1
|
Li T, Chen G, Lin L, Li B, Wang X, Chen Y, Huang W, Cai M, Xiao Z, Shuai X, Zhu K. Manganese oxide-constructed multifunctional biomimetic nanovaccine for robust tumor-specific T cell priming and chemodynamic therapy. Biomaterials 2024; 309:122626. [PMID: 38795524 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122626] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of manganese oxide-based chemodynamic immunotherapy is emerging as a key strategy against solid tumors. However, the limited efficacy of nanoplatform in inducing efficient tumor therapeutic effects and creating the prominent antitumor immune responses remains a crucial issue. In this study, we construct a novel multifunctional biomimetic nanovaccine comprising manganese oxide-loaded poly(2-diisopropylaminoethyl methacrylate) (MP) nanoparticles and a coating layer of hybrid cell membrane (RHM) derived from manganese oxide-remodeled 4T1 cells and dendritic cells (DCs) (collectively called MP@RHM) for combination chemodynamic immunotherapy. Compared with the nanovaccines coated with the single cell membrane, the MP@RHM nanovaccine highly efficiently activates both DCs and T cells to boost tumor-specific T cell, owing to the synergistic effects of abundant damage-associated molecular patterns, Mn2+, and T cell-stimulating moieties. Upon peritumoral injection, the MP@RHM nanovaccine targets both the tumor site for focused chemodynamic therapy and the lymph nodes for robust tumor-specific T cell priming, thereby achieving highly efficient chemodynamic immunotherapy. Moreover, as a preventive cancer nanovaccine, MP@RHM generates strong immunological memory to inhibit postoperative tumor metastasis and recurrence. Our study findings highlight a promising approach to construct a multifunctional biomimetic nanovaccine for personalized chemodynamic immunotherapy against solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tan Li
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Gengjia Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Liteng Lin
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Bo Li
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Wensou Huang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Mingyue Cai
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Zecong Xiao
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Xintao Shuai
- Nanomedicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fan J, Zhu J, Zhu H, Xu H. Potential therapeutic targets in myeloid cell therapy for overcoming chemoresistance and immune suppression in gastrointestinal tumors. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 198:104362. [PMID: 38614267 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104362] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment (TME), myeloid cells play a pivotal role. Myeloid-derived immunosuppressive cells, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are central components in shaping the immunosuppressive milieu of the tumor. Within the TME, a majority of TAMs assume an M2 phenotype, characterized by their pro-tumoral activity. These cells promote tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and migration. In contrast, M1 macrophages, under appropriate activation conditions, exhibit cytotoxic capabilities against cancer cells. However, an excessive M1 response may lead to pro-tumoral inflammation. As a result, myeloid cells have emerged as crucial targets in cancer therapy. This review concentrates on gastrointestinal tumors, detailing methods for targeting macrophages to enhance tumor radiotherapy and immunotherapy sensitivity. We specifically delve into monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages' various functions, establishing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, promoting tumorigenic inflammation, and fostering neovascularization and stromal remodeling. Additionally, we examine combination therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Jianshu Zhu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lin X, Kang K, Chen P, Zeng Z, Li G, Xiong W, Yi M, Xiang B. Regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:108. [PMID: 38762484 PMCID: PMC11102195 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02023-w] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion contributes to cancer growth and progression. Cancer cells have the ability to activate different immune checkpoint pathways that harbor immunosuppressive functions. The programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligands (PD-Ls) are considered to be the major immune checkpoint molecules. The interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 negatively regulates adaptive immune response mainly by inhibiting the activity of effector T cells while enhancing the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), largely contributing to the maintenance of immune homeostasis that prevents dysregulated immunity and harmful immune responses. However, cancer cells exploit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to cause immune escape in cancer development and progression. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 by neutralizing antibodies restores T cells activity and enhances anti-tumor immunity, achieving remarkable success in cancer therapy. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers have attracted an increasing attention. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the roles of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in human autoimmune diseases and cancers. We summarize all aspects of regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression and activity of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancers, including genetic, epigenetic, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we further summarize the progress in clinical research on the antitumor effects of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies alone and in combination with other therapeutic approaches, providing new strategies for finding new tumor markers and developing combined therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Kuan Kang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Yi
- Department of Dermotology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Bo Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ramapriyan R, Vykunta VS, Vandecandelaere G, Richardson LGK, Sun J, Curry WT, Choi BD. Altered cancer metabolism and implications for next-generation CAR T-cell therapies. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 259:108667. [PMID: 38763321 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108667] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
This review critically examines the evolving landscape of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in treating solid tumors, with a particular focus on the metabolic challenges within the tumor microenvironment. CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, yet its efficacy in solid tumors remains limited. A significant barrier is the hostile milieu of the tumor microenvironment, which impairs CAR T-cell survival and function. This review delves into the metabolic adaptations of cancer cells and their impact on immune cells, highlighting the competition for nutrients and the accumulation of immunosuppressive metabolites. It also explores emerging strategies to enhance CAR T-cell metabolic fitness and persistence, including genetic engineering and metabolic reprogramming. An integrated approach, combining metabolic interventions with CAR T-cell therapy, has the potential to overcome these constraints and improve therapeutic outcomes in solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rishab Ramapriyan
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Vivasvan S Vykunta
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; ImmunoX Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Gust Vandecandelaere
