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Zheng J, Wu YC, Cai X, Phan P, Er EE, Zhao Z, Lee SSY. Correlative multiscale 3D imaging of mouse primary and metastatic tumors by sequential light sheet and confocal fluorescence microscopy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594162. [PMID: 38798657 PMCID: PMC11118317 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) optical microscopy, combined with advanced tissue clearing, permits in situ interrogation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in large volumetric tumors for preclinical cancer research. Light sheet (also known as ultramicroscopy) and confocal fluorescence microscopy are often used to achieve macroscopic and microscopic 3D images of optically cleared tumor tissues, respectively. Although each technique offers distinct fields of view (FOVs) and spatial resolution, the combination of these two optical microscopy techniques to obtain correlative multiscale 3D images from the same tumor tissues has not yet been explored. To establish correlative multiscale 3D optical microscopy, we developed a method for optically marking defined regions of interest (ROIs) within a cleared mouse tumor by employing a UV light-activated visible dye and Z-axis position-selective UV irradiation in a light sheet microscope system. By integrating this method with subsequent tissue processing, including physical ROI marking, reversal of tissue clearing, tissue macrosectioning, and multiplex immunofluorescence, we established a workflow that enables the tracking and 3D imaging of ROIs within tumor tissues through sequential light sheet and confocal fluorescence microscopy. This approach allowed for quantitative 3D spatial analysis of the immune response in the TME of a mouse mammary tumor following cancer immunotherapy at multiple spatial scales. The workflow also facilitated the direct localization of a metastatic lesion within a whole mouse brain. These results demonstrate that our ROI tracking method and its associated workflow offer a novel approach for correlative multiscale 3D optical microscopy, with the potential to provide new insights into tumor heterogeneity, metastasis, and response to therapy at various spatial levels.
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Zhang J, Li J, Hou Y, Lin Y, Zhao H, Shi Y, Chen K, Nian C, Tang J, Pan L, Xing Y, Gao H, Yang B, Song Z, Cheng Y, Liu Y, Sun M, Linghu Y, Li J, Huang H, Lai Z, Zhou Z, Li Z, Sun X, Chen Q, Su D, Li W, Peng Z, Liu P, Chen W, Huang H, Chen Y, Xiao B, Ye L, Chen L, Zhou D. Osr2 functions as a biomechanical checkpoint to aggravate CD8 + T cell exhaustion in tumor. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00448-3. [PMID: 38744281 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.023] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture and stiffness represent hallmarks of cancer. Whether the biomechanical property of ECM impacts the functionality of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells remains largely unknown. Here, we reveal that the transcription factor (TF) Osr2 integrates biomechanical signaling and facilitates the terminal exhaustion of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells. Osr2 expression is selectively induced in the terminally exhausted tumor-specific CD8+ T cell subset by coupled T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and biomechanical stress mediated by the Piezo1/calcium/CREB axis. Consistently, depletion of Osr2 alleviates the exhaustion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells or CAR-T cells, whereas forced Osr2 expression aggravates their exhaustion in solid tumor models. Mechanistically, Osr2 recruits HDAC3 to rewire the epigenetic program for suppressing cytotoxic gene expression and promoting CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Thus, our results unravel Osr2 functions as a biomechanical checkpoint to exacerbate CD8+ T cell exhaustion and could be targeted to potentiate cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Junhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yongqiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yao Lin
- Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Changping Laboratory, 102206 Beijing, China
| | - Hao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yiran Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Kaiyun Chen
- Fujian State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Cheng Nian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jiayu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Lei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yunzhi Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Huan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Bingying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zengfang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Min Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yueyue Linghu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Haitao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhangjian Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhien Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xiufeng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Qinghua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Dongxue Su
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Wengang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic & Organ Transplantation Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhihai Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic & Organ Transplantation Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Pingguo Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Chronic Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongling Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yixin Chen
- Fujian State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Bailong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lilin Ye
- Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Changping Laboratory, 102206 Beijing, China.
| | - Lanfen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
| | - Dawang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiang'an Hospital, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
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Zhu L, Wang H. Cholesterol-regulated cellular stiffness may enhance evasion of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in gastric cancer stem cells. FEBS Open Bio 2024; 14:855-866. [PMID: 38494433 PMCID: PMC11073496 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13793] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer has a high rate of recurrence, and as such, immunotherapy strategies are being investigated as a potential therapeutic strategy. Although the involvement of immune checkpoints in immunotherapy is well studied, biomechanical cues, such as target cell stiffness, have not yet been subject to the same level of investigation. Changes in the cholesterol content of the cell membrane directly influence tumor cell stiffness. Here, we investigated the effect of cholesterol on NK cell-mediated killing of gastric cancer stem-like cells. We report that surviving tumor cells with stem-like properties elevated cholesterol metabolism to evade NK cell cytotoxicity. Inhibition of cholesterol metabolism enhances NK cell-mediated killing of gastric cancer stem-like cells, highlighting a potential avenue for improving immunotherapy efficacy. This study suggests a possible effect of cancer cell stiffness on immune evasion and offers insights into enhancing immunotherapeutic strategies against tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology (II)The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityChina
| | - Hongjin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical UniversityChina
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Pang R, Sun W, Yang Y, Wen D, Lin F, Wang D, Li K, Zhang N, Liang J, Xiong C, Liu Y. PIEZO1 mechanically regulates the antitumour cytotoxicity of T lymphocytes. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01188-5. [PMID: 38514773 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01188-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The killing function of cytotoxic T cells can be enhanced biochemically. Here we show that blocking the mechanical sensor PIEZO1 in T cells strengthens their traction forces and augments their cytotoxicity against tumour cells. By leveraging cytotoxic T cells collected from tumour models in mice and from patients with cancers, we show that PIEZO1 upregulates the transcriptional factor GRHL3, which in turn induces the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF114. RNF114 binds to filamentous actin, causing its downregulation and rearrangement, which depresses traction forces in the T cells. In mice with tumours, the injection of cytotoxic T cells collected from the animals and treated with a PIEZO1 antagonist promoted their infiltration into the tumour and attenuated tumour growth. As an immunomechanical regulator, PIEZO1 could be targeted to enhance the outcomes of cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weihao Sun
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yingyun Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dahan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Lin
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dingding Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Center for Bioinformatics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kailong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Junbo Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Center for Bioinformatics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunyang Xiong
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Yuying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Clinical Immunology Centre, CAMS, Beijing, China.
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5
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Mittelheisser V, Gensbittel V, Bonati L, Li W, Tang L, Goetz JG. Evidence and therapeutic implications of biomechanically regulated immunosurveillance in cancer and other diseases. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:281-297. [PMID: 38286876 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01535-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Disease progression is usually accompanied by changes in the biochemical composition of cells and tissues and their biophysical properties. For instance, hallmarks of cancer include the stiffening of tissues caused by extracellular matrix remodelling and the softening of individual cancer cells. In this context, accumulating evidence has shown that immune cells sense and respond to mechanical signals from the environment. However, the mechanisms regulating these mechanical aspects of immune surveillance remain partially understood. The growing appreciation for the 'mechano-immunology' field has urged researchers to investigate how immune cells sense and respond to mechanical cues in various disease settings, paving the way for the development of novel engineering strategies that aim at mechanically modulating and potentiating immune cells for enhanced immunotherapies. Recent pioneer developments in this direction have laid the foundations for leveraging 'mechanical immunoengineering' strategies to treat various diseases. This Review first outlines the mechanical changes occurring during pathological progression in several diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and infection. We next highlight the mechanosensitive nature of immune cells and how mechanical forces govern the immune responses in different diseases. Finally, we discuss how targeting the biomechanical features of the disease milieu and immune cells is a promising strategy for manipulating therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mittelheisser
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valentin Gensbittel
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lucia Bonati
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Weilin Li
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Jacky G Goetz
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.
