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Li J, Yu T, Sun J, Ma M, Zheng Z, Kang W, Ye X. Comprehensive integration of single-cell RNA and transcriptome RNA sequencing to establish a pyroptosis-related signature for improving prognostic prediction of gastric cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:990-1004. [PMID: 38404710 PMCID: PMC10884435 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.02.002] [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] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell pyroptosis, a Gasdermin-dependent programmed cell death characterized by inflammasome, plays a complex and dynamic role in Gastric cancer (GC), a serious threat to human health. Therefore, the value of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic indicators for patients needs to be exploited in GC. This study integrates single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset GSE183904 with GC transcriptome data from the TCGA database, focusing on the expression and distribution of PRGs in GC at the single-cell level. The prognostic signature of PRGs was established by using Cox and LASSO analyses. The differences in long-term prognosis, immune infiltration, mutation profile, CD274 and response to chemotherapeutic drugs between the two groups were analyzed and evaluated. A tissue array was used to verify the expression of six PRGs, CD274, CD163 and FoxP3. C12orf75, VCAN, RGS2, MKNK2, SOCS3 and TNFAIP2 were successfully screened out to establish a signature to potently predict the survival time of GC patients. A webserver (https://pumc.shinyapps.io/GastricCancer/) for prognostic prediction in GC patients was developed based on this signature. High-risk score patients typically had worse prognoses, resistance to classical chemotherapy, and a more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. VCAN, TNFAIP2 and SOCS3 were greatly elevated in the GC while RGS2 and MKNK2 were decreased in the tumor samples. Further, VCAN was positively related to the infiltrations of Tregs and M2 TAMs in GC TME and the CD274 in tumor cells. In summary, a potent pyroptosis-related signature was established to accurately forecast the survival time and treatment responsiveness of GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, 100730 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingwei Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, 100730 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zicheng Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, 100730 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weiming Kang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, 100730 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Ye
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, 100730 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Guo H, Wei J, Zhang Y, Wang L, Wan J, Wang W, Gao L, Li J, Sun T, Ma L. Protein ubiquitination in ovarian cancer immunotherapy: The progress and therapeutic strategy. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101158. [PMID: 39253578 PMCID: PMC11382211 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.101158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a common cancer for females, and the incidence and mortality rates are on the rise. Many treatment strategies have been developed for ovarian cancer, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but they are often ineffective and prone to drug resistance. Protein ubiquitination is an important class of post-translation modifications that have been found to be associated with various human diseases and cancer development. Recent studies have revealed that protein ubiquitination is involved in the progression of ovarian cancer and plays an important role in the tumor immune process. Moreover, the combination of ubiquitinase/deubiquitinase inhibitors and cancer immunotherapy approaches can effectively reduce treatment resistance and improve treatment efficacy, which provides new ideas for cancer treatment. Herein, we review the role of protein ubiquitination in relation to ovarian cancer immunotherapy and recent advances in the use of ubiquitinase/deubiquitinase inhibitors in combination with cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Key Clinical Laboratory of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jianwei Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yuyan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Junhu Wan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Key Clinical Laboratory of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jiajing Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Ting Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Key Clinical Laboratory of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Liwei Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Key Clinical Laboratory of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
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Xu JZ, Wan TQ, Su JS, Song JM. Exploration of the ubiquitination-related molecular classification and signature to predict the survival and immune microenvironment in colon cancer. Front Genet 2024; 15:1292249. [PMID: 39268080 PMCID: PMC11390591 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1292249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ubiquitination, a major post-translational modification, significantly impacts tumorigenesis, progression, and prognosis. This study aims to classify colon cancer at the molecular level and create a reliable signature using ubiquitination-related genes (URGs) to assess the immune microenvironment and prognosis. Methods We employed non-negative matrix factorization to subtype colon cancer based on ubiquitination-related gene (URG) expression patterns. Quantitative scores for 28 immune cell infiltrates and the tumor microenvironment were computed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and the Estimate algorithm. Subtype feature genes were selected through Lasso logistic regression and SVM-RFE algorithm. The ubiquitination-related signature was constructed using univariate Cox, Lasso, and stepwise regression methods to categorize patients into high and low-risk groups. Validation included log-rank tests, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, decision curve analysis (DCA), and external dataset validation. Immune therapy response was compared using Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE), Immunophenoscore (IPS), and submap analyses. Clinical variables and risk scores were integrated into an enhanced nomogram. The early diagnostic value of four URGs was confirmed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The cell proliferation was assessed through colony formation, EdU staining, and xenograft tumorigenesis assays. Results Prognostic ubiquitination-related genes (URGs) stratified patients into subtypes, revealing differences in survival, immune cell infiltration, and pathological staging. A signature of 6 URGs (ARHGAP4, MID2, SIAH2, TRIM45, UBE2D2, WDR72) was identified from 57 subtype-related genes. The high-risk group exhibited characteristics indicative of enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune escape, immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cell infiltration, and lower immunogenicity. In contrast, the low-risk group demonstrated the opposite trend but showed a better response to CTLA4 checkpoint inhibitors. The predictive performance of the nomogram significantly improved with the integration of risk score, stage, and age. ARHGAP4 and SIAH2 exhibit promising early diagnostic capabilities. Additionally, WDR72 knockdown significantly inhibited CRC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Our developed ubiquitination-related signature and genes serve as promising biomarkers for colon cancer prognosis, immune microenvironment, and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Zhong Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tian-Qi Wan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jin-Song Su
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun-Min Song
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Lu Y, Sun Y, Zhang J, Kong M, Zhao Z, Sun B, Wang Y, Jiang Y, Chen S, Wang C, Tong Y, Wen L, Huang M, Wu F, Zhang L. The deubiquitinase USP2a promotes tumor immunosuppression by stabilizing immune checkpoint B7-H4 in lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR-activating mutants. Cancer Lett 2024; 596:217020. [PMID: 38849009 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217020] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
B7-H4 is an immune checkpoint crucial for inhibiting CD8+ T-cell activity. A clinical trial is underway to investigate B7-H4 as a potential immunotherapeutic agent. However, the regulatory mechanism of B7-H4 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) remains poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that proteasome inhibitors effectively increased B7-H4 expression, while EGFR-activating mutants promoted B7-H4 expression through the UPP. We screened B7-H4 binding proteins by co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry and found that USP2a acted as a deubiquitinase of B7-H4 by removing K48- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains from B7-H4, leading to a reduction in B7-H4 degradation. EGFR mutants enhanced B7-H4 stability by upregulating USP2a expression. We further investigated the role of USP2a in tumor growth in vivo. Depletion of USP2a in L858R/LLC cells inhibited tumor cell proliferation, consequently suppressing tumor growth in immune-deficient nude mice by destabilizing downstream molecules such as Cyclin D1. In an immune-competent C57BL/6 mouse tumor model, USP2a abrogation facilitated infiltration of CD95+CD8+ effector T cells and hindered infiltration of Tim-3+CD8+ and LAG-3+CD8+ exhausted T cells by destabilizing B7-H4. Clinical lung adenocarcinoma samples showed a significant correlation between B7-H4 abundance and USP2a expression, indicating the contribution of the EGFR/USP2a/B7-H4 axis to tumor immunosuppression. In summary, this study elucidates the dual effects of USP2a in tumor growth by stabilizing Cyclin D1, promoting tumor cell proliferation, and stabilizing B7-H4, contributing to tumor immunosuppression. Therefore, USP2a represents a potential target for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Miao Kong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiming Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Boshu Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai Zhaxin Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaomu Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yin Tong
- Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangzhu Wen
- He Cheng Biotechnology Suzhou Co.Ltd, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Moli Huang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fengying Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liang Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Hong Y, Chen Q, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Li B, Guo H, Huang C, Kong X, Mo P, Xiao N, Xu J, Ye Y, Yu C. Targeting Nuclear Receptor Coactivator SRC-1 Prevents Colorectal Cancer Immune Escape by Reducing Transcription and Protein Stability of PD-L1. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2310037. [PMID: 38953362 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202310037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is overexpressed in multiple cancers and critical for their immune escape. It has previously shown that the nuclear coactivator SRC-1 promoted colorectal cancer (CRC) progression by enhancing CRC cell viability, yet its role in CRC immune escape is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SRC-1 is positively correlated with PD-L1 in human CRC specimens. SRC-1 deficiency significantly inhibits PD-L1 expression in CRC cells and retards murine CRC growth in subcutaneous grafts by enhancing CRC immune escape via increasing tumor infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Genetic ablation of SRC-1 in mice also decreases PD-L1 expression in AOM/DSS-induced murine CRC. These results suggest that tumor-derived SRC-1 promotes CRC immune escape by enhancing PD-L1 expression. Mechanistically, SRC-1 activated JAK-STAT signaling by inhibiting SOCS1 expression and coactivated STAT3 and IRF1 to enhance PD-L1 transcription as well as stabilized PD-L1 protein by inhibiting proteasome-dependent degradation mediated by speckle type POZ protein (SPOP). Pharmacological inhibition of SRC-1 improved the antitumor effect of PD-L1 antibody in both subcutaneous graft and AOM/DSS-induced murine CRC models. Taken together, these findings highlight a crucial role of SRC-1 in regulating PD-L1 expression and targeting SRC-1 in combination with PD-L1 antibody immunotherapy may be an attractive strategy for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315010, P. R. China
| | - Zinan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Bei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Hanshi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Chuanzhong Huang
- Laboratory of Immuno-Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, P. R. China
| | - Xu Kong
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Pingli Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Nengming Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Jianming Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Yunbin Ye
- Laboratory of Immuno-Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, P. R. China
| | - Chundong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
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Rubenich DS, Domagalski JL, Gentil GFS, Eichberger J, Fiedler M, Weber F, Federlin M, Poeck H, Reichert TE, Ettl T, Bauer RJ, Braganhol E, Schulz D. The immunomodulatory ballet of tumour-derived extracellular vesicles and neutrophils orchestrating the dynamic CD73/PD-L1 pathway in cancer. J Extracell Vesicles 2024; 13:e12480. [PMID: 38978304 PMCID: PMC11231043 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12480] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a global cancer burden with a 5-year overall survival rate of around 50%, stagnant for decades. A tumour-induced immunosuppressive microenvironment contributes to HNSCC progression, with the adenosine (ADO) pathway and an upregulated expression of inhibitory immune checkpoint regulators playing a key role in this context. The correlation between high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with advanced tumour staging suggests involvement of neutrophils (NØ) in cancer progression. Interestingly, we associated a high NLR with an increased intracellular PD-L1 localization in primary HNSCC samples, potentially mediating more aggressive tumour characteristics and therefore synergistically favouring tumour progression. Still, further research is needed to harness this knowledge for effective treatments and overcome resistance. Since it is hypothesized that the tumour microenvironment (TME) may be influenced by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted by tumours (TEX), this study aims to investigate the impact of HNSCC-derived TEX on NØ and blockade of ADO receptors as a potential strategy to reverse the pro-tumour phenotype of NØ. UMSCC47-TEX exhibited CD73 enzymatic activity involved in ADO signalling, as well as the immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1. Data revealed that TEX induce chemotaxis of NØ and the sustained interaction promotes a shift into a pro-tumour phenotype, dependent on ADO receptors (P1R), increasing CD170high subpopulation, CD73 and PD-L1 expression, followed by an immunosuppressive secretome. Blocking A3R reduced CD73 and PD-L1 expression. Co-culture experiments with HNSCC cells demonstrated that TEX-modulated NØ increase the CD73/PD-L1 axis, through Cyclin D-CDK4/6 signalling. To support these findings, the CAM model with primary tumour was treated with NØ supernatant. Moreover, these NØ promoted an increase in migration, invasion, and reduced cell death. Targeting P1R on NØ, particularly A3R, exhibited potential therapeutic strategy to counteract immunosuppression in HNSCC. Understanding the TEX-mediated crosstalk between tumours and NØ offers insights into immunomodulation for improving cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique S. Rubenich
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Experimental Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center for Medical BiotechnologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Biosciences Graduate ProgramFederal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)Porto AlegreBrazil
| | - Jordana L. Domagalski
- Biosciences Graduate ProgramFederal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)Porto AlegreBrazil
