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Hrvat A, Schmidt M, Wagner B, Zwanziger D, Kimmig R, Volbracht L, Brandau S, Mallmann-Gottschalk N. Electrolyte imbalance causes suppression of NK and T cell effector function in malignant ascites. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:235. [PMID: 37684704 PMCID: PMC10485936 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02798-8] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant ascites commonly occurs in advanced or recurrent stages of epithelial ovarian cancer during peritoneal carcinomatosis and is correlated with poor prognosis. Due to its complex composition of cellular and acellular components malignant ascites creates a unique tumor microenvironment, which mediates immunosuppression and promotes progression of disease. However, the immunosuppressive mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS In the present study, we explored the antitumor activity of healthy donor NK and T cells directed against ovarian cancer cells in presence of malignant ascites derived from patients with advanced or recurrent peritoneal carcinomatosis. A wide range of methods was used to study the effect of ascites on NK and T cells (FACS, ELISA, EliSpot, qPCR, Live-cell and confocal microscopy, Western blot and electrolyte flux assays). The ascites components were assessed using quantitative analysis (nephelometry, potentiometry and clinical chemistry) and separation methods (dialysis, ultracentrifugal filtration and lipid depletion). RESULTS Ascites rapidly inhibited NK cell degranulation, tumor lysis, cytokine secretion and calcium signaling. Similarly, target independent NK and T cell activation was impaired in ascites environment. We identified imbalanced electrolytes in ascites as crucial factors causing extensive immunosuppression of NK and T cells. Specifically, high sodium, low chloride and low potassium content significantly suppressed NK-mediated cytotoxicity. Electrolyte imbalance led to changes in transcription and protein expression of electrolyte channels and impaired NK and T cell activation. Selected inhibitors of sodium electrolyte channels restored intracellular calcium flux, conjugation, degranulation and transcript expression of signaling molecules. The levels of ascites-mediated immunosuppression and sodium/chloride/potassium imbalance correlated with poor patient outcome and selected molecular alterations were confirmed in immune cells from ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSION Our data suggest a novel electrolyte-based mechanism of immunosuppression in malignant ascites of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. We show for the first time that the immunosuppression of NK cytotoxicity in coculture assays is correlated to patient poor survival. Therapeutic application of sodium channel inhibitors may provide new means for restoring immune cell activity in ascites or similar electrolyte imbalanced environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Hrvat
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Mathias Schmidt
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wagner
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Denise Zwanziger
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Lothar Volbracht
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven Brandau
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
- partner site Essen-Düsseldorf, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Nina Mallmann-Gottschalk
- Experimental and Translational Research, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
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Immune Profile of Blood, Tissue and Peritoneal Fluid: A Comparative Study in High Grade Serous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients at Interval Debulking Surgery. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122121. [PMID: 36560531 PMCID: PMC9784879 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is an immunogenic tumor with a unique tumor microenvironment (TME) that extends to the peritoneal cavity. The immunosuppressive nature of TME imposes the major challenge to develop effective treatment options for HGSOC. Interaction of immune cells in TME is an important factor. Hence, a better understanding of immune profile of TME may be required for exploring alternative treatment options. Immune profiling of peritoneal fluid (PF), tumor specimens, and blood were carried out using flowcytometry, ELISA, and Procartaplex immunoassay. The frequency of CD56BrightNK cells and expression of functional receptors were reduced in PF. Increased activating NKp46+CD56DimNK cells may indicate differential antitumor response in PF. Functional receptors on NK, NKT-like and T cells were reduced more drastically in tumor specimens. Soluble ligands MIC-B and PVR were reduced, whereas B7-H6 was increased in PF. Dissemination of tumor cells contributes to soluble ligands in PF. A differential cytokine profile was found in serum and PF as IL-2, IL-8, IL-15, IL-27, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF were elevated specifically in PF. In conclusion, the differential immune profile and correlation of soluble parameters and NK cell receptors with chemo response score may add knowledge to understand anti-tumor immune response to develop effective treatment modality.
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Immune Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer Ascites. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810692. [PMID: 36142615 PMCID: PMC9504085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) has a specific type of metastasis, via transcoelomic, and most of the patients are diagnosed at advanced stages with multiple tumors spread within the peritoneal cavity. The role of Malignant Ascites (MA) is to serve as a transporter of tumor cells from the primary location to the peritoneal wall or to the surface of the peritoneal organs. MA comprise cellular components with tumor and non-tumor cells and acellular components, creating a unique microenvironment capable of modifying the tumor behavior. These microenvironment factors influence tumor cell proliferation, progression, chemoresistance, and immune evasion, suggesting that MA play an active role in OC progression. Tumor cells induce a complex immune suppression that neutralizes antitumor immunity, leading to disease progression and treatment failure, provoking a tumor-promoting environment. In this review, we will focus on the High-Grade Serous Carcinoma (HGSC) microenvironment with special attention to the tumor microenvironment immunology.
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Spheroid Formation and Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal and Immune Components. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116215. [PMID: 35682890 PMCID: PMC9181487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. Peritoneal dissemination (or carcinomatosis) accompanied by ascites formation is the most unfavorable factor in the progression and recurrence of OC. Tumor cells in ascites are present as either separate cells or, more often, as cell aggregates, i.e., spheroids which promote implantation on the surface of nearby organs and, at later stages, metastases to distant organs. Malignant ascites comprises a unique tumor microenvironment; this fact may be of relevance in the search for new prognostic and predictive factors that would make it possible to personalize the treatment of patients with OC. However, the precise mechanisms of spheroid formation and carcinomatosis are still under investigation. Here, we summarize data on ascites composition as well as the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, the key stromal and immune components, in OC ascites. We describe current knowledge about the role of fibroblasts and macrophages in tumor spheroid formation, and discuss the specific functions of fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells in tumor peritoneal dissemination and implantation.