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Leland G K Richardson
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jing Sun
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - William T Curry
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang J, Ren B, Yin X, Xiang L, Hua Y, Huang X, Wang H, Mao Z, Chen W, Deng J. Expanded ROS Generation and Hypoxia Reversal: Excipient-free Self-assembled Nanotheranostics for Enhanced Cancer Photodynamic Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2402720. [PMID: 38734937 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT)-related cancer therapies is significantly restricted by two irreconcilable obstacles, i.e., low reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability and hypoxia which constrains the immune response. Herein, this work develops a self-assembled clinical photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) and the HSP90 inhibitor 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) nanoparticles (ISDN) without any excipient. This work discovers that the hydrophobic interaction forces between ICG and 17-DMAG promote the photostability of ICG and its intersystem crossing (ISC) process, thereby improving the ROS quantum yield from 0.112 to 0.46. Augmented ROS generation enhances PDT efficacy and further enhances immunogenic cell death (ICD) effects. 17-DMAG inhibits the HSP90/hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) axis to dramatically reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment caused by PDT-aggravated hypoxia. In a mouse model of pancreatic cancer, ISDN markedly improve cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration and MHC I and MHC II activation, demonstrating the superior ICD effects in situ tumor and the powerful systematic antitumor immunity generation, eventually achieving vigorous antitumor and recurrence resistance. This study proposes an unsophisticated and versatile strategy to significantly improve PDT efficacy for enhancing systemic antitumor immunity and potentially extending it to multiple cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Bibo Ren
- Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xuntao Yin
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Lunli Xiang
- Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - YanQiu Hua
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xue Huang
- Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zhengwei Mao
- Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jun Deng
- Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Lab of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xie YJ, Tian S, Huang M, Lu LL, Liu ZQ, Chen JH, Fan XX. Depletion of regulatory T cells enhancing the anti-tumor effect of in situ vaccination in solid tumors. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107174. [PMID: 38580185 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107174] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the clinical treatment for tumor. However, the low response rate of ICIs remains the major obstacle for curing patients and effective approaches for patients with primary or secondary resistance to ICIs remain lacking. In this study, immune stimulating agent unmethylated CG-enriched (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) was locally injected into the tumor to trigger a robust immune response to eradicate cancer cells, while anti-CD25 antibody was applied to remove immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, which further enhanced the host immune activity to attack tumor systematically. The combination of CpG and anti-CD25 antibody obtained notable regression in mouse melanoma model. Furthermore, rechallenge of tumor cells in the xenograft model has resulted in smaller tumor volume, which demonstrated that the combinational treatment enhanced the activity of memory T cells. Remarkably, this combinational therapy presented significant efficacy on multiple types of tumors as well and was able to prevent relapse of tumor partially. Taken together, our combinational immunotherapy provides a new avenue to enhance the clinical outcomes of patients who are insensitive or resistant to ICIs treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Jia Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Sha Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China; College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Lin-Lin Lu
- International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong-Qiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Hui Chen
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ruan X, Wang P, Wei M, Yang Q, Dong X. Yu Linzhu alleviates primary ovarian insufficiency in a rat model by improving proliferation and energy metabolism of granulosa cells through hif1α/cx43 pathway. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:89. [PMID: 38671471 PMCID: PMC11046760 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01408-1] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yu Linzhu (YLZ) is a classical Chinese traditional formula, which has been used for more than 600 years to regulate menstruation to help pregnancy. However, the mechanism of modern scientific action of YLZ needs to be further studied. METHODS Thirty SD female rats were divided into three groups to prepare the blank serum and drug-containing serum, and then using UHPLC-QE-MS to identify the ingredients of YLZ and its drug-containing serum. Twenty-four SD female rats were divided into four groups, except the control group, 4-vinylcyclohexene dicycloxide (VCD) was intraperitoneally injected to establish a primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) model of all groups. Using vaginal smear to show that the estrous cycle of rats was disturbed after modeling, indicates that the POI model was successfully established. The ELISA test was used to measure the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in the serum of rats. HE stain was used to assess the morphology of ovarian tissue. The localization and relative expression levels of CX43 protein were detected by tissue immunofluorescence. Primary ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) were identified by cellular immunofluorescence. CCK8 was used to screen time and concentration of drug-containing serum and evaluate the proliferation effect of YLZ on VCD-induced GCs. ATP kit and Seahorse XFe24 were used to detect energy production and real-time glycolytic metabolism rate of GCs. mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF1α, CX43, PEK, LDH, HK1 were detected by RT-PCR and WB. RESULTS UHPLC-QE-MS found 1702 ingredients of YLZ and 80 constituents migrating to blood. YLZ reduced the FSH while increasing the AMH and E2 levels. In ovarian tissues, YLZ improved ovarian morphology, follicle development, and the relative expression of CX43. In vitro studies, we found that YLZ increased the proliferative activity of GCs, ATP levels, glycolytic metabolic rate, HIF1α, CX43, PEK, HK1, LDH mRNA, and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated that YLZ increased the proliferation and glycolytic energy metabolism of GCs to improve follicular development further alleviating ovarian function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ruan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medicine University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Pengxu Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medicine University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Maolin Wei