| | - Gabriela F. S. Gentil
- Biosciences Graduate ProgramFederal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)Porto AlegreBrazil
| | - Jonas Eichberger
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Experimental Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center for Medical BiotechnologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Mathias Fiedler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Experimental Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center for Medical BiotechnologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Florian Weber
- Institute of PathologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Marianne Federlin
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and PeriodontologyUniversity Medical Center RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Hendrik Poeck
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine IIIUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Leibnitz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)RegensburgGermany
| | - Torsten E. Reichert
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Tobias Ettl
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Richard J. Bauer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Experimental Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center for Medical BiotechnologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Elizandra Braganhol
- Biosciences Graduate ProgramFederal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA)Porto AlegreBrazil
| | - Daniela Schulz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Experimental Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center for Medical BiotechnologyUniversity Hospital RegensburgRegensburgGermany
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Miao Y, Wang S, Zhang J, Liu H, Zhang C, Jin S, Bai D. Strategic advancement of E3 ubiquitin ligase in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Med Oncol 2024; 41:178. [PMID: 38888684 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02411-8] [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: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge due to its high incidence, poor prognosis, and limited treatment options. As a pivotal regulator of protein stability, E3 ubiquitin ligase plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and development. This review provides an overview of the latest research on the involvement of E3 ubiquitin ligase in hepatocellular carcinoma and elucidates its significance in hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, and evasion from immune surveillance. Special attention is given to the functions of RING, HECT, and RBR E3 ubiquitin ligases and their association with hepatocellular carcinoma progression. By dissecting the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks governed by E3 ubiquitin ligase, several potential therapeutic strategies are proposed: including the development of specific inhibitors targeting E3 ligases; augmentation of their tumor suppressor activity through drug or gene therapy; utilization of E3 ubiquitin ligase to modulate immune checkpoint proteins for improved efficacy of immunotherapy; combination strategies integrating traditional therapies with E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitors; as well as biomarker development based on E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Furthermore, this review discusses the prospect of overcoming drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment through these novel approaches. Overall, this review establishes a theoretical foundation and offers fresh insights into harnessing the potential of E3 ubiquitin ligase for treating hepatocellular carcinoma while highlighting future research directions that pave the way for clinical translation studies and new drug discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Miao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shunyi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiahao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shengjie Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Dousheng Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 West Nantong Rd, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China.
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8
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Wang Q, Tan W, Zhang Z, Chen Q, Xie Z, Yang L, Tang C, Zhuang H, Wang B, Jiang J, Ma X, Wang W, Hua Y, Shang C, Chen Y. FAT10 induces immune suppression by upregulating PD-L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Apoptosis 2024:10.1007/s10495-024-01982-1. [PMID: 38824477 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01982-1] [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] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The upregulation of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays a crucial role in facilitating cancer cells to evade immune surveillance through immunosuppression. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain undefined. The correlation between PD-L1 and ubiquitin-like molecules (UBLs) was studied using sequencing data from 20 HCC patients in our center, combined with TCGA data. Specifically, the association between FAT10 and PD-L1 was further validated at both the protein and mRNA levels in HCC tissues from our center. Subsequently, the effect of FAT10 on tumor progression and immune suppression was examined through both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Utilizing sequencing data, qPCR, and Western blotting assays, we confirmed that FAT10 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and positively correlated with PD-L1 expression. Additionally, in vitro experiments demonstrated that the overexpression of FAT10 fostered the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of FAT10 in HCC cells led to an increase in PD-L1 expression, resulting in the inhibition of T cell proliferation and the enhancement of HCC cell resistance to T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, in vivo experiments utilizing the C57BL/6 mouse model revealed that overexpression of FAT10 effectively suppressed the infiltration of CD8 + GZMB + and CD8 + Ki67 + T cells, as well as reduced serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Mechanistically, we further identified that FAT10 upregulates PD-L1 expression via activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, but not in a ubiquitin-like modification. In conclusion, our findings indicate that FAT10 promotes immune evasion of HCC via upregulating PD-L1 expression, suggesting its potential as a novel target to enhance the efficiency of immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingbin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Wenliang Tan
- Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, 412000, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Qiuju Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Nephrology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zhiqin Xie
- Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, 412000, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Chenwei Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Hongkai Zhuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Bingkun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jiahao Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Xiaowu Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yonglin Hua
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Changzhen Shang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Yajin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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9
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Fang Q, Li X, Xu P, Cao F, Wu D, Zhang X, Chen C, Gao J, Su Y, Liu X. PD-1 inhibitor combined with paclitaxel and cisplatin in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic hypopharyngeal/laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: efficacy and survival outcomes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1353435. [PMID: 38827739 PMCID: PMC11140072 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1353435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This retrospective study analyzed the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin (TP regimen) in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic hypopharyngeal/laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (RMHSCC/RMLSCC). Methods Patients diagnosed and treated at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from August 1, 2020, to August 15, 2023, with histologically confirmed RMHSCC/RMLSCC were included. All patients received PD-1 inhibitors combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel (260mg/m2) and cisplatin (60mg/m2) for 3-4 cycles. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results A total of 50 patients with RMHSCC/RMLSCC who received TP+PD-1 inhibitor therapy were included, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 56.0% (28/50). The 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 80.2% (95% CI: 69.3%-92.9%) and 68.6% (95% CI: 52.6%-89.5%), respectively, while the 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 44.7% (95% CI: 31.9%-62.5%) and 26.0% (95% CI: 12.6%-53.4%), respectively. Treatment-related adverse events mainly included rash, myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reactions, and hypothyroidism. Conclusion In the treatment of RMHSCC/RMLSCC with TP + PD-1 inhibitors, survival rates of patients can be improved while ensuring the safety of the treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Fang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaodi Li
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei Cao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinrui Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianming Gao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Su
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuekui Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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10
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Liu M, Jin D, Yu W, Yu J, Cao K, Cheng J, Zheng X, Wang A, Liu Y. Enhancing Tumor Immunotherapy by Multivalent Anti-PD-L1 Nanobody Assembled via Ferritin Nanocage. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308248. [PMID: 38491904 PMCID: PMC11132087 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Increasing immunotherapy response rate and durability can lead to significant improvements in cancer care. To address this challenge, a novel multivalent immune checkpoint therapeutic platform is constructed through site-specific ligation of anti-PD-L1 nanobody (Nb) on ferritin (Ftn) nanocage. Nb-Ftn blocks PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and downregulates PD-L1 levels via endocytosis-induced degradation. In addition, the cage structure of Ftn allows encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA-approved dye. Photothermal treatment with Nb-Ftn@ICG induces immunogenic death of tumor cells, which improves systemic immune response via maturation of dendritic cells and enhanced infiltration of T cells. Moreover, Nb-Ftn encapsulation significantly enhances cellular uptake, tumor accumulation and retention of ICG. In vivo assays showed that this nanoplatform ablates the primary tumor, suppresses abscopal tumors and inhibits tumor metastasis, leading to a prolonged survival rate. This work presents a novel strategy for improving cancer immunotherapy using multivalent nanobody-ferritin conjugates as immunological targeting and enhancing carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Liu
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
| | - Duo Jin
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
| | - Wenxin Yu
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
| | - Jiaji Yu
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
| | - Kaiming Cao
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
| | - Junjie Cheng
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
| | - Xiaohu Zheng
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic DiseaseSchool of Basic Medical SciencesCenter for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHMDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230027China
| | - Andrew Wang
- Department of Radiation OncologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallas75230USA
| | - Yangzhong Liu
- Department of Pharmacythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230001China
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11
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Cao P, Li Q, Zou D, Wang L, Wang Z. Identification of crucial ubiquitin-associated genes for predicting the effects of immunotherapy and therapeutic agents in colorectal cancer. Gene 2024; 904:148215. [PMID: 38307218 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148215] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research indicates that colorectal cancer (CRC) is significantly influenced by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Nevertheless, reliable immune landscapes and ubiquitin-associated prognostic markers are still scarce. METHODS We systematically analyzed the RNA-seq data of 2,830 ubiquitin-related genes from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A CRC prognostic risk model was developed based on ubiquitin-associated gene signatures. In-depth multi-dimensional analyses were performed on ubiquitin-related subgroups with high and low risk. Drug response sensitivity for high-risk CRC patients was also predicted. RESULTS A total of 131 ubiquitin-related differentially expressed genes were retrieved, of which 9 prognostic genes for CRC were ultimately identified and further validated by our clinical CRC tumor and adjacent normal samples. The expression pattern of these 9 ubiquitin-associated genes was found to be strongly related to overall survival, immune cell fractions, and immune-related genes of CRC patients. CRC patients stratified by the ubiquitin prognostic model exhibited distinct clinicopathological characteristics and immune landscapes. A comprehensive framework for personalized medicine prediction identified regorafenib and sorafenib as the most promising therapeutic agents for high ubiquitin-related risk CRC patients, which was confirmed in cell viability assays. CONCLUSIONS Ubiquitin characteristics can reflect CRC prognosis and help develop innovative biomarkers for precision treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Danyi Zou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong, University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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12
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Deng D, Zhang T, Ma L, Zhao W, Huang S, Wang K, Shu S, Chen X. PD-L1/PD-1 pathway: a potential neuroimmune target for pain relief. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:51. [PMID: 38643205 PMCID: PMC11031890 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01227-3] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is a common symptom of many diseases with a high incidence rate. Clinically, drug treatment, as the main method to relieve pain at present, is often accompanied by different degrees of adverse reactions. Therefore, it is urgent to gain a profound understanding of the pain mechanisms in order to develop advantageous analgesic targets. The PD-L1/PD-1 pathway, an important inhibitory molecule in the immune system, has taken part in regulating neuroinflammation and immune response. Accumulating evidence indicates that the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway is aberrantly activated in various pain models. And blocking PD-L1/PD-1 pathway will aggravate pain behaviors. This review aims to summarize the emerging evidence on the role of the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway in alleviating pain and provide an overview of the mechanisms involved in pain resolution, including the regulation of macrophages, microglia, T cells, as well as nociceptor neurons. However, its underlying mechanism still needs to be further elucidated in the future. In conclusion, despite more deep researches are needed, these pioneering studies indicate that PD-L1/PD-1 may be a potential neuroimmune target for pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daling Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianhao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Lulin Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiqian Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaixing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaofang Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangdong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China.
- Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China.
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13
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Ren X, Wang L, Liu L, Liu J. PTMs of PD-1/PD-L1 and PROTACs application for improving cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1392546. [PMID: 38638430 PMCID: PMC11024247 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1392546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been developed, which harnesses and enhances the innate powers of the immune system to fight disease, particularly cancer. PD-1 (programmed death-1) and PD-L1 (programmed death ligand-1) are key components in the regulation of the immune system, particularly in the context of cancer immunotherapy. PD-1 and PD-L1 are regulated by PTMs, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, deubiquitination, acetylation, palmitoylation and glycosylation. PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) are a type of new drug design technology. They are specifically engineered molecules that target specific proteins within a cell for degradation. PROTACs have been designed and demonstrated their inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, and showed their ability to degrade PD-1/PD-L1 proteins. In this review, we describe how PROTACs target PD-1 and PD-L1 proteins to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. PROTACs could be a novel strategy to combine with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Ren
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Hospice Care, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Likun Liu
- Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Special Needs Medicine, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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14
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Yuan Z, Zhu Q, Wu Q, Zhang Z, Guo J, Wu G, Zheng C, Xu Q, Huang D, Cui D. Prognostic and Immune Landscape Analysis of Ubiquitination-related Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Based on Bulk and Single-cell RNA Sequencing Data. J Cancer 2024; 15:2580-2600. [PMID: 38577593 PMCID: PMC10988309 DOI: 10.7150/jca.93425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite significant advances in tumor immunotherapy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a malignancy with a challenging prognosis. The increasing research emphasizes the crucial role of ubiquitination in tumor immunotherapy. However, the establishment of prognostic signatures based on ubiquitination-related genes (UbRGs) and their role in immunotherapy are still lacking in HCC. Methods: We employed datasets from TCGA and GEO for transcriptome differential expression analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. Applying weighted gene co-expression network analysis, cox regression, lasso, selection and visualization of the most relevant features, and gradient boosting machine, we identified hub UbRGs as a gene signature to develop a prognostic model. We evaluated the predictive utility concerning clinical characteristics as well as its role in the immune landscape and immunotherapy potential. Additionally, western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence were employed to detect the expression and sub-localization of hub genes. Results: Three hub UbRGs (BOP1, CDC20, and UBE2S) were identified as a gene signature. In particular, the high-risk group exhibited notable characteristics, including higher tumor mutation burden, enrichment in immune-related pathways, up-regulation immune checkpoint, and higher immunity scores. Treatment response to immunotherapy varied based on the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4. Furthermore, single-cell data analysis revealed heterogeneous expression of hub UbRGs across different cell subtypes, while cytological experiments provided additional confirmation of the high expression of hub UbRGs in HCC. Conclusion: Our study provides valuable insights into the identification of novel ubiquitination-related biomarkers with potential applications for prognosis, immunotherapy prediction, and drug sensitivity in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Yuan
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Qingwei Zhu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Qingsong Wu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Junwei Guo
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Gongqiang Wu
- Department of Hematology, Dongyang People's Hospital of Zhejiang Provincial, Dongyang, 322100, China
| | - Cuiping Zheng
- Department of Hematology and Chemotherapy, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Di Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
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15
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Kim SB, Hwang S, Cha JY, Lee HJ. Programmed Death Ligand 1 Regulatory Crosstalk with Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination: Implications in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2939. [PMID: 38474186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052939] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays a pivotal role in cancer immune evasion and is a critical target for cancer immunotherapy. This review focuses on the regulation of PD-L1 through the dynamic processes of ubiquitination and deubiquitination, which are crucial for its stability and function. Here, we explored the intricate mechanisms involving various E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that modulate PD-L1 expression in cancer cells. Specific ligases are discussed in detail, highlighting their roles in tagging PD-L1 for degradation. Furthermore, we discuss the actions of DUBs that stabilize PD-L1 by removing ubiquitin chains. The interplay of these enzymes not only dictates PD-L1 levels but also influences cancer progression and patient response to immunotherapies. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic implications of targeting these regulatory pathways and propose novel strategies to enhance the efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1-based therapies. Our review underscores the complexity of PD-L1 regulation and its significant impact on the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon-Bin Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
| | - Soonjae Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Young Cha
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Jae Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea
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16
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Wu Y, Lin Y, Shen F, Huang R, Zhang Z, Zhou M, Fang Y, Shen J, Fan X. FBXO38 deficiency promotes lysosome-dependent STING degradation and inhibits cGAS-STING pathway activation. Neoplasia 2024; 49:100973. [PMID: 38277817 PMCID: PMC10832482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.100973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
F-box only protein 38 (FBXO38) is a member of the F-box family that mediates the ubiquitination and proteasome degradation of programmed death 1 (PD-1), and thus has important effects on T cell-related immunity. While its powerful role in adaptive immunity has attracted much attention, its regulatory roles in innate immune pathways remain unknown. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway is an important innate immune pathway that regulates type I interferons. STING protein is the core component of this pathway. In this study, we identified that FBXO38 deficiency enhanced tumor proliferation and reduced tumor CD8+ T cells infiltration. Loss of FBXO38 resulted in reduced STING protein levels in vitro and in vivo, further leading to preventing cGAS-STING pathway activation, and decreased downstream product IFNA1 and CCL5. The mechanism of reduced STING protein was associated with lysosome-mediated degradation rather than proteasomal function. Our results demonstrate a critical role for FBXO38 in the cGAS-STING pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yao Lin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, National Facility for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Feiyang Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, National Facility for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yan Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Jianfeng Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, National Facility for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200025, China.
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17
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Li S, Guo Q, Guo R, Xu H. Transcriptional factor BRD4 promotes the stemness of esophageal cancer by activating the nuclear PD-L1/RelB axis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:669-679. [PMID: 37615218 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is a prevalent malignancy associated with therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis. This study investigates the role of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in esophageal cancer stem cell (ECSC) formation. ECSCs were enriched and characterized using various assays. We found that both PD-L1 and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) were upregulated in ECSCs, promoting their stemness. Inhibiting BRD4 suppressed ECSC markers expression and sphere formation. Furthermore, BRD4 inhibitors downregulated membrane and nuclear PD-L1 levels, with knockdown of PD-L1 inhibiting ECSC formation. PD-L1 degraders also affected PD-L1 and its downstream effector RelB expression. Moreover, inhibiting RelB influenced sphere formation through interleukin-6 expression. This study reveals the critical role of the BRD4/nuclear PD-L1/RelB axis in ECSC formation, highlighting nuclear PD-L1 as a potential immunotherapeutic target for refractory EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouguo Li
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qunhuang Guo
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ruixiang Guo
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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18
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Kostecki KL, Iida M, Crossman BE, Salgia R, Harari PM, Bruce JY, Wheeler DL. Immune Escape Strategies in Head and Neck Cancer: Evade, Resist, Inhibit, Recruit. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:312. [PMID: 38254801 PMCID: PMC10814769 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020312] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) arise from the mucosal lining of the aerodigestive tract and are often associated with alcohol use, tobacco use, and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Over 600,000 new cases of HNC are diagnosed each year, making it the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Historically, treatments have included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and while these treatments are still the backbone of current therapy, several immunotherapies have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in HNC. The role of the immune system in tumorigenesis and cancer progression has been explored since the early 20th century, eventually coalescing into the current three-phase model of cancer immunoediting. During each of the three phases-elimination, equilibrium, and escape-cancer cells develop and utilize multiple strategies to either reach or remain in the final phase, escape, at which point the tumor is able to grow and metastasize with little to no detrimental interference from the immune system. In this review, we summarize the many strategies used by HNC to escape the immune system, which include ways to evade immune detection, resist immune cell attacks, inhibit immune cell functions, and recruit pro-tumor immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourtney L. Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Bridget E. Crossman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Paul M. Harari
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Justine Y. Bruce
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
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19
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Jin M, Huo D, Sun J, Hu J, Liu S, Zhan M, Zhang BZ, Huang JD. Enhancing immune responses of ESC-based TAA cancer vaccines with a novel OMV delivery system. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:15. [PMID: 38166929 PMCID: PMC10763241 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02273-8] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived epitopes can act as therapeutic tumor vaccines against different types of tumors Jin (Adv Healthc Mater 2023). However, these epitopes have poor immunogenicity and stimulate insufficient CD8+ T cell responses, which motivated us to develop a new method to deliver and enhance their effectiveness. Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) can serve as immunoadjuvants and act as a delivery vector for tumor antigens. In the current study, we engineered a new OMV platform for the co-delivery of ESC-derived tumor antigens and immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-L1 antibody). An engineered Staphylococcal Protein A (SpA) was created to non-specifically bind to anti-PD-L1 antibody. SpyCatcher (SpC) and SpA were fused into the cell outer membrane protein OmpA to capture SpyTag-attached peptides and PD-L1 antibody, respectively. The modified OMV was able to efficiently conjugate with ESC-derived TAAs and PD-L1 antibody (SpC-OMVs + SpT-peptides + anti-PD-L1), increasing the residence time of TAAs in the body. The results showed that the combination therapy of ESC-based TAAs and PD-L1 antibody delivered by OMV had significant inhibitory effects in mouse tumor model. Specifically, it was effective in reducing tumor growth by enhancing IFN-γ-CD8+ T cell responses and increasing the number of CD8+ memory cells and antigen-specific T cells. Overall, the new OMV delivery system is a versatile platform that can enhance the immune responses of ESC-based TAA cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Jin
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Da Huo
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Shuzhen Liu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingshuo Zhan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bao-Zhong Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Dong Huang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Li Ka Shing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Cancer Metastasis and Personalized Therapy, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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20
