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Yoshikawa T, Ito Y, Wu Z, Kasuya H, Nakashima T, Okamoto S, Amaishi Y, Zhang H, Li Y, Matsukawa T, Inoue S, Kagoya Y. Development of a chimeric cytokine receptor that captures IL-6 and enhances the antitumor response of CAR-T cells. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101526. [PMID: 38670095 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy is suboptimal in most cancers, necessitating further improvement in their therapeutic actions. However, enhancing antitumor T cell response inevitably confers an increased risk of cytokine release syndrome associated with monocyte-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6). Thus, an approach to simultaneously enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety is warranted. Here, we develop a chimeric cytokine receptor composed of the extracellular domains of GP130 and IL6RA linked to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of IL-7R mutant that constitutively activates the JAK-STAT pathway (G6/7R or G6/7R-M452L). CAR-T cells with G6/7R efficiently absorb and degrade monocyte-derived IL-6 in vitro. The G6/7R-expressing CAR-T cells show superior expansion and persistence in vivo, resulting in durable antitumor response in both liquid and solid tumor mouse models. Our strategy can be widely applicable to CAR-T cell therapy to enhance its efficacy and safety, irrespective of the target antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Yoshikawa
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ito
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Zhiwen Wu
- Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Hitomi Kasuya
- Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakashima
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | | | | | - Haosong Zhang
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Matsukawa
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yuki Kagoya
- Division of Tumor Immunology, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Division of Immune Response, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan; Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
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2
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Ebrahimi N, Abdulwahid AHRR, Mansouri A, Karimi N, Bostani RJ, Beiranvand S, Adelian S, Khorram R, Vafadar R, Hamblin MR, Aref AR. Targeting the NF-κB pathway as a potential regulator of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:106. [PMID: 38418707 PMCID: PMC10902086 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05098-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Advances in cancer immunotherapy over the last decade have led to the development of several agents that affect immune checkpoints. Inhibitory receptors expressed on T cells that negatively regulate the immune response include cytotoxic T‑lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1), which have been studied more than similar receptors. Inhibition of these proteins and other immune checkpoints can stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells, and prevent the tumor from escaping the immune response. However, the administration of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 antibodies has been associated with adverse inflammatory responses similar to autoimmune diseases. The current review discussed the role of the NF-κB pathway as a tumor promoter, and how it can govern inflammatory responses and affect various immune checkpoints. More precise knowledge about the communication between immune checkpoints and NF-κB pathways could increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy and reduce the adverse effects of checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Ebrahimi
- Genetics Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Atena Mansouri
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasrin Karimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Islamic Azad University Damghan Branch, Damghan, Iran
| | | | - Sheida Beiranvand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Samaneh Adelian
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Roya Khorram
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Vafadar
- Department of Orthopeadic Surgery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa.
- Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Xsphera Biosciences, Translational Medicine Group, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA, 02210, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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3
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Zhang H, Houadj L, Wu KY, Tran SD. Diagnosing and Managing Uveitis Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:336. [PMID: 38337852 PMCID: PMC10855398 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14030336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide an understanding of the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of uveitis associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In the wake of these molecules being increasingly employed as a treatment against different cancers, cases of uveitis post-ICI therapy have also been increasingly reported in the literature, warranting an extensive exploration of the clinical presentations, risk factors, and pathophysiological mechanisms of ICI-induced uveitis. This review further provides an understanding of the association between ICIs and uveitis, and assesses the efficacy of current diagnostic tools, underscoring the need for advanced techniques to enable early detection and accurate assessment. Further, it investigates the therapeutic strategies for ICI-related uveitis, weighing the benefits and limitations of existing treatment regimens, and discussing current challenges and emerging therapies in the context of their potential efficacy and side effects. Through an overview of the short-term and long-term outcomes, this article suggests recommendations and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmologists and oncologists. Finally, the review highlights promising avenues for future research and development in the field, potentially informing transformative approaches in the ocular assessment of patients under immunotherapy and the management of uveitis following ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Zhang
- Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
| | - Lysa Houadj
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada;
| | - Kevin Y. Wu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Simon D. Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
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4
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Gorji L, Brown ZJ, Pawlik TM. Advances and considerations in the use of immunotherapies for primary hepato-biliary malignancies. Surg Oncol 2024; 52:102031. [PMID: 38128340 DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2023.102031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprise the two most common primary liver malignancies. Curative treatment options often include hepatectomy or liver transplantation; however, many patients present with advanced disease that is not amenable to surgical management. In turn, many patients are treated with systemic or targeted therapy. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network of immune cells and somatic cells, which can foster an environment for disease development and progression, as well as susceptibility and resistance to systemic therapeutic agents. In particular, the TME is comprised of both immune and non-immune cells. Immune cells such as T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and neutrophils reside in the TME and can affect tumorigenesis, disease progression, as well as response to therapy. Given the importance of the immune system, there are many emerging approaches for cancer immunotherapy. We herein provide a review the latest data on immunotherapy for primary HCC and BTC relative to the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leva Gorji
- Department of Surgery, Kettering Health Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA.
| | - Zachary J Brown
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, New York University - Long Island, Mineola, NY, 11501, USA.
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
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5
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Moreno-Cubero E, Alrubayyi A, Balint S, Ogbe A, Gill US, Matthews R, Kinloch S, Burns F, Rowland-Jones SL, Borrow P, Schurich A, Dustin M, Peppa D. IL-15 reprogramming compensates for NK cell mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV-1 infection. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e173099. [PMID: 38385747 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Dynamic regulation of cellular metabolism is important for maintaining homeostasis and can directly influence immune cell function and differentiation, including NK cell responses. Persistent HIV-1 infection leads to a state of chronic immune activation, NK cell subset redistribution, and progressive NK cell dysregulation. In this study, we examined the metabolic processes that characterize NK cell subsets in HIV-1 infection, including adaptive NK cell subpopulations expressing the activating receptor NKG2C, which expand during chronic infection. These adaptive NK cells exhibit an enhanced metabolic profile in HIV-1- individuals infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). However, the bioenergetic advantage of adaptive CD57+NKG2C+ NK cells is diminished during chronic HIV-1 infection, where NK cells uniformly display reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Defective OXPHOS was accompanied by increased mitochondrial depolarization, structural alterations, and increased DRP-1 levels promoting fission, suggesting that mitochondrial defects are restricting the metabolic plasticity of NK cell subsets in HIV-1 infection. The metabolic requirement for the NK cell response to receptor stimulation was alleviated upon IL-15 pretreatment, which enhanced mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity. IL-15 priming enhanced NK cell functionality to anti-CD16 stimulation in HIV-1 infection, representing an effective strategy for pharmacologically boosting NK cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Balint
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ane Ogbe
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine and
| | - Upkar S Gill
- Department of Hepatology, Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sabine Kinloch
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Burns
- Institute for Global Health UCL, London, United Kingdom
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Anna Schurich
- School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitra Peppa