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medicine University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Qingqing Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medicine University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiaoying Dong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medicine University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang T, Tai Z, Miao F, Zhang X, Li J, Zhu Q, Wei H, Chen Z. Adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors beyond CAR-T: Current challenges and emerging therapeutic advances. J Control Release 2024; 368:372-396. [PMID: 38408567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.033] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using immune cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a highly specific anti-tumor immunotherapy that has shown promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, there has been a slow progress toward the treatment of solid tumors owing to the complex tumor microenvironment that affects the localization and killing ability of the CAR cells. Solid tumors with a strong immunosuppressive microenvironment and complex vascular system are unaffected by CAR cell infiltration and attack. To improve their efficacy toward solid tumors, CAR cells have been modified and upgraded by "decorating" and "pruning". This review focuses on the structure and function of CARs, the immune cells that can be engineered by CARs and the transformation strategies to overcome solid tumors, with a view to broadening ideas for the better application of CAR cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingrui Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China; Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fengze Miao
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Jiadong Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Hua Wei
- Medical Guarantee Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200443, China; School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Topical Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Su Y, Liu J, Tian Y, Dong H, Shi M, Zhang J, Li W, Huang Q, Xiang N, Wang C, Liu J, He L, Hu L, Haberman AM, Liu H, Yang X. HIF-1α Mediates Immunosuppression and Chemoresistance in Colorectal Cancer by Inhibiting CXCL9, -10 and -11. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116427. [PMID: 38484558 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116427] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Uncertainty exists regarding the mechanisms by which hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) control CD8+T-cell migration into tumor microenvironments. Here, we found that HIF-1α knockdown or overexpression resulted in increased or decreased CXCL9, -10, and -11 expression in vitro, respectively. Gene Set Variation Analysis revealed that elevated HIF-1α levels correlated with a poor prognosis, severe pathological stage, and an absence of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. HIF-1α was inversely associated with pathways beneficial to anti-tumor immunotherapy and cytokine/chemokine function. In vivo, inhibiting HIF-1α or its upstream regulator BIRC2 significantly suppressed tumor growth and promoted CD8+ T-cell infiltration. CXCR3 neutralizing antibodies reversed these effects, implicating the involvement of CXCL9, -10, and -11/CXCR3 axis. The presence of HIF-1α weakened the upregulation of CXCL9, -10, and -11 by bleomycin and doxorubicin. Combining HIF-1α inhibition with bleomycin promoted CD8+ T-cell infiltration and tumor suppression in vivo. Moreover, doxorubicin could upregulate CXCL9, -10 and -11 by suppressing HIF-1α. Our findings highlight the potential of HIF-1α inhibition to improve CRC microenvironments and increase chemotherapy sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yixi Su
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, CT, USA
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Haiyan Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Mengchen Shi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jingdan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Weiqian Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nanlin Xiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Lingyuan He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Limei Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Ann M Haberman
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, CT, USA
| | - Huanliang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Xiangling Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Qu S, Ji Y, Fan L, Yan T, Zhu G, Song H, Yang K, Han X. Light-Enhanced Hypoxia-Responsive Gene Editing for Hypoxia-Resistant Photodynamic and Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302615. [PMID: 38117037 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302615] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a key hallmark of solid tumors and can cause resistance to various treatments such as photodynamics and immunotherapy. Microenvironment-responsive gene editing provides a powerful tool to overcome hypoxia resistance and remodel hypoxic microenvironments for enhanced tumor therapy. Here, a light-enhanced hypoxia-responsive multifunctional nanocarrier is developed to perform spatiotemporal specific dual gene editing for enhanced photodynamic and immunotherapy in breast cancer. As a gated molecule of nanocarrier, the degradation of azobenzene moieties under hypoxic conditions triggers controllable release of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein in hypoxic site of the tumor. Hyaluronic acid is conjugated with chloramine e6 to coat mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted delivery in tumors and generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species, which can result in increased hypoxia levels for effective cleavage of azobenzene bonds to improve gene editing efficiency and reduce toxic side effects with light irradiation. Moreover, dual targeting HIF-1α and PD-L1 in the anoxic microenvironments can overcome hypoxia resistance and remodel immune microenvironments, which reduces tumor plasticity and resistance to photodynamic and immunotherapy. In summary, a light-enhanced hypoxia responsive nanocomposite is developed for controllable gene editing which holds great promise for synergistic hypoxia-resistant photodynamic and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suchen Qu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yu Ji
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liansheng Fan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Tao Yan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Gaoshuang Zhu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hongxiu Song
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Kaiyong Yang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xin Han
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Semenza GL. Clinical investigation of hypoxia-inducible factors: getting there. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e176253. [PMID: 38299596 PMCID: PMC10836796 DOI: 10.1172/jci176253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
|
12
|
Zhou J, Lan F, Liu M, Wang F, Ning X, Yang H, Sun H. Hypoxia inducible factor-1ɑ as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma metastasis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1350187. [PMID: 38327979 PMCID: PMC10847273 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1350187] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant tumor originating from mesenchymal tissue. Pulmonary metastasis is usually present upon initial diagnosis, and metastasis is the primary factor affecting the poor prognosis of patients with OS. Current research shows that the ability to regulate the cellular microenvironment is essential for preventing the distant metastasis of OS, and anoxic microenvironments are important features of solid tumors. During hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression levels and stability increase. Increased HIF-1α promotes tumor vascular remodeling, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and OS cells invasiveness; this leads to distant metastasis of OS cells. HIF-1α plays an essential role in the mechanisms of OS metastasis. In order to develop precise prognostic indicators and potential therapeutic targets for OS treatment, this review examines the molecular mechanisms of HIF-1α in the distant metastasis of OS cells; the signal transduction pathways mediated by HIF-1α are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianghu Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Fengjun Lan