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Zhou Y, Wang D, Zhou L, Zhou N, Wang Z, Chen J, Pang R, Fu H, Huang Q, Dong F, Cheng H, Zhang H, Tang K, Ma J, Lv J, Cheng T, Fiskesund R, Zhang X, Huang B. Cell softness renders cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T leukemic cells resistant to perforin-mediated killing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1405. [PMID: 38360940 PMCID: PMC10869718 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45750-w] [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: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanical force contributes to perforin pore formation at immune synapses, thus facilitating the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)-mediated killing of tumor cells in a unidirectional fashion. How such mechanical cues affect CTL evasion of perforin-mediated autolysis remains unclear. Here we show that activated CTLs use their softness to evade perforin-mediated autolysis, which, however, is shared by T leukemic cells to evade CTL killing. Downregulation of filamin A is identified to induce softness via ZAP70-mediated YAP Y357 phosphorylation and activation. Despite the requirements of YAP in both cell types for softness induction, CTLs are more resistant to YAP inhibitors than malignant T cells, potentially due to the higher expression of the drug-resistant transporter, MDR1, in CTLs. As a result, moderate inhibition of YAP stiffens malignant T cells but spares CTLs, thus allowing CTLs to cytolyze malignant cells without autolysis. Our findings thus hint a mechanical force-based immunotherapeutic strategy against T cell leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabo Zhou
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dianheng Wang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nannan Zhou
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenfeng Wang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiyang Pang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Fu
- Peking University People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease; Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Qiusha Huang
- Peking University People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease; Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Huafeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingwei Ma
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiadi Lv
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Roland Fiskesund
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Peking University People's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease; Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Crater JM, Dunn D, Nixon DF, O’Brien RLF. HIV-1 Mediated Cortical Actin Disruption Mirrors ARP2/3 Defects Found in Primary T Cell Immunodeficiencies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.27.550856. [PMID: 38405733 PMCID: PMC10888893 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.27.550856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
During cell movement, cortical actin balances mechanical and osmotic forces to maintain cell function while providing the scaffold for cell shape. Migrating CD4+ T cells have a polarized structure with a leading edge containing dynamic branched and linear F-actin structures that bridge intracellular components to surface adhesion molecules. These actin structures are complemented with a microtubular network beaded with membrane bound organelles in the trailing uropod. Disruption of actin structures leads to dysregulated migration and changes in morphology of affected cells. In HIV-1 infection, CD4+ T cells have dysregulated movement. However, the precise mechanisms by which HIV-1 affects CD4+ T cell movement are unknown. Here, we show that HIV-1 infection of primary CD4+ T cells causes at least four progressive morphological differences as a result of virally induced cortical cytoskeleton disruption, shown by ultrastructural and time lapse imaging. Infection with a ΔNef virus partially abrogated the dysfunctional phenotype in infected cells and partially restored a wild-type shape. The pathological morphologies after HIV-1 infection phenocopy leukocytes which contain genetic determinants of specific T cell Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) or Primary Immunodeficiencies (PID) that affect the actin cytoskeleton. To identify potential actin regulatory pathways that may be linked to the morphological deformities, uninfected CD4+ T cell morphology was characterized following addition of small molecule chemical inhibitors. The ARP2/3 inhibitor CK-666 recapitulated three of the four abnormal morphologies we observed in HIV-1 infected cells. Restoring ARP2/3 function and cortical actin integrity in people living with HIV-1 infection is a new avenue of investigation to eradicate HIV-1 infected cells from the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M. Crater
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Dunn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Douglas F. Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert L. Furler O’Brien
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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8
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Runel G, Lopez-Ramirez N, Barbollat-Boutrand L, Cario M, Durand S, Grimont M, Schartl M, Dalle S, Caramel J, Chlasta J, Masse I. Cancer Cell Biomechanical Properties Accompany Tspan8-Dependent Cutaneous Melanoma Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:694. [PMID: 38398085 PMCID: PMC10887418 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040694] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic biomechanical properties of cancer cells remain poorly understood. To decipher whether cell stiffness modulation could increase melanoma cells' invasive capacity, we performed both in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring cell stiffness by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We correlated stiffness properties with cell morphology adaptation and the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT)-like phenotype switching. We found that melanoma cell stiffness reduction was systematically associated with the acquisition of invasive properties in cutaneous melanoma cell lines, human skin reconstructs, and Medaka fish developing spontaneous MAP-kinase-induced melanomas. We observed a systematic correlation of stiffness modulation with cell morphological changes towards mesenchymal characteristic gains. We accordingly found that inducing melanoma EMT switching by overexpressing the ZEB1 transcription factor, a major regulator of melanoma cell plasticity, was sufficient to decrease cell stiffness and transcriptionally induce tetraspanin-8-mediated dermal invasion. Moreover, ZEB1 expression correlated with Tspan8 expression in patient melanoma lesions. Our data suggest that intrinsic cell stiffness could be a highly relevant marker for human cutaneous melanoma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Runel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- BioMeca, 60F, Bioserra 2, Av. Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Noémie Lopez-Ramirez
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Laetitia Barbollat-Boutrand
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Muriel Cario
- National Reference Center for Rare Skin Disease, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, INSERM 1035, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- AquiDerm, University Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Simon Durand
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Maxime Grimont
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Developmental Biochemistry, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- Dermatology Department, Hôpital Universitaire Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Julien Chlasta
- BioMeca, 60F, Bioserra 2, Av. Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Ingrid Masse
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
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9
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Teer L, Yaddanapudi K, Chen J. Biophysical Control of the Glioblastoma Immunosuppressive Microenvironment: Opportunities for Immunotherapy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:93. [PMID: 38247970 PMCID: PMC10813491 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010093] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
GBM is the most aggressive and common form of primary brain cancer with a dismal prognosis. Current GBM treatments have not improved patient survival, due to the propensity for tumor cell adaptation and immune evasion, leading to a persistent progression of the disease. In recent years, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as a critical regulator of these pro-tumorigenic changes, providing a complex array of biomolecular and biophysical signals that facilitate evasion strategies by modulating tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune populations. Efforts to unravel these complex TME interactions are necessary to improve GBM therapy. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy that utilizes a patient's own immune system for tumor eradication and has exhibited exciting results in many cancer types; however, the highly immunosuppressive interactions between the immune cell populations and the GBM TME continue to present challenges. In order to elucidate these interactions, novel bioengineering models are being employed to decipher the mechanisms of immunologically "cold" GBMs. Additionally, these data are being leveraged to develop cell engineering strategies to bolster immunotherapy efficacy. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the biophysical interactions of the GBM TME and immune cell populations as well as the systems used to elucidate the underlying immunosuppressive mechanisms for improving current therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon Teer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
| | - Kavitha Yaddanapudi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Joseph Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
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10
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Wilk SM, Lee K, Gajda AM, Haloul M, Macias V, Wiley EL, Chen Z, Liu X, Wang X, Sverdlov M, Hoskins KF, Emrah E. Multiplex Imaging Reveals Novel Subcellular, Microenvironmental, and Racial Patterns of MRTFA/B Activation in Invasive Breast Cancers and Metastases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.573909. [PMID: 38260321 PMCID: PMC10802460 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.573909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer progression and metastasis involve the action of multiple transcription factors in tumors and in the cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and understanding how these transcription factors are coordinated can guide novel therapeutic strategies. Myocardin related transcription factors A and B (MRTFA/B) are two related transcription factors that redundantly control cancer cell invasion and metastasis in mouse models of breast cancer, but their roles in human cancer are incompletely understood. Here, we used a combination of multiplexed immunofluorescence and bioinformatics analyses to show that MRTFA/B are concurrently activated in tumor cells, but they show distinct patterns of expression across different histological subtypes and in the TME. Importantly, MRTFA expression was elevated in metastatic tumors of African American patients, who disproportionately die from breast cancer. Interestingly, in contrast to publicly available mRNA expression data, MRTFA was similarly expressed across estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative breast tumors, while MRTFB expression was highest in ER+ breast tumors. Furthermore, MRTFA was specifically expressed in the perivascular antigen presenting cells (APCs) and its expression correlated with the expression of the immune checkpoint protein V-set immunoregulatory receptor (VSIR). These results provide unique insights into how MRTFA and MRTFB can promote metastasis in human cancer, into the racial disparities of their expression patterns, and their function within the complex breast cancer TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Wilk
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kihak Lee
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Alexa M. Gajda
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Mohamed Haloul