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Department of HIV, CNWL NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Zhang S, Zhang X, Yang H, Liang T, Bai X. Hurdle or thruster: Glucose metabolism of T cells in anti-tumour immunity. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189022. [PMID: 37993001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Glucose metabolism is essential for the activation, differentiation and function of T cells and proper glucose metabolism is required to maintain effective T cell immunity. Dysregulation of glucose metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and the tumour microenvironment (TME2) can create metabolic barriers in T cells that inhibit their anti-tumour immune function. Targeting glucose metabolism is a promising approach to improve the capacity of T cells in the TME. The efficacy of common immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs3) and adoptive cell transfer (ACT4), can be limited by T-cell function, and the treatment itself can affect T-cell metabolism. Therefore, understanding the relationship between immunotherapy and T cell glucose metabolism helps to achieve more effective anti-tumour therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of T cell glucose metabolism and how T cell metabolic reprogramming in the TME regulates anti-tumour responses, briefly describe the metabolic patterns of T cells during ICI and ACT therapies, which suggest possible synergistic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirui Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hanshen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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7
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Hartana CA, Lancien M, Gao C, Rassadkina Y, Lichterfeld M, Yu XG. IL-15-dependent immune crosstalk between natural killer cells and dendritic cells in HIV-1 elite controllers. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113530. [PMID: 38048223 PMCID: PMC10765318 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As the principal effector cell population of the innate immune system, natural killer (NK) cells may make critical contributions to natural, immune-mediated control of HIV-1 replication. Using genome-wide assessments of activating and inhibitory chromatin features, we demonstrate here that cytotoxic NK (cNK) cells from elite controllers (ECs) display elevated activating histone modifications at the interleukin 2 (IL-2)/IL-15 receptor β chain and the BCL2 gene loci. These histone changes translate into increased responsiveness of cNK cells to paracrine IL-15 secretion, which coincides with higher levels of IL-15 transcription by myeloid dendritic cells in ECs. The distinct immune crosstalk between these innate immune cell populations results in improved IL-15-dependent cNK cell survival and cytotoxicity, paired with a metabolic profile biased toward IL-15-mediated glycolytic activities. Together, these results suggest that cNK cells from ECs display a programmed IL-15 response signature and support the emerging role of innate immune pathways in natural, drug-free control of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie Lancien
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ce Gao
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Mathias Lichterfeld
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xu G Yu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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8
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Li Y, Ju M, Miao Y, Zhao L, Xing L, Wei M. Advancement of anti-LAG-3 in cancer therapy. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23236. [PMID: 37846808 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301018r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have effectively transformed the treatment of many cancers, particularly those highly devastating malignancies. With their widespread popularity, the drawbacks of immune checkpoint inhibitors are also recognized, such as drug resistance and immune-related systematic side effects. Thus, it never stops investigating novel immune checkpoint inhibitors. Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3) is a well-established co-inhibitory receptor that performs negative regulation on immune responses. Recently, a novel FDA-approved LAG-3 blocking agent, together with nivolumab as a new combinational immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, brought LAG-3 back into focus. Clinical data suggests that anti-LAG-3 agents can amplify the therapeutic response of other immune checkpoint inhibitors with manageable side effects. In this review, we elucidate the intercellular and intracellular mechanisms of LAG-3, clarify the current understanding of LAG-3 in the tumor microenvironment, identify present LAG-3-associated therapeutic agents, discuss current LAG-3-involving clinical trials, and eventually address future prospects for LAG-3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Mingyi Ju
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Yuxi Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Xing
- Precision Laboratory, Panjin Central Hospital, Panjin, P.R. China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
- Shenyang Kangwei Medical Laboratory Analysis Co. Ltd, Shenyang, P.R. China
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9
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Li S, Hao L, Zhang J, Deng J, Hu X. Focus on T cell exhaustion: new advances in traditional Chinese medicine in infection and cancer. Chin Med 2023; 18:76. [PMID: 37355637 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00785-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In chronic infections and cancers, T lymphocytes (T cells) are exposed to persistent antigen or inflammatory signals. The condition is often associated with a decline in T-cell function: a state called "exhaustion". T cell exhaustion is a state of T cell dysfunction characterized by increased expression of a series of inhibitory receptors (IRs), decreased effector function, and decreased cytokine secretion, accompanied by transcriptional and epigenetic changes and metabolic defects. The rise of immunotherapy, particularly the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has dramatically changed the clinical treatment paradigm for patients. However, its low response rate, single target and high immunotoxicity limit its clinical application. The multiple immunomodulatory potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a new direction for improving the treatment of T cell exhaustion. Here, we review recent advances that have provided a clearer molecular understanding of T cell exhaustion, revealing the characteristics and causes of T cell exhaustion in persistent infections and cancers. In addition, this paper summarizes recent advances in improving T cell exhaustion in infectious diseases and cancer with the aim of providing a comprehensive and valuable source of information on TCM as an experimental study and their role in collaboration with ICIs therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Junli Zhang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiali Deng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-Er-Qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Li D, Ainiwaer A, Zheng X, Wang M, Shi Y, Rousu Z, Hou X, Kang X, Maimaiti M, Wang H, Li J, Zhang C. Upregulation of LAG3 modulates the immune imbalance of CD4+ T-cell subsets and exacerbates disease progression in patients with alveolar echinococcosis and a mouse model. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011396. [PMID: 37172058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) causes alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a tumor-like disease predominantly affecting the liver but able to spread to any organ. T cells develop functional defects during chronic E. multilocularis infection, mostly due to upregulation of inhibitory receptors such as T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domains (TIGIT) and programmed death-1 (PD-1). However, the role of lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3), an inhibitory receptor, in AE infection remains to be determined. Here, we discovered that high expression of LAG3 was mainly found in CD4+ T cells and induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) in close liver tissue (CLT) from AE patients. In a mouse model of E. multilocularis infection, LAG3 expression was predominantly found in T helper 2 (Th2) and Treg subsets, which secreted significantly more IL-4 and IL-10, resulting in host immune tolerance and disease progression at a late stage. Furthermore, LAG3 deficiency was found to drive the development of effector memory CD4+ T cells and enhance the type 1 CD4+ T-cell immune response, thus inhibiting metacestode growth in vivo. In addition, CD4+ T cells from LAG3-deficient mice produced more IFN-γ and less IL-4 when stimulated by E. multilocularis protoscoleces (EmP) antigen in vitro. Finally, adoptive transfer experiments showed that LAG3-knockout (KO) CD4+ T cells were more likely to develop into Th1 cells and less likely to develop into Tregs in recipient mice. Our work reveals that high expression of LAG3 accelerates AE disease progression by modulating the immune imbalance of CD4+ T-cell subsets. These findings may provide a novel immunotherapeutic strategy against E. multilocularis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Abidan Ainiwaer
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xuran Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zibigu Rousu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xinling Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xuejiao Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Muesier Maimaiti
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, and WHO Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Case Management of Echinococcosis, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Chuanshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Basic Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Echinococcosis, Clinical Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, and WHO Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Case Management of Echinococcosis, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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11
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Dutta S, Ganguly A, Chatterjee K, Spada S, Mukherjee S. Targets of Immune Escape Mechanisms in Cancer: Basis for Development and Evolution of Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020218. [PMID: 36829496 PMCID: PMC9952779 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a novel therapeutic tool for cancer therapy in the last decade. Unfortunately, a small number of patients benefit from approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, multiple studies are being conducted to find new ICIs and combination strategies to improve the current ICIs. In this review, we discuss some approved immune checkpoints, such as PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4, and also highlight newer emerging ICIs. For instance, HLA-E, overexpressed by tumor cells, represents an immune-suppressive feature by binding CD94/NKG2A, on NK and T cells. NKG2A blockade recruits CD8+ T cells and activates NK cells to decrease the tumor burden. NKG2D acts as an NK cell activating receptor that can also be a potential ICI. The adenosine A2A and A2B receptors, CD47-SIRPα, TIM-3, LAG-3, TIGIT, and VISTA are targets that also contribute to cancer immunoresistance and have been considered for clinical trials. Their antitumor immunosuppressive functions can be used to develop blocking antibodies. PARPs, mARTs, and B7-H3 are also other potential targets for immunosuppression. Additionally, miRNA, mRNA, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated immunotherapeutic approaches are being investigated with great interest. Pre-clinical and clinical studies project these targets as potential immunotherapeutic candidates in different cancer types for their robust antitumor modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shovan Dutta
- The Center for Immunotherapy & Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Anirban Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar 814152, India
| | | | - Sheila Spada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (S.M.)
