1
|
Takahashi H, Pathria P, Shepard R, Shih A, Louis TL, Varner JA. Abstract A86: PI3Kγ inhibition activates T cell memory and relieves T cell exhaustion. Cancer Immunol Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.tumimm18-a86] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Tumor-associated macrophages promote immunosuppressive microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We previously reported that macrophage PI3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) controls a critical switch between immune stimulation and suppression during inflammation and cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of PI3Kγ inhibition on T-cell immune response, especially on T-cell memory and exhaustion status using mouse models of HNSCC.
Materials and Methods: Wild-type (WT) or Pik3cg-/- 6- to 8-week-old male syngeneic C57Bl/6J mice were implanted with HPV+ MEER tumor cells (mouse HPV+ HNSCC cell line) by subcutaneous injection. Tumors, draining lymph nodes and spleens were isolated, then analyzed using flow cytometry or mass cytometry. Mice that completely cleared tumors were reinjected with tumor cells and tumor growth was monitored. CD90.2+ T cells or CD19+ B cells that were harvested from spleens of WT or Pik3cg-/- tumor-inoculated mice were mixed 1:1 with viable tumor cells and injected into the flanks of naive WT mice.
Results: Mice lacking PI3Kγ exhibited suppressed growth of implanted HPV+ MEER tumors. The proportion of T cells, especially CD8+ T cells, significantly increased in tumors from Pik3c-/- mice. T cells from Pik3cg-/- tumors expressed significantly more granzyme B and less T-cell exhaustion markers. The proportion of CD8+ effector memory T cells significantly increased in spleens from Pik3cg-/- mice. Mice that were implanted with both tumor cells and T cells from spleens of tumor-bearing Pik3cg-/- mice exhibited significant suppression of tumor growth. All mice that had previously cleared tumors dramatically suppressed tumor growth when rechallenged with tumor cells and remained cancer-free.
Conclusion: Pik3cg-/- mice showed more activated T-cell immune response and T-cell memory than WT, resulting in significant suppression of tumor growth. These results suggest that PI3Kγ-targeted therapy might enhance the activity of checkpoint inhibitors through the activation of T-cell immune response in patients with HNSCC.
Citation Format: Hideyuki Takahashi, Paulina Pathria, Ryan Shepard, Ann Shih, Tiani L. Louis, Judith A. Varner. PI3Kγ inhibition activates T cell memory and relieves T cell exhaustion [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2018 Nov 27-30; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(4 Suppl):Abstract nr A86.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulina Pathria
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Ryan Shepard
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Ann Shih
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Tiani L. Louis
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Judith A. Varner
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wettersten HI, Weis SM, Pathria P, Von Schalscha T, Minami T, Varner JA, Cheresh DA. Arming Tumor-Associated Macrophages to Reverse Epithelial Cancer Progression. Cancer Res 2019; 79:5048-5059. [PMID: 31416839 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are highly expressed within the tumor microenvironment of a wide range of cancers, where they exert a protumor phenotype by promoting tumor cell growth and suppressing antitumor immune function. Here, we show that TAM accumulation in human and mouse tumors correlates with tumor cell expression of integrin αvβ3, a known driver of epithelial cancer progression and drug resistance. A monoclonal antibody targeting αvβ3 (LM609) exploited the coenrichment of αvβ3 and TAMs to not only eradicate highly aggressive drug-resistant human lung and pancreas cancers in mice, but also to prevent the emergence of circulating tumor cells. Importantly, this antitumor activity in mice was eliminated following macrophage depletion. Although LM609 had no direct effect on tumor cell viability, it engaged macrophages but not natural killer (NK) cells to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of αvβ3-expressing tumor cells despite their expression of the CD47 "don't eat me" signal. In contrast to strategies designed to eliminate TAMs, these findings suggest that anti-αvβ3 represents a promising immunotherapeutic approach to redirect TAMs to serve as tumor killers for late-stage or drug-resistant cancers. SIGNIFICANCE: Therapeutic antibodies are commonly engineered to optimize engagement of NK cells as effectors. In contrast, LM609 targets αvβ3 to suppress tumor progression and enhance drug sensitivity by exploiting TAMs to trigger ADCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi I Wettersten
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sara M Weis
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Paulina Pathria
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Tami Von Schalscha
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Toshiyuki Minami
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Judith A Varner