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Virgilia Macias
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Zhengjia Chen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Maria Sverdlov
- Research Histology Core, Research Resources Center, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kent F. Hoskins
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Ekrem Emrah
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
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11
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Ruef N, Martínez Magdaleno J, Ficht X, Purvanov V, Palayret M, Wissmann S, Pfenninger P, Stolp B, Thelen F, Barreto de Albuquerque J, Germann P, Sharpe J, Abe J, Legler DF, Stein JV. Exocrine gland-resident memory CD8 + T cells use mechanosensing for tissue surveillance. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadd5724. [PMID: 38134242 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.add5724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Tissue-resident CD8+ T cells (TRM) continuously scan peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes in their organ of residence to intercept microbial invaders. Recent data showed that TRM lodged in exocrine glands scan tissue in the absence of any chemoattractant or adhesion receptor signaling, thus bypassing the requirement for canonical migration-promoting factors. The signals eliciting this noncanonical motility and its relevance for organ surveillance have remained unknown. Using mouse models of viral infections, we report that exocrine gland TRM autonomously generated front-to-back F-actin flow for locomotion, accompanied by high cortical actomyosin contractility, and leading-edge bleb formation. The distinctive mode of exocrine gland TRM locomotion was triggered by sensing physical confinement and was closely correlated with nuclear deformation, which acts as a mechanosensor via an arachidonic acid and Ca2+ signaling pathway. By contrast, naïve CD8+ T cells or TRM surveilling microbe-exposed epithelial barriers did not show mechanosensing capacity. Inhibition of nuclear mechanosensing disrupted exocrine gland TRM scanning and impaired their ability to intercept target cells. These findings indicate that confinement is sufficient to elicit autonomous T cell surveillance in glands with restricted chemokine expression and constitutes a scanning strategy that complements chemosensing-dependent migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Ruef
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jose Martínez Magdaleno
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Xenia Ficht
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vladimir Purvanov
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg) at the University of Konstanz, 8280 Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Matthieu Palayret
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Wissmann
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Petra Pfenninger
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Stolp
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Integrative Virology, Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Flavian Thelen
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Zürich and University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Philipp Germann
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - James Sharpe
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Institucio' Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jun Abe
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Daniel F Legler
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau (BITg) at the University of Konstanz, 8280 Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, 3011 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jens V Stein
- Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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12
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Chawla P, Gau D, Chen F, Welling N, Boone D, Taboas J, Lee AV, Galson DL, Roy P. MRTF activity in breast cancer cells promotes osteoclastogenesis through a paracrine action of CTGF. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.06.570453. [PMID: 38106226 PMCID: PMC10723471 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.06.570453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Bone is a frequent site for breast cancer metastasis. Conditioning of local tumor microenvironment through crosstalk between tumor cells and bone resident cells in the metastatic niche is a major driving force for bone colonization of cancer cells. This study demonstrates that Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF - a major cofactor for the transcription factor serum-response factor, SRF) activity in breast cancer cells is required for their ability to promote osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow-derived monocytes and colonize in bone. MRTF depletion in breast cancer cells affects a wide range of cell-secreted osteoclast-regulatory factors including connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a prominent bone metastasis-associated gene that exhibit strong positive association in expression with MRTF activity in human breast cancer. Rescue experiments demonstrate that CTGF is an important paracrine mediator of pro-osteoclastogenic action of MRTF in breast cancer cells. Both SRF-dependent and -independent (SAP-domain directed) functions of MRTF are required for its ability to regulate CTGF expression and osteoclast differentiation. In conclusion, this study uncovers a novel MRTF-directed tumor-extrinsic mechanism of bone colonization of cancer cells and suggest that MRTF inhibition could be a novel strategy to suppress osteoclast activity and skeletal involvement in metastatic breast cancer.
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13
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Cho DH, Aguayo S, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Atomic force microscopy-mediated mechanobiological profiling of complex human tissues. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122389. [PMID: 37988897 PMCID: PMC10842832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue mechanobiology is an emerging field with the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between biophysical and biochemical responses affecting development, physiology, and disease. Changes in mechanical properties including stiffness and viscosity have been shown to describe how cells and tissues respond to mechanical cues and modify critical biological functions. To quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of tissues at physiologically relevant conditions, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a highly versatile biomechanical technology. In this review, we describe the fundamental principles of AFM, typical AFM modalities used for tissue mechanics, and commonly used elastic and viscoelastic contact mechanics models to characterize complex human tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the application of AFM-based mechanobiology to characterize the mechanical responses within complex human tissues to track their developmental, physiological/functional, and diseased states, including oral, hearing, and cancer-related tissues. Finally, we discuss the current outlook and challenges to further advance the field of tissue mechanobiology. Altogether, AFM-based tissue mechanobiology provides a mechanistic understanding of biological processes governing the unique functions of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Cho
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Schools of Engineering, Medicine, and Biological Sciences, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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14
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Wang W, Chen W, Wu C, Zhang C, Feng J, Liu P, Hu Y, Li H, Sun F, Jiang K, Zhang X, Liu Z. Hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for investigating receptor-mediated rigidity sensing. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1780-1789. [PMID: 37798478 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02037-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity serves as a crucial mechanical cue impacting diverse biological processes. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of rigidity sensing has been limited by the spatial resolution and force sensitivity of current cellular force measurement techniques. Here we developed a method to functionalize DNA tension probes on soft hydrogel surfaces in a controllable and reliable manner, enabling molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for rigidity sensing studies. Our findings showed that fibroblasts respond to substrate rigidity by recruiting more force-bearing integrins and modulating integrin sampling frequency of the ECM, rather than simply overloading the existing integrin-ligand bonds, to promote focal adhesion maturation. We also demonstrated that ECM rigidity positively regulates the pN force of T cell receptor-ligand bond and T cell receptor mechanical sampling frequency, promoting T cell activation. Thus, hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy implemented on a standard confocal microscope provides a simple and effective means to explore detailed molecular force information for rigidity-dependent biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxu Wang
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Chen
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaoyang Wu
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingjing Feng
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Pengxiang Liu
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuru Hu
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongyun Li
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Sun
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Jiang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinghua Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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15
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Liu Y, Yao X, Zhao Y, Fang D, Shi L, Yang L, Song G, Cai K, Li L, Deng Q, Li M, Luo Z. Mechanotransduction in response to ECM stiffening impairs cGAS immune signaling in tumor cells. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113213. [PMID: 37804510 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays decisive roles in disabling T cell-mediated antitumor immunity, but the immunoregulatory functions of its biophysical properties remain elusive. Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening is a hallmark of solid tumors. Here, we report that the stiffened ECM contributes to the immunosuppression in TME via activating the Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK)-myosin IIA-filamentous actin (F-actin) mechanosignaling pathway in tumor cells to promote the generation of TRIM14-scavenging nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMHC-IIA)-F-actin stress fibers, thus accelerating the autophagic degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-AMP synthase (cGAS) to deprive tumor cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) and further attenuating tumor immunogenicity. Pharmacological inhibition of myosin IIA effector molecules with blebbistatin (BLEB) or the RhoA upstream regulator of this pathway with simvastatin (SIM) restored tumor-intrinsic cGAS-mediated cGAMP production and enhanced antitumor immunity. Our work identifies that ECM stiffness is an important biophysical cue to regulate tumor immunogenicity via the ROCK-myosin IIA-F-actin axis and that inhibiting this mechanosignaling pathway could boost immunotherapeutic efficacy for effective solid tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Liu
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Xuemei Yao
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Youbo Zhao
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - De Fang
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Li Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Guanbin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Kaiyong Cai
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Liqi Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, P.R. China
| | - Qin Deng
- Analytical and Testing Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China
| | - Menghuan Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China.
| | - Zhong Luo
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China; 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P.R. China.