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Sun M, Shi G, Zhang X, Kan C, Xie S, Peng W, Liu W, Wang P, Zhang R. Deciphering roles of protein post-translational modifications in IgA nephropathy progression and potential therapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:964-982. [PMID: 38175721 PMCID: PMC10817402 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205406] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), one type of glomerulonephritis, displays the accumulation of glycosylated IgA in the mesangium. Studies have demonstrated that both genetics and epigenetics play a pivotal role in the occurrence and progression of IgAN. Post-translational modification (PTM) has been revealed to critically participate in IgAN development and progression because PTM dysregulation results in impaired degradation of proteins that regulate IgAN pathogenesis. A growing number of studies identify that PTMs, including sialylation, o-glycosylation, galactosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination and deubiquitination, modulate the initiation and progression of IgAN. Hence, in this review, we discuss the functions and mechanisms of PTMs in regulation of IgAN. Moreover, we outline numerous compounds that govern PTMs and attenuate IgAN progression. Targeting PTMs might be a useful strategy to ameliorate IgAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
| | - Guojuan Shi
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
| | - Chao Kan
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
| | - Shimin Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
| | - Weixiang Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Zhongwei Medical Research Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Peter Wang
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Zhongwei Medical Research Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519000, China
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21
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Wang S, Iyer R, Han X, Wei J, Li N, Cheng Y, Zhou Y, Gao Q, Zhang L, Yan M, Sun Z, Fang D. CRISPR screening identifies the deubiquitylase ATXN3 as a PD-L1-positive regulator for tumor immune evasion. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e167728. [PMID: 38038129 PMCID: PMC10688982 DOI: 10.1172/jci167728] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of tumoral PD-L1 expression is critical to advancing our understanding of tumor immune evasion and the improvement of existing antitumor immunotherapies. Herein, we describe a CRISPR-based screening platform and identified ATXN3 as a positive regulator for PD-L1 transcription. TCGA database analysis revealed a positive correlation between ATXN3 and CD274 in more than 80% of human cancers. ATXN3-induced Pd-l1 transcription was promoted by tumor microenvironmental factors, including the inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ and hypoxia, through protection of their downstream transcription factors IRF1, STAT3, and HIF-2α. Moreover, ATXN3 functioned as a deubiquitinase of the AP-1 transcription factor JunB, indicating that ATNX3 promotes PD-L1 expression through multiple pathways. Targeted deletion of ATXN3 in cancer cells largely abolished IFN-γ- and hypoxia-induced PD-L1 expression and consequently enhanced antitumor immunity in mice, and these effects were partially reversed by PD-L1 reconstitution. Furthermore, tumoral ATXN3 suppression improved the preclinical efficacy of checkpoint blockade antitumor immunotherapy. Importantly, ATXN3 expression was increased in human lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma, and its levels were positively correlated with PD-L1 as well as its transcription factors IRF1 and HIF-2α. Collectively, our study identifies what we believe to be a previously unknown deubiquitinase, ATXN3, as a positive regulator for PD-L1 transcription and provides a rationale for targeting ATXN3 to sensitize checkpoint blockade antitumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Radhika Iyer
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Xiaohua Han
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Juncheng Wei
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Na Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yuanzhang Zhou
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qiong Gao
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lingqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center of Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Yan
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology and Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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22
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Fang Q, Xu P, Cao F, Wu D, Liu X. PD-1 Inhibitors combined with paclitaxel (Albumin-bound) and cisplatin for larynx preservation in locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4161-4168. [PMID: 37804437 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03550-z] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common head and neck cancer with significant impact on quality of life due to its crucial roles in vocalization, airway protection, and swallowing. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy and larynx organ preservation of neoadjuvant treatment with PD-1 inhibitors in combination with paclitaxel (Albumin-bound) and cisplatin for locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal SCC. METHODS Medical records of consecutive patients diagnosed with histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced SCC of the larynx and hypopharynx, who received PD-1 inhibitor therapy at a single tertiary care center, were reviewed from January 1, 2019, to December 15, 2022. The patients were treated with a combination of PD-1 inhibitors, paclitaxel (Albumin-bound) 260mg/m2, and cisplatin 60mg/m2 (TP) as their first-line therapy. Survival outcomes, laryngectomy-free survival (LFS) rates and response rates were assessed. RESULTS The study cohort comprised 156 patients, predominantly male, with a median age of 60.4 years. The estimated one-year overall survival (OS) rate was 94.1%, two-year OS rate was 82.5%, one-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 80.4%, and two-year PFS rate was 66.3%. The one-year LFS was 86.4%, and the two-year LFS rate was 73.0%. The overall response rate after TP + PD-1 inhibitors therapy was 88.5%. Common treatment-associated adverse events included rash, thyroid function abnormalities, myelosuppression, and colitis. CONCLUSION Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors in combination with paclitaxel (Albumin-bound) and cisplatin showed promising efficacy and tolerability for larynx preservation in locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal SCC. The high response rates and favorable survival outcomes suggest this approach as a potential treatment option. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate these findings and establish the role of immunotherapy in larynx preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Fei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Di Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Xuekui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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23
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Bui I, Baritaki S, Libra M, Zaravinos A, Bonavida B. Cancer Resistance Is Mediated by the Upregulation of Several Anti-Apoptotic Gene Products via the Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase/Nitric Oxide Pathway: Therapeutic Implications. Antioxid Redox Signal 2023; 39:853-889. [PMID: 37466477 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Several therapeutic strategies for cancer treatments have been developed with time, and significant milestones have been achieved recently. However, with these novel therapies, not all cancer types respond and in the responding cancer types only a subset is affected. The failure to respond is principally the result that these cancers develop several mechanisms of resistance. Thus, a focus of current research investigations is to unravel the various mechanisms that regulate resistance and identify suitable targets for new therapeutics. Recent Advances: Hence, many human cancer types have been reported to overexpress the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and it has been suggested that iNOS/nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of resistance. We have postulated that iNOS overexpression or NO regulates the overexpression of pivotal anti-apoptotic gene products such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma extra large (Bcl-xL), myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), and survivin. In this report, we describe the various mechanisms, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational, by which iNOS/NO regulates the expression of the above anti-apoptotic gene products. Critical Issues: The iNOS/NO-mediated regulation of the four gene products is not the same with both specific and overlapping pathways. Our findings are, in large part, validated by bioinformatic analyses demonstrating, in several cancers, several direct correlations between the expression of iNOS and each of the four examined anti-apoptotic gene products. Future Directions: We have proposed that targeting iNOS may be highly efficient since it will result in the underexpression of multiple anti-apoptotic proteins and shifting the balance toward the proapoptotic gene products and reversal of resistance. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 853-889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indy Bui
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stavroula Baritaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Italian League Against Cancer, Catania, Italy
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cancer Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Benjamin Bonavida
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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24
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Wu J, Liu C, Wang T, Liu H, Wei B. Deubiquitinase inhibitor PR-619 potentiates colon cancer immunotherapy by inducing ferroptosis. Immunology 2023; 170:439-451. [PMID: 37526037 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13683] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A substantial number of colon cancer patients do not benefit from immunotherapy using programmed cell death 1 (PD1) antibodies. Therefore, combination therapy drugs are required to improve the efficacy of colon cancer immunotherapy. Recent studies have shown that deubiquitinases are negative regulators of anti-tumour immunity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the deubiquitinase inhibitor PR-619 in combination with anti-PD1 for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The results revealed that co-treatment with PR-619 and anti-PD1 significantly inhibited tumour growth in tumour-bearing BALB/c mice compared to monotherapy with a single drug. In addition, PR-619/anti-PD1 combined therapy inhibited cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, induced intratumor infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and enhanced the release of anti-tumour cytokines. Moreover, PR-619 induced ferroptosis in colon cancer cells, thereby inducing the release of damage-associated molecular patterns that triggered anti-tumour immunity. Finally, we discovered that PR-619 could degrade the GPX4 protein, the high expression of which was associated with poor prognosis and blocked CD8+ T cells infiltration in colon cancer. In conclusion, PR-619 may potentiate immunotherapy by inducing ferroptosis, and thereby promoting CD8+ T cells-mediated anti-tumour immunity, providing a potential strategy for colon cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Bin Wei
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
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25
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Wang S, Liu P, Yu J, Liu T. Multi-Omics Analysis Elucidates The Immune And Intratumor Microbes Characteristics Of Ubiquitination Subtypes In Lung Adenocarcinoma. Transl Oncol 2023; 36:101754. [PMID: 37549605 PMCID: PMC10423929 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101754] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination modification is closely related to cancer and participates in the regulation of tumor microenvironment. However, the role of ubiquitination modification in the immune response and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma has not been elucidated. This study aims to establish a disease classification associated with ubiquitination and reveal the landscape of intratumor microbes in patients with lung adenocarcinoma for the first time. A total of 1314 patients with lung adenocarcinoma in the GEO and TCGA databases were included in our study. We constructed a ubiquitination scoring model using WGCNA and constructed ubiquitination subtypes using unsupervised clustering, analyzed the clinical characteristics, immune characteristics, and intratumor microbes characteristics, and screened out the relevant gene signatures, which were verified by RT-qPCR in human cancer cells. The results showed that the high ubiquitination subtype had poor prognosis, low degree of immune infiltration, high index of tumor stemness, and poor effect of immunotherapy. The subtypes with lower ubiquitination scores have better prognosis, higher tumor microenvironment score and better immunotherapy effect. The C2 subtype has high level of immune infiltration, lower intratumor microbes diversity and abundance, and good prognosis. The C3 subtype has low level of immune infiltration, higher intratumor microbes diversity and abundance, and poor prognosis. The C1 subtype has characteristics between C2 and C3. In summary, this paper constructs a scoring system and several subtypes based on ubiquitination genes, and analyzed the characteristics, which can help provide new methods for clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Wang
- School of pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Minority of Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Pei Liu
- School of pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Minority of Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jie Yu
- School of pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Minority of Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tongxiang Liu
- School of pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China; Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Minority of Education, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China.