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12
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Chelakkot C, Chelakkot VS, Shin Y, Song K. Modulating Glycolysis to Improve Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2606. [PMID: 36768924 PMCID: PMC9916680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming and switch to a 'glycolysis-dominant' metabolic profile to promote their survival and meet their requirements for energy and macromolecules. This phenomenon, also known as the 'Warburg effect,' provides a survival advantage to the cancer cells and make the tumor environment more pro-cancerous. Additionally, the increased glycolytic dependence also promotes chemo/radio resistance. A similar switch to a glycolytic metabolic profile is also shown by the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, inducing a competition between the cancer cells and the tumor-infiltrating cells over nutrients. Several recent studies have shown that targeting the enhanced glycolysis in cancer cells is a promising strategy to make them more susceptible to treatment with other conventional treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Although several targeting strategies have been developed and several of them are in different stages of pre-clinical and clinical evaluation, there is still a lack of effective strategies to specifically target cancer cell glycolysis to improve treatment efficacy. Herein, we have reviewed our current understanding of the role of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and how targeting this phenomenon could be a potential strategy to improve the efficacy of conventional cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vipin Shankar Chelakkot
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Youngkee Shin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Song
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women’s University, Seoul 01366, Republic of Korea
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13
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Benito-Lopez JJ, Marroquin-Muciño M, Perez-Medina M, Chavez-Dominguez R, Aguilar-Cazares D, Galicia-Velasco M, Lopez-Gonzalez JS. Partners in crime: The feedback loop between metabolic reprogramming and immune checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1101503. [PMID: 36713558 PMCID: PMC9879362 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1101503] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and constantly changing cellular system composed of heterogeneous populations of tumor cells and non-transformed stromal cells, such as stem cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, adipocytes, and innate and adaptive immune cells. Tumor, stromal, and immune cells consume available nutrients to sustain their proliferation and effector functions and, as a result of their metabolism, produce a wide array of by-products that gradually alter the composition of the milieu. The resulting depletion of essential nutrients and enrichment of by-products work together with other features of the hostile TME to inhibit the antitumor functions of immune cells and skew their phenotype to promote tumor progression. This review briefly describes the participation of the innate and adaptive immune cells in recognizing and eliminating tumor cells and how the gradual metabolic changes in the TME alter their antitumor functions. In addition, we discuss the overexpression of the immune checkpoints and their ligands as a result of nutrient deprivation and by-products accumulation, as well as the amplification of the metabolic alterations induced by the immune checkpoints, which creates an immunosuppressive feedback loop in the TME. Finally, the combination of metabolic and immune checkpoint inhibitors as a potential strategy to treat cancer and enhance the outcome of patients is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus J Benito-Lopez
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario Marroquin-Muciño
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Quimioterapia Experimental, Departamento de Bioquimica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario Perez-Medina
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Quimioterapia Experimental, Departamento de Bioquimica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo Chavez-Dominguez
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dolores Aguilar-Cazares
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miriam Galicia-Velasco
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jose S Lopez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Cancer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosio Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
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14
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Rodríguez-Guilarte L, Ramírez MA, Andrade CA, Kalergis AM. LAG-3 Contribution to T Cell Downmodulation during Acute Respiratory Viral Infections. Viruses 2023; 15:147. [PMID: 36680187 PMCID: PMC9865459 DOI: 10.3390/v15010147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
LAG-3 is a type I transmembrane protein expressed on immune cells, such as activated T cells, and binds to MHC class II with high affinity. LAG-3 is an inhibitory receptor, and its multiple biological activities on T cell activation and effector functions play a regulatory role in the immune response. Immunotherapies directed at immune checkpoints, including LAG-3, have become a promising strategy for controlling malignant tumors and chronic viral diseases. Several studies have suggested an association between the expression of LAG-3 with an inadequate immune response during respiratory viral infections and the susceptibility to reinfections, which might be a consequence of the inhibition of T cell effector functions. However, important information relative to therapeutic potential during acute viral lower respiratory tract infections and the mechanism of action of the LAG-3 checkpoint remains to be characterized. In this article, we discuss the contribution of LAG-3 to the impairment of T cells during viral respiratory infections. Understanding the host immune response to respiratory infections is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linmar Rodríguez-Guilarte
- Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Mario A. Ramírez
- Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Catalina A. Andrade
- Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
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15
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Metabolic Regulation of T cell Activity: Implications for Metabolic-Based T-cell Therapies for Cancer. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2023; 27:1-14. [PMID: 36624636 PMCID: PMC9971708 DOI: 10.52547/ibj.3811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Immunometabolism is an emerging field in tumor immunotherapy. Understanding the metabolic competition for access to the limited nutrients between tumor cells and immune cells can reveal the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and help develop new therapeutic approaches for cancer. Recent studies have focused on modifying the function of immune cells by manipulating their metabolic pathways. Besides, identifying metabolic events, which affect the function of immune cells leads to new therapeutic opportunities for treatment of inflammatory diseases and immune-related conditions. According to the literature, metabolic pathway such as glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid metabolism, significantly influence the survival, proliferation, activation, and function of immune cells and thus regulate immune responses. In this paper, we reviewed the role of metabolic processes and major signaling pathways involving in T-cell regulation and T-cell responses against tumor cells. Moreover, we summarized the new therapeutics suggested to enhance anti-tumor activity of T cells through manipulating metabolic pathways.
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16
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Andrews LP, Cillo AR, Karapetyan L, Kirkwood JM, Workman CJ, Vignali DA. Molecular Pathways and Mechanisms of LAG3 in Cancer Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:5030-5039. [PMID: 35579997 PMCID: PMC9669281 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-2390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy targeting coinhibitory receptors has been highly successful in treating a wide variety of malignancies; however, only a subset of patients exhibits durable responses. The first FDA-approved immunotherapeutics targeting coinhibitory receptors PD1 and CTLA4, alone or in combination, significantly improved survival but were also accompanied by substantial toxicity in combination. The third FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor targets LAG3, a coinhibitory receptor expressed on activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, especially in settings of long-term antigenic stimulation, such as chronic viral infection or cancer. Mechanistically, LAG3 expression limits both the expansion of activated T cells and the size of the memory pool, suggesting that LAG3 may be a promising target for immunotherapy. Importantly, the mechanism(s) by which LAG3 contributes to CD8+ T-cell exhaustion may be distinct from those governed by PD1, indicating that the combination of anti-LAG3 and anti-PD1 may synergistically enhance antitumor immunity. Clinical studies evaluating the role of anti-LAG3 in combination with anti-PD1 are underway, and recent phase III trial results in metastatic melanoma demonstrate both the efficacy and safety of this combination. Further ongoing clinical trials are evaluating this combination across multiple tumor types and the adjuvant setting, with accompanying translational and biomarker-focused studies designed to elucidate the molecular pathways that lead to improved antitumor T-cell responses following dual blockade of PD1 and LAG3. Overall, LAG3 plays an important role in limiting T-cell activation and has now become part of the repertoire of combinatorial immunotherapeutics available for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence P. Andrews
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
| | - Anthony R. Cillo
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
| | - Lilit Karapetyan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - John M. Kirkwood
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
| | - Creg J. Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
| | - Dario A.A. Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
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17
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Xie W, Fang J, Shan Z, Guo J, Liao Y, Zou Z, Wang J, Wen S, Yang L, Zhang Y, Lu H, Zhao H, Kuang DM, Huang P, Chen Q, Wang Z. Regulation of autoimmune disease progression by Pik3ip1 through metabolic reprogramming in T cells and therapeutic implications. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo4250. [PMID: 36179018 PMCID: PMC9524833 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo4250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic alterations could profoundly affect immune functions and influence the progression and outcome of autoimmune diseases. However, the detailed mechanisms and their therapeutic potential remain to be defined. Here, we show that phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase interacting protein 1 (Pik3ip1), a newly identified negative immune regulator, is notably down-regulated in several major autoimmune diseases through a previously unidentified mechanism mediated by interleukin-21/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/a disintegrin and metalloprotease-17 (ADAM17) pathway. Down-regulation of Pik3ip1 in T cells causes a major metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation toward aerobic glycolysis, leading to their overactivation and aggressive disease progression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. Suppression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) or pharmacologic inhibition of glycolysis could reverse these phenotypes and largely mitigate EAE severity. Our study reveals a previously unrecognized role of Pik3ip1 in metabolic regulation that substantially affects the inflammatory loop in the autoimmune setting and identifies the Pik3ip1/Hif1α/glycolysis axis as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Xie
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Juan Fang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Zhongyan Shan
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Junyi Guo
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Yuan Liao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaolei Zou
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuqiong Wen
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Lisa Yang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Yanshu Zhang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Huanzi Lu
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong-Ming Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianming Chen
- School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510055, China
- Corresponding author.