- Department of Orthopaedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Fengyan Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xu Ning
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chamani FK, Etebari A, Hajivalili M, Mosaffa N, Jalali SA. Hypoxia and programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression in the tumor microenvironment: a review of the effects of hypoxia-induced factor-1 on immunotherapy. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:88. [PMID: 38183512 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08947-8] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
One useful cancer treatment approach is activating the patient's immune response against the tumor. In this regard, immunotherapy (IT) based on immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) has made great progress in the last two decades. Although ITs are considered a novel approach to cancer treatment and have had good results in preclinical studies, their clinical success has shown that only a small proportion of treated patients (about 20%) benefited from them. Moreover, in highly progressed tumors, almost no acceptable response could be expected. In this regard finding the key molecules that are the main players of tumor immunosuppression might be helpful in overcoming the possible burdens. Hypoxia is one of the main components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which can create an immunosuppressive microenvironment in various ways. For example, hypoxia is one of the main factors of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) upregulation in tumor-infiltrating Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs). Therefore, hypoxia can be targeted to increase the efficiency of Anti-PD-L1 IT and has become one of the important issues in cancer treatment strategy. In this review, we described the effect of hypoxia in the TME, on tumor progression and immune responses and the challenges created by it for IT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fateme Khani Chamani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefe Etebari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Jalali
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Montecchi T, Nannini G, De Tommaso D, Cassioli C, Coppola F, Ringressi MN, Carraro F, Naldini A, Taddei A, Marotta G, Amedei A, Baldari CT, Ulivieri C. Human colorectal cancer: upregulation of the adaptor protein Rai in TILs leads to cell dysfunction by sustaining GSK-3 activation and PD-1 expression. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:2. [PMID: 38175205 PMCID: PMC10766791 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03614-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major hurdle for immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies. Hence characterization of the signaling pathways driving T cell exhaustion within TME is a critical need for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and the development of effective therapies. We previously showed that (i) the adaptor protein Rai is a negative regulator of T cell receptor signaling and T helper 1 (Th1)/Th17 cell differentiation; and (ii) Rai deficiency is implicated in the hyperactive phenotype of T cells in autoimmune diseases. METHODS The expression level of Rai was measured by qRT-PCR in paired peripheral blood T cells and T cells infiltrating tumor tissue and the normal adjacent tissue in CRC patients. The impact of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α on Rai expression was evaluated in T cells exposed to hypoxia and by performing chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and RNA interference assays. The mechanism by which upregulation of Rai in T cells promotes T cell exhaustion were evaluated by flow cytometric, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses. RESULTS We show that Rai is a novel HIF-1α-responsive gene that is upregulated in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes of CRC patients compared to patient-matched circulating T cells. Rai upregulation in T cells promoted Programmed cell Death protein (PD)-1 expression and impaired antigen-dependent degranulation of CD8+ T cells by inhibiting phospho-inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3, a central regulator of PD-1 expression and T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify Rai as a hitherto unknown regulator of the TME-induced exhausted phenotype of human T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Montecchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Giulia Nannini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Federica Coppola
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Ringressi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy
| | - Fabio Carraro
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Antonella Naldini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - Antonio Taddei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy
| | | | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, 50134, Italy.
| | - Cosima T Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy.
| | - Cristina Ulivieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu J, Jiang Y, Chen L, Qian Z, Zhang Y. Associations between HIFs and tumor immune checkpoints: mechanism and therapy. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:2. [PMID: 38165484 PMCID: PMC10761656 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00836-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, which activates a variety of signaling pathways to enhance tumor cell growth and metabolism, is among the primary features of tumor cells. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) have a substantial impact on a variety of facets of tumor biology, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis, and improved radiation resistance. HIFs induce hypoxia-adaptive responses in tumor cells. Many academics have presented preclinical and clinical research targeting HIFs in tumor therapy, highlighting the potential applicability of targeted HIFs. In recent years, the discovery of numerous pharmacological drugs targeting the regulatory mechanisms of HIFs has garnered substantial attention. Additionally, HIF inhibitors have attained positive results when used in conjunction with traditional oncology radiation and/or chemotherapy, as well as with the very promising addition of tumor immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), which are employed in a range of cancer treatments over the past decades, are essential in tumor immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the use of immunotherapy has been severely hampered by tumor resistance and treatment-related toxicity. According to research, HIF inhibitors paired with CPIs may be game changers for multiple malignancies, decreasing malignant cell plasticity and cancer therapy resistance, among other things, and opening up substantial new pathways for immunotherapy drug development. The structure, activation mechanisms, and pharmacological sites of action of the HIF family are briefly reviewed in this work. This review further explores the interactions between HIF inhibitors and other tumor immunotherapy components and covers the potential clinical use of HIF inhibitors in combination with CPIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liu
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingyan Chen
- Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiwen Qian
- Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, Jiangsu, China.
- Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 214000, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zuo Z, Zhou Z, Chang Y, Liu Y, Shen Y, Li Q, Zhang L. Ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2): Regulation, function and targeting strategy in human cancer. Genes Dis 2024; 11:218-233. [PMID: 37588202 PMCID: PMC10425756 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) is a small subunit in ribonucleotide reductases, which participate in nucleotide metabolism and catalyze the conversion of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides, maintaining the dNTP pools for DNA biosynthesis, repair, and replication. RRM2 performs a critical role in the malignant biological behaviors of cancers. The structure, regulation, and function of RRM2 and its inhibitors were discussed. RRM2 gene can produce two transcripts encoding the same ORF. RRM2 expression is regulated at multiple levels during the processes from transcription to translation. Moreover, this gene is associated with resistance, regulated cell death, and tumor immunity. In order to develop and design inhibitors of RRM2, appropriate strategies can be adopted based on different mechanisms. Thus, a greater appreciation of the characteristics of RRM2 is a benefit for understanding tumorigenesis, resistance in cancer, and tumor microenvironment. Moreover, RRM2-targeted therapy will be more attention in future therapeutic approaches for enhancement of treatment effects and amelioration of the dismal prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zanwen Zuo
- Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui 235000, China
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), and School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Zerong Zhou
- Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui 235000, China
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), and School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Yuzhou Chang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Agriculture and Biology, and Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuping Shen
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou, Hunan 425199, China
| | - Qizhang Li
- Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui 235000, China
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), and School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430068, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Innovative Drug R&D Center, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui 235000, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chu X, Xie F, Hou C, Zhang X, Wang S, Xie H, An C, Li Y, Zhao L, Xue P, Zhu S. Deciphering the Mechanism of Siwu Decoction Inhibiting Liver Metastasis by Integrating Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Experimental Validation. Integr Cancer Ther 2024; 23:15347354241236205. [PMID: 38462929 DOI: 10.1177/15347354241236205] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Siwu Decoction (SWD) is a well-known classical TCM formula that has been shown to be effective as a basis for preventing and reducing liver metastases (LM). However, the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to systematically analyze the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms of SWD on LM and validate mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS The active ingredients in SWD were extracted by UHPLC-MS/MS in a latest study. Protox II was retrieved to obtain toxicological parameters to detect safety. Swiss Target Prediction database was exploited to harvest SWD targets. Five databases, Gene Cards, DisGeNET, Drugbank, OMIM, and TTD, were employed to filter pathogenic targets of LM. STRING database was utilized to construct the protein-protein interaction network for therapeutic targets, followed by Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. GEPIA database and the Human Protein Atlas were taken to observe the expression of core genes and proteins. ImmuCellAI algorithm was applied to analyze the immune microenvironment and survival relevant to core genes. Molecular docking was performed to verify the affinity of SWD effective ingredients to core targets. In vivo experiments were carried out to validate the anti-LM efficacy of SWD and verify the pivotal mechanisms of action. RESULTS Eighteen main bioactive phytochemicals identified were all non-hepatotoxic. PPI network acquired 118 therapeutic targets, of which VEGFA, CASP3, STAT3, etc. were identified as core targets. KEGG analysis revealed that HIF-1 pathway and others were critical. After tandem targets and pathways, HIF-1/VEGF was regarded as the greatest potential pathway. VEGFA and HIF-1 were expressed differently in various stages of cancer and normal tissues. There was a negative regulation of immunoreactive cells by VEGFA, which was influential for prognosis. Molecular docking confirmed the tight binding to VEGFA. This study revealed the exact effect of SWD against LM, and identified significant inhibition the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and CD31 in the liver microenvironment. CONCLUSION This study clarified the active ingredients of SWD, the therapeutic targets of LM and potential molecular mechanisms. SWD may protect against LM through suppressing HIF-1/VEGF pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuelei Chu
- Wangjing Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feiyu Xie
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chengzhi Hou
- Wangjing Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Wangjing Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongting Xie
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chen An
- Wangjing Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Leyi Zhao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Xue
- Wangjing Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shijie Zhu
- Wangjing Hospital Affiliated to China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang Z, Zhu M, Dong R, Cao D, Li Y, Chen Z, Cai J, Zuo X. TH-302-loaded nanodrug reshapes the hypoxic tumour microenvironment and enhances PD-1 blockade efficacy in gastric cancer. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:440. [PMID: 37993847 PMCID: PMC10664313 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02203-8] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxia, a common characteristic of the tumour microenvironment, is involved in tumour progression and immune evasion. Targeting the hypoxic microenvironment has been implicated as a promising antitumour therapeutic strategy. TH-302 can be selectively activated under hypoxic conditions. However, the effectiveness of TH-302 in gastric cancer combined immunotherapy remains unclear. METHODS We designed mPEG-PLGA-encapsulated TH-302 (TH-302 NPs) to target the hypoxic area of tumour tissues. A particle size analyzer was used to measure the average size and zeta potential of TH-302 NPs. The morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The hypoxic area of tumour tissues was examined by immunofluorescence assays using pimonidazole. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to measure the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and granzyme B. The synergistic antitumour activity of the combination of TH-302 NPs with anti-PD-1 (α-PD-1) therapy was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Haematoxylin and eosin staining of major organs and biochemical indicator detection were performed to investigate the biological safety of TH-302 NPs in vivo. RESULTS TH-302 NPs inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that TH-302 NPs could effectively alleviate tumour hypoxia. TH-302 NPs exhibited high bioavailability, effective tumour-targeting ability and satisfactory biosafety. Moreover, the combination of TH-302 NPs with α-PD-1 significantly improved immunotherapeutic efficacy in vivo. Mechanistically, TH-302 NPs reduced the expression of HIF-1α and PD-L1, facilitated the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and increased the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and granzyme B in tumours, thereby enhancing the efficacy of α-PD-1 therapy. CONCLUSION TH-302 NPs alleviated the hypoxic tumour microenvironment and enhanced the efficacy of PD-1 blockade. Our results provide evidence that TH-302 NPs can be used as a safe and effective nanodrug for combined immunotherapy in gastric cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China
| | - Menglin Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China
| | - Runyu Dong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China
| | - Danping Cao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China
| | - Yanna Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing, China.
| | - Juan Cai
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Basic and Clinical Transformation, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China.