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Chang HR. RNF126, 168 and CUL1: The Potential Utilization of Multi-Functional E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Genome Maintenance for Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2527. [PMID: 37760968 PMCID: PMC10526535 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092527] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification (PTM) that is involved in proteolysis, protein-protein interaction, and signal transduction. Accumulation of mutations and genomic instability are characteristic of cancer cells, and dysfunction of the ubiquitin pathway can contribute to abnormal cell physiology. Because mutations can be critical for cells, DNA damage repair, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis are pathways that are in close communication to maintain genomic integrity. Uncontrolled cell proliferation due to abnormal processes is a hallmark of cancer, and mutations, changes in expression levels, and other alterations of ubiquitination factors are often involved. Here, three E3 ubiquitin ligases will be reviewed in detail. RNF126, RNF168 and CUL1 are involved in DNA damage response (DDR), DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, cell cycle regulation, and ultimately, cancer cell proliferation control. Their involvement in multiple cellular pathways makes them an attractive candidate for cancer-targeting therapy. Functional studies of these E3 ligases have increased over the years, and their significance in cancer is well reported. There are continuous efforts to develop drugs targeting the ubiquitin pathway for anticancer therapy, which opens up the possibility for these E3 ligases to be evaluated for their potential as a target protein for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Ryung Chang
- Department of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang 37554, Republic of Korea
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27
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Borghesani M, Gervaso L, Cella CA, Benini L, Ciardiello D, Algeri L, Ferrero A, Valenza C, Guidi L, Zampino MG, Spada F, Fazio N. Promising targetable biomarkers in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2023; 18:387-398. [PMID: 37743651 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2023.2248239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the treatment scenario of PanNETs-targeted therapies are desired but limited, as rarity and heterogeneity on PanNETs pose limitations to their development. AREAS COVERED We performed a literature review searching for promising druggable biomarkers and potential treatments to be implemented in the next future. We focused on treatments which have already reached clinical experimentation, although in early phases. Six targets were identified, namely Hsp90, HIFa, HDACs, CDKs, uPAR, and DDR. Even though biological rational is strong, so far reported efficacy outcomes are quite disappointing. The reason of that should be searched in the patients' heterogeneity, lack of biomarker selection, poor knowledge of interfering mechanisms as well as difficulties in patients accrual. Moreover, different ways to assess treatment efficacy should be considered, other than response rate, in light of the more indolent nature of NETs. EXPERT OPINION Development of targeted treatments in PanNETs is still an uncovered area, far behind other more frequent cancers. Rarity of NETs led to accrual of unselected populations, possibly jeopardizing the drug efficacy. Better patients' selection, both in terms of topography, grading and biomarkers is crucial and will help understanding which role targeted therapies can really play in these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Borghesani
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - L Gervaso
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
- Molecular Medicine Program, University of Pavia, Pavia, Lombardia, IT, Italy
| | - C A Cella
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - L Benini
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - D Ciardiello
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - L Algeri
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - A Ferrero
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - C Valenza
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - L Guidi
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - M G Zampino
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - F Spada
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
| | - N Fazio
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Cancer Medical Treatment, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, IT, Italy
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Cheng X, Wang K, Zhao Y, Wang K. Research progress on post-translational modification of proteins and cardiovascular diseases. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:275. [PMID: 37507372 PMCID: PMC10382489 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01560-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as atherosclerosis, myocardial remodeling, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, heart failure, and oxidative stress are among the greatest threats to human health worldwide. Cardiovascular pathogenesis has been studied for decades, and the influence of epigenetic changes on CVDs has been extensively studied. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, ubiquitin-like and nitrification, play important roles in the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Over the past decade, with the application of high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), an increasing number novel acylation modifications have been discovered, including propionylation, crotonylation, butyrylation, succinylation, lactylation, and isonicotinylation. Each change in protein conformation has the potential to alter protein function and lead to CVDs, and this process is usually reversible. This article summarizes the mechanisms underlying several common PTMs involved in the occurrence and development of CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- XueLi Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266073, Shandong, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266073, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266073, Shandong, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China.
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266073, Shandong, China.
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Li Y, Wu B, Hossain MJ, Quagliata L, O'Meara C, Wilkins MR, Corley S, Khachigian LM. Flubendazole inhibits PD-1 and suppresses melanoma growth in immunocompetent mice. J Transl Med 2023; 21:467. [PMID: 37452307 PMCID: PMC10349441 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has revolutionized the clinical management of a diverse range of cancer types, including advanced cutaneous melanoma. While immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 system has become standard of care, overall response rates remain unsatisfactory for most patients and there are no approved small molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 system. Flubendazole (FLU) is an anthelmintic that has been used to treat worm infections in humans and animals for decades. METHODS Here we tested the anti-cancer activity of systemically delivered FLU with suppression of PD-1 in immunocompetent mice. RESULTS In C57BL/6J mice bearing subcutaneous B16F10 melanoma, FLU reduced both tumor growth and PD-1 protein levels without affecting levels of PD-L1. FLU's suppression of PD-1 was accompanied by increased CD3+ T cell infiltration. Western blotting with extracts from human Jurkat T cells showed that FLU inhibited PD-1 protein expression, findings confirmed by flow cytometry. To gain mechanistic insights on FLU's ability to suppress PD-1 protein levels, we performed bulk RNA sequencing on extracts of Jurkat T cells exposed to the benzimidazole for 4 h. From a pool of 14,475 genes there were 1218 differentially-expressed genes; 687 with increased expression and 531 with decreased expression. Among the genes induced by FLU was the AP-1 family member, JUN and surprisingly, pdcd1. KEGG pathway analysis showed FLU up-regulated genes over-represented in multiple pathways (p < 0.01), the top hit being amoebiasis. FLU also affected the expression of genes in cancer-associated pathways, both through down-regulation and up-regulation. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed a large number of immunological signature gene sets correlated with FLU treatment, including gene sets associated with T cell differentiation, proliferation and function. The AP-1 inhibitor T5224 rescued PD-1 protein expression from inhibition by FLU. CONCLUSION This study is the first to show that FLU can inhibit melanoma growth with PD-1 suppression in immunocompetent mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ben Wu
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Md Jakir Hossain
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Lily Quagliata
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Connor O'Meara
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Marc R Wilkins
- Systems Biology Initiative, Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Susan Corley
- Systems Biology Initiative, Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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30
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Jiang Y, Hong K, Zhao Y, Xu K. Emerging role of deubiquitination modifications of programmed death-ligand 1 in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228200. [PMID: 37415977 PMCID: PMC10321661 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion is essential for carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a critical immune checkpoint molecule, interacts with programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) on immune cells to suppress anti-tumor immune responses. In the past decade, antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have tremendously altered cancer treatment paradigms. Post-translational modifications have been reported as key regulators of PD-L1 expression. Among these modifications, ubiquitination and deubiquitination are reversible processes that dynamically control protein degradation and stabilization. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are responsible for deubiquitination and have emerged as crucial players in tumor growth, progression, and immune evasion. Recently, studies have highlighted the participation of DUBs in deubiquitinating PD-L1 and modulating its expression. Here, we review the recent developments in deubiquitination modifications of PD-L1 and focus on the underlying mechanisms and effects on anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Jiang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingchao Zhao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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31
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Yang J, Wei M, Liu X, Shao X, Yan J, Liu J, Wen J, Zhang X, Dong R, Min M. PD-L1 expression downregulation by RNF43 in gastric carcinoma enhances antitumour activity of T cells. Scand J Immunol 2023; 97:e13268. [PMID: 39007965 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13268] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Ring finger protein 43 (RNF43), a transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been indicated to be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer treatment, as this protein increases tumour cell apoptosis and suppresses cellular proliferation. The role of RNF43 in cellular immunotherapy remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the expression level of RNF43 in gastric cancer cell lines and its role in cellular immunotherapy. The expression level of RNF43 and PD-L1 and their correlation in gastric cancer cell lines were analysed. The expression of PD-L1 was negatively correlated with that of RNF43 in gastric cancer cell lines. RNF43 interacted with PD-L1 to augment both K48- and K63-linked ubiquitination of PD-L1 in gastric cancer cell lines. In addition, RNF43 expression in gastric cancer cell lines could enhance the antitumour activity of T cells. In conclusion, this study reveals that RNF43 can inhibit PD-L1 expression to enhance the antitumour activity of cellular immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention and Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Eighth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingshuang Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jialong Liu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chinese PLA 984 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xueting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ruihua Dong
- Department of Research Ward, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Min
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Liu R, Wu J, Guo H, Yao W, Li S, Lu Y, Jia Y, Liang X, Tang J, Zhang H. Post-translational modifications of histones: Mechanisms, biological functions, and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e292. [PMID: 37220590 PMCID: PMC10200003 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Histones are DNA-binding basic proteins found in chromosomes. After the histone translation, its amino tail undergoes various modifications, such as methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, malonylation, propionylation, butyrylation, crotonylation, and lactylation, which together constitute the "histone code." The relationship between their combination and biological function can be used as an important epigenetic marker. Methylation and demethylation of the same histone residue, acetylation and deacetylation, phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, and even methylation and acetylation between different histone residues cooperate or antagonize with each other, forming a complex network. Histone-modifying enzymes, which cause numerous histone codes, have become a hot topic in the research on cancer therapeutic targets. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the role of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) in cell life activities is very important for preventing and treating human diseases. In this review, several most thoroughly studied and newly discovered histone PTMs are introduced. Furthermore, we focus on the histone-modifying enzymes with carcinogenic potential, their abnormal modification sites in various tumors, and multiple essential molecular regulation mechanism. Finally, we summarize the missing areas of the current research and point out the direction of future research. We hope to provide a comprehensive understanding and promote further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Liu