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18
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Xia Y, Gao B, Zhang X. Targeting mitochondrial quality control of T cells: Regulating the immune response in HCC. Front Oncol 2022; 12:993437. [PMID: 36212470 PMCID: PMC9539266 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.993437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops from Viral Hepatitis including Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Herein, T cells play crucial roles combined with chronic inflammation and chronic viral infection. However, T cells are gradually exhausted under chronic antigenic stimulation, which leads to T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment, and the exhaustion is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in T cells. Meanwhile, mitochondria play a crucial role in altering T cells’ metabolism modes to achieve desirable immunological responses, wherein mitochondria maintain quality control (MQC) and promote metabolism regulation in the microenvironment. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have been widely used in clinical practice, there are some limitations in the therapeutic effect, thus combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with targeting mitochondrial biogenesis may enhance cellular metabolic adaptation and reverse the exhausted state. At present, several studies on mitochondrial quality control in HCC have been reported, however, there are gaps in the regulation of immune cell function by mitochondrial metabolism, particularly the modulating of T cell immune function. Hence, this review summarizes and discusses existing studies on the effects of MQC on T cell populations in liver diseases induced by HCC, it would be clued by mitochondrial quality control events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixue Xia
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghong Gao
- School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Binghong Gao, ; Xue Zhang,
| | - Xue Zhang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Binghong Gao, ; Xue Zhang,
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19
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Huo JL, Wang YT, Fu WJ, Lu N, Liu ZS. The promising immune checkpoint LAG-3 in cancer immunotherapy: from basic research to clinical application. Front Immunol 2022; 13:956090. [PMID: 35958563 PMCID: PMC9361790 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.956090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
LAG-3, a type of immune checkpoint receptor protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, is confirmed to be expressed on activated immune cells, mainly including activated T cells. LAG-3 can negatively regulate the function of T cells, exerting important effects on maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system under normal physiological conditions and promoting tumor cells immune escape in the tumor microenvironment. Given its important biological roles, LAG-3 has been regarded as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. To date, many LAG-3 inhibitors have been reported, which can be divided into monoclonal antibody, double antibody, and small molecule drug, some of which have entered the clinical research stage. LAG-3 inhibitors can negatively regulate and suppress T cell proliferation and activation through combination with MHC II ligand. Besides, LAG-3 inhibitors can also affect T cell function via binding to Galectin-3 and LSECtin. In addition, LAG-3 inhibitors can prevent the FGL1-LAG-3 interaction, thereby enhancing the human body’s antitumor immune effect. In this review, we will describe the function of LAG-3 and summarize the latest LAG-3 inhibitors in the clinic for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ling Huo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Research Center For Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ya-Tao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, First People’s Hospital of Shangqiu, Shangqiu, China
| | - Wen-Jia Fu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Research Center For Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nan Lu
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Nan Lu, ; Zhang-Suo Liu,
| | - Zhang-Suo Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Research Center For Kidney Disease, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Nan Lu, ; Zhang-Suo Liu,
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20
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Methyladenosine Modification in RNAs: From Regulatory Roles to Therapeutic Implications in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133195. [PMID: 35804965 PMCID: PMC9264946 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer remains a burden to the public health all over the world. An increasing number of studies have concentrated on the role of methyladenosine modifications on cancers. Methyladenosine modifications mainly include N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), and 2’-O-methyladenosine (m6Am), of which dynamic changes could modulate the metabolism of RNAs in eukaryotic cells. Mounting evidence has confirmed the crucial role of methyladenosine modification in cancer, offering possibilities for cancer therapy. In this review, we discussed the regulatory role of methyladenosine modification on cancer, as well as their potential for treatment. Abstract Methyladenosine modifications are the most abundant RNA modifications, including N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), and 2’-O-methyladenosine (m6Am). As reversible epigenetic modifications, methyladenosine modifications in eukaryotic RNAs are not invariable. Drastic alterations of m6A are found in a variety of diseases, including cancers. Dynamic changes of m6A modification induced by abnormal methyltransferase, demethylases, and readers can regulate cancer progression via interfering with the splicing, localization, translation, and stability of mRNAs. Meanwhile, m6A, m1A, and m6Am modifications also exert regulatory effects on noncoding RNAs in cancer progression. In this paper, we reviewed recent findings concerning the underlying biomechanism of methyladenosine modifications in oncogenesis and metastasis and discussed the therapeutic potential of methyladenosine modifications in cancer treatments.
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Bousquet PA, Meltzer S, Fuglestad AJ, Lüders T, Esbensen Y, Juul HV, Johansen C, Lyckander LG, Bjørnetrø T, Inderberg EM, Kersten C, Redalen KR, Ree AH. The mitochondrial DNA constitution shaping T-cell immunity in patients with rectal cancer at high risk of metastatic progression. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1157-1167. [PMID: 34961902 PMCID: PMC9107448 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-021-02756-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A significant percentage of colorectal cancer patients proceeds to metastatic disease. We hypothesised that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms, generated by the high mtDNA mutation rate of energy-demanding clonal immune cell expansions and assessable in peripheral blood, reflect how efficiently systemic immunity impedes metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 44 rectal cancer patients from a population-based prospective biomarker study, given curative-intent neoadjuvant radiation and radical surgery for high-risk tumour stage and followed for metastatic failure. Blood specimens were sampled at the time of diagnosis and analysed for the full-length mtDNA sequence, composition of immune cell subpopulations and damaged serum mtDNA. RESULTS Whole blood total mtDNA variant number above the median value for the study cohort, coexisting with an mtDNA non-H haplogroup, was representative for the mtDNA of circulating immune cells and associated with low risk of a metastatic event. Abundant mtDNA variants correlated with proliferating helper T cells and cytotoxic effector T cells in the circulation. Patients without metastatic progression had high relative levels of circulating tumour-targeting effector T cells and, of note, the naïve (LAG-3+) helper T-cell population, with the proportion of LAG-3+ cells inversely correlating with cell-free damaged mtDNA in serum known to cause antagonising inflammation. CONCLUSION Numerous mtDNA polymorphisms in peripheral blood reflected clonal expansion of circulating helper and cytotoxic T-cell populations in patients without metastatic failure. The statistical associations suggested that patient's constitutional mtDNA manifests the helper T-cell capacity to mount immunity that controls metastatic susceptibility. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01816607; registration date: 22 March 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Bousquet
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - S Meltzer
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - A J Fuglestad
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Treatment, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - T Lüders
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Y Esbensen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - H V Juul
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - C Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - L G Lyckander
- Department of Pathology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - T Bjørnetrø
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - E M Inderberg
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - C Kersten
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Treatment, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - K R Redalen
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - A H Ree
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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22
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New Immunometabolic Strategy Based on Cell Type-Specific Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050768. [PMID: 35269390 PMCID: PMC8909366 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunometabolism is an emerging discipline in cancer immunotherapy. Tumor tissues are heterogeneous and influenced by metabolic reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). In the TIME, multiple cell types interact, and the tumor and immune cells compete for limited nutrients, resulting in altered anticancer immunity. Therefore, metabolic reprogramming of individual cell types may influence the outcomes of immunotherapy. Understanding the metabolic competition for access to limited nutrients between tumor cells and immune cells could reveal the breadth and complexity of the TIME and aid in developing novel therapeutic approaches for cancer. In this review, we highlight that, when cells compete for nutrients, the prevailing cell type gains certain advantages over other cell types; for instance, if tumor cells prevail against immune cells for nutrients, the former gains immune resistance. Thus, a strategy is needed to selectively suppress such resistant tumor cells. Although challenging, the concept of cell type-specific metabolic pathway inhibition is a potent new strategy in anticancer immunotherapy.