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China.
| | - Xueliang Zuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Basic and Clinical Transformation, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bailey C, Wei Y, Yan J, Huang D, Zhang P, Qi C, Lazarski C, Su J, Tang F, Wong CS, Zheng P, Liu Y, Liu Y, Wang Y. Genetic and pharmaceutical targeting of HIF1α allows combo-immunotherapy to boost graft vs. leukemia without exacerbation graft vs. host disease. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101236. [PMID: 37827154 PMCID: PMC10694596 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101236] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite potential impact on the graft vs. leukemia (GVL) effect, immunotherapy targeting CTLA-4 and/or PD-1 has not been successfully combined with bone marrow transplant (BMT) because it exacerbates graft vs. host disease (GVHD). Here, using models of GVHD and leukemia, we demonstrate that targeting hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) via pharmacological or genetic approaches reduces GVHD by inducing PDL1 expression on host tissue while selectively inhibiting PDL1 in leukemia cells to enhance the GVL effect. More importantly, combination of HIF1α inhibition with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies allows simultaneous inhibition of both PDL1 and CTLA-4 checkpoints to achieve better outcomes in models of mouse and human BMT-leukemia settings. These findings provide an approach to enhance the curative effect of BMT for leukemia and broaden the impact of cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Bailey
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yuanyi Wei
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jinsong Yan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Cancer for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Chong Qi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, China
| | - Christopher Lazarski
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - JuanJuan Su
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Fei Tang
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Chun-Shu Wong
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Pan Zheng
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; OncoC4, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Yang Liu
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; OncoC4, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Yin Wang
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Semenza GL. Targeting intratumoral hypoxia to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 96:5-10. [PMID: 37717718 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Cancers express a large battery of genes by which they establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Many of these genes are induced by intratumoral hypoxia through transcriptional activation mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1 and HIF-2. This review summarizes several recent reports describing hypoxia-induced mechanisms of immune evasion in sarcoma and breast, colorectal, hepatocellular, prostate and uterine cancer. These studies point to several novel therapeutic approaches to improve anti-tumor immunity and increase responses to immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregg L Semenza
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, and Armstrong Oxygen Biology Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li X, Duan Z, Li Z, Gu L, Li Y, Gong Q, Gu Z, Luo K. Dendritic polymer-functionalized nanomedicine potentiates immunotherapy via lethal energy crisis-induced PD-L1 degradation. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122294. [PMID: 37657175 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122294] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors ushers in a new era of anti-tumor immunity. However, current clinical anti-PD-L1 antibodies only interdict PD-L1 on the membrane, which cannot diminish the complex cancer-promoting effects of intracellular PD-L1. Therefore, directly reducing the PD-L1 abundance of cancer cells might be a potential PD-L1 inhibitory strategy to circumvent the issues of current anti-PD-L1 antibodies. Herein, we develop a dendritic polymer-functionalized nanomedicine with a potent cellular energy depletion effect on colon cancer cells. Treatment with the nanomedicine significantly promotes phosphorylation of AMPK, which in turn leads to PD-L1 degradation and eventual T cell activation. Meanwhile, the nanomedicine can potently induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) to enhance the anti-cancer immunity. Moreover, the combination of the nanomedicine with PD-1 blockade further enhances the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and dramatically inhibits tumor growth in vivo without distinct side effects. Overall, this study provides a promising nanoplatform to induce lethal energy crisis and ICD, and suppress PD-L1 expression, thus potentiating cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhenyu Duan
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Gu
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinggang Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China; Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, 361000, China
| | - Zhongwei Gu
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Research Institute for Biomaterials, Tech Institute for Advanced Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, NJTech-BARTY Joint Research Center for Innovative Medical Technology, Suqian Advanced Materials Industry Technology Innovation Center, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Inorganic Function Composites, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Kui Luo
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fischer A, Maccio U, Wang K, Friemel J, Broglie Daeppen MA, Vetter D, Lehmann K, Reul A, Robledo M, Hantel C, Bechmann N, Pacak K, Zitzmann K, Auernhammer CJ, Grossman AB, Beuschlein F, Nölting S. PD-L1 and HIF-2α Upregulation in Head and Neck Paragangliomas after Embolization. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5199. [PMID: 37958373 PMCID: PMC10650267 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215199] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia activates pathways associated with tumor progression, metastatic spread, and alterations in the immune microenvironment leading to an immunosuppressive phenotype. In particular, the upregulation of PD-L1, a target for therapy with checkpoint inhibitors, is well-studied in several tumors. However, the relationship between hypoxia and PD-L1 regulation in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL), and especially in paragangliomas treated with embolization, is still largely unexplored. We investigated the expression of the hypoxia-marker HIF-2α and of PD-L1 in a PPGL-cohort with and without embolization as potential biomarkers that may predict the response to treatment with HIF-2α and checkpoint inhibitors. A total of 29 tumor samples from 25 patients who were operated at a single center were included and analyzed utilizing immunohistochemistry (IHC) for PD-L1 and HIF-2α. Embolization prior to surgery was performed in seven (24%) tumors. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) receiving prior embolization (median PD-L1 positivity: 15%) was significantly higher as compared to PD-L1 expression in HNPGLs without prior embolization (median PD-L1 positivity: 0%) (p = 0.008). Consistently, significantly more HNPGLs with prior embolization were positive for HIF-2α (median nuclear HIF-2α positivity: 40%) as compared to HNPGLs without prior embolization (median nuclear HIF-2α positivity: 0%) (p = 0.016). Our results support the hypothesis that embolization with subsequent hypoxia leads to the upregulation of both PD-L1 and HIF-2α in HNPGLs, and could thus facilitate targeted treatment with HIF-2α and checkpoint inhibitors in the case of inoperable, locally advanced, or metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessa Fischer