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Graduate DepartmentBengbu Medical College, BengbuAnhuiChina
| | - Jiajun Wu
- Graduate DepartmentBengbu Medical College, BengbuAnhuiChina
- Otolaryngology & Head and Neck CenterCancer CenterDepartment of Head and Neck SurgeryZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Haiwei Guo
- Otolaryngology & Head and Neck CenterCancer CenterDepartment of Head and Neck SurgeryZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Weiping Yao
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Graduate DepartmentBengbu Medical College, BengbuAnhuiChina
| | - Shuang Li
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Graduate DepartmentJinzhou Medical UniversityJinzhouLiaoningChina
| | - Yanwei Lu
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Yongshi Jia
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiaodong Liang
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Graduate DepartmentBengbu Medical College, BengbuAnhuiChina
| | - Jianming Tang
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhou UniversityLanzhouGansuChina
| | - Haibo Zhang
- Cancer CenterDepartment of Radiation OncologyZhejiang Provincial People's HospitalAffiliated People's HospitalHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
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Tang Y, Cao J, Peng R, Mao X, Su B, Tang H, Tu D, Zhou J, Jiang G, Jin S, Wang Q, Zhang C, Liu R, Zhang C, Bai D. Screening and Verification of Key Ubiquitination Genes Related to Immune Infiltration in Stage III/IV Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:765-781. [PMID: 37250505 PMCID: PMC10216869 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s407536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immune checkpoint therapy (ICIs) effectively improves the prognosis of advanced (stage III/IV) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, its objective response rate (ORR) is below 20%, significantly limiting ICI use in advanced HCC patients. The level of tumour immune infiltration influences ICI response rate. Recent studies have found ubiquitinase to be an important factor that regulates tumour immune infiltration. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the key ubiquitination genes that regulate immune infiltration in advanced HCC and further validate them. Methods A biotechnological process was performed as a means of classifying 90 advanced HCC patients into three immune subtypes and identifying associations with immune infiltration in the co-expressed modules. Ubiquitination-related genes were then screened with WGCNA. Gene enrichment analysis was performed for the target module and 30 hub genes were screened out by protein-protein interaction network (PPI). ssGSEA, single-gene sequencing and the MCP counter were used for exploring immune infiltration. TIDE score was applied for predicting drug efficacy and GSEA was used for exploring potential pathways. Finally, GRB2 expression in HCC tissue was validated by in vitro experiments. Results GRB2 expression was found to have a significant correlation with the pathological stage and prognosis of HCC patients and a positive correlation with immune infiltration and tumour mutation burden (TMB). In addition, significant correlations with the efficacy of ICIs, sorafenib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were identified. GRB2 was found to be most significantly associated with the JAK-STAT signalling pathway and cytosolic DNA sensing pathway. Finally, it was found that GRB2 expression is closely related to the prognosis, tumour size and TMN stage. Conclusion A significant association was observed between the ubiquitinated gene GRB2 and the prognosis and immune infiltration of advanced HCC patients and it may potentially be used for predicting therapy efficacy in advanced HCC patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingkang Mao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingbing Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Daoyuan Tu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoqing Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengjie Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Renjie Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- General Surgery Institute of Yangzhou, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dousheng Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- General Surgery Institute of Yangzhou, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Cheng H, Wang X. The role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases in bladder cancer development and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1202633. [PMID: 37215134 PMCID: PMC10196180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1202633] [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: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is one of the common malignant urothelial tumors. Post-translational modification (PTMs), including ubiquitination, acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, have been revealed to participate in bladder cancer initiation and progression. Ubiquitination is the common PTM, which is conducted by E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme, E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. E3 ubiquitin ligases play a key role in bladder oncogenesis and progression and drug resistance in bladder cancer. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the functions of E3 ubiquitin ligases in bladder cancer development. Moreover, we provide the evidence of E3 ubiquitin ligases in regulation of immunotherapy in bladder cancer. Furthermore, we mention the multiple compounds that target E3 ubiquitin ligases to improve the therapy efficacy of bladder cancer. We hope our review can stimulate researchers and clinicians to investigate whether and how targeting E3 ubiquitin ligases acts a novel strategy for bladder cancer therapy.
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Gu J, Pang L, Yan D, Wang C, Song Y, Jin Z, Xu Z, Mao Y, Liu S, Chen S. Ubiquitin-proteasome system-mediated ubiquitination modification patterns and characterization of tumor microenvironment infiltration, stemness and cellular senescence in low-grade glioma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:2970-2998. [PMID: 37053008 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) performs a crucial role in immune activation and tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the comprehensive role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the low-grade glioma (LGG) tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unknown. Ubiquitination modification patterns in LGG patients and corresponding characteristics of tumor immune traits, CSC stemness, and cellular senescence were evaluated via a comprehensive analysis of 20 ubiquitination modification regulators. For quantification of the ubiquitination modification status of individual patients, the UM-score was constructed and associated with TME characteristics, clinical features, cancer stem cell stemness, cellular senescence, prognosis, and immunotherapy efficacy. We identified that alterations in multiple ubiquitination regulators are linked to patient survival and the shaping of the tumor microenvironment. We found two different styles of ubiquitination modification in patients with low-grade glioma (immune-inflamed differentiation and immune-exclude dedifferentiation), characterized by high and low UM-score, and the two regulatory patterns of ubiquitination modification on immunity, stemness feature, and cellular senescence. We demonstrate that the UM-score could forecast the subtype of LGG, the immunologic infiltration traits, the biological process, the stemness feature, and the cellular senescence trait. Notably, the UM-score was related to immunotherapeutic efficacy, implying that modifying ubiquitination modification patterns by targeting ubiquitination modification regulators or ubiquitination modification pattern signature genes to reverse unfavorable TME properties will provide new insights into cancer immunotherapy. This research indicated that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is crucial in the formation of TME complexity and multiformity. The UM-score can determine ubiquitination modification status in individual patients, bringing about more personalized and effective immunotherapeutic tactics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Gu
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lijun Pang
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Donghua Yan
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunming Wang
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuekun Song
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengshuai Jin
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenwei Xu
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanqing Mao
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengzhe Liu
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Mao C, Li J, Feng L, Gao W. Beyond antibody fucosylation: α-(1,6)-fucosyltransferase (Fut8) as a potential new therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. Antib Ther 2023; 6:87-96. [PMID: 37077473 PMCID: PMC10108557 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbad004] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant post-translational glycosylation is a well-established hallmark of cancer. Altered core fucosylation mediated by α-(1,6)-fucosyltransferase (Fut8) is one of the key changes in tumor glycan patterns that contributes to neoplastic transformation, tumor metastasis, and immune evasion. Increased Fut8 expression and activity are associated with many types of human cancers, including lung, breast, melanoma, liver, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, thyroid, and pancreatic cancer. In animal models, inhibition of Fut8 activity by gene knockout, RNA interference, and small analogue inhibitors led to reduced tumor growth/metastasis, downregulation of immune checkpoint molecules PD-1, PD-L1/2, and B7-H3, and reversal of the suppressive state of tumor microenvironment. Although the biologics field has long benefited tremendously from using FUT8 -/- Chinese hamster ovary cells to manufacture IgGs with greatly enhanced effector function of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity for therapy, it is only in recent years that the roles of Fut8 itself in cancer biology have been studied. Here, we summarize the pro-oncogenic mechanisms involved in cancer development that are regulated by Fut8-mediated core fucosylation, and call for more research in this area where modifying the activity of this sole enzyme responsible for core fucosylation could potentially bring rewarding surprises in fighting cancer, infections, and other immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Lili Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Wenda Gao
- Antagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Canton, MA 02021, USA
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Li XM, Zhao ZY, Yu X, Xia QD, Zhou P, Wang SG, Wu HL, Hu J. Exploiting E3 ubiquitin ligases to reeducate the tumor microenvironment for cancer therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:34. [PMID: 36998063 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00394-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractTumor development relies on a complex and aberrant tissue environment in which cancer cells receive the necessary nutrients for growth, survive through immune escape, and acquire mesenchymal properties that mediate invasion and metastasis. Stromal cells and soluble mediators in the tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibit characteristic anti-inflammatory and protumorigenic activities. Ubiquitination, which is an essential and reversible posttranscriptional modification, plays a vital role in modulating the stability, activity and localization of modified proteins through an enzymatic cascade. This review was motivated by accumulating evidence that a series of E3 ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs) finely target multiple signaling pathways, transcription factors and key enzymes to govern the functions of almost all components of the TME. In this review, we systematically summarize the key substrate proteins involved in the formation of the TME and the E3 ligases and DUBs that recognize these proteins. In addition, several promising techniques for targeted protein degradation by hijacking the intracellular E3 ubiquitin-ligase machinery are introduced.
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Li S, Chen T, Liu J, Zhang H, Li J, Wang Z, Shang G. PROTACs: Novel tools for improving immunotherapy in cancer. Cancer Lett 2023; 560:216128. [PMID: 36933781 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216128] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and acetylation, are important in governing protein expression levels. Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are novel structures designed to target a protein of interest (POI) for ubiquitination and degradation, leading to the selective reduction in the expression levels of the POI. PROTACs have exhibited great promise due to their ability to target undruggable proteins, including several transcription factors. Recently, PROTACs have been characterized to improve anticancer immunotherapy via the regulation of specific proteins. In this review, we describe how the PROTACs target several molecules, including HDAC6, IDO1, EGFR, FoxM1, PD-L1, SHP2, HPK1, BCL-xL, BET proteins, NAMPT, and COX-1/2, to regulate immunotherapy in human cancers. PROTACs may provide potential treatment benefits by enhancing immunotherapy in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhe Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
| | - Jinxin Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
| | - Jiatong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, 233030, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China.
