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Wang S, Wang H, Li C, Liu B, He S, Tu C. Tertiary lymphoid structures in cancer: immune mechanisms and clinical implications. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e489. [PMID: 38469550 PMCID: PMC10925885 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major cause of death globally, and traditional treatments often have limited efficacy and adverse effects. Immunotherapy has shown promise in various malignancies but is less effective in tumors with low immunogenicity or immunosuppressive microenvironment, especially sarcomas. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) have been associated with a favorable response to immunotherapy and improved survival in cancer patients. However, the immunological mechanisms and clinical significance of TLS in malignant tumors are not fully understood. In this review, we elucidate the composition, neogenesis, and immune characteristics of TLS in tumors, as well as the inflammatory response in cancer development. An in-depth discussion of the unique immune characteristics of TLSs in lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and soft tissue sarcomas will be presented. Additionally, the therapeutic implications of TLS, including its role as a marker of therapeutic response and prognosis, and strategies to promote TLS formation and maturation will be explored. Overall, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of TLS in the tumor immune microenvironment and suggest potential interventions for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Wang
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized MedicineThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Xiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized MedicineThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chenbei Li
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized MedicineThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Binfeng Liu
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized MedicineThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Shasha He
- Department of OncologyThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chao Tu
- Department of OrthopaedicsThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized MedicineThe Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Central South UniversityGuangdongChina
- Changsha Medical UniversityChangshaChina
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2
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Dong Y, Wang T, Wu H. Tertiary lymphoid structures in autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1322035. [PMID: 38259436 PMCID: PMC10800951 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1322035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are organized lymphoid-like aggregations in non-lymphoid tissues. Tissues with chronic and persistent inflammation infiltration may drive and form ectopic germinal center-like structures, which are very common in autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, and tumor microenvironments. However, the mechanisms governing the formation of TLSs are still being explored. At present, it is not clear whether the formation of TLSs is associated with local uncontrolled immune inflammatory responses. While TLSs suggest a good prognosis in tumors, the opposite is true in autoimmune diseases. This review article will discuss the current views on initiating and maintaining TLSs and the potential therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanji Dong
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huaxiang Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Tertiary Lymphoid Structures: A Potential Biomarker for Anti-Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235968. [PMID: 36497450 PMCID: PMC9739898 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is a special component in the immune microenvironment that is mainly composed of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), including T cells, B cells, DC cells, and high endothelial venules (HEVs). For cancer patients, evaluation of the immune microenvironment has a predictive effect on tumor biological behavior, treatment methods, and prognosis. As a result, TLSs have begun to attract the attention of researchers as a new potential biomarker. However, the composition and mechanisms of TLSs are still unclear, and clinical detection methods are still being explored. Although some meaningful results have been obtained in clinical trials, there is still a long way to go before such methods can be applied in clinical practice. However, we believe that with the continuous progress of basic research and clinical trials, TLS detection and related treatment can benefit more and more patients. In this review, we generalize the definition and composition of TLSs, summarize clinical trials involving TLSs according to treatment methods, and describe possible methods of inducing TLS formation.
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Rodriguez AB, Peske JD, Woods AN, Leick KM, Mauldin IS, Meneveau MO, Young SJ, Lindsay RS, Melssen MM, Cyranowski S, Parriott G, Conaway MR, Fu YX, Slingluff CL, Engelhard VH. Immune mechanisms orchestrate tertiary lymphoid structures in tumors via cancer-associated fibroblasts. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109422. [PMID: 34289373 PMCID: PMC8362934 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLS) are associated with enhanced patient survival and responsiveness to cancer therapies, but the mechanisms underlying their development are unknown. We show here that TA-TLS development in murine melanoma is orchestrated by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) with characteristics of lymphoid tissue organizer cells that are induced by tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling. CAF organization into reticular networks is mediated by CD8 T cells, while CAF accumulation and TA-TLS expansion depend on CXCL13-mediated recruitment of B cells expressing lymphotoxin-α1β2. Some of these elements are also overrepresented in human TA-TLS. Additionally, we demonstrate that immunotherapy induces more and larger TA-TLS that are more often organized with discrete T and B cell zones, and that TA-TLS presence, number, and size are correlated with reduced tumor size and overall response to checkpoint immunotherapy. This work provides a platform for manipulating TA-TLS development as a cancer immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony B Rodriguez
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - J David Peske
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Amber N Woods
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Katie M Leick
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ileana S Mauldin
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Max O Meneveau
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Samuel J Young
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Robin S Lindsay
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Marit M Melssen
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Salwador Cyranowski
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Geoffrey Parriott
