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Jacenik D. Tumor microenvironment and immune response: A gateway to novel therapies in gastrointestinal cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167203. [PMID: 38688415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Damian Jacenik
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Cytobiochemistry, Lodz, Poland.
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Mo Z, Liu J, Zhang J, Deng Y, Xu M, Jiang Y. Association of NRAS mutations and tertiary lymphoid structure formation with clinical outcomes of adjuvant PD-1 inhibitors for acral melanoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110973. [PMID: 37769536 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the efficacy of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors as adjuvant therapy for acral melanoma (AM) and the predictive value of genetic mutations and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). METHODS AND RESULTS A single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted between October 1, 2018, and September 31, 2022. Patients with stages II-III completely resected AM were treated with at least two doses of adjuvant PD-1 inhibitors. A total of 44 participants were included in the final analysis, of which 41 patients with stage III. The median follow-up time, median relapse-free survival (RFS), and median distance metastasis-free survival (DMFS) for all patients were 18.4 months, 21.6 months, and 30.6 months, respectively. 21 (47.7%) and 20 (45.5%) patients were intravenously administered pembrolizumab and toripalimab, respectively. There were no significant differences in RFS (24.4 months vs. 18.9 months, p = 0.432) or DMFS (30.6 months vs. not reached, p = 0.865) between the pembrolizumab and toripalimab groups, respectively. The median DMFS (41.1 months vs. 9.0 months, p < 0.001) in the wild-type NRAS group was significantly longer than that in the NRAS mutation group. Overall, different levels of TLSs infiltration did not significantly affect patient survival. Only three people discontinued treatment due to adverse events. No treatment-related death occurred during the study period. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that adjuvant toripalimab and pembrolizumab therapy have comparable efficacies in patients with AM and are both well tolerated. Adjuvant monotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors may not be appropriate for AM with NRAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeming Mo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinyan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaotiao Deng
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yu Jiang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Jacenik D, Lebish EJ, Beswick EJ. MK2 drives progression of pancreas and colon cancers by suppressing CD8 + T cell cytotoxic function and is a potential immunotherapy target. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212100. [PMID: 37415974 PMCID: PMC10321668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune cell composition is a critical and dynamic component of the tumor microenvironment, which has an impact on immunosuppression and progression of cancer. T cells, especially CD8+ T cells, are one of the major immune cell types responsible for tumor cell killing employing receptor-ligand mediated apoptosis and/or releasing lytic granules among others. Accumulating evidence highlighted that adoptive transfer of activated and/or modified immune cells can enhance anti-tumorigenic immune responses and serve as promising therapy approach for patients with cancers. The mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase, which controls production and secretion of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines involved in tumorigenesis. However, limited efforts have been made to learn how MK2 may affects CD8+ T cell action and function in the tumor microenvironment especially in gastrointestinal cancers. Methods To explore the therapeutic potential of MK2 in the immune response mediated by CD8+ T cells, RAG1 knockout mice with PK5L1940 and BRAF cells-derived allograft tumors were treated with WT or MK2 knockout CD8+ T cells. The phenotype of CD8+ T cells with MK2 depletion were evaluated in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining, real-time PCR and multiplex analysis were utilized to estimate the expression of apoptotic and lytic factors. Results Here, we show that CD8+ T cells with MK2 depletion prevent gastrointestinal cancer growth, which is accompanied by enhanced expression and secretion of factors related to apoptosis. Moreover, using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we found that depletion of MK2 lead to hyperactivation of CD8+ T cells and enhanced anti-tumor immunity. Conclusion Overall, we documented that MK2 drives the progression of gastrointestinal cancers and prevents immune response generated by CD8+ T cells suggesting potential implications of MK2 in the immunotherapy of gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Jacenik
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Eric J. Lebish
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Ellen J. Beswick
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinases (MAPKAPKs) are defined by their exclusive activation by MAPKs. They can be activated by classical and atypical MAPKs that have been stimulated by mitogens and various stresses. Genetic deletions of MAPKAPKs and availability of highly specific small-molecule inhibitors have continuously increased our functional understanding of these kinases. MAPKAPKs cooperate in the regulation of gene expression at the level of transcription; RNA processing, export, and stability; and protein synthesis. The diversity of stimuli for MAPK activation, the cross talk between the different MAPKs and MAPKAPKs, and the specific substrate pattern of MAPKAPKs orchestrate immediate-early and inflammatory responses in space and time and ensure proper control of cell growth, differentiation, and cell behavior. Hence, MAPKAPKs are promising targets for cancer therapy and treatments for conditions of acute and chronic inflammation, such as cytokine storms and rheumatoid arthritis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biochemistry, Volume 91 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ronkina
- Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany;
| | - Matthias Gaestel
- Institute of Cell Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany;
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MK2 degradation as a sensor of signal intensity that controls stress-induced cell fate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2024562118. [PMID: 34272277 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2024562118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell survival in response to stress is determined by the coordination of various signaling pathways. The kinase p38α is activated by many stresses, but the intensity and duration of the signal depends on the stimuli. How different p38α-activation dynamics may impact cell life/death decisions is unclear. Here, we show that the p38α-signaling output in response to stress is modulated by the expression levels of the downstream kinase MK2. We demonstrate that p38α forms a complex with MK2 in nonstimulated mammalian cells. Upon pathway activation, p38α phosphorylates MK2, the complex dissociates, and MK2 is degraded. Interestingly, transient p38α activation allows MK2 reexpression, reassembly of the p38α-MK2 complex, and cell survival. In contrast, sustained p38α activation induced by severe stress interferes with p38α-MK2 interaction, resulting in irreversible MK2 loss and cell death. MK2 degradation is mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2, and we identify four lysine residues in MK2 that are directly ubiquitinated by MDM2. Expression of an MK2 mutant that cannot be ubiquitinated by MDM2 enhances the survival of stressed cells. Our results indicate that MK2 reexpression and binding to p38α is critical for cell viability in response to stress and illustrate how particular p38α-activation patterns induced by different signals shape the stress-induced cell fate.
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Suarez-Lopez L, Kong YW, Sriram G, Patterson JC, Rosenberg S, Morandell S, Haigis KM, Yaffe MB. MAPKAP Kinase-2 Drives Expression of Angiogenic Factors by Tumor-Associated Macrophages in a Model of Inflammation-Induced Colon Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 11:607891. [PMID: 33708191 PMCID: PMC7940202 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation increases the risk for colorectal cancer through a variety of mechanisms involving the tumor microenvironment. MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2), a major effector of the p38 MAPK stress and DNA damage response signaling pathway, and a critical regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, has been identified as a key contributor to colon tumorigenesis under conditions of chronic inflammation. We have previously described how genetic inactivation of MK2 in an inflammatory model of colon cancer results in delayed tumor progression, decreased tumor angiogenesis, and impaired macrophage differentiation into a pro-tumorigenic M2-like state. The molecular mechanism responsible for the impaired angiogenesis and tumor progression, however, has remained contentious and poorly defined. Here, using RNA expression analysis, assays of angiogenesis factors, genetic models, in vivo macrophage depletion and reconstitution of macrophage MK2 function using adoptive cell transfer, we demonstrate that MK2 activity in macrophages is necessary and sufficient for tumor angiogenesis during inflammation-induced cancer progression. We identify a critical and previously unappreciated role for MK2-dependent regulation of the well-known pro-angiogenesis factor CXCL-12/SDF-1 secreted by tumor associated-macrophages, in addition to MK2-dependent regulation of Serpin-E1/PAI-1 by several cell types within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Suarez-Lopez
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yi Wen Kong
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Ganapathy Sriram
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jesse C. Patterson
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Samantha Rosenberg
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sandra Morandell
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kevin M. Haigis
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael B. Yaffe
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research and Departments of Biological Engineering and Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Divisions of Acute Care Surgery, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, and Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
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Liu J, Xu M, Yuan Z. Immunoscore Guided Cold Tumors to Acquire “Temperature” Through Integrating Physicochemical and Biological Methods. BIO INTEGRATION 2020. [DOI: 10.15212/bioi-2020-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Immunotherapy for the treatment of tumors has become the most compelling strategy after targeted treatment, especially for lung cancer and melanoma, as well as some blood cancers. For most remaining types of tumors (e.g., pancreatic, colorectal, and breast cancers),
abundant immunotherapeutic strategies in the forms of immune checkpoint blockade, cancer vaccines, and CAR-T therapies produce little effect. Furthermore, the immunoreactions induced by various types of cancer and even in individual patients, differ among the single therapeutic immune checkpoint
inhibitors, whose pre-existing immunoreaction remains to be optimized for cancer immunotherapy. According to the density of the infiltrating lymphocyte subsets at the invasive margin or core of primary solid tumors, the tumors were classified into four grades using the immunoscore, which is
