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Wu M, Hau PM, Li L, Tsang CM, Yang Y, Taghbalout A, Chung GTY, Hui SY, Tang WC, Jillette N, Zhu JJ, Lee HHY, Kong EL, Chan MSA, Chan JYK, Ma BBY, Chen MR, Lee C, To KF, Cheng AW, Lo KW. Synthetic BZLF1-targeted transcriptional activator for efficient lytic induction therapy against EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3729. [PMID: 38702330 PMCID: PMC11068728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The unique virus-cell interaction in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies implies targeting the viral latent-lytic switch is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the lack of specific and efficient therapeutic agents to induce lytic cycle in these cancers is a major challenge facing clinical implementation. We develop a synthetic transcriptional activator that specifically activates endogenous BZLF1 and efficiently induces lytic reactivation in EBV-positive cancer cells. A lipid nanoparticle encapsulating nucleoside-modified mRNA which encodes a BZLF1-specific transcriptional activator (mTZ3-LNP) is synthesized for EBV-targeted therapy. Compared with conventional chemical inducers, mTZ3-LNP more efficiently activates EBV lytic gene expression in EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Here we show the potency and safety of treatment with mTZ3-LNP to suppress tumor growth in EBV-positive cancer models. The combination of mTZ3-LNP and ganciclovir yields highly selective cytotoxic effects of mRNA-based lytic induction therapy against EBV-positive tumor cells, indicating the potential of mRNA nanomedicine in the treatment of EBV-associated epithelial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pok Man Hau
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Linxian Li
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yike Yang
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of Chemistry and Green Catalysis Center, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Aziz Taghbalout
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Grace Tin-Yun Chung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shin Yee Hui
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing Chung Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Jacqueline Jufen Zhu
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Horace Hok Yeung Lee
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ee Ling Kong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Melissa Sue Ann Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason Ying Kuen Chan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brigette Buig Yue Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Charlie Lee Precision Immuno-oncology program, Sir Y.K. Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mei-Ru Chen
- Graduate Institute and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Charles Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Albert Wu Cheng
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
- The Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Serafini B, Benincasa L, Rosicarelli B, Aloisi F. EBV infected cells in the multiple sclerosis brain express PD-L1: How the virus and its niche may escape immune surveillance. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 389:578314. [PMID: 38422689 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The presence of EBV infected B cells in postmortem multiple sclerosis (MS) brain tissue suggests immune evasion strategies. Using immunohistochemical techniques we analysed the expression of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 and its receptor PD-1 in MS brains containing B cell-enriched perivascular infiltrates and meningeal follicles, a major EBV reservoir. PD-1 and PD-L1 immunoreactivities were restricted to CNS-infiltrating immune cells. PD-L1 was expressed on B cells, including EBV infected B cells, while PD-1 was expressed on many CD8+ T cells, including EBV-specific CD8+ T-cells, and fewer CD4+ T cells. PD-L1+ cells and EBV infected cells were in close contact with PD-1+ T cells. PD-L1 expressed by EBV infected B cells could favour local immune evasion leading to EBV persistence and immunopathology in the MS brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucia Benincasa
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Barbara Rosicarelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Aloisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Gutiérrez-Guerrero A, Espinosa-Padilla SE, Lugo-Reyes SO. [Anything that can go wrong: cytotoxic cells and their control of Epstein-Barr virus]. REVISTA ALERGIA MÉXICO 2024; 71:29-39. [PMID: 38683066 DOI: 10.29262/ram.v71i1.1276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an gamma of herpes virus affecting exclusively humans, was the first oncogenic virus described and is associated with over seven different cancers. Curiously, the exchange of genes during viral infections has enabled the evolution of other cellular organisms, favoring new functions and the survival of the host. EBV has been co-evolving with mammals for hundreds of millions of years, and more than 95% of adults have been infected in one moment of their life. The infection is acquired primarily during childhood, in most cases as an asymptomatic infection. However, during adolescence or young adulthood, around 10 to 30% develop infectious mononucleosis. The NK and CD8+ T cells are the cytotoxic cells of the immune system that focus on antiviral responses. Importantly, an essential role of NK and CD8+ T cells has been demonstrated during the control and elimination of EBV-infected cells. Nonetheless, when the cytotoxic function of these cells is compromised, the infection increases the risk of developing lymphoproliferative diseases and cancer, often fatal. In this review, we delineate EBV infection and the importance of cytotoxic responses by NK and CD8+ T cells during the control and elimination of EBV-infected cells. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the main inborn errors of immunity that compromise cytotoxic responses by NK and CD8+ T cells, and how this scenario affects the antiviral response during EBV infection. Finally, we conclude the review by underlying the need for an effective EBV vaccine capable of preventing infection and the consequent development of malignancies and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Gutiérrez-Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Inmunodeficiencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México
| | - Sara Elva Espinosa-Padilla
- Laboratorio de Inmunodeficiencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México
| | - Saúl Oswaldo Lugo-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Inmunodeficiencias, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México
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Moyano A, Ferressini Gerpe N, Amarillo ME, De Matteo E, Preciado MV, Caldirola MS, Chabay P. EBV Impact in Peripheral Macrophages' Polarization Cytokines in Pediatric Patients. Viruses 2023; 15:2105. [PMID: 37896882 PMCID: PMC10612087 DOI: 10.3390/v15102105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are exceptionally flexible cells. The presence of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α results in an M1 (CD68) activation, while cytokines such as IL-10 or TGF-β induce the M2 (CD163) activation. Our aim was to study the behavior of peripheral cytokines involved in macrophage polarization and relate them with tissue findings to further comprehend the role of macrophages in EBV pediatric infection. We studied cytokine expression in tonsils and peripheral blood samples of children in different stages of infection. Peripheral cytokines were compared with macrophage polarization markers and viral protein expression in tonsils. Only IL-10 showed a negative correlation between compartments, exclusively in patients undergoing viral reactivation (R). Higher expressions of peripheral IL-1β, IL-23, and IL-12p40 in R children were observed. Lower expressions of local and peripheral TNF-α in patients with broader expressions of latent and lytic viral proteins were demonstrated. In healthy carrier (HC) patients, IL-23 positively correlated with CD163, and IP-10 positively correlated with CD68. Our results indicated that EBV might modulate antigen expression in the presence of TNF-α and influence peripheral cytokine expression differently in each stage of infection. Moreover, peripheral cytokines might have a particular role in macrophage polarization in HC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Moyano
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Investigation in Pediatric Pathologies (IMIPP), CONICET-GCBA, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Pathology Division, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina (M.E.A.); (M.V.P.); (M.S.C.); (P.C.)
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Huang W, Bai L, Tang H. Epstein-Barr virus infection: the micro and macro worlds. Virol J 2023; 20:220. [PMID: 37784180 PMCID: PMC10546641 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02187-9] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein‒Barr virus (EBV) is a DNA virus that belongs to the human B lymphotropic herpesvirus family and is highly prevalent in the human population. Once infected, a host can experience latent infection because EBV evades the immune system, leading to hosts harboring the virus for their lifetime. EBV is associated with many diseases and causes significant challenges to human health. This review first offers a description of the natural history of EBV infection, clarifies the interaction between EBV and the immune system, and finally focuses on several major types of diseases caused by EBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lang Bai
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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