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - David A Cheresh
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California. .,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Takahashi H, Pathria P, Shih A, Shepard RM, Paradise MA, Varner JA. Abstract 1513: PI3Kγ inhibition activates T cell memory and relieves T cell exhaustion through the reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-1513] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We previously reported that macrophage PI3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) controls a critical switch between immune stimulation and suppression during inflammation and cancer. PI3Kγ inhibition repolarizes tumor-associated macrophages, leading to downregulation of immune suppressive factors such as Arginase and IL10 and upregulation of IL12 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. This results in recruitment and activation of intratumoral CD8+ T cells, as well as induction of immunological memory (Kaneda et al 2016). In the present study, we investigated the effect of PI3Kγ inhibition on T cell immune responses, including T cell memory induction and T cell exhaustion, in mouse models of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). We found that Pik3cg−/− mice cleared implanted HPV+ HNSCC tumors; when re-challenged with tumor cells, these mice rapidly cleared secondary tumors and remained cancer-free. The proportion of T cells, especially CD8+ T cells, significantly increased in primary tumors from Pik3cg−/− mice. These CD8+ T cells expressed significantly more granzyme B and interferon and less T cell exhaustion markers than T cells from WT animals, indicating that PI3Kγ inhibition in macrophages results in T cell activation. We found that anti-tumor activity was transferable, as adoptive transfer of splenic T cells from Pik3cg−/− mice to naive WT mice suppressed tumor growth. Accordingly, Pik3cg−/− mice with primary or secondary tumors exhibited more splenic CD62L-CD44+ CD8+ effector memory T cells than WT mice. In summary, Pik3cg−/− mice exhibit a more activated T cell immune response and T cell memory than WT mice, resulting significant suppression of tumor growth. These results suggest that PI3Kγ-targeted therapy may activate durable T cell immune responses in patients with HNSCC.
Citation Format: Hideyuki Takahashi, Paulina Pathria, Ann Shih, Ryan M. Shepard, Marc A. Paradise, Judith A. Varner. PI3Kγ inhibition activates T cell memory and relieves T cell exhaustion through the reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1513.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulina Pathria
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Ann Shih
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Ryan M. Shepard
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Marc A. Paradise
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Judith A. Varner
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pathria P, Takahashi H, Kaneda M, Pu M, Messer K, Shepard RM, Louis TL, Shih A, Bertagnolli M, Wrasidlo W, Cheresh DA, Varner JA. Abstract 113: c-Kit-dependent tissue resident macrophage progenitors drive cancer progression. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-113] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Macrophages play a key role in promoting tumor growth and resistance to therapy. Here we show that Tissue Resident Macrophages (TRM) as well as Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages (BMDM) play critical but unique roles in promoting tumor growth. TRM were recently shown to originate in the yolk sac or fetal liver during embryogenesis; these cells self-maintain in post-natal tissues independent of hematopoietic stem cells. We found that BMDM are CD11b+Gr1+F4/80loCX3CR1loCCR2+and are recruited to tumors in a CCR2-dependent manner. In contrast, CD11b+Gr1-F4/80hiCX3CR1hiCCR2- TRMs accumulate in tumors independently of the trafficking receptor CCR2. Gene expression and functional studies indicate that tumor-derived TRM are highly proliferative, immune suppressive and distinct from BMDM. We show that TRM develop from c-Kit/c-KitL - dependent TRM progenitors that are abundant in tumors but not in normal tissues; purified progenitors form macrophages and potently stimulate tumor growth when adoptively transferred into mice. Tumor cells induce the expansion of TRM progenitors by secreting Stem Cell Factor (SCF/c-KitL). Notably, in vitro and in vivo proliferation of TRM progenitors and tumor growth are significantly inhibited by SCF and c-Kit inhibitors, including a novel, allosteric dual inhibitor of cKit and CDK8/19 that dramatically suppresses tumor growth by targeting both TRM and tumor cells. As cKit inhibitors synergize with other immune therapy regimens to suppress tumor growth, our studies identify cKit as a valuable target for immune therapy of solid tumors.
Citation Format: Paulina Pathria, Hideyuki Takahashi, Megan Kaneda, Minya Pu, Karen Messer, Ryan M. Shepard, Tiani L. Louis, Ann Shih, Mark Bertagnolli, Wolfgang Wrasidlo, David A. Cheresh, Judith A. Varner. c-Kit-dependent tissue resident macrophage progenitors drive cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 113.