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16
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Caillier A, Oleksyn D, Fowell DJ, Miller J, Oakes PW. T cells Use Focal Adhesions to Pull Themselves Through Confined Environments. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.16.562587. [PMID: 37904911 PMCID: PMC10614902 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.16.562587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Immune cells are highly dynamic and able to migrate through environments with diverse biochemical and mechanical composition. Their migration has classically been defined as amoeboid under the assumption that it is integrin-independent. Here we show that activated primary Th1 T cells require both confinement and extracellular matrix protein to migrate efficiently. This migration is mediated through small and dynamic focal adhesions that are composed of the same proteins associated with canonical mesenchymal focal adhesions, such as integrins, talin, and vinculin. These focal adhesions, furthermore, localize to sites of contractile traction stresses, enabling T cells to pull themselves through confined spaces. Finally, we show that Th1 T cell preferentially follows tracks of other T cells, suggesting that these adhesions are modifying the extracellular matrix to provide additional environmental guidance cues. These results demonstrate not only that the boundaries between amoeboid and mesenchymal migration modes are ambiguous, but that integrin-mediated adhesions play a key role in T cell motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Caillier
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - David Oleksyn
- David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Deborah J Fowell
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jim Miller
- David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Patrick W Oakes
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
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17
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Ockfen E, Filali L, Pereira Fernandes D, Hoffmann C, Thomas C. Actin cytoskeleton remodeling at the cancer cell side of the immunological synapse: good, bad, or both? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1276602. [PMID: 37869010 PMCID: PMC10585106 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1276602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs), specifically cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, are indispensable guardians of the immune system and orchestrate the recognition and elimination of cancer cells. Upon encountering a cancer cell, CLs establish a specialized cellular junction, known as the immunological synapse that stands as a pivotal determinant for effective cell killing. Extensive research has focused on the presynaptic side of the immunological synapse and elucidated the multiple functions of the CL actin cytoskeleton in synapse formation, organization, regulatory signaling, and lytic activity. In contrast, the postsynaptic (cancer cell) counterpart has remained relatively unexplored. Nevertheless, both indirect and direct evidence has begun to illuminate the significant and profound consequences of cytoskeletal changes within cancer cells on the outcome of the lytic immunological synapse. Here, we explore the understudied role of the cancer cell actin cytoskeleton in modulating the immune response within the immunological synapse. We shed light on the intricate interplay between actin dynamics and the evasion mechanisms employed by cancer cells, thus providing potential routes for future research and envisioning therapeutic interventions targeting the postsynaptic side of the immunological synapse in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. This review article highlights the importance of actin dynamics within the immunological synapse between cytotoxic lymphocytes and cancer cells focusing on the less-explored postsynaptic side of the synapse. It presents emerging evidence that actin dynamics in cancer cells can critically influence the outcome of cytotoxic lymphocyte interactions with cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ockfen
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Liza Filali
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Diogo Pereira Fernandes
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Céline Hoffmann
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Clément Thomas
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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18
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Sanchez EE, Tello-Lafoz M, Guo AJ, de Jesus M, Elbanna YA, Winer BY, Budhu S, Chan E, Rosiek E, Kondo T, DuSold J, Taylor N, Altan-Bonnet G, Olson MF, Huse M. Apoptotic contraction drives target cell release by cytotoxic T cells. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1434-1442. [PMID: 37500886 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) fight intracellular pathogens and cancer by identifying and destroying infected or transformed target cells1. To kill, CTLs form a specialized cytotoxic immune synapse (IS) with a target of interest and then release toxic perforin and granzymes into the interface to elicit programmed cell death2-5. The IS then dissolves, enabling CTLs to search for additional prey and professional phagocytes to clear the corpse6. While the mechanisms governing IS assembly have been studied extensively, far less is known about target cell release. Here, we applied time-lapse imaging to explore the basis for IS dissolution and found that it occurred concomitantly with the cytoskeletal contraction of apoptotic targets. Genetic and pharmacological perturbation of this contraction response indicated that it was both necessary and sufficient for CTL dissociation. We also found that mechanical amplification of apoptotic contractility promoted faster CTL detachment and serial killing. Collectively, these results establish a biophysical basis for IS dissolution and highlight the importance of mechanosensory feedback in the regulation of cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa E Sanchez
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Tello-Lafoz
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aixuan J Guo
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miguel de Jesus
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yassmin A Elbanna
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Y Winer
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sadna Budhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Chan
- Molecular Cytology Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Rosiek
- Molecular Cytology Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Taisuke Kondo
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Justyn DuSold
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Michael F Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Morgan Huse
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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19
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Chen X, Meng F, Xu Y, Li T, Chen X, Wang H. Chemically programmed STING-activating nano-liposomal vesicles improve anticancer immunity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4584. [PMID: 37524727 PMCID: PMC10390568 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40312-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The often immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) may hinder immune evasion and response to checkpoint blockade therapies. Pharmacological activation of the STING pathway does create an immunologically hot TME, however, systemic delivery might lead to undesired off-target inflammatory responses. Here, we generate a small panel of esterase-activatable pro-drugs based on the structure of the non-nucleotide STING agonist MSA-2 that are subsequently stably incorporated into a liposomal vesicle for intravenous administration. The pharmacokinetic properties and immune stimulatory capacity of pro-drugs delivered via liposomes (SAProsomes) are enhanced compared to the free drug form. By performing efficacy screening among the SAProsomes incorporating different pro-drugs in syngeneic mouse tumor models, we find that superior therapeutic performance relies on improved delivery to the desired tumor and lymphoid compartments. The best candidate, SAProsome-3, highly stimulates secretion of inflammatory cytokines and creates a tumoricidal immune landscape. Notably, upon application to breast cancer or melanoma mouse models, SAProsome-3 elicits durable remission of established tumors and postsurgical tumor-free survival while decreasing metastatic burden without significant systemic toxicity. In summary, our work establishes the proof of principle for a better targeted and more efficient and safe STING agonist therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Fanchao Meng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Yiting Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Tongyu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China
| | - Hangxiang Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, 250117, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
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20
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Zhao L, Zhao G, Feng J, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Guo H, Lin M. T Cell engineering for cancer immunotherapy by manipulating mechanosensitive force-bearing receptors. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1220074. [PMID: 37560540 PMCID: PMC10407658 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1220074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell immune responses are critical for in both physiological and pathological processes. While biochemical cues are important, mechanical cues arising from the microenvironment have also been found to act a significant role in regulating various T cell immune responses, including activation, cytokine production, metabolism, proliferation, and migration. The immune synapse contains force-sensitive receptors that convert these mechanical cues into biochemical signals. This phenomenon is accepted in the emerging research field of immunomechanobiology. In this review, we provide insights into immunomechanobiology, with a specific focus on how mechanosensitive receptors are bound and triggered, and ultimately resulting T cell immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhu Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guoqing Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jinteng Feng
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Min Lin
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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21
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Lichtenberg JY, Tran S, Hwang PY. Mechanical factors driving cancer progression. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 160:61-81. [PMID: 37704291 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.06.002] [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: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental step of tumor metastasis is tumor cell migration away from the primary tumor site. One mode of migration that is essential but still understudied is collective invasion, the process by which clusters of cells move in a coordinated fashion. In recent years, there has been growing interest to understand factors regulating collective invasion, with increasing number of studies investigating the biomechanical regulation of collective invasion. In this review we discuss the dynamic relationship between tumor microenvironment cues and cell response by first covering mechanical factors in the microenvironment and second, discussing the mechanosensing pathways utilized by cells in collective clusters to dynamically respond to mechanical matrix cues. Finally, we discuss model systems that have been developed which have increased our understanding of the mechanical factors contributing to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessanne Y Lichtenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Sydnie Tran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Priscilla Y Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
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22