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23
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Reinfeld BI, Rathmell WK, Kim TK, Rathmell JC. The therapeutic implications of immunosuppressive tumor aerobic glycolysis. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:46-58. [PMID: 34239083 PMCID: PMC8752729 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00727-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2011, Hanahan and Weinberg added "Deregulating Cellular Energetics" and "Avoiding Immune Destruction" to the six previous hallmarks of cancer. Since this seminal paper, there has been a growing consensus that these new hallmarks are not mutually exclusive but rather interdependent. The following review summarizes how founding genetic events for tumorigenesis ultimately increase tumor cell glycolysis, which not only supports the metabolic demands of malignancy but also provides an immunoprotective niche, promoting malignant cell proliferation, maintenance and progression. The mechanisms by which altered metabolism contributes to immune impairment are multifactorial: (1) the metabolic demands of proliferating tumor cells and activated immune cells are similar, thus creating a situation where immune cells may be in competition for key nutrients; (2) the metabolic byproducts of aerobic glycolysis directly inhibit antitumor immunity while promoting a regulatory immune phenotype; and (3) the gene programs associated with the upregulation of glycolysis also result in the generation of immunosuppressive cytokines and metabolites. From this perspective, we shed light on important considerations for the development of new classes of agents targeting cancer metabolism. These types of therapies can impair tumor growth but also pose a significant risk of stifling antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley I. Reinfeld
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - W. Kimryn Rathmell
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Tae Kon Kim
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Rathmell
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
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24
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Zhang M, Zhou Y, Xie Z, Luo S, Zhou Z, Huang J, Zhao B. New Developments in T Cell Immunometabolism and Therapeutic Implications for Type 1 Diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:914136. [PMID: 35757405 PMCID: PMC9226440 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.914136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease mediated by T cells and is becoming a serious public health threat. Despite the increasing incidence rate of T1D worldwide, our understanding of why T1D develops and how T cells lose their self-tolerance in this process remain limited. Recent advances in immunometabolism have shown that cellular metabolism plays a fundamental role in shaping T cell responses. T cell activation and proliferation are supported by metabolic reprogramming to meet the increased energy and biomass demand, and deregulation in immune metabolism can lead to autoimmune disorders. Specific metabolic pathways and factors have been investigated to rectify known deficiencies in several autoimmune diseases, including T1D. Most therapeutic strategies have concentrated on aerobic glycolysis to limit T cell responses, whereas glycolysis is the main metabolic pathway for T cell activation and proliferation. The use of metabolic inhibitors, especially glycolysis inhibitors may largely leave T cell function intact but primarily target those autoreactive T cells with hyperactivated metabolism. In this review, we provide an overview of metabolic reprogramming used by T cells, summarize the recent findings of key metabolic pathways and regulators modulating T cell homeostasis, differentiation, and function in the context of T1D, and discuss the opportunities for metabolic intervention to be employed to suppress autoreactive T cells and limit the progression of β-cell destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanyan Zhou
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiguo Xie
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuoming Luo
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhou
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Zhao, ; ; Jiaqi Huang, ;
| | - Bin Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Zhao, ; ; Jiaqi Huang, ;
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25
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Importance of T, NK, CAR T and CAR NK Cell Metabolic Fitness for Effective Anti-Cancer Therapy: A Continuous Learning Process Allowing the Optimization of T, NK and CAR-Based Anti-Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010183. [PMID: 35008348 PMCID: PMC8782435 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer treatments are evolving at a very rapid pace. Some of the most novel anti-cancer medicines under development rely on the modification of immune cells in order to transform them into potent tumor-killing cells. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is competing for nutrients with these harnessed immune cells and therefore paralyzes their metabolic effective and active anti-cancer activities. Here we describe strategies to overcome these hurdles imposed on immune cell activity, which lead to therapeutic approaches to enhance metabolic fitness of the patient’s immune system with the objective to improve their anti-cancer capacity. Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and CAR NK cell therapies opened new avenues for cancer treatment. Although original successes of CAR T and CAR NK cells for the treatment of hematological malignancies were extraordinary, several obstacles have since been revealed, in particular their use for the treatment of solid cancers. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is competing for nutrients with T and NK cells and their CAR-expressing counterparts, paralyzing their metabolic effective and active states. Consequently, this can lead to alterations in their anti-tumoral capacity and persistence in vivo. High glucose uptake and the depletion of key amino acids by the TME can deprive T and NK cells of energy and building blocks, which turns them into a state of anergy, where they are unable to exert cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. This is especially true in the context of an immune-suppressive TME. In order to re-invigorate the T, NK, CAR T and CAR NK cell-mediated antitumor response, the field is now attempting to understand how metabolic pathways might change T and NK responses and functions, as well as those from their CAR-expressing partners. This revealed ways to metabolically rewire these cells by using metabolic enhancers or optimizing pre-infusion in vitro cultures of these cells. Importantly, next-generation CAR T and CAR NK products might include in the future the necessary metabolic requirements by improving their design, manufacturing process and other parameters. This will allow the overcoming of current limitations due to their interaction with the suppressive TME. In a clinical setting, this might improve their anti-cancer effector activity in synergy with immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss how the tumor cells and TME interfere with T and NK cell metabolic requirements. This may potentially lead to therapeutic approaches that enhance the metabolic fitness of CAR T and CAR NK cells, with the objective to improve their anti-cancer capacity.
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26
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Garcia Cruz D, Giri RR, Gamiotea Turro D, Balsbaugh JL, Adler AJ, Rodriguez A. Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 Regulates Dendritic Cell Metabolic Programing and T Cell Priming Function. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 207:2374-2384. [PMID: 34588222 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Deficiency of lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) is significantly associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk with in vitro results demonstrating increased TNF-α and decreased IL-10 secretion from LAG3-deficient human B lymphoblasts. The hypothesis tested in this study was that Lag3 deficiency in dendritic cells (DCs) would significantly affect cytokine expression, alter cellular metabolism, and prime naive T cells to greater effector differentiation. Experimental approaches used included differentiation of murine bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) to measure secreted cytokines, cellular metabolism, RNA sequencing, whole cell proteomics, adoptive OT-II CD4+Lag3 +/+ donor cells into wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 and Lag3 -/- recipient mice, and ex vivo measurements of IFN-γ from cultured splenocytes. Results showed that Lag3 -/- BMDCs secreted more TNF-α, were more glycolytic, used fewer fatty acids for mitochondrial respiration, and glycolysis was significantly reduced by exogenous IL-10 treatment. Under basal conditions, RNA sequencing revealed increased expression of CD40 and CD86 and other cytokine-signaling targets as compared with WT. Whole cell proteomics identified a significant number of proteins up- and downregulated in Lag3 -/- BMDCs, with significant differences noted in exogenous IL-10 responsiveness compared with WT cells. Ex vivo, IFN-γ expression was significantly higher in Lag3 -/- mice as compared with WT. With in vivo adoptive T cell and in vitro BMDC:T coculture experiments, Lag3 -/- BMDCs showed greater T cell effector differentiation and proliferation, respectively, compared with WT BMDCs. In conclusion, Lag3 deficiency in DCs is associated with an inflammatory phenotype that provides a plausible mechanism for increased cardiovascular disease risk in humans with LAG3 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jeremy L Balsbaugh
- Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT; and
| | - Adam J Adler
- Department of Immunology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT
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27
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Interplay of Immunometabolism and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189878. [PMID: 34576042 PMCID: PMC8466075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells are the key hallmarks of tumor metastasis. Since the relationship between the two has been well studied, researchers have gained increasing interest in the interplay of cancer cell EMT and immune metabolic changes. Whether the mutual influences between them could provide novel explanations for immune surveillance during metastasis is worth understanding. Here, we review the role of immunometabolism in the regulatory loop between tumor-infiltrating immune cells and EMT. We also discuss the challenges and perspectives of targeting immunometabolism in cancer treatment.
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28
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Madden MZ, Rathmell JC. The Complex Integration of T-cell Metabolism and Immunotherapy. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1636-1643. [PMID: 33795235 PMCID: PMC8295173 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune oncology approaches of adoptive cell therapy and immune checkpoint blockade aim to activate T cells to eliminate tumors. Normal stimulation of resting T cells induces metabolic reprogramming from catabolic and oxidative metabolism to aerobic glycolysis in effector T cells, and back to oxidative metabolism in long-lived memory cells. These metabolic reprogramming events are now appreciated to be essential aspects of T-cell function and fate. Here, we review these transitions, how they are disrupted by T-cell interactions with tumors and the tumor microenvironment, and how they can inform immune oncology to enhance T-cell function against tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: T-cell metabolism plays a central role in T-cell fate yet is altered in cancer in ways that can suppress antitumor immunity. Here, we discuss challenges and opportunities to stimulate effector T-cell metabolism and improve cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Z Madden
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
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29
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PGC1s and Beyond: Disentangling the Complex Regulation of Mitochondrial and Cellular Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136913. [PMID: 34199142 PMCID: PMC8268830 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolism is the central engine of living organisms as it provides energy and building blocks for many essential components of each cell, which are required for specific functions in different tissues. Mitochondria are the main site for energy production in living organisms and they also provide intermediate metabolites required for the synthesis of other biologically relevant molecules. Such cellular processes are finely tuned at different levels, including allosteric regulation, posttranslational modifications, and transcription of genes encoding key proteins in metabolic pathways. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1 (PGC1) proteins are transcriptional coactivators involved in the regulation of many cellular processes, mostly ascribable to metabolic pathways. Here, we will discuss some aspects of the cellular processes regulated by PGC1s, bringing up some examples of their role in mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, and how metabolic regulation in mitochondria by members of the PGC1 family affects the immune system. We will analyze how PGC1 proteins are regulated at the transcriptional and posttranslational level and will also examine other regulators of mitochondrial metabolism and the related cellular functions, considering approaches to identify novel mitochondrial regulators and their role in physiology and disease. Finally, we will analyze possible therapeutical perspectives currently under assessment that are applicable to different disease states.
