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Lin H, Liu C, Hu A, Zhang D, Yang H, Mao Y. Understanding the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma: mechanistic insights and clinical perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:31. [PMID: 38720342 PMCID: PMC11077829 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01544-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the predominant and primary malignant intracranial tumor, poses a formidable challenge due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment, thereby confounding conventional therapeutic interventions. Despite the established treatment regimen comprising surgical intervention, radiotherapy, temozolomide administration, and the exploration of emerging modalities such as immunotherapy and integration of medicine and engineering technology therapy, the efficacy of these approaches remains constrained, resulting in suboptimal prognostic outcomes. In recent years, intensive scrutiny of the inhibitory and immunosuppressive milieu within GBM has underscored the significance of cellular constituents of the GBM microenvironment and their interactions with malignant cells and neurons. Novel immune and targeted therapy strategies have emerged, offering promising avenues for advancing GBM treatment. One pivotal mechanism orchestrating immunosuppression in GBM involves the aggregation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), glioma-associated macrophage/microglia (GAM), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Among these, MDSCs, though constituting a minority (4-8%) of CD45+ cells in GBM, play a central component in fostering immune evasion and propelling tumor progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. MDSCs deploy intricate immunosuppressive mechanisms that adapt to the dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding the interplay between GBM and MDSCs provides a compelling basis for therapeutic interventions. This review seeks to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms inherent in the GBM microenvironment, explore existing therapeutic targets, and consolidate recent insights into MDSC induction and their contribution to GBM immunosuppression. Additionally, the review comprehensively surveys ongoing clinical trials and potential treatment strategies, envisioning a future where targeting MDSCs could reshape the immune landscape of GBM. Through the synergistic integration of immunotherapy with other therapeutic modalities, this approach can establish a multidisciplinary, multi-target paradigm, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaxian Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Duanwu Zhang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Xu P, Gao Y, Jiang S, Cui Y, Xie Y, Kang Z, Chen YX, Sun D, Fang JY. CHEK2 deficiency increase the response to PD-1 inhibitors by affecting the tumor immune microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216595. [PMID: 38097135 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has improved treatment effects in multiple cancers. Gene mutations in the DNA damage repair pathway (DDR) may cause genomic instability and may relate to the efficacy of ICB. Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) and polymerase epsilon (POLE) are important genes in the DDR. In this study, we aimed to study the impact of CHEK2 deficiency mutations on the response to ICB. We found that tumors with CHEK2 mutations had a significantly higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) compared to those with CHEK2-WT in a pancancer database. We noted that CHEK2 deficiency mutations potentiated the anti-tumor effect of anti-PD-1 therapy in MC38 and B16 tumor-bearing mice with the decrease of tumor volume and tumor weight after anti-PD-1 treatment. Mechanistically, CHEK2 deficiency tumors were with the increased cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell infiltration, especially cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and modulated the tumor-immune microenvironment with an upregulated immune inflammatory pathway and antigen presentation pathway after anti-PD-1 treatment. Furthermore, murine models with POLE mutations confirmed that CHEK2 deficiency shaped similar mutational and immune landscapes as POLE mutations after anti-PD-1 treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrated that CHEK2 deficiency mutations may increase the response to ICB (eg. anti-PD-1) by influencing the tumor immune microenvironment. This indicated that CHEK2 deficiency mutations were a potentially predictive biomarker and CHEK2 deficiency may potentiate response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Xu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaqi Gao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Cui
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanhong Xie
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziran Kang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Xuan Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Danfeng Sun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jing-Yuan Fang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Wang T, Rao D, Fu C, Luo Y, Lu J, Liang H, Xia L, Huang W. Pan-cancer analysis of ABCC1 as a potential prognostic and immunological biomarker. Transl Oncol 2024; 41:101882. [PMID: 38290247 PMCID: PMC10844751 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