Collapse
|
5
|
Pathria P, Louis TL, Varner JA. Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Cancer. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:310-327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 370] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
6
|
Schmid MC, Khan SQ, Kaneda MM, Pathria P, Shepard R, Louis TL, Anand S, Woo G, Leem C, Faridi MH, Geraghty T, Rajagopalan A, Gupta S, Ahmed M, Vazquez-Padron RI, Cheresh DA, Gupta V, Varner JA. Integrin CD11b activation drives anti-tumor innate immunity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5379. [PMID: 30568188 PMCID: PMC6300665 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07387-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [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: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid cells are recruited to damaged tissues where they can resolve infections and tumor growth or stimulate wound healing and tumor progression. Recruitment of these cells is regulated by integrins, a family of adhesion receptors that includes integrin CD11b. Here we report that, unexpectedly, integrin CD11b does not regulate myeloid cell recruitment to tumors but instead controls myeloid cell polarization and tumor growth. CD11b activation promotes pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization by stimulating expression of microRNA Let7a. In contrast, inhibition of CD11b prevents Let7a expression and induces cMyc expression, leading to immune suppressive macrophage polarization, vascular maturation, and accelerated tumor growth. Pharmacological activation of CD11b with a small molecule agonist, Leukadherin 1 (LA1), promotes pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization and suppresses tumor growth in animal models of murine and human cancer. These studies identify CD11b as negative regulator of immune suppression and a target for cancer immune therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Schmid
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Samia Q Khan
- Drug Discovery Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Megan M Kaneda
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Paulina Pathria
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ryan Shepard
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tiani L Louis
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sudarshan Anand
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Gyunghwi Woo
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Chris Leem
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - M Hafeez Faridi
- Drug Discovery Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Terese Geraghty
- Drug Discovery Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Anugraha Rajagopalan
- Drug Discovery Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Seema Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Mansoor Ahmed
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Roberto I Vazquez-Padron
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, 33136, USA
| | - David A Cheresh
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Vineet Gupta
- Drug Discovery Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Judith A Varner
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pathria P, Takahashi H, Kaneda M, Varner JA. Abstract 5006: Kit-dependent tissue resident macrophage progenitors drive cancer progression. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2018-5006] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Macrophages play a key role in promoting tumor growth and resistance to therapy. Here we show that tissue-resident as well as bone marrow-derived macrophages play critical roles in promoting tumor growth. Tissue-resident macrophages were recently shown to originate in the yolk sac or fetal liver during embryogenesis; these cells self-maintain in post-natal tissues independent of hematopoietic stem cells. Tissue-resident macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages rapidly accumulate in tumors where they play independent roles in promoting tumor growth. Tissue-resident macrophages are CD11b+Gr1-F4/80hiCX3CR1hiCCR2-Ki67+ cells that accumulate in tumors independently of trafficking receptors. In contrast, bone marrow-derived CD11b+Gr1+F4/80loCX3CR1loCCR2+ macrophages accumulate in tumors in an integrin α4β1/αLβ2 and CCR2 or CXCR4-dependent manner. Gene expression studies show that tumor-associated tissue-resident macrophages are highly proliferative, immune-suppressive myeloid cells that are less proangiogenic than bone marrow-derived macrophages. Our studies show that tumor cells induce the expansion of tissue-resident macrophage progenitor cells by secreting stem cell factor and mCSF. Here we identify a Kit/KitL-dependent tissue-resident macrophage progenitor that is abundant in tumors but not in normal tissues. Notably, tumor growth and colony-forming activity are significantly inhibited in mice treated with SCF and Kit inhibitors. Tumors adoptively transferred with tissue-resident macrophage progenitor cells exhibited a significant growth advantage over control tumors. Furthermore, Kit inhibitors synergize with other immune therapy regimens to suppress tumor growth. Our studies show that tissue-resident macrophage progenitors promote aggressive tumor growth that can be targeted by Kit/SCF inhibition.
Citation Format: Paulina Pathria, Hideyuki Takahashi, Megan Kaneda, Judith A. Varner. Kit-dependent tissue resident macrophage progenitors drive cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5006.