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30
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Braun MY. The Natural History of T Cell Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136779. [PMID: 34202553 PMCID: PMC8269353 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The cells of the immune system, particularly the T lymphocytes, have two main features that distinguish them from the cells of other tissues. They proliferate after activation and have the ability to move in tissues and organs. These characteristics compel them to develop metabolic plasticity in order to fulfil their immune function. This review focuses on the different known mechanisms that allow T cells to adapt their metabolism to the real-life circumstances they operate in, whether it is to exit quiescence, to differentiate into effector cells, or to participate in immune memory formation. Some of the metabolic adaptations to environmental variations that T cells are likely to undergo in their immune monitoring function are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Y Braun
- Institute for Medical Immunology (IMI), Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
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31
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Martins CP, New LA, O’Connor EC, Previte DM, Cargill KR, Tse IL, Sims- Lucas S, Piganelli JD. Glycolysis Inhibition Induces Functional and Metabolic Exhaustion of CD4 + T Cells in Type 1 Diabetes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:669456. [PMID: 34163475 PMCID: PMC8216385 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.669456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), CD4+ T cells initiate autoimmune attack of pancreatic islet β cells. Importantly, bioenergetic programs dictate T cell function, with specific pathways required for progression through the T cell lifecycle. During activation, CD4+ T cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to the less efficient aerobic glycolysis, similarly to highly proliferative cancer cells. In an effort to limit tumor growth in cancer, use of glycolytic inhibitors have been successfully employed in preclinical and clinical studies. This strategy has also been utilized to suppress T cell responses in autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, modulating T cell metabolism in the context of T1D has remained an understudied therapeutic opportunity. In this study, we utilized the small molecule PFK15, a competitive inhibitor of the rate limiting glycolysis enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6- biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). Our results confirmed PFK15 inhibited glycolysis utilization by diabetogenic CD4+ T cells and reduced T cell responses to β cell antigen in vitro. In an adoptive transfer model of T1D, PFK15 treatment delayed diabetes onset, with 57% of animals remaining euglycemic at the end of the study period. Protection was due to induction of a hyporesponsive T cell phenotype, characterized by increased and sustained expression of the checkpoint molecules PD-1 and LAG-3 and downstream functional and metabolic exhaustion. Glycolysis inhibition terminally exhausted diabetogenic CD4+ T cells, which was irreversible through restimulation or checkpoint blockade in vitro and in vivo. In sum, our results demonstrate a novel therapeutic strategy to control aberrant T cell responses by exploiting the metabolic reprogramming of these cells during T1D. Moreover, the data presented here highlight a key role for nutrient availability in fueling T cell function and has implications in our understanding of T cell biology in chronic infection, cancer, and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina P. Martins
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lee A. New
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Erin C. O’Connor
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Dana M. Previte
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kasey R. Cargill
- Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Isabelle L. Tse
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sunder Sims- Lucas
- Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jon D. Piganelli
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Abstract
Immunotherapy has become the mainstay for lung cancer treatment, providing sustained therapeutic responses and improved prognosis compared with those obtained with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. It has the potential for anti-tumor treatment and killing tumor cells by activating human immunity and has moved the targets of anti-cancer therapy from malignant tumor cells to immune cell subsets. Two kinds of immune checkpoints, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), are the main targets of current immunotherapy in lung cancer. Despite the successful outcomes achieved by immune checkpoint inhibitors, a small portion of lung cancer patients remain unresponsive to checkpoint immunotherapy or may ultimately become resistant to these agents as a result of the complex immune modulatory network in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is imperative to exploit novel immunotherapy targets to further expand the proportion of patients benefiting from immunotherapy. This review summarizes the molecular features, biological function, and clinical significance of several novel checkpoints that have important roles in lung cancer immune responses beyond the CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 axes, including the markers of co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory T lymphocyte pathways and inhibitory markers of macrophages and natural killer cells.
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33
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Hartana CA, Rassadkina Y, Gao C, Martin-Gayo E, Walker BD, Lichterfeld M, Yu XG. Long noncoding RNA MIR4435-2HG enhances metabolic function of myeloid dendritic cells from HIV-1 elite controllers. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:146136. [PMID: 33938445 PMCID: PMC8087208 DOI: 10.1172/jci146136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Restriction of HIV-1 replication in elite controllers (ECs) is frequently attributed to T cell-mediated immune responses, while the specific contribution of innate immune cells is less clear. Here, we demonstrate an upregulation of the host long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MIR4435-2HG in primary myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) from ECs. Elevated expression of this lncRNA in mDCs was associated with a distinct immunometabolic profile, characterized by increased oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis activities in response to TLR3 stimulation. Using functional assays, we show that MIR4435-2HG directly influenced the metabolic state of mDCs, likely through epigenetic mechanisms involving H3K27ac enrichment at an intronic enhancer in the RPTOR gene locus, the main component of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Together, these results suggest a role of MIR4435-2HG for enhancing immunometabolic activities of mDCs in ECs through targeted epigenetic modifications of a member of the mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ce Gao
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Enrique Martin-Gayo
- Immunology Unit, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Hospital Universitario la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruce D. Walker
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, and
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mathias Lichterfeld
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xu G. Yu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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34
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Roy DG, Kaymak I, Williams KS, Ma EH, Jones RG. Immunometabolism in the Tumor Microenvironment. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030518-055817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Advances in immunotherapy have underscored the importance of antitumor immune responses in controlling cancer. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) imposes several obstacles to the proper function of immune cells, including a metabolically challenging and immunosuppressive microenvironment. The increased metabolic activity of tumor cells can lead to the depletion of key nutrients required by immune cells and the accumulation of byproducts that hamper antitumor immunity. Furthermore, the presence of suppressive immune cells, such as regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and the expression of immune inhibitory receptors can negatively impact immune cell metabolism and function. This review summarizes the metabolic reprogramming that is characteristic of various immune cell subsets, discusses how the metabolism and function of immune cells are shaped by the TME, and highlights how therapeutic interventions aimed at improving the metabolic fitness of immune cells and alleviating the metabolic constraints in the TME can boost antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic G. Roy
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Irem Kaymak
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Kelsey S. Williams
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Eric H. Ma
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Russell G. Jones
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
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Kazemi MH, Najafi A, Karami J, Ghazizadeh F, Yousefi H, Falak R, Safari E. Immune and metabolic checkpoints blockade: Dual wielding against tumors. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 94:107461. [PMID: 33592403 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have raised hopes for treating cancers that are resistant to conventional therapies. Among the various immunotherapy methods, the immune checkpoint (IC) blockers were more promising and have paved their way to the clinic. Tumor cells induce the expression of ICs on the immune cells and derive them to a hyporesponsive exhausted phenotype. IC blockers could hinder immune exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment and reinvigorate immune cells for an efficient antitumor response. Despite the primary success of IC blockers in the clinic, the growing numbers of refractory cases require an in-depth study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying IC expression and function. Immunometabolism is recently found to be a key factor in the regulation of immune responses. Activated or exhausted immune cells exploit different metabolic pathways. Tumor cells can suppress antitumor responses via immunometabolism alteration. Therefore, it is expected that concurrent targeting of ICs and immunometabolism pathways can cause immune cells to restore their antitumor activity. In this review, we dissected the reciprocal interactions of immune cell metabolism with expression and signaling of ICs in the tumor microenvironment. Recent findings on dual targeting of ICs and metabolic checkpoints have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Kazemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alireza Najafi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jafar Karami
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Laboratory Sciences, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.