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Vazquez J, Sheerar D, Stanic AK, Patankar MS. Multiparameter Flow Cytometry for Detailed Characterization of Peritoneal Immune Cells from Patients with Ovarian Cancer. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2424:43-58. [PMID: 34918286 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1956-8_3] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Multiparameter flow cytometry is a convenient and efficient method for thorough phenotyping of cells, and especially immune cells from various tissues. We have successfully used multiparameter flow cytometry to characterize immune cells from patients with ovarian cancer and leveraged dimensionality reduction and machine learning for optimized visualization and analysis. Herein, we describe our optimized and established protocols for the labeling of cells with fluorophore-conjugated antibody panels, followed by details on data acquisition. Finally, we describe methods for analysis of the flow cytometry data using both FlowJo as well as R package, Cytofkit, for multidimensional data visualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Vazquez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Dagna Sheerar
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aleksandar K Stanic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Manish S Patankar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Rickard BP, Conrad C, Sorrin AJ, Ruhi MK, Reader JC, Huang SA, Franco W, Scarcelli G, Polacheck WJ, Roque DM, del Carmen MG, Huang HC, Demirci U, Rizvi I. Malignant Ascites in Ovarian Cancer: Cellular, Acellular, and Biophysical Determinants of Molecular Characteristics and Therapy Response. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4318. [PMID: 34503128 PMCID: PMC8430600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascites refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum resulting from an underlying pathology, such as metastatic cancer. Among all cancers, advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is most frequently associated with the production of malignant ascites and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Despite decades of evidence showing that the accumulation of peritoneal fluid portends the poorest outcomes for cancer patients, the role of malignant ascites in promoting metastasis and therapy resistance remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of malignant ascites, with a focus on ovarian cancer. The first section provides an overview of heterogeneity in ovarian cancer and the pathophysiology of malignant ascites. Next, analytical methods used to characterize the cellular and acellular components of malignant ascites, as well the role of these components in modulating cell biology, are discussed. The review then provides a perspective on the pressures and forces that tumors are subjected to in the presence of malignant ascites and the impact of physical stress on therapy resistance. Treatment options for malignant ascites, including surgical, pharmacological and photochemical interventions are then discussed to highlight challenges and opportunities at the interface of drug discovery, device development and physical sciences in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany P. Rickard
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Christina Conrad
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - Aaron J. Sorrin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - Mustafa Kemal Ruhi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Jocelyn C. Reader
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.C.R.); (D.M.R.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Huang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Walfre Franco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - William J. Polacheck
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dana M. Roque
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.C.R.); (D.M.R.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Marcela G. del Carmen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Utkan Demirci
- Bio-Acoustic MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA;
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Zhang X, He T, Li Y, Chen L, Liu H, Wu Y, Guo H. Dendritic Cell Vaccines in Ovarian Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 11:613773. [PMID: 33584699 PMCID: PMC7874064 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.613773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal malignant gynecologic tumors, characterized by an uncertain presentation and poor outcomes. With or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy and maintenance therapy are the basis for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients, but the outcome is still highly restricted by their advanced stage when diagnosed and high recurrence rate after chemotherapy. To enhance the anti-tumor effect and postpone recurrence, anti-VEGF agents and PARP inhibitors are suggested as maintenance therapy, but the population that can benefit from these treatments is small. Based on the interactions of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapies are being explored for ovarian cancer treatment. Disappointingly, the immune checkpoint inhibitors show relatively low responses in ovarian cancer. As shown in several studies that have uncovered a relationship between DC infiltration and outcome in ovarian cancer patients, dendritic cell (DC)-based treatments might have a potential effect on ovarian cancer. In this review, we summarize the functions of dendritic cells (DCs) in the tumor microenvironment, as well as the responses and drawbacks of existing clinical studies to draw a comprehensive picture of DC vaccine treatment in ovarian cancer and to discuss the promising future of immune biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Department of OB/GYN, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tianhui He
- Department of OB/GYN, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of OB/GYN, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of OB/GYN, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- Department of OB/GYN, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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Batchu RB, Gruzdyn OV, Kolli BK, Dachepalli R, Umar PS, Rai SK, Singh N, Tavva PS, Weaver DW, Gruber SA. IL-10 Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1290:51-65. [PMID: 33559854 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55617-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Unlike other malignancies, ovarian cancer (OC) creates a complex tumor microenvironment with distinctive peritoneal ascites consisting of a mixture of several immunosuppressive cells which impair the ability of the patient's immune system to fight the disease. The poor survival rates observed in advanced stage OC patients and the lack of effective conventional therapeutic options have been attributed in large part to the immature dendritic cells (DCs), IL-10 secreting regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and cancer stem cells that secrete inhibitory cytokines. This review highlights the critical role played by the intraperitoneal presence of IL-10 in the generation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Further, the effect of antibody neutralization of IL-10 on the efficacy of DC and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell vaccines will be discussed. Moreover, we will review the influence of IL-10 in the promotion of cancer stemness in concert with the NF-κB signaling pathway with regard to OC progression. Finally, understanding the role of IL-10 and its crosstalk with various cells in the ascitic fluid may contribute to the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches with the potential to kill drug-resistant OC cells while minimizing toxic side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh B Batchu
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Oksana V Gruzdyn
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bala K Kolli
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.,Med Manor Organics Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Prem S Umar
- Med Manor Organics Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Scott A Gruber
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
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