complementary to the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system in providing a better prognosis of cancer patients in addition to the classification of immunogenic hot tumors and non-immunogenic cold tumors. This review aimed to outline the features of the most difficult-to-treat and challenging
cold tumors and potential approaches to transform “cold” tumors into “hot” tumors, because hot tumors are associated with a higher response rate to immunotherapy. We also summarized the current popular strategies for enhancing T cell trafficking, which may be helpful
to provide an etiological basement for a more rational design of drug delivery systems and conquer drug-resistance during cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Mengze Xu
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhen Yuan
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
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Soni S, Saroch MK, Chander B, Tirpude NV, Padwad YS. MAPKAPK2 plays a crucial role in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by regulating transcript stability. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:175. [PMID: 31023373 PMCID: PMC6482562 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1167-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth among cancers worldwide. Though several molecular mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression of HNSCC are known, others remain unclear. Significance of p38/MAPKAPK2 (Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase-2) pathway in cell stress and inflammation is well established and its role in tumor development is being widely studied. Methods We have elucidated the role of MAPKAPK2 (MK2) in HNSCC pathogenesis using clinical tissue samples, MK2-knockdown (MK2KD) cells and heterotropic xenograft mice model. Results In patient-derived tissue samples, we observed that MK2 is reproducibly overexpressed. Increased stability of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27), mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) transcripts and decreased half-life of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcripts in MK2KD cells suggests that MK2 regulates their transcript stability. In vivo xenograft experiments established that knockdown of MK2 attenuates course of tumor progression in immunocompromised mice. Conclusion Altogether, MK2 is responsible for regulating the transcript stability and is functionally important to modulate HNSCC pathogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1167-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourabh Soni
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Food and Nutraceuticals Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, H.P., India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Munish Kumar Saroch
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital (RPGMCH), Kangra, H.P., India
| | - Bal Chander
- Department of Pathology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital (RPGMCH), Kangra, H.P., India
| | - Narendra Vijay Tirpude
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Food and Nutraceuticals Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, H.P., India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Yogendra S Padwad
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Food and Nutraceuticals Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, H.P., India. .,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Phinney BB, Ray AL, Peretti AS, Jerman SJ, Grim C, Pinchuk IV, Beswick EJ. MK2 Regulates Macrophage Chemokine Activity and Recruitment to Promote Colon Tumor Growth. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1857. [PMID: 30298062 PMCID: PMC6160543 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A major risk factor for colon cancer growth and progression is chronic inflammation. We have shown that the MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) pathway is critical for colon tumor growth in colitis-associated and spontaneous colon cancer models. This pathway is known to regulate expression of the tumor-promoting cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. However, little is known about the ability of MK2 to regulate chemokine production. This is the first study to demonstrate this pathway also regulates the chemokines, MCP-1, Mip-1α, and Mip-2α (MMM). We show that these chemokines induce tumor cell growth and invasion in vitro and that MK2 inhibition suppresses tumor cell production of chemokines and reverses the resulting pro-tumorigenic effects. Addition of MMM to colon tumors in vivo significantly enhances tumor growth in control tumors and restores tumor growth in the presence of MK2 inhibition. We also demonstrate that MK2 signaling is critical for chemokine expression and macrophage influx to the colon tumor microenvironment. MK2 signaling in macrophages was essential for inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, whereas MK2−/− macrophages or MK2 inhibition suppressed cytokine expression. We show that addition of bone marrow-derived macrophages to the tumor microenvironment enhances tumor growth in control tumors and restores tumor growth in tumors treated with MK2 inhibitors, while addition of MK2−/− macrophages had no effect. This is the first study to demonstrate the critical role of the MK2 pathway in chemokine production, macrophage influx, macrophage function, and tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon B Phinney
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Anita L Ray
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Amanda S Peretti
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Stephanie J Jerman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Carl Grim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Irina V Pinchuk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Ellen J Beswick
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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