| | - Foad Ghazizadeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hassan Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Elahe Safari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Kaymak I, Williams KS, Cantor JR, Jones RG. Immunometabolic Interplay in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:28-37. [PMID: 33125860 PMCID: PMC7837268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immune cells' metabolism influences their differentiation and function. Given that a complex interplay of environmental factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME) can have a profound impact on the metabolic activities of immune, stromal, and tumor cell types, there is emerging interest to advance understanding of these diverse metabolic phenotypes in the TME. Here, we discuss cell-extrinsic contributions to the metabolic activities of immune cells. Then, considering recent technical advances in experimental systems and metabolic profiling technologies, we propose future directions to better understand how immune cells meet their metabolic demands in the TME, which can be leveraged for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irem Kaymak
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Kelsey S Williams
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jason R Cantor
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Russell G Jones
- Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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Graydon CG, Mohideen S, Fowke KR. LAG3's Enigmatic Mechanism of Action. Front Immunol 2021; 11:615317. [PMID: 33488626 PMCID: PMC7820757 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.615317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
LAG3 is an important immune checkpoint with relevance in cancer, infectious disease and autoimmunity. However, despite LAG3's role in immune exhaustion and the great potential of LAG3 inhibition as treatment, much remains unknown about its biology, particularly its mechanism of action. This review describes the knowns, unknowns and controversies surrounding LAG3. This includes examination of how LAG3 is regulated transcriptionally and post-translationally by endocytosis and proteolytic cleavage. We also discuss the interactions of LAG3 with its ligands and the purpose thereof. Finally, we review LAG3's mechanism of action, including the roles of LAG3 intracellular motifs and the lack of a role for CD4 competition. Overall, understanding the biology of LAG3 can provide greater insight on LAG3 function, which may broaden the appreciation for LAG3's role in disease and potentially aid in the development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin G. Graydon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Shifa Mohideen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Keith R. Fowke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada,Department of Medical Micobiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada,Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya,*Correspondence: Keith R. Fowke,
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Pellegrino M, Del Bufalo F, De Angelis B, Quintarelli C, Caruana I, de Billy E. Manipulating the Metabolism to Improve the Efficacy of CAR T-Cell Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 10:cells10010014. [PMID: 33374128 PMCID: PMC7824126 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing T-cells has produced unprecedented successful results in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, the use of this technology in other malignancies remains less effective. In the setting of solid neoplasms, CAR T-cell metabolic fitness needs to be optimal to reach the tumor and execute their cytolytic function in an environment often hostile. It is now well established that both tumor and T cell metabolisms play critical roles in controlling the immune response by conditioning the tumor microenvironment and the fate and activity of the T cells. In this review, after a brief description of the tumoral and T cell metabolic reprogramming, we summarize the latest advances and new strategies that have been developed to improve the metabolic fitness and efficacy of CAR T-cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha Pellegrino
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, 81100 Naples, Italy
| | - Ignazio Caruana
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children’s Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Department of Onco-hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital–IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (F.D.B.); (B.D.A.); (C.Q.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-3516
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Lepez A, Pirnay T, Denanglaire S, Perez-Morga D, Vermeersch M, Leo O, Andris F. Long-term T cell fitness and proliferation is driven by AMPK-dependent regulation of reactive oxygen species. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21673. [PMID: 33303820 PMCID: PMC7728748 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78715-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a major energy sensor metabolic enzyme that is activated early during T cell immune responses but its role in the generation of effector T cells is still controversial. Using both in vitro and in vivo models of T cell proliferation, we show herein that AMPK is dispensable for early TCR signaling and short-term proliferation but required for sustained long-term T cell proliferation and effector/memory T cell survival. In particular, AMPK promoted accumulation of effector/memory T cells in competitive homeostatic proliferation settings. Transplantation of AMPK-deficient hematopoïetic cells into allogeneic host recipients led to a reduced graft-versus-host disease, further bolstering a role for AMPK in the expansion and pathogenicity of effector T cells. Mechanistically, AMPK expression enhances the mitochondrial membrane potential of T cells, limits reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and resolves ROS-mediated toxicity. Moreover, dampening ROS production alleviates the proliferative defect of AMPK-deficient T cells, therefore indicating a role for an AMPK-mediated ROS control of T cell fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk Lepez
- ULB Centre for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Immunobiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles - IBMM, 12, rue des Prof. Jeener et Brachet, 6041, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tiphène Pirnay
- ULB Centre for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Immunobiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles - IBMM, 12, rue des Prof. Jeener et Brachet, 6041, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Denanglaire
- ULB Centre for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Immunobiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles - IBMM, 12, rue des Prof. Jeener et Brachet, 6041, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Perez-Morga
- Centre for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Vermeersch
- Centre for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Oberdan Leo
- ULB Centre for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of Immunobiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles - IBMM, 12, rue des Prof. Jeener et Brachet, 6041, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fabienne Andris
- ULB Centre for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. .,Laboratory of Immunobiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles - IBMM, 12, rue des Prof. Jeener et Brachet, 6041, Brussels, Belgium.
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Verdon DJ, Mulazzani M, Jenkins MR. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of CD8 + T Cell Differentiation, Dysfunction and Exhaustion. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197357. [PMID: 33027962 PMCID: PMC7582856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells follow a triphasic distinct pathway of activation, proliferation and differentiation before becoming functionally and phenotypically “exhausted” in settings of chronic infection, autoimmunity and in cancer. Exhausted T cells progressively lose canonical effector functions, exhibit altered transcriptional networks and epigenetic signatures and gain constitutive expression of a broad coinhibitory receptor suite. This review outlines recent advances in our understanding of exhausted T cell biology and examines cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a state of dysfunction or exhaustion is established, and mechanisms by which exhausted T cells may still contribute to pathogen or tumour control. Further, this review describes our understanding of exhausted T cell heterogeneity and outlines the mechanisms by which checkpoint blockade differentially engages exhausted T cell subsets to overcome exhaustion and recover T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Verdon
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (D.J.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Matthias Mulazzani
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (D.J.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Misty R. Jenkins
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; (D.J.V.); (M.M.)
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Institute of Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Cong J. Metabolism of Natural Killer Cells and Other Innate Lymphoid Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1989. [PMID: 32983138 PMCID: PMC7484708 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the host's first line of defense against tumors and viral infections without prior sensitization. It is increasingly accepted that NK cells belong to the innate lymphoid cell (ILC) family. Other ILCs, comprising ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s and lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells, are largely non-cytotoxic, tissue-resident cells, which function to protect local microenvironments against tissue insults and maintain homeostasis. Recently, evidence has accumulated that metabolism supports many aspects of the biology of NK cells and other ILCs, and that metabolic reprogramming regulates their development and function. Here, we outline the current understanding of ILC metabolism, and describe how metabolic processes are affected, and how metabolic defects are coupled to dysfunction of ILCs, in disease settings. Furthermore, we summarize the current and potential directions for immunotherapy involving targeting of ILC metabolism. Finally, we discuss the open questions in the rapidly expanding field of ILC metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Cong
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institue of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Emerging role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor immune evasion and immunotherapy. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:534-547. [PMID: 32815067 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-1735-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence has revealed that the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapies is restricted to a small portion of cancer patients. A deeper understanding of how metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates immunity remains a major challenge to tumor eradication. It has been suggested that metabolic reprogramming in the TME may affect metabolism in immune cells and subsequently suppress immune function. Tumor cells compete with infiltrating immune cells for nutrients and metabolites. Notably, the immunosuppressive TME is characterized by catabolic and anabolic processes that are critical for immune cell function, and elevated inhibitory signals may favor cancer immune evasion. The major energy sources that supply different immune cell subtypes also undergo reprogramming. We herein summarize the metabolic remodeling in tumor cells and different immune cell subtypes and the latest advances underlying the use of metabolic checkpoints in antitumor immunotherapies. In this context, targeting both tumor and immune cell metabolic reprogramming may enhance therapeutic efficacy.
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Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) mRNA and protein expression on tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:2319-2327. [PMID: 32592066 PMCID: PMC7382658 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03295-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) is an immunosuppressive checkpoint molecule expressed on T cells. The frequency and distribution of LAG3 expression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is unknown. Aim of the study was the evaluation and distribution of LAG3 on tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and correlation with clinico-pathological and molecular data. METHODS We analysed tumor tissue samples using immunohistochemistry, multi-colour immunofluorescence and mRNA in-situ technology. The analyses were performed on a multi-spot tissue microarray (TMA) with 165 samples, followed by an evaluation on a single-spot TMA with 477 samples. These results were correlated with clinical and molecular tumour data. RESULTS LAG3 expression on TILs was detectable in 10.5% on the multi-spot TMA and 11.4% on the single-spot TMA. There was a strong correlation between protein expression and mRNA expression (p < 0.001) in TILs. LAG 3 expression was correlated with CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells within the tumor (p < 0.001). LAG3 expression showed an improved overall survival (OS) compared to patients without LAG3 expression (median OS 70.2 vs. 26.9 months; p = 0.046). The effect was even clearer in the group of patients with tumour stages > pT2 (70.2 vs 25.0 months; p = 0.037). CONCLUSION This is the first description of LAG3 expression on TILs in EAC, underscoring the importance of immunomodulation in EAC. Our data suggest an impact of LAG3 in a relevant subset of EAC. Therapeutic studies investigating the efficacy of LAG3 inhibition in EAC will also provide predictive evidence and relevance of the immunohistochemical determination of LAG3 expression.