| | - Guanning Shang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
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Zhou X, Fu C, Chen X. The role of ubiquitin pathway-mediated regulation of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer 2023; 129:1649-1661. [PMID: 36857206 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34729] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
With the continuous cognition of the relationship between tumor cells and tumor immune microenvironment, immunotherapy based on the immune checkpoint blockade has achieved great breakthroughs, led to improved clinical outcomes, and prolonged survival for cancer patients in recent years. Nevertheless, the de novo or acquired resistance to immunotherapy has greatly counteracted the efficacy, leading to a 20%-40% overall response rate. Thus, further in-depth understanding of the regulation of the tumor microenvironment and antitumor immunity is urgently warranted. Ubiquitination-mediated protein degradation plays vital roles in protein stabilization, activation, and dynamics as well as in cellular homeostasis modulation. The dysregulated ubiquitination and deubiquitination are closely related to the changes in physiological and pathological processes, which subsequently result in a variety of diseases including cancer. In this review, the authors first summarize the current knowledge about the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in tumor development with the ubiquitin conjugation-regulated stability of p53, phosphatase and tensin homolog, and Myc protein as examples, then dissect the potential implications of ubiquitination-mediated immune checkpoints degradation in tumor microenvironment and immune responses, and finally discuss the effects of therapeutically targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway on immunotherapy, with the goal of providing deep insights into the exploitation of more precise and effective combinational therapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chengxiao Fu
- Cancer Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xisha Chen
- Cancer Research Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Yu ZZ, Liu YY, Zhu W, Xiao D, Huang W, Lu SS, Yi H, Zeng T, Feng XP, Yuan L, Qiu JY, Wu D, Wen Q, Zhou JH, Zhuang W, Xiao ZQ. ANXA1-derived peptide for targeting PD-L1 degradation inhibits tumor immune evasion in multiple cancers. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006345. [PMID: 37001908 PMCID: PMC10069584 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) shows promising clinical benefits. However, the relatively low response rate highlights the need to develop an alternative strategy to target PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. Our study focuses on the role and mechanism of annexin A1 (ANXA1)-derived peptide A11 degrading PD-L1 and the effect of A11 on tumor immune evasion in multiple cancers.MethodsBinding of A11 to PD-L1 was identified by biotin pull-down coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. USP7 as PD-L1’s deubiquitinase was found by screening a human deubiquitinase cDNA library. The role and mechanism of A11 competing with USP7 to degrade PD-L1 were analyzed. The capability to enhance the T cell-mediated tumor cell killing activity and antitumor effect of A11 via suppressing tumor immune evasion were investigated. The synergistic antitumor effect of A11 and PD-L1 mAb (monoclonal antibody) via suppressing tumor immune evasion were also studied in mice. The expression and clinical significance of USP7 and PD-L1 in cancer tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.ResultsA11 decreases PD-L1 protein stability and levels by ubiquitin proteasome pathway in breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma cells. Mechanistically, A11 competes with PD-L1’s deubiquitinase USP7 for binding PD-L1, and then degrades PD-L1 by inhibiting USP7-mediated PD-L1 deubiquitination. Functionally, A11 promotes T cell ability of killing cancer cells in vitro, inhibits tumor immune evasion in mice via increasing the population and activation of CD8+T cells in tumor microenvironment, and A11 and PD-1 mAb possess synergistic antitumor effect in mice. Moreover, expression levels of both USP7 and PD-L1 are significantly higher in breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and skin melanoma tissues than those in their corresponding normal tissues and are positively correlated in cancer tissues, and both proteins for predicting efficacy of PD-1 mAb immunotherapy and patient prognosis are superior to individual protein.ConclusionOur results reveal that A11 competes with USP7 to bind and degrade PD-L1 in cancer cells, A11 exhibits obvious antitumor effects and synergistic antitumor activity with PD-1 mAb via inhibiting tumor immune evasion and A11 can serve as an alternative strategy for ICIs therapy in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Zheng Yu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yun-Ya Liu
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ding Xiao
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shan-Shan Lu
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Yi
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ting Zeng
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xue-Ping Feng
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie-Ya Qiu
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Di Wu
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qi Wen
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Zhuang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Wu H, Jiao Y, Zhou C, Guo X, Wu Z, Lv Q. miR-140-3p/usp36 axis mediates ubiquitination to regulate PKM2 and suppressed the malignant biological behavior of breast cancer through Warburg effect. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:680-692. [PMID: 36305548 PMCID: PMC9980702 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2139554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a phenomenon in which breast epithelial cells proliferate out of control under the action of various carcinogenic factors. However, the role of USP36 in breast cancer is unknown. We analyzed the expression of USP36 in breast cancer and its association with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. The effect of USP36 on malignant biological behavior of breast cancer was verified by cell functional experiments. The upstream regulatory mechanism of USP36 was analyzed by Western blot and quantitative RT-qPCR. The influence of USP36 on the Warburg effect of breast cancer was analyzed by detecting the metabolism of cellular energy substances. We found that USP36 is highly expressed in breast tumor tissues and breast cancer cell lines. High expression of USP36 predicts poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Effectively reducing the expression of USP36 can significantly inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells, and promote the apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Meanwhile, inhibiting the expression of USP36 can significantly inhibit the production of ATP, lactate, pyruvate and glucose uptake in breast cancer cells. miR-140-3p is an upstream regulator of USP36, which can partially reverse the regulatory effect of USP36 on breast cancer cells. Importantly, USP36 regulates the expression of PKM2 through ubiquitination, which plays a role in regulating the Warburg effect. We confirmed that miR-140-3p regulates the expression of USP36, which mediates ubiquitination and regulates the expression of PKM2, and regulates the malignant biological behavior of breast cancer through the energy metabolism process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yile Jiao
- Department of Breast Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyi Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenru Wu
- Laboratory of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Lv
- Department of Breast Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Luo P, Li S, Long X. N6-methyladenosine RNA modification in PD-1/PD-L1: Novel implications for immunotherapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188873. [PMID: 36842764 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been shown to achieve significant antitumor effects in a variety of malignancies. Out of all the immune checkpoint molecules, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy has achieved great success. However, only some cancer patients benefit from this treatment strategy owing to drug resistance. Therefore, identifying the underlying modulators of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway to completely comprehend the mechanisms of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment is crucially important. Recent research has validated that m6A modification plays a critical role in the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, thus regulating the immune response and immunotherapy strategies. In this review, we summarized the latest research on the regulation of m6A modification in PD-1/PD-L1 pathways in cancer proliferation, invasion, and prognosis based on different kinds of cancers and discussed the possible mechanisms. We also reviewed m6A-associated lncRNAs in the regulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. More importantly, we outlined the influence of m6A modulation on anti-PD-1 therapy and m6A-related molecules that could predict the curative effect of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Further studies exploring the definitive regulation of m6A on the PD1/PD-1 pathway and immunotherapy are needed, which may address some of the current limitations in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Luo
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiqi Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinghua Long
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Yang H, Zhang X, Lao M, Sun K, He L, Xu J, Duan Y, Chen Y, Ying H, Li M, Guo C, Lu Q, Wang S, Su W, Liang T, Bai X. Targeting ubiquitin-specific protease 8 sensitizes anti-programmed death-ligand 1 immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:560-575. [PMID: 36539510 PMCID: PMC9950432 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01102-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) help tumor cells evade immune surveillance, and are regarded as important targets of anti-tumor immunotherapy. Post-translational modification of PD-L1 has potential value in immunosuppression. Here, we identified that ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) deubiquitinates PD-L1. Pancreatic cancer tissues exhibited significantly increased USP8 levels compared with those in normal tissues. Clinically, the expression of USP8 showed a significant association with the tumor-node-metastasis stage in multiple patient-derived cohorts of pancreatic cancer. Meanwhile, USP8 deficiency could reduce tumor invasion and migration and tumor size in an immunity-dependent manner, and improve anti-tumor immunogenicity. USP8 inhibitor pretreatment led to reduced tumorigenesis and immunocompetent mice with Usp8 knockdown tumors exhibited extended survival. Moreover, USP8 interacted positively with PD-L1 and upregulated its expression by inhibiting the ubiquitination-regulated proteasome degradation pathway in pancreatic cancer. Combination therapy with a USP8 inhibitor and anti-PD-L1 effectively suppressed pancreatic tumor growth by activation of cytotoxic T-cells and the anti-tumor immunity was mainly dependent on the PD-L1 pathway and CD8 + T cells. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting USP8, which can sensitize PD-L1-targeted pancreatic cancer to immunotherapy and might represent a novel therapeutic strategy to treat patients with pancreatic tumors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanshen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengyi Lao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kang Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lihong He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Honggang Ying
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Muchun Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chengxiang Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingsong Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sicheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Bai H, Padron AS, Deng Y, Liao YJ, Murray CJ, Ontiveros C, Kari SJ, Kancharla A, Kornepati AVR, Garcia M, Reyes RM, Gupta HB, Conejo-Garcia JR, Curiel T. Pharmacological tumor PDL1 depletion with chlorambucil treats ovarian cancer and melanoma: improves antitumor immunity and renders anti-PDL1-resistant tumors anti-PDL1-sensitive through NK cell effects. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e004871. [PMID: 36759012 PMCID: PMC9923271 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor intracellular programmed cell death ligand-1 (PDL1) mediates pathologic signals that regulate clinical treatment responses distinctly from surface-expressed PDL1 targeted by αPDL1 immune checkpoint blockade antibodies. METHODS We performed a drug screen for tumor cell PDL1 depleting drugs that identified Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved chlorambucil and also 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl] guanine. We used in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate treatment and signaling effects of pharmacological tumor PDL1 depletion focused on chlorambucil as FDA approved, alone or plus αPDL1. RESULTS PDL1-expressing mouse and human ovarian cancer lines and mouse melanoma were more sensitive to chlorambucil-mediated proliferation inhibition in vitro versus corresponding genetically PDL1-depleted lines. Orthotopic peritoneal PDL1-expressing ID8agg ovarian cancer and subcutaneous B16 melanoma tumors were more chlorambucil-sensitive in vivo versus corresponding genetically PDL1-depleted tumors. Chlorambucil enhanced αPDL1 efficacy in tumors otherwise αPDL1-refractory, and improved antitumor immunity and treatment efficacy in a natural killer cell-dependent manner alone and plus αPDL1. Chlorambucil-mediated PDL1 depletion was relatively tumor-cell selective in vivo, and treatment efficacy was preserved in PDL1KO hosts, demonstrating tumor PDL1-specific treatment effects. Chlorambucil induced PDL1-dependent immunogenic tumor cell death which could help explain immune contributions. Chlorambucil-mediated PDL1 reduction mechanisms were tumor cell-type-specific and involved transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms, including promoting PDL1 ubiquitination through the GSK3β/β-TRCP pathway. Chlorambucil-mediated tumor cell PDL1 depletion also phenocopied genetic PDL1 depletion in reducing tumor cell mTORC1 activation and tumor initiating cell content, and in augmenting autophagy, suggesting additional treatment potential. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological tumor PDL1 depletion with chlorambucil targets tumor-intrinsic PDL1 signaling that mediates treatment resistance, especially in αPDL1-resistant tumors, generates PDL1-dependent tumor immunogenicity and inhibits tumor growth in immune-dependent and independent manners. It could improve treatment efficacy of selected agents in otherwise treatment-refractory, including αPDL1-refractory cancers, and is rapidly clinically translatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Bai
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Alvaro S Padron
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yilun Deng
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yiji J Liao
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Clare J Murray
- Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Carlos Ontiveros
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Suresh J Kari
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Aravind Kancharla
- Med Hematology/Oncology, UT Health Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Anand V R Kornepati
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Myrna Garcia
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- UT Health Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ryan Michael Reyes
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- UT Health Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, UT Health Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Harshita B Gupta
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | - Tyler Curiel
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- UT Health Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Li Y, Tian L, Zhao T, Zhang J. A nanotherapeutic system for gastric cancer suppression by synergistic chemotherapy and immunotherapy based on iPSCs and DCs exosomes. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1673-1683. [PMID: 36622422 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapeutic drugs, the indispensable therapy in the treatment of gastric cancer, contain many problems such as high organ toxicity and insufficient therapeutic effect. The development of nanodrug delivery carriers with both tumor targeting function and immune stimulation ability possesses the potential to remedy these practical defects. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, a tumor targeting nanosystem that combines chemotherapy with immunotherapy was applied to the treatment and prognosis of gastric cancer. The fusion vector of iPSCs and DCs exosomes, which simultaneously possess the ability of tumor targeting and immune factor recruitment, effectively improved the in vivo efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and released the suppressed T lymphocytes under the action of modified PD-1 antibody to dredge the immunotherapy process. In addition, extensive recruitment of immune cells to clean the environment while exposing vast tumor antigens efficiently amplified the anti-tumor immune effect and ensured the good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Nanodrug delivery system DOX@aiPS-DCexo could effectively inhibit the expansion process of gastric cancer MFC through synergistic chemotherapy and immunotherapy and demonstrated the capacity of improving prognosis. Scheme: schematic illustration of the nanostructure DOX@aiPS-DCexo and the mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yezhou Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Leilei Tian
- Department of Operating Room, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Tiancheng Zhao
- Department of Endoscopy Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, Jilin, China.