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Umberto Maccio
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Wang
- Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Juliane Friemel
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina A. Broglie Daeppen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diana Vetter
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kuno Lehmann
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Reul
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mercedes Robledo
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicole Bechmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Karel Pacak
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kathrin Zitzmann
- Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ashley B. Grossman
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6HG, UK
- NET Unit, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- The LOOP Zurich–Medical Research Center, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Svenja Nölting
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jin J, Zhao Q, Wei Z, Chen K, Su Y, Hu X, Peng X. Glycolysis-cholesterol metabolic axis in immuno-oncology microenvironment: emerging role in immune cells and immunosuppressive signaling. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:189. [PMID: 37828561 PMCID: PMC10571292 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01138-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell proliferation and function require nutrients, energy, and biosynthesis activity to duplicate repertoires for each daughter. It is therefore not surprising that tumor microenvironment (TME) metabolic reprogramming primarily orchestrates the interaction between tumor and immune cells. Tumor metabolic reprogramming affords bioenergetic, signaling intermediates, and biosynthesis requirements for both malignant and immune cells. Different immune cell subsets are recruited into the TME, and these manifestations have distinct effects on tumor progression and therapeutic outcomes, especially the mutual contribution of glycolysis and cholesterol metabolism. In particularly, glycolysis-cholesterol metabolic axis interconnection plays a critical role in the TME modulation, and their changes in tumor metabolism appear to be a double-edged sword in regulating various immune cell responses and immunotherapy efficacy. Hence, we discussed the signature manifestation of the glycolysis-cholesterol metabolic axis and its pivotal role in tumor immune regulation. We also highlight how hypothetical combinations of immunotherapy and glycolysis/cholesterol-related metabolic interventions unleash the potential of anti-tumor immunotherapies, as well as developing more effective personalized treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qijie Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigong Wei
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Keliang Chen
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yonglin Su
- Department of Rehabilitation, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaolin Hu
- Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xingchen Peng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Fu Y, Mackowiak B, Feng D, Lu H, Guan Y, Lehner T, Pan H, Wang XW, He Y, Gao B. MicroRNA-223 attenuates hepatocarcinogenesis by blocking hypoxia-driven angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Gut 2023; 72:1942-1958. [PMID: 36593103 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to block angiogenesis and immunosuppression provides some benefits only for a subset of patients with HCC, thus optimised therapeutic regimens are unmet needs, which require a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which tumour cells orchestrate an inflamed tumour microenvironment with significant myeloid cell infiltration. MicroRNA-223 (miR-223) is highly expressed in myeloid cells but its role in regulating tumour microenvironment remains unknown. DESIGN Wild-type and miR-223 knockout mice were subjected to two mouse models of inflammation-associated HCC induced by injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or orthotopic HCC cell implantation in chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated mice. RESULTS Genetic deletion of miR-223 markedly exacerbated tumourigenesis in inflammation-associated HCC. Compared with wild-type mice, miR-223 knockout mice had more infiltrated programmed cell death 1 (PD-1+) T cells and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1+) macrophages after DEN+CCl4 administration. Bioinformatic analyses of RNA sequencing data revealed a strong correlation between miR-223 levels and tumour hypoxia, a condition that is well-documented to regulate PD-1/PD-L1. In vivo and in vitro mechanistic studies demonstrated that miR-223 did not directly target PD-1 and PD-L1 in immune cells rather than indirectly downregulated them by modulating tumour microenvironment via the suppression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α-driven CD39/CD73-adenosine pathway in HCC. Moreover, gene delivery of miR-223 via adenovirus inhibited angiogenesis and hypoxia-mediated PD-1/PD-L1 activation in both HCC models, thereby hindering HCC progression. CONCLUSION The miR-223 plays a critical role in modulating hypoxia-induced tumour immunosuppression and angiogenesis, which may serve as a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaojie Fu
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bryan Mackowiak
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dechun Feng
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hongkun Lu
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yukun Guan
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Taylor Lehner
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hongna Pan
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yong He
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bin Gao