ABCC1 belongs to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily, which encompasses a total of 48 constituent members. ABCC1 has been shown to be associated with the growth, progression, and drug resistance of various types of cancer. However, the impact of ABCC1 on cancer immune infiltration and pan-cancer prognosis has been rarely studied. Our comprehensive pan-cancer analysis unveiled elevated ABCC1 expression across various cancers. ABCC1 overexpression consistently predicted unfavorable outcomes based on TCGA data. Moreover, ABCC1 expression exhibited intricate associations with diverse immune-related genes and demonstrated a close correlation with immune scores across multiple tumor types. Analysis of scRNA-seq data from the GEO database revealed that the expression of ABCC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is significant positively correlated with macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, various in vitro and in vivo experiments substantiated the role of ABCC1 in promoting the progression of HCC, along with increased macrophage recruitment. Based on the results, we propose ABCC1 as a potentially valuable prognostic indicator and a prospective target for immune-based cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Dean Rao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Chenan Fu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Yiming Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Junli Lu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Huifang Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Limin Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, China; Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China; Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
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Yang K, Tang Z, Xing C, Yan N. STING signaling in the brain: Molecular threats, signaling activities, and therapeutic challenges. Neuron 2024; 112:539-557. [PMID: 37944521 PMCID: PMC10922189 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an innate immune signaling protein critical to infections, autoimmunity, and cancer. STING signaling is also emerging as an exciting and integral part of many neurological diseases. Here, we discuss recent advances in STING signaling in the brain. We summarize how molecular threats activate STING signaling in the diseased brain and how STING signaling activities in glial and neuronal cells cause neuropathology. We also review human studies of STING neurobiology and consider therapeutic challenges in targeting STING to treat neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Zhen Tang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cong Xing
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Nan Yan
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Wang Y, Khalil A, Kamar A, Du M, Dinh T, McFarland C, Wang Z. Unveiling immune checkpoint regulation: exploring the power of in vivo CRISPR screenings in cancer immunotherapy. Front Genet 2023; 14:1304425. [PMID: 38162677 PMCID: PMC10755878 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1304425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy by reinvigorating antitumor immune responses, but their efficacy remains limited in most patients. To address this challenge and optimize Immune check inhibitor treatment, understanding the underlying molecular intricacies involved is crucial. The emergence of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has empowered researchers to precisely investigate gene function and has introduced transformative shifts in identifying key genes for various physiological and pathological processes. CRISPR screenings, particularly in vivo CRISPR screenings, have become invaluable tools in deciphering molecular networks and signaling pathways governing suppressive immune checkpoint molecules. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of in vivo CRISPR screenings in cancer immunotherapy, exploring how this cutting-edge technology has unraveled potential novel therapeutic targets and combination strategies. We delve into the latest findings and advancements, shedding light on immune checkpoint regulation and offering exciting prospects for the development of innovative and effective treatments for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Case Comprehesive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Athar Khalil
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Case Comprehesive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Amina Kamar
- Centre for Digital Transformation, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mengyan Du
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Case Comprehesive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Trang Dinh
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Case Comprehesive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Christopher McFarland
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Case Comprehesive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Zhenghe Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences and Case Comprehesive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Wu Q, Fang C, Wang X, Huang S, Weng G. CHEK2 is a potential prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21928. [PMID: 38081888 PMCID: PMC10713979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) plays a crucial role in responding to DNA damage and is linked to diverse cancer types. However, its significance in the prediction of prognosis and impacts on the immune status of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the role of CHEK2 in prognosis and immune microenvironment of ccRCC. We analyzed transcriptome and clinicopathological data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database and conducted functional enrichment analysis to explore molecular mechanisms. The relationship between CHEK2 and immune infiltration was evaluated, and drug sensitivity analysis was performed using the CellMiner database. The results showed that CHEK2 was an independent predictor of ccRCC prognosis and was closely associated with immune-related processes. Additionally, high expression of CHEK2 was linked to resistance to certain targeted drugs. These findings suggest that CHEK2 could serve as a biomarker for ccRCC, providing insights into tumor immune microenvironment alterations and immunotherapeutic response. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the potential of CHEK2 as a prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihang Wu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cheng Fang
- Department of Urology, Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Urology and Nephrology Institute of Ningbo University, Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuaishuai Huang
- Urology and Nephrology Institute of Ningbo University, Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guobin Weng
- Department of Urology, Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
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