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Zhuang C, Gould JE, Enninful A, Shao S, Mak M. Biophysical and mechanobiological considerations for T-cell-based immunotherapy. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:366-378. [PMID: 37172572 PMCID: PMC10188210 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies modulate the body's defense system to treat cancer. While these therapies have shown efficacy against multiple types of cancer, patient response rates are limited, and the off-target effects can be severe. Typical approaches in developing immunotherapies tend to focus on antigen targeting and molecular signaling, while overlooking biophysical and mechanobiological effects. Immune cells and tumor cells are both responsive to biophysical cues, which are prominent in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have shown that mechanosensing - including through Piezo1, adhesions, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) - influences tumor-immune interactions and immunotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, biophysical methods such as fluidic systems and mechanoactivation schemes can improve the controllability and manufacturing of engineered T cells, with potential for increasing therapeutic efficacy and specificity. This review focuses on leveraging advances in immune biophysics and mechanobiology toward improving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuzhi Zhuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jared E Gould
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Archibald Enninful
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Stephanie Shao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Michael Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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23
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Shakiba D, Genin GM, Zustiak SP. Mechanobiology of cancer cell responsiveness to chemotherapy and immunotherapy: Mechanistic insights and biomaterial platforms. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114771. [PMID: 36889646 PMCID: PMC10133187 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114771] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are central to how cancer treatments such as chemotherapeutics and immunotherapies interact with cells and tissues. At the simplest level, electrostatic forces underlie the binding events that are critical to therapeutic function. However, a growing body of literature points to mechanical factors that also affect whether a drug or an immune cell can reach a target, and to interactions between a cell and its environment affecting therapeutic efficacy. These factors affect cell processes ranging from cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix remodeling to transduction of signals by the nucleus to metastasis of cells. This review presents and critiques the state of the art of our understanding of how mechanobiology impacts drug and immunotherapy resistance and responsiveness, and of the in vitro systems that have been of value in the discovery of these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaram Shakiba
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Guy M Genin
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Silviya P Zustiak
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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24
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Hyun J, Kim SJ, Cho SD, Kim HW. Mechano-modulation of T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Biomaterials 2023; 297:122101. [PMID: 37023528 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, despite its promise for future anti-cancer approach, faces significant challenges, such as off-tumor side effects, innate or acquired resistance, and limited infiltration of immune cells into stiffened extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have highlighted the importance of mechano-modulation/-activation of immune cells (mainly T cells) for effective caner immunotherapy. Immune cells are highly sensitive to the applied physical forces and matrix mechanics, and reciprocally shape the tumor microenvironment. Engineering T cells with tuned properties of materials (e.g., chemistry, topography, and stiffness) can improve their expansion and activation ex vivo, and their ability to mechano-sensing the tumor specific ECM in vivo where they perform cytotoxic effects. T cells can also be exploited to secrete enzymes that soften ECM, thus increasing tumor infiltration and cellular therapies. Furthermore, T cells, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, genomic engineered to be spatiotemporally controllable by physical stimuli (e.g., ultrasound, heat, or light), can mitigate adverse off-tumor effects. In this review, we communicate these recent cutting-edge endeavors devoted to mechano-modulating/-activating T cells for effective cancer immunotherapy, and discuss future prospects and challenges in this field.
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25
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Hu J, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Wang Z, Johnson GN, Ho YJ, Ganesh K, Umeda S, Gan S, Mujal AM, Delconte RB, Hampton JP, Zhao H, Kottapalli S, de Stanchina E, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA, Pe'er D, Lowe SW, Sun JC, Massagué J. STING inhibits the reactivation of dormant metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma. Nature 2023; 616:806-813. [PMID: 36991128 PMCID: PMC10569211 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05880-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis frequently develops from disseminated cancer cells that remain dormant after the apparently successful treatment of a primary tumour. These cells fluctuate between an immune-evasive quiescent state and a proliferative state liable to immune-mediated elimination1-6. Little is known about the clearing of reawakened metastatic cells and how this process could be therapeutically activated to eliminate residual disease in patients. Here we use models of indolent lung adenocarcinoma metastasis to identify cancer cell-intrinsic determinants of immune reactivity during exit from dormancy. Genetic screens of tumour-intrinsic immune regulators identified the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway as a suppressor of metastatic outbreak. STING activity increases in metastatic progenitors that re-enter the cell cycle and is dampened by hypermethylation of the STING promoter and enhancer in breakthrough metastases or by chromatin repression in cells re-entering dormancy in response to TGFβ. STING expression in cancer cells derived from spontaneous metastases suppresses their outgrowth. Systemic treatment of mice with STING agonists eliminates dormant metastasis and prevents spontaneous outbreaks in a T cell- and natural killer cell-dependent manner-these effects require cancer cell STING function. Thus, STING provides a checkpoint against the progression of dormant metastasis and a therapeutically actionable strategy for the prevention of disease relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francisco J Sánchez-Rivera
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhenghan Wang
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriela N Johnson
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yu-Jui Ho
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karuna Ganesh
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shigeaki Umeda
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Siting Gan
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana M Mujal
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca B Delconte
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica P Hampton
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huiyong Zhao
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sanjay Kottapalli
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine A Iacobuzio-Donahue
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dana Pe'er
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Alan and Sandra Gerry Metastasis and Tumor Ecosystems Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott W Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph C Sun
- Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan Massagué
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- The Alan and Sandra Gerry Metastasis and Tumor Ecosystems Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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26
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Mukherjee A, Bravo-Cordero JJ. Regulation of dormancy during tumor dissemination: the role of the ECM. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:99-112. [PMID: 36802311 PMCID: PMC10027413 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The study of the metastatic cascade has revealed the complexity of the process and the multiple cellular states that disseminated cancer cells must go through. The tumor microenvironment and in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in regulating the transition from invasion, dormancy to ultimately proliferation during the metastatic cascade. The time delay from primary tumor detection to metastatic growth is regulated by a molecular program that maintains disseminated tumor cells in a non-proliferative, quiescence state known as tumor cell dormancy. Identifying dormant cells and their niches in vivo and how they transition to the proliferative state is an active area of investigation, and novel approaches have been developed to track dormant cells during dissemination. In this review, we highlight the latest research on the invasive nature of disseminated tumor cells and their link to dormancy programs. We also discuss the role of the ECM in sustaining dormant niches at distant sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Mukherjee
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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27
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Pineau J, Moreau H, Duménil AML, Pierobon P. Polarity in immune cells. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 154:197-222. [PMID: 37100518 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Immune cells are responsible for pathogen detection and elimination, as well as for signaling to other cells the presence of potential danger. In order to mount an efficient immune response, they need to move and search for a pathogen, interact with other cells, and diversify the population by asymmetric cell division. All these actions are regulated by cell polarity: cell polarity controls cell motility, which is crucial for scanning peripheral tissues to detect pathogens, and recruiting immune cells to sites of infection; immune cells, in particular lymphocytes, communicate with each other by a direct contact called immunological synapse, which entails a global polarization of the cell and plays a role in activating lymphocyte response; finally, immune cells divide asymmetrically from a precursor, generating a diversity of phenotypes and cell types among daughter cells, such as memory and effector cells. This review aims at providing an overview from both biology and physics perspectives of how cell polarity shapes the main immune cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Pineau
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, Cedex, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Moreau
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, Cedex, France
| | | | - Paolo Pierobon
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, Cedex, France.
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28
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Abstract
Immune responses are governed by signals from the tissue microenvironment, and in addition to biochemical signals, mechanical cues and forces arising from the tissue, its extracellular matrix and its constituent cells shape immune cell function. Indeed, changes in biophysical properties of tissue alter the mechanical signals experienced by cells in many disease conditions, in inflammatory states and in the context of ageing. These mechanical cues are converted into biochemical signals through the process of mechanotransduction, and multiple pathways of mechanotransduction have been identified in immune cells. Such pathways impact important cellular functions including cell activation, cytokine production, metabolism, proliferation and trafficking. Changes in tissue mechanics may also represent a new form of 'danger signal' that alerts the innate and adaptive immune systems to the possibility of injury or infection. Tissue mechanics can change temporally during an infection or inflammatory response, offering a novel layer of dynamic immune regulation. Here, we review the emerging field of mechanoimmunology, focusing on how mechanical cues at the scale of the tissue environment regulate immune cell behaviours to initiate, propagate and resolve the immune response.