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, Jilin, China.
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Jia C, Zhang X, Qu T, Wu X, Li Y, Zhao Y, Sun L, Wang Q. Depletion of PSMD14 suppresses bladder cancer proliferation by regulating GPX4. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14654. [PMID: 36632137 PMCID: PMC9828270 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role of deubiquitinase (DUB) 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 14 (PSMD14) in patients with bladder cancer. Methods From 2016 to 2018, 181 patients diagnosed with primary bladder cancer at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were recruited. The expression of PSMD14 in bladder cancer tissues was tested by immunochemistry. The association between PSMD14 expression and clinical and pathological data and outcomes of bladder cancer patients was determined. Overexpression and knockdown cells were constructed to evaluate the effects of PSMD14 on proliferation of bladder cancer cells. Results Our results showed that PSMD14 was significantly overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (76.24% vs 23.76%, P = 0.02). The expression of PSMD14 was significantly higher in patients with larger tumor diameters (85.14% vs 70.09%, P = 0.019) and patients with a family history of cancer (92.16% vs 70.00%, P = 0.002). Patients with high expression of PSMD14 had poor disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 2.89, 95% CI [1.247-6.711], P = 0.013). Gain and loss of function experiments demonstrated that PSMD14 deficiency inhibited bladder cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, depletion of PSMD14 suppressed bladder cancer cell growth via down-regulation of GPX4, and the promotion of PSMD14-induced cell growth was observably reversed by the GPX4 inhibitor RSL3. Conclusion We determined that PSMD14 is highly expressed in bladder cancer tissues, and that PSMD14 expression correlated with poor disease-free survival. Depletion of PSMD14 could inhibit the proliferation of bladder cancer cells through the downregulation of GPX4. Therefore, PSMD14 may be an effective target for the treatment of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxin Jia
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Tingting Qu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiuyun Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lijiang Sun
- Department of Urology Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Endocrine and metabolic diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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Chen X, Mao D, Li D, Li W, Wei H, Deng C, Chen H, Zhang C. Identification and validation of a PD-L1-related signature from mass spectrometry in gastric cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-022-04529-6. [PMID: 36592213 PMCID: PMC10356661 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04529-6] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the guidelines, PD-L1 expression is a critical indicator for guiding immunotherapy application. According to certain studies, regardless of PD-L1 expression, immunotherapy could be advantageous for individuals with gastric cancer. Therefore, new scoring systems or biomarkers are required to enhance treatment strategies. METHODS Mass spectrometry and machine learning were used to search for strongly related PD-L1 genes, and the NMF approach was then used to separate gastric cancer patients into two categories. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two subtypes identified in this investigation were utilized to develop the UBscore predictive model, which was verified by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Coimmunoprecipitation, protein expression, and natural killing (NK) cell coculture experiments were conducted to validate the findings. RESULTS A total of 123 proteins were identified as PD-L1 interactors that are substantially enriched in the proteasome complex at the mRNA level. Using random forest, 30 UPS genes were discovered in the GSE66229 cohort, and ANAPC7 was experimentally verified as one of 123 PD-L1 interactors. Depending on the expression of PD-L1 and ANAPC7, patients were separated into two subgroups with vastly distinct immune infiltration. Low UBscore was related to increased tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). In addition, chemotherapy medications were more effective in individuals with a low UBscore. Finally, we discovered that ANAPC7 might lead to the incidence of immunological escape when cocultured with NK-92 cells. CONCLUSION According to our analysis of the PD-L1-related signature in GC, the UBscore played a crucial role in prognosis and had a strong relationship with TMB, MSI, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. This research lays the groundwork for improving GC patient prognosis and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiancong Chen
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Deli Mao
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongsheng Li
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongfa Wei
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cuncan Deng
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hengxing Chen
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Changhua Zhang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhang X, Wang X, Hou L, Xu Z, Liu Y, Wang X. Nanoparticles overcome adaptive immune resistance and enhance immunotherapy via targeting tumor microenvironment in lung cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1130937. [PMID: 37033636 PMCID: PMC10080031 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1130937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the common malignant cancers worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has improved survival of lung cancer patients. However, ICI therapy leads to adaptive immune resistance and displays resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in lung cancer, leading to less immune response of lung cancer patients. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is an integral tumor microenvironment, which is involved in immunotherapy resistance. Nanomedicine has been used to enhance the immunotherapy in lung cancer. In this review article, we described the association between TME and immunotherapy in lung cancer. We also highlighted the importance of TME in immunotherapy in lung cancer. Moreover, we discussed how nanoparticles are involved in regulation of TME to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, including Nanomedicine SGT-53, AZD1080, Nanomodulator NRF2, Cisplatin nanoparticles, Au@PG, DPAICP@ME, SPIO NP@M-P, NBTXR3 nanoparticles, ARAC nanoparticles, Nano-DOX, MS NPs, Nab-paclitaxel, GNPs-hPD-L1 siRNA. Furthermore, we concluded that targeting TME by nanoparticles could be helpful to overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lijian Hou
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu’e Liu
- School of Medicine, Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueju Wang
- Department of Pathology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Xueju Wang,
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Mu L, Han Z, Yu S, Wang A, Chen D, Kong S, Gu Y, Xu L, Liu A, Sun R, Long Y. Pan-cancer analysis of ASB3 and the potential clinical implications for immune microenvironment of glioblastoma multiforme. Front Immunol 2022; 13:842524. [PMID: 36618381 PMCID: PMC9812557 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.842524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ankyrin repeat and SOCS Box containing 3 (ASB3) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase. It has been reported to regulate the progression of some cancers, but no systematic pan-cancer analysis has been conducted to explore its function in prognosis and immune microenvironment. Method In this study, mRNA expression data were downloaded from TCGA and GTEx database. Next generation sequencing data from 14 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) samples by neurosurgical resection were used as validation dataset. Multiple bioinformatics methods (ssGSEA, Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression analysis, GSEA and online tools) were applied to explore ASB3 expression, gene activity, prognosis of patients in various cancers, and its correlation with clinical information, immune microenvironment and pertinent signal pathways in GBM. The biological function of ASB3 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was verified using an animal model. Results We found that ASB3 was aberrant expressed in a variety of tumors, especially in GBM, and significantly correlated with the prognosis of cancer patients. The level of ASB3 was related to the TMB, MSI and immune cell infiltration in some cancer types. ASB3 had a negative association with immune infiltration and TME, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), cancer-associated fibroblasts, immunosuppressors and related signaling pathways in GBM. ASB3 overexpression reduced the proportion of Tregs in TILs. GSEA and PPI analysis also showed negative correlation between ASB3 expression and oncogenetic signaling pathways in GBM. Conclusion A comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of ASB3 showed its potential function as a biomarker of cancer prognosis and effective prediction of immunotherapy response. This study not only enriches the understanding of the biological function of ASB3 in pan-cancer, especially in GBM immunity, but also provides a new reference for the personalized immunotherapy of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Mu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhibin Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shengkun Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Aowen Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Dongjiang Chen
- Division of Neuro-Oncology and Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sijia Kong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yifei Gu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Axiang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ruohan Sun
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China,*Correspondence: Yu Long, ; Ruohan Sun,
| | - Yu Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China,*Correspondence: Yu Long, ; Ruohan Sun,
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Bhat SA, Vasi Z, Adhikari R, Gudur A, Ali A, Jiang L, Ferguson R, Liang D, Kuchay S. Ubiquitin proteasome system in immune regulation and therapeutics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 67:102310. [PMID: 36288660 PMCID: PMC10163937 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a proteolytic machinery for the degradation of protein substrates that are post-translationally conjugated with ubiquitin polymers through the enzymatic action of ubiquitin ligases, in a process termed ubiquitylation. Ubiquitylation of substrates precedes their proteolysis via proteasomes, a hierarchical feature of UPS. E3-ubiquitin ligases recruit protein substrates providing specificity for ubiquitylation. Innate and adaptive immune system networks are regulated by ubiquitylation and substrate degradation via E3-ligases/UPS. Deregulation of E3-ligases/UPS components in immune cells is involved in the development of lymphomas, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and cancers. Targeting E3-ligases for therapeutic intervention provides opportunities to mitigate the unintended broad effects of 26S proteasome inhibition. Recently, bifunctional moieties such as PROTACs and molecular glues have been developed to re-purpose E3-ligases for targeted degradation of unwanted aberrant proteins, with a potential for clinical use. Here, we summarize the involvement of E3-ligases/UPS components in immune-related diseases with perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ahmed Bhat
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Zahra Vasi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Ritika Adhikari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Anish Gudur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Asceal Ali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Rachel Ferguson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - David Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Shafi Kuchay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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