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Myers DR, Wheeler B, Roose JP. mTOR and other effector kinase signals that impact T cell function and activity. Immunol Rev 2020; 291:134-153. [PMID: 31402496 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
T cells play important roles in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Following the cloning of the T cell receptor (TCR), the race was on to map signaling proteins that contributed to T cell activation downstream of the TCR as well as co-stimulatory molecules such as CD28. We term this "canonical TCR signaling" here. More recently, it has been appreciated that T cells need to accommodate increased metabolic needs that stem from T cell activation in order to function properly. A central role herein has emerged for mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In this review we briefly cover canonical TCR signaling to set the stage for discussion on mTOR signaling, mRNA translation, and metabolic adaptation in T cells. We also discuss the role of mTOR in follicular helper T cells, regulatory T cells, and other T cell subsets. Our lab recently uncovered that "tonic signals", which pass through proximal TCR signaling components, are robustly and selectively transduced to mTOR to promote baseline translation of various mRNA targets. We discuss insights on (tonic) mTOR signaling in the context of T cell function in autoimmune diseases such as lupus as well as in cancer immunotherapy through CAR-T cell or checkpoint blockade approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darienne R Myers
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Wheeler
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeroen P Roose
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Sheppard AD, Lysaght J. Immunometabolism and Its Potential to Improve the Current Limitations of Immunotherapy. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2184:233-263. [PMID: 32808230 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0802-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The last century of research in tumor immunology has culminated in the advent of immunotherapy, most notably immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs have shown encouraging results across a multitude of malignancies and have shifted the paradigm of cancer treatment. However, no more than 40% of patients treated with these immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors respond. Thus, resistance is a barrier to therapy that remains poorly understood. All cells require energy and biosynthetic precursors for survival, growth, and functioning, where multiple metabolic pathways allow for flexibility in how nutrients are utilized. A defining hallmark of many cancers is altered cellular metabolism, creating an imbalanced demand for nutrients within the tumor microenvironment. Immunometabolism is increasingly understood to be vital to the functions and phenotypes of a myriad of immune cell subsets. In tumors, the high demand for nutrients by the tumor drives competition between tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells, culminating in dysfunctional immune responses. This chapter discusses the recent successes in cancer immunotherapy and highlights challenges to therapy. We also outline the major metabolic processes involved in the generation of an immune response, how this can become dysregulated in the context of the tumor microenvironment, and how this contributes to resistance to immunotherapy. Finally, we explore the potential for targeting immunometabolic pathways to improve immunotherapy, and examine current trials targeting various aspects of metabolism in an attempt to improve the outcomes from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Sheppard
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joanne Lysaght
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Group, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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Bai J, Liu Z, Liu J, Zhang S, Tian Y, Zhang Y, Ren L, Kong D. Mitochondrial metabolic study guided by proteomics analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells surviving long-term incubation with the highest dose of sorafenib. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:12452-12475. [PMID: 31881007 PMCID: PMC6949094 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib is the standard first-line systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the low objective response rates in clinical studies suggest the existence of certain HCC cells that are inherently insensitive to sorafenib. To understand the molecular basis of insensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib, this study developed 3 kinds of insensitive HCC cells through exposure to various concentrations of sorafenib and performed a quantitative proteome analysis of the surviving HepG2 cells. 520 unique proteins were concentration-dependently upregulated by sorafenib. Bioinformatics-assisted analysis of 520 proteins revealed that the metabolic pathways involved in central carbon metabolism were significantly enriched, and 102 mitochondrial proteins, especially components of the electron transport chain (ETC), were incrementally upregulated in the 3 kinds of insensitive cells. Conversely, we identified a rapid holistic inhibitory effect of sorafenib on mitochondrial function by the direct targeting of the complex I-linked electron transport and the uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXHPOS) in HCC cells. Core metabolic reprogramming involved in a compensatory upregulation of OXHPOS combined with elevated glycolysis supports the survival of HCC cells under the highest dose of sorafenib treatment. Altogether, our work thus elaborates an ETC inhibitor and unveils the proteomic landscape of metabolic reprogramming in drug insensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bai
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Ziqi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Saihang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Yueshan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Leiming Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Dezhi Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
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Yin Z, Bai L, Li W, Zeng T, Tian H, Cui J. Targeting T cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment: an anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:403. [PMID: 31519198 PMCID: PMC6743108 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1409-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
T cells play important roles in anti-tumor immunity. Emerging evidence has revealed that distinct metabolic changes impact the activation and differentiation of T cells. Tailoring immune responses by manipulating cellular metabolic pathways and the identification of new targets may provide new options for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the metabolic reprogramming of different subtypes of T cells and T cell functions. We summarize how metabolic pathways accurately regulate T cell development, differentiation, and function in the tumor microenvironment. Because of the similar metabolism in activated T cells and tumor cells, we also describe the effect of the tumor microenvironment on T cell metabolism reprogramming, which may provide strategies for maximal anti-cancer effects and enhancing the immunity of T cells. Thus, studies of T lymphocyte metabolism can not only facilitate the basic research of immune metabolism, but also provide potential targets for drug development and new strategies for clinical treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongping Yin
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Ling Bai
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Li
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Tanlun Zeng
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Huimin Tian
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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Solinas C, Migliori E, De Silva P, Willard-Gallo K. LAG3: The Biological Processes That Motivate Targeting This Immune Checkpoint Molecule in Human Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1213. [PMID: 31434339 PMCID: PMC6721578 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) pathway is an important regulator of immune responses in peripheral tissues, including abnormal situations such as the tumor microenvironment. This pathway is currently the principal target for immunotherapeutic compounds designed to block immune checkpoint pathways, with these drugs improving clinical outcomes in a number of solid and hematological tumors. Medical oncology is experiencing an immune revolution that has scientists and clinicians looking at alternative, non-redundant inhibitory pathways also involved in regulating immune responses in cancer. A variety of targets have emerged for combinatorial approaches in immune checkpoint blockade. The main purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the biological role of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), an emerging targetable inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule. We briefly discuss its role in infection, autoimmune disease and cancer, with a more detailed analysis of current data on LAG3 expression in breast cancer. Current clinical trials testing soluble LAG3 immunoglobulin and LAG3 antagonists are also presented in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Solinas
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Valle d'Aosta, Regional Hospital of Aosta, 11100 Aosta, Italy
| | - Edoardo Migliori
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pushpamali De Silva
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karen Willard-Gallo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
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Simula L, Campanella M, Campello S. Targeting Drp1 and mitochondrial fission for therapeutic immune modulation. Pharmacol Res 2019; 146:104317. [PMID: 31220561 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles whose processes of fusion and fission are tightly regulated by specialized proteins, known as mitochondria-shaping proteins. Among them, Drp1 is the main pro-fission protein and its activity is tightly regulated to ensure a strict control over mitochondria shape according to the cell needs. In the recent years, mitochondrial dynamics emerged as a new player in the regulation of fundamental processes during T cell life. Indeed, the morphology of mitochondria directly regulates T cell differentiation, this by affecting the engagment of alternative metabolic routes upon activation. Further, Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission sustains both T cell clonal expansion and T cell migration and invasivness. By this review, we aim at discussing the most recent findings about the roles played by the Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission in T cells, and at highlighting how its pharmacological modulation could open the way to future therapeutic approaches to modulate T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Simula
- Dept. of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Dept. of Paediatric Haemato-Oncology, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Campanella
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street NW1 0TU, London, United Kingdom; Consortium for Mitochondrial Research (CfMR), University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Campello
- Dept. of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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