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29
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Park JD, Kim KS, Choi SH, Jo GH, Choi JH, Park SW, Ko ES, Lee M, Lee DK, Jang HJ, Hwang S, Jung HY, Park KS. ELK3 modulates the antitumor efficacy of natural killer cells against triple negative breast cancer by regulating mitochondrial dynamics. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004825. [PMID: 35858708 PMCID: PMC9305827 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer due to its aggressive behavior and frequent development of resistance to chemotherapy. Although natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is a promising strategy for overcoming barriers to cancer treatment, the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells against TNBC is below expectations. E26 transformation-specific transcription factor ELK3 (ELK3) is highly expressed in TNBCs and functions as a master regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Methods Two representative human TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB231 and Hs578T, were exposed to ELK3-targeting shRNA or an ELK3-expressing plasmid to modulate ELK3 expression. The downstream target genes of ELK3 were identified using a combined approach comprising gene expression profiling and molecular analysis. The role of ELK3 in determining the immunosensitivity of TNBC to NK cells was investigated in terms of mitochondrial fission–fusion transition and reactive oxygen species concentration both in vitro and in vivo. Results ELK3-dependent mitochondrial fission–fusion status was linked to the mitochondrial superoxide concentration in TNBCs and was a main determinant of NK cell-mediated immune responses. We identified mitochondrial dynamics proteins of 51 (Mid51), a major mediator of mitochondrial fission, as a direct downstream target of ELK3 in TNBCs. Also, we demonstrated that expression of ELK3 correlated inversely with that of Mid51, and that the ELK3-Mid51 axis is associated directly with the status of mitochondrial dynamics. METABRIC analysis revealed that the ELK3-Mid51 axis has a direct effect on the immune score and survival of patients with TNBC. Conclusions Taken together, the data suggest that NK cell responses to TNBC are linked directly to ELK3 expression levels, shedding new light on strategies to improve the efficacy of NK cell-based immunotherapy of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Dong Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Kwang-Soo Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Seung Hee Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Gae Hoon Jo
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jin-Ho Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Si-Won Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Eun-Su Ko
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Minwook Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Dae-Keum Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hye Jung Jang
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Sohyun Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hae-Yun Jung
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Kyung-Soon Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Korea (the Republic of)
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30
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An C, Wang X, Song F, Hu J, Li L. Insights into intercellular receptor-ligand binding kinetics in cell communication. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:953353. [PMID: 35837553 PMCID: PMC9273785 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.953353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is crucial for cells to sense, respond and adapt to environmental cues and stimuli. The intercellular communication process, which involves multiple length scales, is mediated by the specific binding of membrane-anchored receptors and ligands. Gaining insight into two-dimensional receptor-ligand binding kinetics is of great significance for understanding numerous physiological and pathological processes, and stimulating new strategies in drug design and discovery. To this end, extensive studies have been performed to illuminate the underlying mechanisms that control intercellular receptor-ligand binding kinetics via experiment, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. It has been well established that the cellular microenvironment where the receptor-ligand interaction occurs plays a vital role. In this review, we focus on the advances regarding the regulatory effects of three factors including 1) protein-membrane interaction, 2) biomechanical force, and 3) bioelectric microenvironment to summarize the relevant experimental observations, underlying mechanisms, as well as their biomedical significances and applications. Meanwhile, we introduce modeling methods together with experiment technologies developed for dealing with issues at different scales. We also outline future directions to advance the field and highlight that building up systematic understandings for the coupling effects of these regulatory factors can greatly help pharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyi An
- School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohuan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglei Hu
- Kuang Yaming Honors School and Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Long Li,
| | - Long Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Long Li,
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31
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Wang MS, Hu Y, Sanchez EE, Xie X, Roy NH, de Jesus M, Winer BY, Zale EA, Jin W, Sachar C, Lee JH, Hong Y, Kim M, Kam LC, Salaita K, Huse M. Mechanically active integrins target lytic secretion at the immune synapse to facilitate cellular cytotoxicity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3222. [PMID: 35680882 PMCID: PMC9184626 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30809-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic lymphocytes fight pathogens and cancer by forming immune synapses with infected or transformed target cells and then secreting cytotoxic perforin and granzyme into the synaptic space, with potent and specific killing achieved by this focused delivery. The mechanisms that establish the precise location of secretory events, however, remain poorly understood. Here we use single cell biophysical measurements, micropatterning, and functional assays to demonstrate that localized mechanotransduction helps define the position of secretory events within the synapse. Ligand-bound integrins, predominantly the αLβ2 isoform LFA-1, function as spatial cues to attract lytic granules containing perforin and granzyme and induce their fusion with the plasma membrane for content release. LFA-1 is subjected to pulling forces within secretory domains, and disruption of these forces via depletion of the adaptor molecule talin abrogates cytotoxicity. We thus conclude that lymphocytes employ an integrin-dependent mechanical checkpoint to enhance their cytotoxic power and fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell S Wang
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Pharmacology Program, Weill-Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuesong Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elisa E Sanchez
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, Weill-Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xihe Xie
- Neuroscience Program, Weill-Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nathan H Roy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Miguel de Jesus
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Y Winer
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Zale
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Weiyang Jin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chirag Sachar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joanne H Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yeonsun Hong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Lance C Kam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Morgan Huse
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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32
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Chen X, Song E. The theory of tumor ecosystem. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:587-608. [PMID: 35642770 PMCID: PMC9257988 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can be conceived as “living organisms” interacting with cellular or non‐cellular components in the host internal environment, not only the local tumor microenvironment but also the distant organ niches, as well as the immune, nervous and endocrine systems, to construct a self‐sustainable tumor ecosystem. With increasing evidence for the systemic tumor‐host interplay, we predict that a new era of cancer therapy targeting the ecosystemic vulnerability of human malignancies has come. Revolving around the tumor ecosystem scoped as different hierarchies of primary, regional, distal and systemic onco‐spheres, we comprehensively review the tumor‐host interaction among cancer cells and their local microenvironment, distant organ niches, immune, nervous and endocrine systems, highlighting material and energy flow with tumor ecological homeostasis as an internal driving force. We also substantiate the knowledge of visualizing, modelling and subtyping this dynamically intertwined network with recent technological advances, and discuss ecologically rational strategies for more effective cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueman Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China.,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China.,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China
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33
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Luo Z, Yao X, Li M, Fang D, Fei Y, Cheng Z, Xu Y, Zhu B. Modulating tumor physical microenvironment for fueling CAR-T cell therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 185:114301. [PMID: 35439570 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved unprecedented clinical success against hematologic malignancies. However, the transition of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors is limited by heterogenous antigen expression, immunosuppressive microenvironment (TME), immune adaptation of tumor cells and impeded CAR-T-cell infiltration/transportation. Recent studies increasingly reveal that tumor physical microenvironment could affect various aspects of tumor biology and impose profound impacts on the antitumor efficacy of CAR-T therapy. In this review, we discuss the critical roles of four physical cues in solid tumors for regulating the immune responses of CAR-T cells, which include solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, stiffness and microarchitecture. We highlight new strategies exploiting these features to enhance the therapeutic potency of CAR-T cells in solid tumors by correlating with the state-of-the-art technologies in this field. A perspective on the future directions for developing new CAR-T therapies for solid tumor treatment is also provided.