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mark R Conaway
- Division of Translational Research & Applied Statistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Craig L Slingluff
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Victor H Engelhard
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Sánchez-Alonso S, Setti-Jerez G, Arroyo M, Hernández T, Martos MI, Sánchez-Torres JM, Colomer R, Ramiro AR, Alfranca A. A new role for circulating T follicular helper cells in humoral response to anti-PD-1 therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2020-001187. [PMID: 32900863 PMCID: PMC7478024 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in humans and is a major cause of death. A number of therapies aimed at reinforcing antitumor immune response, including antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibodies, are successfully used to treat several neoplasias as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, host immune mechanisms that participate in response to anti-PD-1 therapy are not completely understood. Methods We used a syngeneic immunocompetent mouse model of NSCLC to analyze host immune response to anti-PD-1 treatment in secondary lymphoid organs, peripheral blood and tumors, by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). In addition, we also studied specific characteristics of selected immune subpopulations in ex vivo functional assays. Results We show that anti-PD-1 therapy induces a population of circulating T follicular helper cells (cTfh) with enhanced B activation capacity, which participates in tumor response to treatment. Anti-PD-1 increases the number of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), which correlates with impaired tumor growth. Of note, TLS support cTfh-associated local antibody production, which participates in host immune response against tumor. Conclusion These findings unveil a novel mechanism of action for anti-PD-1 therapy and provide new targets for optimization of current therapies against lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Sánchez-Alonso
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giulia Setti-Jerez
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Arroyo
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tathiana Hernández
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mª Inmaculada Martos
- B Lymphocyte Lab, Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ramon Colomer
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena R Ramiro
- B Lymphocyte Lab, Fundación Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Arantzazu Alfranca
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
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Luo S, Zhu R, Yu T, Fan H, Hu Y, Mohanta SK, Hu D. Chronic Inflammation: A Common Promoter in Tertiary Lymphoid Organ Neogenesis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2938. [PMID: 31921189 PMCID: PMC6930186 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) frequently develop locally in adults in response to non-resolving inflammation. Chronic inflammation leads to the differentiation of stromal fibroblast cells toward lymphoid tissue organizer-like cells, which interact with lymphotoxin α1β2+ immune cells. The interaction initiates lymphoid neogenesis by recruiting immune cells to the site of inflammation and ultimately leads to the formation of TLOs. Mature TLOs harbor a segregated T-cell zone, B-cell follicles with an activated germinal center, follicular dendritic cells, and high endothelial venules, which architecturally resemble those in secondary lymphoid organs. Since CXCL13 and LTα1β2 play key roles in TLO neogenesis, they might constitute potential biomarkers of TLO activity. The well-developed TLOs actively regulate local immune responses and influence disease progression, and they are thereby regarded as the powerhouses of local immunity. In this review, we recapitulated the determinants for TLOs development, with great emphasis on the fundamental role of chronic inflammation and tissue-resident stromal cells for TLO neogenesis, hence offering guidance for therapeutic interventions in TLO-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Luo
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heng Fan
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sarajo Kumar Mohanta
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Desheng Hu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Ohandjo AQ, Liu Z, Dammer EB, Dill CD, Griffen TL, Carey KM, Hinton DE, Meller R, Lillard JW. Transcriptome Network Analysis Identifies CXCL13-CXCR5 Signaling Modules in the Prostate Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14963. [PMID: 31628349 PMCID: PMC6802083 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46491-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) consists of multiple cell types that contribute to the heterogeneity and complexity of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we sought to understand the gene-expression signature of patients with primary prostate tumors by investigating the co-expression profiles of patient samples and their corresponding clinical outcomes, in particular “disease-free months” and “disease reoccurrence”. We tested the hypothesis that the CXCL13-CXCR5 axis is co-expressed with factors supporting TIME and PCa progression. Gene expression counts, with clinical attributes from PCa patients, were acquired from TCGA. Profiles of PCa patients were used to identify key drivers that influence or regulate CXCL13-CXCR5 signaling. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to identify co-expression patterns among CXCL13-CXCR5, associated genes, and key genetic drivers within the CXCL13-CXCR5 signaling pathway. The processing of downloaded data files began with quality checks using NOISeq, followed by WGCNA. Our results confirmed the quality of the TCGA transcriptome data, identified 12 co-expression networks, and demonstrated that CXCL13, CXCR5 and associated genes are members of signaling networks (modules) associated with G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) responsiveness, invasion/migration, immune checkpoint, and innate immunity. We also identified top canonical pathways and upstream regulators associated with CXCL13-CXCR5 expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaugo Q Ohandjo
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Zongzhi Liu
- R & D Bioinformatics, Sema4, Stamford, CT, 06902, USA
| | - Eric B Dammer
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Courtney D Dill
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Tiara L Griffen
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Kaylin M Carey
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Denise E Hinton
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Robert Meller
- Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - James W Lillard
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA.
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Zhu L, Zhang G, Wang P, Zhang L, Ji J, Liu X, Zhou Z, Zhao J, Wang X. The effect of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2019; 26:389-394. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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