successful antitumor immune responses in patients with NSCLC.Significance: The multifaceted role of NFATc1 in the activation and function of T cells during lung cancer development makes it a critical participant in antitumor immune responses in patients with NSCLC. Cancer Res; 78(13); 3619-33. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne Heim
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juliane Friedrich
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marina Engelhardt
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf J Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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15
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Kachler K, Bailer M, Heim L, Schumacher F, Reichel M, Holzinger CD, Trump S, Mittler S, Monti J, Trufa DI, Rieker RJ, Hartmann A, Sirbu H, Kleuser B, Kornhuber J, Finotto S. Enhanced Acid Sphingomyelinase Activity Drives Immune Evasion and Tumor Growth in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2017; 77:5963-5976. [PMID: 28883000 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-3313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The lipid hydrolase enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is required for the conversion of the lipid cell membrane component sphingomyelin into ceramide. In cancer cells, ASM-mediated ceramide production is important for apoptosis, cell proliferation, and immune modulation, highlighting ASM as a potential multimodal therapeutic target. In this study, we demonstrate elevated ASM activity in the lung tumor environment and blood serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RNAi-mediated attenuation of SMPD1 in human NSCLC cells rendered them resistant to serum starvation-induced apoptosis. In a murine model of lung adenocarcinoma, ASM deficiency reduced tumor development in a manner associated with significant enhancement of Th1-mediated and cytotoxic T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Our findings indicate that targeting ASM in NSCLC can act by tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms to suppress tumor cell growth, most notably by enabling an effective antitumor immune response by the host. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5963-76. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Kachler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Bailer
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisanne Heim
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Schumacher
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Reichel
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Corinna D Holzinger
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja Trump
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Mittler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juliana Monti
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf J Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Burkhard Kleuser
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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16
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Eisenhut F, Heim L, Trump S, Mittler S, Sopel N, Andreev K, Ferrazzi F, Ekici AB, Rieker R, Springel R, Assmann VL, Lechmann M, Koch S, Engelhardt M, Warnecke C, Trufa DI, Sirbu H, Hartmann A, Finotto S. FAM13A is associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression and controls tumor cell proliferation and survival. Oncoimmunology 2016; 6:e1256526. [PMID: 28197372 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1256526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) associated Family with sequence similarity 13, member A (FAM13A) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occurrence. Here, we found increased numbers of FAM13A protein expressing cells in the tumoral region of lung tissues from a cohort of patients with NSCLC. Moreover, FAM13A inversely correlated with CTLA4 but directly correlated with HIF1α levels in the control region of these patients. Consistently, FAM13A RhoGAP was found to be associated with T cell effector molecules like HIF1α and Tbet and was downregulated in immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CTLA4+ T cells. TGFβ, a tumor suppressor factor, as well as siRNA to FAM13A, suppressed both isoforms of FAM13A and inhibited tumor cell proliferation. RNA-Seq analysis confirmed this finding. Moreover, siRNA to FAM13A induced TGFβ levels. Finally, in experimental tumor cell migration, FAM13A was induced and TGFβ accelerated this process by inducing cell migration, HIF1α, and the FAM13A RhoGAP isoform. Furthermore, siRNA to FAM13A inhibited tumor cell proliferation and induced cell migration without affecting HIF1α. In conclusion, FAM13A is involved in tumor cell proliferation and downstream of TGFβ and HIF1α, FAM13A RhoGAP is associated with Th1 gene expression and lung tumor cell migration. These findings identify FAM13A as key regulator of NSCLC growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Eisenhut
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisanne Heim
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja Trump
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Mittler
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nina Sopel
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katerina Andreev
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fulvia Ferrazzi
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arif B Ekici
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf Rieker
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Springel
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vera L Assmann
- Department of Immune Modulation, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Lechmann
- Department of Immune Modulation, Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sonja Koch
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marina Engelhardt
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Warnecke
- Department of Medicine 4, Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
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Gafencu D, Schreiner W, Beier JP, Trufa DI, Horch RE, Dudek W, Mykoliuk I, Gafencu GL, Sirbu H. Thoracomyoplasty with pedicled muscle flaps: a single center experience with a combined approach. Zentralbl Chir 2016. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1587565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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18
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Balabko L, Andreev K, Burmann N, Schubert M, Mathews M, Trufa DI, Reppert S, Rau T, Schicht M, Sirbu H, Hartmann A, Finotto S. Increased expression of the Th17-IL-6R/pSTAT3/BATF/RorγT-axis in the tumoural region of adenocarcinoma as compared to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7396. [PMID: 25491772 PMCID: PMC4261178 DOI: 10.1038/srep07396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we describe increased expression of IL6R in the tumoural region of lung tissue from patients affected by lung adenocarcinoma as compared to squamous cell lung carcinoma. Moreover, here we found increased IL6R in the tumour free part of the lung. By using a murine model of lung adenocarcinoma, we discovered that few lung tumour cells expressed IL-6R and CD4+CD25+Foxp-3+ T regulatory cells down-regulated IL-6R in the tumour bearing lungs. Downstream of IL-6R, the Th17 lineage-specification factors: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Basic leucine zipper transcription factor, BATF and a protein encoded by the RORC in human (RAR-related orphan receptor C) (RORγT), were also found induced in the tumoural region of lung tissue from patients affected by lung adenocarcinoma as compared to those carrying squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, pSTAT3 protein was found phosphorylated and auto-phosphorylated in the tumoural region of patients with adeno cell carcinoma of the lung as compared to the tumoural region of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Intranasal application of anti-IL-6R antibodies in a murine model of lung adenocarcinoma, induced T regulatory cell markers such as Foxp3, Ctla4, Icos, Il10, Il21, Folr4 and Lag3 and inhibited Rorc in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ljubov Balabko
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katerina Andreev
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nadine Burmann
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie Schubert
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martina Mathews
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Denis I Trufa
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Reppert
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tilmann Rau
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Schicht
- Department of Anatomy II, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Horia Sirbu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susetta Finotto
- Department of Molecular Pneumology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Trufa DI, Engelhardt M, Andreev K, Reppert S, Schubert M, Mathews M, Sirbu H, Finotto S. Decreased transtyretin and increased IL-10 in postoperative serum of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Zentralbl Chir 2014. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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