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34
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Introini V, Govendir MA, Rayner JC, Cicuta P, Bernabeu M. Biophysical Tools and Concepts Enable Understanding of Asexual Blood Stage Malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:908241. [PMID: 35711656 PMCID: PMC9192966 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.908241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Forces and mechanical properties of cells and tissues set constraints on biological functions, and are key determinants of human physiology. Changes in cell mechanics may arise from disease, or directly contribute to pathogenesis. Malaria gives many striking examples. Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, are single-celled organisms that cannot survive outside their hosts; thus, thost-pathogen interactions are fundamental for parasite’s biological success and to the host response to infection. These interactions are often combinations of biochemical and mechanical factors, but most research focuses on the molecular side. However, Plasmodium infection of human red blood cells leads to changes in their mechanical properties, which has a crucial impact on disease pathogenesis because of the interaction of infected red blood cells with other human tissues through various adhesion mechanisms, which can be probed and modelled with biophysical techniques. Recently, natural polymorphisms affecting red blood cell biomechanics have also been shown to protect human populations, highlighting the potential of understanding biomechanical factors to inform future vaccines and drug development. Here we review biophysical techniques that have revealed new aspects of Plasmodium falciparum invasion of red blood cells and cytoadhesion of infected cells to the host vasculature. These mechanisms occur differently across Plasmodium species and are linked to malaria pathogenesis. We highlight promising techniques from the fields of bioengineering, immunomechanics, and soft matter physics that could be beneficial for studying malaria. Some approaches might also be applied to other phases of the malaria lifecycle and to apicomplexan infections with complex host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Introini
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Viola Introini,
| | - Matt A. Govendir
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Bernabeu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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35
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Göhring J, Schrangl L, Schütz GJ, Huppa JB. Mechanosurveillance: Tiptoeing T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886328. [PMID: 35693808 PMCID: PMC9178122 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient scanning of tissue that T cells encounter during their migratory life is pivotal to protective adaptive immunity. In fact, T cells can detect even a single antigenic peptide/MHC complex (pMHC) among thousands of structurally similar yet non-stimulatory endogenous pMHCs on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or target cells. Of note, the glycocalyx of target cells, being composed of proteoglycans and bulky proteins, is bound to affect and even modulate antigen recognition by posing as a physical barrier. T cell-resident microvilli are actin-rich membrane protrusions that puncture through such barriers and thereby actively place the considerably smaller T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) in close enough proximity to APC-presented pMHCs so that productive interactions may occur efficiently yet under force. We here review our current understanding of how the plasticity of T-cell microvilli and physicochemical properties of the glycocalyx may affect early events in T-cell activation. We assess insights gained from studies on T-cell plasma membrane ultrastructure and provide an update on current efforts to integrate biophysical aspects such as the amplitude and directionality of TCR-imposed mechanical forces and the distribution and lateral mobility of plasma membrane-resident signaling molecules into a more comprehensive view on sensitized T-cell antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janett Göhring
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Janett Göhring,
| | | | | | - Johannes B. Huppa
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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36
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McKenzie B, Khazen R, Valitutti S. Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: How Tumor Cells Defend Against the Siege Weapons of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:894306. [PMID: 35592329 PMCID: PMC9110820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.894306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are the main cellular effectors of the adaptive immune response against cancer cells, which in turn have evolved sophisticated cellular defense mechanisms to withstand CTL attack. Herein we provide a critical review of the pertinent literature on early and late attack/defense events taking place at the CTL/target cell lytic synapse. We examine the earliest steps of CTL-mediated cytotoxicity (“the poison arrows”) elicited within seconds of CTL/target cell encounter, which face commensurately rapid synaptic repair mechanisms on the tumor cell side, providing the first formidable barrier to CTL attack. We examine how breach of this first defensive barrier unleashes the inextinguishable “Greek fire” in the form of granzymes whose broad cytotoxic potential is linked to activation of cell death executioners, injury of vital organelles, and destruction of intracellular homeostasis. Herein tumor cells deploy slower but no less sophisticated defensive mechanisms in the form of enhanced autophagy, increased reparative capacity, and dysregulation of cell death pathways. We discuss how the newly discovered supra-molecular attack particles (SMAPs, the “scorpion bombs”), seek to overcome the robust defensive mechanisms that confer tumor cell resistance. Finally, we discuss the implications of the aforementioned attack/defense mechanisms on the induction of regulated cell death (RCD), and how different contemporary RCD modalities (including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis) may have profound implications for immunotherapy. Thus, we propose that understanding and targeting multiple steps of the attack/defense process will be instrumental to enhance the efficacy of CTL anti-tumor activity and meet the outstanding challenges in clinical immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brienne McKenzie
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Roxana Khazen
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Salvatore Valitutti
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Department of Pathology, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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37
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Cancer evolution: special focus on the immune aspect of cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:420-435. [PMID: 35589072 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.05.006] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is an evolutionary disease. Intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH), which describes the diversity within individual tumors, sets the foundation for evolution. The fitness of tumor cells is determined by their microenvironment, which exerts intense selection pressure that generally favors cells with survival and proliferation advantages. It has been revealed that host immunity dramatically influences the evolutionary trajectory of cancer. As technologies advance, a refined map of the immune system's involvement in cancer evolution has gradually come to our knowledge. Here we specifically view cancer through the lens of evolutionary immunological biology. We will cover the neoplastic evolution under immunosurveillance, including how the host immunity shapes the tumor evolutionary trajectory and how progressive tumors modulate the host immunity to survive. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between cancer evolution and cancer immunity provides clues to combating cancer strategically.
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38
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Gau D, Chawla P, Eder I, Roy P. Myocardin-related transcription factor's interaction with serum-response factor is critical for outgrowth initiation, progression, and metastatic colonization of breast cancer cells. FASEB Bioadv 2022; 4:509-523. [PMID: 35949508 PMCID: PMC9353439 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2021-00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC)-related mortality primarily results from metastatic colonization of disseminated cells. Actin polymerization plays an important role in driving post-extravasation metastatic outgrowth of tumor cells. This study examines the role of myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)/serum-response (SRF), a transcription system well known for regulation of cytoskeletal genes, in metastatic colonization of BC cells. We demonstrated that co-depletion of MRTF isoforms (MRTF-A and MRTF-B) dramatically impairs single-cell outgrowth ability of BC cells as well as retards growth progression of pre-established BC cell colonies in three-dimensional (3D) cultures. Conversely, overexpression of MRTF-A promotes initiation and progression of tumor-cell outgrowth in vitro, primary tumor formation, and metastatic outgrowth of seeded BC cells in vivo, and these changes can be dramatically blocked by molecular disruption of MRTF-A's interaction with SRF. Correlated with the outgrowth phenotypes, we further demonstrate MRTF's ability to augment the intrinsic cellular ability to polymerize actin and formation of F-actin-based protrusive structures requiring SRF's interaction. Pharmacological proof-of-concept studies show that small molecules capable of interfering with MRTF/SRF signaling robustly suppresses single-cell outgrowth and progression of pre-established outgrowth of BC cells in vitro as well as experimental metastatic burden of BC cells in vivo. Based on these data, we conclude that MRTF activity potentiates metastatic colonization of BC cells and therefore, targeting MRTF may be a promising strategy to diminish metastatic burden in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gau
- Department of BioengineeringPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Pooja Chawla
- Department of BioengineeringPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ian Eder
- Department of BioengineeringPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Partha Roy
- Department of BioengineeringPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA,Department of Pathology at the University of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
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39
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Tuomela K, Ambrose AR, Davis DM. Escaping Death: How Cancer Cells and Infected Cells Resist Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867098. [PMID: 35401556 PMCID: PMC8984481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic lymphocytes are critical in our immune defence against cancer and infection. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells can directly lyse malignant or infected cells in at least two ways: granule-mediated cytotoxicity, involving perforin and granzyme B, or death receptor-mediated cytotoxicity, involving the death receptor ligands, tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Fas ligand (FasL). In either case, a multi-step pathway is triggered to facilitate lysis, relying on active pro-death processes and signalling within the target cell. Because of this reliance on an active response from the target cell, each mechanism of cell-mediated killing can be manipulated by malignant and infected cells to evade cytolytic death. Here, we review the mechanisms of cell-mediated cytotoxicity and examine how cells may evade these cytolytic processes. This includes resistance to perforin through degradation or reduced pore formation, resistance to granzyme B through inhibition or autophagy, and resistance to death receptors through inhibition of downstream signalling or changes in protein expression. We also consider the importance of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cytotoxicity and resistance mechanisms against this pathway. Altogether, it is clear that target cells are not passive bystanders to cell-mediated cytotoxicity and resistance mechanisms can significantly constrain immune cell-mediated killing. Understanding these processes of immune evasion may lead to novel ideas for medical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoliina Tuomela
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley R Ambrose
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel M Davis
- The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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40
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Understanding immune signaling using advanced imaging techniques. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:853-866. [PMID: 35343569 PMCID: PMC9162467 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Advanced imaging is key for visualizing the spatiotemporal regulation of immune signaling which is a complex process involving multiple players tightly regulated in space and time. Imaging techniques vary in their spatial resolution, spanning from nanometers to micrometers, and in their temporal resolution, ranging from microseconds to hours. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art imaging methodologies and provide recent examples on how they helped to unravel the mysteries of immune signaling. Finally, we discuss the limitations of current technologies and share our insights on how to overcome these limitations to visualize immune signaling with unprecedented fidelity.
