Human NLRC4 promotes cancer survival and is associated to type-I interferon signaling and immune infiltration

The immune system can control cancer progression. However, even though some innate immune sensors of cellular stress are expressed intrinsically in epithelial cells, their potential role in cancer aggressiveness and subsequent overall survival in humans is mainly unknown. Here, we show that NLR family CARD Domain Containing 4 (NLRC4) is downregulated in epithelial tumor cells of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by using spatial tissue imaging. Strikingly, only the loss of tumor NLRC4 but not stromal is associated with poor immune infiltration (mainly dendritic and CD4+/CD8+ T cells) and accurately predicts progression to metastatic Stage IV and decrease of overall survival. By combining multi-omics approaches, we show that restoring NLRC4 expression in human colorectal cancer cells triggers a broad inflammasome-independent immune reprogramming consisting of Type-I IFN signaling genes and the release of chemokines and myeloid growth factors involved in the tumor infiltration and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. Consistently, such reprogramming in cancer cells is sufficient to directly mature human DCs towards a Th1 antitumor immune response through IL-12 production in vitro. In multiple human carcinomas (colorectal, lung, and skin), we confirmed that NLRC4 expression in patient tumors is strongly associated with Type-I IFN genes, immune infiltrates and high microsatellite instability. Thus, we shed light on the epithelial innate immune sensor NLRC4 as a novel therapeutic target to promote an efficient antitumor immune response against the aggressiveness of various carcinomas.

Human γδ T cell sensing of AMPK-dependent metabolic tumor reprogramming through TCR recognition of EphA2

Human γδ T cells contribute to tissue homeostasis and participate in epithelial stress surveillance through mechanisms that are not well understood. Here, we identified ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) as a stress antigen recognized by a human Vγ9Vδ1 TCR. EphA2 is recognized coordinately by ephrin A to enable γδ TCR activation. We identified a putative TCR binding site on the ligand-binding domain of EphA2 that was distinct from the ephrin A binding site. Expression of EphA2 was up-regulated upon AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells, and coexpression of EphA2 and active AMPK in tumors was associated with higher CD3 T cell infiltration in human colorectal cancer tissue. These results highlight the potential of the human γδ TCR to cooperate with a co-receptor to recognize non-MHC-encoded proteins as signals of cellular dysregulation, potentially allowing γδ T cells to sense metabolic energy changes associated with either viral infection or cancer.

Prognostic Role of Inflammasome Components in Human Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

Inflammasomes are critically involved in gut epithelial homeostasis, immunosurveillance and in controlling tumorigenesis mechanisms. Data on the role of inflammasomes in tumorigenesis are mostly provided by transcriptomic analyses of bulk tumors, eluding a potential specific role of intrinsic epithelial inflammasomes. Therefore, we investigated the expression of inflammasome components in intestinal epithelial cells, at the protein level in patient tissues and assessed the correlation with clinicopathological parameters. We found that downregulation of the epithelial expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) and IL-18 was associated with more advanced disease and worse patients’ outcome. Furthermore, the loss of both epithelial and stromal IL-18 was also associated with worse disease outcome. Finally, we identified an epithelial innate immune protein profile combining NLRP6 and IL-18 that stratified patients for better clinical prognosis. Together, analysis of epithelial inflammasomes may help clinical decisions for better prognostic assessment and may identify new therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer.

Abstract

(1) We wanted to assess the prognostic impact of inflammasomes involved in gut epithelial homeostasis and the development of human colorectal cancer (CRC). (2) We investigated the expression of inflammasome components in colonic epithelial cells at the protein level in patient tissues, through an immunofluorescence assay. (3) In a cohort of 104 patients, we found that all inflammasome components were downregulated in CRC. Loss of epithelial (but not stromal) expression of NLRP6, caspase-1 and IL-18 was associated with an increased mortality of 72%, 58% and 68% respectively and to disease progression into metastasis. The loss of epithelial and stromal IL-18 but not NLRP6, was associated to lower tumor immune infiltrates in the lymphoid compartment and higher Programmed cell Death receptor 1 (PD-1) expression. Finally, we found that combined downregulation of IL-18 and NLRP6 was associated with a worse outcome. Indeed, 5-year survival rates were 26% for the NLRP6low/IL-18low tumors, compared to 64.4% for the entire cohort. This downregulation was associated with a more advanced disease (p < 0.0001) and a trend to lower lymphoid cell infiltration. (4) We identified critical inflammasome markers that may help in better stratifying patients for prognosis in CRC and could help clinicians to determine which patients may benefit from immunotherapies.