Collapse
|
8
|
Crnčec I, Modak M, Gordziel C, Svinka J, Scharf I, Moritsch S, Pathria P, Schlederer M, Kenner L, Timelthaler G, Müller M, Strobl B, Casanova E, Bayer E, Mohr T, Stöckl J, Friedrich K, Eferl R. STAT1 is a sex-specific tumor suppressor in colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:514-528. [PMID: 29419930 PMCID: PMC5891040 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The interferon‐inducible transcription factor STAT1 is a tumor suppressor in various malignancies. We investigated sex‐specific STAT1 functions in colitis and colitis‐associated colorectal cancer (CRC) using mice with specific STAT1 deletion in intestinal epithelial cells (STAT1∆IEC). Male but not female STAT1∆IEC mice were more resistant to DSS‐induced colitis than sex‐matched STAT1flox/flox controls and displayed reduced intraepithelial infiltration of CD8+ TCRαβ+ granzyme B+ T cells. Moreover, DSS treatment failed to induce expression of T‐cell‐attracting chemokines in intestinal epithelial cells of male but not of female STAT1∆IEC mice. Application of the AOM‐DSS protocol for induction of colitis‐associated CRC resulted in increased intestinal tumor load in male but not in female STAT1∆IEC mice. A sex‐specific stratification of human CRC patients corroborated the data obtained in mice and revealed that reduced tumor cell‐intrinsic nuclear STAT1 protein expression is a poor prognostic factor in men but not in women. These data demonstrate that epithelial STAT1 is a male‐specific tumor suppressor in CRC of mice and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilija Crnčec
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Madhura Modak
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Claire Gordziel
- Institute of Biochemistry II, University Hospital Jena, Germany
| | - Jasmin Svinka
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Irene Scharf
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Moritsch
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina Pathria
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Animal Pathology, Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Animal Pathology, Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Austria.,Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald Timelthaler
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Müller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics and Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Strobl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics and Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Physiology, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Editha Bayer
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Mohr
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Robert Eferl
- Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Srivatsa S, Paul MC, Cardone C, Holcmann M, Amberg N, Pathria P, Diamanti MA, Linder M, Timelthaler G, Dienes HP, Kenner L, Wrba F, Prager GW, Rose-John S, Eferl R, Liguori G, Botti G, Martinelli E, Greten FR, Ciardiello F, Sibilia M. EGFR in Tumor-Associated Myeloid Cells Promotes Development of Colorectal Cancer in Mice and Associates With Outcomes of Patients. Gastroenterology 2017; 153:178-190.e10. [PMID: 28400195 PMCID: PMC5766132 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.03.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are the first-line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal tumors without RAS mutations. However, EGFR inhibitors are ineffective in these patients, and tumor level of EGFR does not associate with response to therapy. We screened human colorectal tumors for EGFR-positive myeloid cells and investigated their association with patient outcome. We also performed studies in mice to evaluate how EGFR expression in tumor cells and myeloid cells contributes to development of colitis-associated cancer and ApcMin-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis. METHODS We performed immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent analyses of 116 colorectal tumor biopsies to determine levels of EGFR in tumor and stroma; we also collected information on tumor stage and patient features and outcomes. We used the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests to correlate tumor levels of EGFR with tumor stage, and the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate patients' median survival time. We performed experiments in mice lacking EGFR in intestinal epithelial cells (Villin-Cre; Egfrf/f and Villin-CreERT2; Egfrf/f mice) or myeloid cells (LysM-Cre; Egfrf/f mice) on a mixed background. These mice were bred with ApcMin/+ mice; colitis-associated cancer and colitis were induced by administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), with or without azoxymethane (AOM), respectively. Villin-CreERT2 was activated in developed tumors by administration of tamoxifen to mice. Littermates that expressed full-length EGFR were used as controls. Intestinal tissues were collected; severity of colitis, numbers and size of tumors, and intestinal barrier integrity were assessed by histologic, immunohistochemical, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry analyses. RESULTS We detected EGFR in myeloid cells in the stroma of human colorectal tumors; myeloid cell expression of EGFR associated with tumor metastasis and shorter patient survival time. Mice with deletion of EGFR from myeloid cells formed significantly fewer and smaller tumors than the respective EGFR-expressing controls in an ApcMin/+ background as well as after administration of AOM and DSS. Deletion of EGFR from intestinal epithelial cells did not affect tumor growth. Furthermore, tamoxifen-induced deletion of EGFR from epithelial cells of established intestinal tumors in mice given AOM and DSS did not reduce tumor size. EGFR signaling in myeloid cells promoted activation of STAT3 and expression of survivin in intestinal tumor cells. Mice with deletion of EGFR from myeloid cells developed more severe colitis after DSS administration, characterized by increased intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier disruption, than control mice or mice with deletion of EGFR from intestinal epithelial cells. EGFR-deficient myeloid cells in the colon of DSS-treated LysM-Cre; Egfrf/f mice had reduced expression of interleukin 6 (IL6), and epithelial STAT3 activation was reduced compared with controls. Administration of recombinant IL6 to LysM-Cre; Egfrf/f mice given DSS protected them from weight loss and restored epithelial proliferation and STAT3 activation, compared with administration of DSS alone to these mice. CONCLUSIONS Increased expression of EGFR in myeloid cells from the colorectal tumor stroma associates with tumor progression and reduced survival time of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Deletion of EGFR from myeloid cells, but not intestinal epithelial cells, protects mice from colitis-induced intestinal cancer and ApcMin-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis. Myeloid cell expression of EGFR increases activation of STAT3 and expression of survivin in intestinal epithelial cells and expression of IL6 in colon tissues. These findings indicate that expression of EGFR by myeloid cells of the colorectal tumor stroma, rather than the cancer cells themselves, contributes to tumor development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Srivatsa
