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Dobersberger M, Sumesgutner D, Zajc CU, Salzer B, Laurent E, Emminger D, Sylvander E, Lehner E, Teufl M, Seigner J, Bobbili MR, Kunert R, Lehner M, Traxlmayr MW. An engineering strategy to target activated EGFR with CAR T cells. Cell Rep Methods 2024; 4:100728. [PMID: 38492569 PMCID: PMC11045874 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100728] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown remarkable response rates in hematological malignancies. In contrast, CAR T cell treatment of solid tumors is associated with several challenges, in particular the expression of most tumor-associated antigens at lower levels in vital organs, resulting in on-target/off-tumor toxicities. Thus, innovative approaches to improve the tumor specificity of CAR T cells are urgently needed. Based on the observation that many human solid tumors activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on their surface through secretion of EGFR ligands, we developed an engineering strategy for CAR-binding domains specifically directed against the ligand-activated conformation of EGFR. We show, in several experimental systems, that the generated binding domains indeed enable CAR T cells to distinguish between active and inactive EGFR. We anticipate that this engineering concept will be an important step forward to improve the tumor specificity of CAR T cells directed against EGFR-positive solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Dobersberger
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Delia Sumesgutner
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Charlotte U Zajc
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Salzer
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria; St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, CCRI, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Laurent
- BOKU Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Emminger
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria; St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, CCRI, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elise Sylvander
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria; St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, CCRI, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Lehner
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Teufl
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jacqueline Seigner
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Madhusudhan Reddy Bobbili
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Kunert
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Lehner
- CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria; St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, CCRI, 1090 Vienna, Austria; St. Anna Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael W Traxlmayr
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, BOKU University, 1190 Vienna, Austria; CD Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Schelch K, Eder S, Zitta B, Phimmachanh M, Johnson TG, Emminger D, Wenninger‐Weinzierl A, Sturtzel C, Poplimont H, Ries A, Hoetzenecker K, Hoda MA, Berger W, Distel M, Dome B, Reid G, Grusch M. YB-1 regulates mesothelioma cell migration via snail but not EGFR, MMP1, EPHA5 or PARK2. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:815-831. [PMID: 36550787 PMCID: PMC10994239 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13367] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is characterized by rapid growth, local invasion, and limited therapeutic options. The multifunctional oncoprotein Y-box-binding protein-1 (YB-1) is frequently overexpressed in cancer and its inhibition reduces aggressive behavior in multiple tumor types. Here, we investigated the effects of YB-1 on target gene regulation and PM cell behavior. Whereas siRNA-mediated YB-1 knockdown reduced cell motility, YB-1 overexpression resulted in scattering, increased migration, and intravasation in vitro. Furthermore, YB-1 stimulated PM cell spreading in zebrafish. Combined knockdown and inducible overexpression of YB-1 allowed bidirectional control and rescue of cell migration, the pattern of which was closely followed by the mRNA and protein levels of EGFR and the protein level of snail, whereas the mRNA levels of MMP1, EPHA5, and PARK2 showed partial regulation by YB-1. Finally, we identified snail as a critical regulator of YB-1-mediated cell motility in PM. This study provides insights into the mechanism underlying the aggressive nature of PM and highlights the important role of YB-1 in this cancer. In this context, we found that YB-1 closely regulates EGFR and snail, and, moreover, that YB-1-induced cell migration depends on snail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Schelch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | - Sebastian Eder
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | - Benjamin Zitta
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | - Monica Phimmachanh
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
- University of Technology SydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Thomas G. Johnson
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
- The University of SydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Dominik Emminger
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | | | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer ModelsViennaAustria
| | - Hugo Poplimont
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer ModelsViennaAustria
| | - Alexander Ries
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | | | - Mir A. Hoda
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | - Walter Berger
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
| | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Innovative Cancer ModelsViennaAustria
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaAustria
- National Koranyi Institute of PulmonologyBudapestHungary
- Department of Thoracic SurgerySemmelweis University and National Institute of OncologyBudapestHungary
| | - Glen Reid
- Department of PathologyDunedin School of MedicineNew Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins CentreUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Michael Grusch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer CenterMedical University of ViennaAustria
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Schelch K, Emminger D, Zitta B, Johnson TG, Kopatz V, Eder S, Ries A, Stefanelli A, Heffeter P, Hoda MA, Hoetzenecker K, Dome B, Berger W, Reid G, Grusch M. Targeting YB-1 via entinostat enhances cisplatin sensitivity of pleural mesothelioma in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Lett 2023; 574:216395. [PMID: 37730104 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is characterized by poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1) was shown to drive growth and migration of PM cells. Here, we evaluated the effect of genetic and pharmacological targeting of YB-1 on PM growth and response to cisplatin and radiation treatment. YB-1 knockdown via siRNA resulted in reduced PM cell growth, which significantly correlated with wt BAP1 and mutant NF2 and P53 status. Entinostat inhibited YB-1 deacetylation and its efficacy correlated with YB-1 knockdown-induced growth inhibition in 20 PM cell lines. Tumor growth inhibition by siRNA as well as entinostat was confirmed in mouse xenotransplant models. Furthermore, both YBX1-targeting siRNA and entinostat enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin and radiation. In particular, entinostat showed strong synergistic interactions with cisplatin which was linked to significantly increased cellular platinum uptake in all investigated cell models. Importantly, in a mouse model, the combination of cisplatin and entinostat also resulted in stronger growth inhibition than each treatment alone. Our study highlights YB-1 as an attractive target in PM and demonstrates that targeting YB-1 via entinostat is a promising approach to enhance cisplatin and radiation sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Schelch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute, Gate 3 Hospital Rd, Concord, 2139, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dominik Emminger
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Zitta
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas G Johnson
- Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute, Gate 3 Hospital Rd, Concord, 2139, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Verena Kopatz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Applied and Translational Radiobiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Eder
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Ries
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessia Stefanelli
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mir A Hoda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Konrad Hoetzenecker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Korányi Frigyes u. 1, 1122 Budapest, Hungary; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Rath Gyorgy u. 7-9, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Walter Berger
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Glen Reid
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine and the Maurice Wilkins Centre, 56 Hanover Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Michael Grusch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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