Calcium Independent Effect of Orai1 and STIM1 in Non-Hodgkin B Cell Lymphoma Dissemination

Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ channels, composed of Orai1 and STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) proteins, are the main Ca²⁺ entry mechanism in lymphocytes. Their role in cell migration and metastasis is demonstrated in solid cancers but it remains elusive in malignant hemopathies. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is characterized by the dissemination of neoplastic B cells throughout the organism which is under the control of chemokines such as Stromal Derived Factor 1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4. CXCR4 activation triggers a complex intracellular signaling including an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration whose role is still unclear. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches, we revealed that STIM1 and Orai1 were responsible for Ca²⁺ influx induced by SDF-1. Furthermore, we provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that they are necessary for basal or SDF-1-induced DLBCL cell migration which is independent of Ca²⁺ entry. We identify that they act as effectors coupling RhoA and ROCK dependent signaling pathway to MLC2 phosphorylation and actin polymerization. Finally, we revealed an alteration of Orai1 and STIM1 expression in extra-nodal DLBCL. Thus, we discovered a novel Ca²⁺-independent but Orai1 and STIM1-dependent signaling pathway involved in basal and CXCR4 dependent cell migration, which could be relevant for DLBCL physiopathology.

Abstract 1881: STIM1 and Orai1 control non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells migration

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common cancer in United States representing 4% of all cancer. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common and aggressive non-Hodgkin B lymphoma. One of the characteristic features of this disease is the dissemination of the cancer cells, through the lymphatic system in the secondary lymphoid organs and extranodal sites, leading to the death of patients. Chemokines such as the Stromal Derived Factor 1 (SDF1) control the spread and the homing of the cancer cells. It is known that SDF1 activates various signalling pathways involved in cell proliferation, transcription or migration. Moreover, SDF1 induces an increase in intracellular calcium concentration whose role is still unknown in B cells. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is a major Ca2+ influx pathway in this type of cells. By definition, SOCE is activated by Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum. Two genes are responsible for SOCE activity: Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), an ER Ca2+ sensor that detects store depletion and ORAI1, the pore-forming subunit of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel. Several studies performed on adherent cells showed that Orai1/STIM1 proteins are involved in cancer cell migration. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in cell migration differ widely between adherent and non-adherent cells. We studied the role of both actors of calcium entry : Orai1 and STIM1 in DLBCL pathology and more precisely in basal and SDF1-induced of DLBCL cell migration. Using Tissue MicroArrays approach we revealed that both Orai1 and STIM1 are under-expressed in DLBCL tumoral tissue compared to normal lymphoid tissue. Next, using calcium imaging experiments we confirmed that SDF-1 triggered Ca2+ responses in two DLBCL cell lines (SUDHL4 and HLY1) involving intracellular Ca2+ store mobilization and extracellular Ca2+ influx. Based on these observations, we investigated the role of Orai1 and STIM1 on SDF1-induced Ca2+ influx using pharmacological and RNA interference approaches. The inhibition of Orai1 by BTP2 as well as the under-expression of Orai1 or STIM1 by shRNA, prevented Ca2+ influx induced by SDF1 suggesting the involvement of Orai1 and STIM1 in this process. Regarding this results , we studied the role of Orai1 and STIM1 on DLBCL cell migration in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that basal or SDF1-induced cell migration was significantly inhibited by underexpression of STIM1 or Orai1 in SUDHL4 and HLY1 cell lines. These results suggest that STIM1 and Orai1 play a key role in the DLBCL cell migration. The identification of STIM1 and Orai1 proteins as key players in the migration of DLBCL cells might provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of this pathology.

Citation Format: Simon Latour, Isabelle Mahouche, Floriane Cherrier, Jean-Philippe Merlio, Sandrine Poglio, Laurence Bresson Bepoldin. STIM1 and Orai1 control non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells migration [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1881. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1881

HIPK1 drives p53 activation to limit colorectal cancer cell growth

HIPK1 (homeodomain interacting protein kinase 1) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the CMGC superfamily. Emerging data point to the role of HIPK1 in cancer, but it is still not clear whether it acts as a tumor suppressor or promoter. Here we identified HIPK1 as a kinase that is significantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and whose expression is stage-dependent. Being abundantly expressed at the onset of the disease, the HIPK1 level gradually decreased as tumor stage progressed. To further uncover how this factor regulates tumorigenesis and establish whether it constitutes an early factor necessary for neoplastic transformation or for cellular defense, we studied the effect of its overexpression in vitro by investigating various cancer-related signaling cascades. We found that HIPK1 mostly regulates the p53 signaling pathway both in HCT116 and HeLa cells. By phosphorylating p53 on its serine-15, HIPK1 favored its transactivation potential, which led to a rise in p21 protein level and a decline in cell proliferation. Assuming that HIPK1 could impede CRC growth by turning on the p53/p21 pathway, we then checked p21 mRNA levels in patients. Interestingly, p21 transcripts were only increased in a subset of patients expressing high levels of HIPK1. Unlike the rest of the cohort, the majority of these patients hosted a native p53 protein, meaning that such a pro-survival pathway (HIPK1+ > p53 > p21) is active in patients, and that HIPK1 acts rather as a tumor suppressor.