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41
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Almagro J, Messal HA, Elosegui-Artola A, van Rheenen J, Behrens A. Tissue architecture in tumor initiation and progression. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:494-505. [PMID: 35300951 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The 3D architecture of tissues bearing tumors impacts on the mechanical microenvironment of cancer, the accessibility of stromal cells, and the routes of invasion. A myriad of intrinsic and extrinsic forces exerted by the cancer cells, the host tissue, and the molecular and cellular microenvironment modulate the morphology of the tumor and its malignant potential through mechanical, biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic cues. Recent studies have investigated how tissue architecture influences cancer biology from tumor initiation and progression to distant metastatic seeding and response to therapy. With a focus on carcinoma, the most common type of cancer, this review discusses the latest discoveries on how tumor architecture is built and how tissue morphology affects the biology and progression of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Almagro
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Hendrik A Messal
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto Elosegui-Artola
- Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Physics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jacco van Rheenen
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Axel Behrens
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Convergence Science Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK; Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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42
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Tello-Lafoz M, de Jesus MM, Huse M. Harder, better, faster, stronger: biochemistry and biophysics in the immunosurveillance concert. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:96-105. [PMID: 34973924 PMCID: PMC8810625 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Antitumor immunosurveillance is triggered by immune cell recognition of characteristic biochemical signals on the surfaces of cancer cells. Recent data suggest that the mechanical properties of cancer cells influence the strength of these signals, with physically harder target cells (more rigid) eliciting better, faster, and stronger cytotoxic responses against metastasis. Using analogies to a certain electronic music duo, we argue that the biophysical properties of cancer cells and their environment can adjust the volume and tone of the antitumor immune response. We also consider the potential influence of biomechanics-based immunosurveillance in disease progression and posit that targeting the biophysical properties of cancer cells in concert with their biochemical features could increase the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tello-Lafoz
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miguel M de Jesus
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan Huse
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA,Correspondence: (M.H.)
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43
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Fan J, Shi J, Zhang Y, Liu J, An C, Zhu H, Wu P, Hu W, Qin R, Yao D, Shou X, Xu Y, Tong Z, Wen X, Xu J, Zhang J, Fang W, Lou J, Yin W, Chen W. NKG2D discriminates diverse ligands through selectively mechano-regulated ligand conformational changes. EMBO J 2021; 41:e107739. [PMID: 34913508 PMCID: PMC8762575 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021107739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulatory immune receptor NKG2D binds diverse ligands to elicit differential anti‐tumor and anti‐virus immune responses. Two conflicting degeneracy recognition models based on static crystal structures and in‐solution binding affinities have been considered for almost two decades. Whether and how NKG2D recognizes and discriminates diverse ligands still remain unclear. Using live‐cell‐based single‐molecule biomechanical assay, we characterized the in situ binding kinetics of NKG2D interacting with different ligands in the absence or presence of mechanical force. We found that mechanical force application selectively prolonged NKG2D interaction lifetimes with the ligands MICA and MICB, but not with ULBPs, and that force‐strengthened binding is much more pronounced for MICA than for other ligands. We also integrated steered molecular dynamics simulations and mutagenesis to reveal force‐induced rotational conformational changes of MICA, involving formation of additional hydrogen bonds on its binding interface with NKG2D, impeding MICA dissociation under force. We further provided a kinetic triggering model to reveal that force‐dependent affinity determines NKG2D ligand discrimination and its downstream NK cell activation. Together, our results demonstrate that NKG2D has a discrimination power to recognize different ligands, which depends on selective mechanical force‐induced ligand conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Fan
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junwei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenyi An
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huaying Zhu
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Qin
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danmei Yao
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Shou
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yibing Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhou Tong
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xue Wen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianpo Xu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijia Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jizhong Lou
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Yin
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument of Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Lei K, Kurum A, Kaynak M, Bonati L, Han Y, Cencen V, Gao M, Xie YQ, Guo Y, Hannebelle MTM, Wu Y, Zhou G, Guo M, Fantner GE, Sakar MS, Tang L. Cancer-cell stiffening via cholesterol depletion enhances adoptive T-cell immunotherapy. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:1411-1425. [PMID: 34873307 PMCID: PMC7612108 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00826-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Malignant transformation and tumour progression are associated with cancer-cell softening. Yet how the biomechanics of cancer cells affects T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity and thus the outcomes of adoptive T-cell immunotherapies is unknown. Here we show that T-cell-mediated cancer-cell killing is hampered for cortically soft cancer cells, which have plasma membranes enriched in cholesterol, and that cancer-cell stiffening via cholesterol depletion augments T-cell cytotoxicity and enhances the efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapy against solid tumours in mice. We also show that the enhanced cytotoxicity against stiffened cancer cells is mediated by augmented T-cell forces arising from an increased accumulation of filamentous actin at the immunological synapse, and that cancer-cell stiffening has negligible influence on: T-cell-receptor signalling, production of cytolytic proteins such as granzyme B, secretion of interferon gamma and tumour necrosis factor alpha, and Fas-receptor-Fas-ligand interactions. Our findings reveal a mechanical immune checkpoint that could be targeted therapeutically to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewen Lei
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Armand Kurum
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Murat Kaynak
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Bonati
- Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yulong Han
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Min Gao
- Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yu-Qing Xie
- Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yugang Guo
- Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Yangping Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guanyu Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Mahmut Selman Sakar
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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45
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Antimetastatic defense by CD8 + T cells. Trends Cancer 2021; 8:145-157. [PMID: 34815204 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.10.006] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is an intricate process whereby tumor cells migrate from the primary tumor, survive in the circulation, seed distal organs, and proliferate to create metastatic foci. CD8+ T cells can detect and eliminate tumor cells. Research on CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor immunity has classically focused on its role in the primary tumor. There is increasing evidence, however, that CD8+ T cells have unique antimetastatic functions in various steps of the metastatic cascade. Here, we review the mechanisms whereby CD8+ T cells control metastatic lesions. We discuss their role in each step of metastasis, metastatic dormancy, and metastatic clonal evolution as well as the consequent clinical repercussions.
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46
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Record J, Saeed MB, Venit T, Percipalle P, Westerberg LS. Journey to the Center of the Cell: Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Actin in Immune Cell Functions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:682294. [PMID: 34422807 PMCID: PMC8375500 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.682294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin cytoskeletal dynamics drive cellular shape changes, linking numerous cell functions to physiological and pathological cues. Mutations in actin regulators that are differentially expressed or enriched in immune cells cause severe human diseases known as primary immunodeficiencies underscoring the importance of efficienct actin remodeling in immune cell homeostasis. Here we discuss recent findings on how immune cells sense the mechanical properties of their environement. Moreover, while the organization and biochemical regulation of cytoplasmic actin have been extensively studied, nuclear actin reorganization is a rapidly emerging field that has only begun to be explored in immune cells. Based on the critical and multifaceted contributions of cytoplasmic actin in immune cell functionality, nuclear actin regulation is anticipated to have a large impact on our understanding of immune cell development and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Record
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mezida B. Saeed
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Venit
- Science Division, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Piergiorgio Percipalle
- Science Division, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S. Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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47
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Mechanosurveillance of tumour metastasis. Nat Rev Immunol 2021; 21:274-275. [PMID: 33828263 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-021-00546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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48
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49
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Usmani SM, Mempel TR. Cancer cells relax and resist cytotoxic attack. Immunity 2021; 54:853-855. [PMID: 33979583 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
When it comes to cancer evading the immune response, antigen presentation usually gets all the attention. In this issue of Immunity, Tello-Lafoz et al. reveal that cancer cells have another card up their sleeve: by regulating gene expression to "soften" their actin cytoskeleton, cancer cells limit susceptibility to lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxic attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shariq M Usmani
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thorsten R Mempel
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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