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mariel C Paul
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Cardone
- Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Via Pansini 5, Naples, Italy
| | - Martin Holcmann
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Amberg
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina Pathria
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela A Diamanti
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Markus Linder
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald Timelthaler
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans P Dienes
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBI-CR, Vienna, Austria; Department of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fritz Wrba
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald W Prager
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Rose-John
- Department of Biochemistry, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Medical Faculty, Olshausenstraße 40, Kiel, Germany
| | - Robert Eferl
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giuseppina Liguori
- Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute, G. Pascale Foundation, Via M Semmola, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Pathology Unit, National Cancer Institute, G. Pascale Foundation, Via M Semmola, Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Martinelli
- Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Via Pansini 5, Naples, Italy
| | - Florian R Greten
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Università degli Studi della Campania L. Vanvitelli, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Via Pansini 5, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Sibilia
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pathria P, Gotthardt D, Prchal-Murphy M, Putz EM, Holcmann M, Schlederer M, Grabner B, Crncec I, Svinka J, Musteanu M, Hoffmann T, Filipits M, Berger W, Poli V, Kenner L, Bilban M, Casanova E, Müller M, Strobl B, Bayer E, Mohr T, Sexl V, Eferl R. Myeloid STAT3 promotes formation of colitis-associated colorectal cancer in mice. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e998529. [PMID: 26137415 PMCID: PMC4485776 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2014.998529] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid cells lacking STAT3 promote antitumor responses of NK and T cells but it is unknown if this crosstalk affects development of autochthonous tumors. We deleted STAT3 in murine myeloid cells (STAT3Δm) and examined the effect on the development of autochthonous colorectal cancers (CRCs). Formation of Azoxymethane/Dextransulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced CRCs was strongly suppressed in STAT3Δm mice. Gene expression profiling showed strong activation of T cells in the stroma of STAT3Δm CRCs. Moreover, STAT3Δm host mice were better able to control the growth of transplanted MC38 colorectal tumor cells which are known to be killed in a T cell-dependent manner. These data suggest that myeloid cells lacking STAT3 control formation of CRCs mainly via cross activation of T cells. Interestingly, the few CRCs that formed in STAT3Δm mice displayed enhanced stromalization but appeared normal in size indicating that they have acquired ways to escape enhanced tumor surveillance. We found that CRCs in STAT3Δm mice consistently activate STAT3 signaling which is implicated in immune evasion and might be a target to prevent tumor relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Pathria
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Gotthardt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna; Austria
| | - Michaela Prchal-Murphy
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna; Austria
| | - Eva-Maria Putz
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna; Austria
| | - Martin Holcmann
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR; Vienna, Austria; Institute of Clinical Pathology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna, Austria; Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Beatrice Grabner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR; Vienna, Austria; Institute of Clinical Pathology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna, Austria; Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Ilija Crncec
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Svinka
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Monica Musteanu
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) ; Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Martin Filipits
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Berger
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Valeria Poli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; Molecular Biotechnology Center; University of Turin ; Italy
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR; Vienna, Austria; Institute of Clinical Pathology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna, Austria; Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Bilban
- Medical University Vienna; Department of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Emilio Casanova
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research LBICR; Vienna, Austria; Institute of Clinical Pathology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna, Austria; Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Müller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Strobl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Editha Bayer
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Mohr
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna; Austria
| | - Robert Eferl
- Institute for Cancer Research; Medical University Vienna & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) ; Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) originates from the epithelial cells lining the colon or rectum of the gastrointestinal tract and represents the third most common form of cancer worldwide. CRC is frequently associated with Colitis Ulcerosa or Crohn's Disease demonstrating the tumor-promoting role of inflammation. Colorectal tumor cells establish heterotypic interactions with inflammatory cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor stroma that support tumor angiogenesis and are essential for tumor progression. Therefore, establishment of suitable mouse models mimicking the inflammatory etiology of CRC is important. Here we describe methods to induce CRC in mice, to quantify tumor parameters (multiplicity, tumor load, mean tumor size), and to analyze the cellular composition of the CRC tumor stroma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilija Crncec
- Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), Medical University Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|