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lu S, Sun X, Zhou Z, Tang H, Xiao R, Lv Q, Wang B, Qu J, Yu J, Sun F, Deng Z, Tian Y, Li C, Yang Z, Yang P, Rao B. Mechanism of Bazhen decoction in the treatment of colorectal cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1235575. [PMID: 37799727 PMCID: PMC10548240 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1235575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Bazhen Decoction (BZD) is a common adjuvant therapy drug for colorectal cancer (CRC), although its anti-tumor mechanism is unknown. This study aims to explore the core components, key targets, and potential mechanisms of BZD treatment for CRC. Methods The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) was employed to acquire the BZD's active ingredient and targets. Meanwhile, the Drugbank, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DisGeNET, and GeneCards databases were used to retrieve pertinent targets for CRC. The Venn plot was used to obtain intersection targets. Cytoscape software was used to construct an "herb-ingredient-target" network and identify core targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using R language software. Molecular docking of key ingredients and core targets of drugs was accomplished using PyMol and Autodock Vina software. Cell and animal research confirmed Bazhen Decoction efficacy and mechanism in treating colorectal cancer. Results BZD comprises 173 effective active ingredients. Using four databases, 761 targets related to CRC were identified. The intersection of BZD and CRC yielded 98 targets, which were utilized to construct the "herb-ingredient-target" network. The four key effector components with the most targets were quercetin, kaempferol, licochalcone A, and naringenin. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed that the core targets of BZD in treating CRC were AKT1, MYC, CASP3, ESR1, EGFR, HIF-1A, VEGFR, JUN, INS, and STAT3. The findings from molecular docking suggest that the core ingredient exhibits favorable binding potential with the core target. Furthermore, the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrates that BZD can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to CRC, like the T cell receptor, PI3K-Akt, apoptosis, P53, and VEGF signaling pathway. In vitro, studies have shown that BZD dose-dependently inhibits colon cancer cell growth and invasion and promotes apoptosis. Animal experiments have shown that BZD treatment can reverse abnormal expression of PI3K, AKT, MYC, EGFR, HIF-1A, VEGFR, JUN, STAT3, CASP3, and TP53 genes. BZD also increases the ratio of CD4+ T cells to CD8+ T cells in the spleen and tumor tissues, boosting IFN-γ expression, essential for anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, BZD has the potential to downregulate the PD-1 expression on T cell surfaces, indicating its ability to effectively restore T cell function by inhibiting immune checkpoints. The results of HE staining suggest that BZD exhibits favorable safety profiles. Conclusion BZD treats CRC through multiple components, targets, and metabolic pathways. BZD can reverse the abnormal expression of genes such as PI3K, AKT, MYC, EGFR, HIF-1A, VEGFR, JUN, STAT3, CASP3, and TP53, and suppresses the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT, P53, and VEGF. Furthermore, BZD can increase the number of T cells and promote T cell activation in tumor-bearing mice, enhancing the immune function against colorectal cancer. Among them, quercetin, kaempferol, licochalcone A, naringenin, and formaronetin are more highly predictive components related to the T cell activation in colorectal cancer mice. This study is of great significance for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. It highlights the importance of network pharmacology-based approaches in studying complex traditional Chinese medicine formulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Xibo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongbao Zhou
- Department of Urology, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huazhen Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixue Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Qingchen Lv
- Medical Laboratory College, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxiu Qu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxuan Yu
- First Clinical Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoya Deng
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuying Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Cong Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhenpeng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Penghui Yang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Benqiang Rao
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang P, Wang XY, Man CF, Gong DD, Fan Y. Advances in hyperbaric oxygen to promote immunotherapy through modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1200619. [PMID: 37790761 PMCID: PMC10543083 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1200619] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a relatively safe treatment method that has been used for a long time in the clinic. It has been proven that it can enhance the sensitivity of radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy for cancer. However, there are few studies on hyperbaric oxygen and immunotherapy. In this article, we summarize that hyperbaric oxygen therapy regulates the tumor microenvironment through various pathways such as improving tumor hypoxia, targeting hypoxia-inducing factors, and generating reactive oxygen species. The change in the tumor microenvironment ultimately affects the curative effect of immunotherapy. Therefore, hyperbaric oxygen can influence immunotherapy by regulating the tumor microenvironment, providing a direction for the future development of immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Suqian First People’s Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Suqian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chang-Feng Man
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan-Dan Gong
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bandopadhyay S, Patranabis S. Mechanisms of HIF-driven immunosuppression in tumour microenvironment. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2023; 35:27. [PMID: 37646847 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-023-00186-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia arises due to insufficient oxygen delivery to rapidly proliferating tumour cells that outpace the available blood supply. It is a characteristic feature of most solid tumour microenvironments and plays a critical role in regulating anti-tumour immunity, enhancing tumoral heterogeneity, and promoting therapeutic resistance and poor clinical outcomes. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are the major hypoxia-responsive transcription factors that are activated under low oxygenation conditions and have been identified to drive multifunctional roles in tumour immune evasion. The HIF signalling network serves as an attractive target for targeted therapeutic approaches. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the most crucial mechanisms by which HIF controls the expression of immunosuppressive molecules and immune checkpoints, disrupts cancer immunogenicity, and induces immunotherapeutic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Somi Patranabis
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Shafqat A, Omer MH, Ahmed EN, Mushtaq A, Ijaz E, Ahmed Z, Alkattan K, Yaqinuddin A. Reprogramming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment: exploiting angiogenesis and thrombosis to enhance immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1200941. [PMID: 37520562 PMCID: PMC10374407 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the immunosuppressive effects of tumor angiogenesis and coagulation on the tumor microenvironment (TME). We summarize previous research efforts leveraging these observations and targeting these processes to enhance immunotherapy outcomes. Clinical trials have documented improved outcomes when combining anti-angiogenic agents and immunotherapy. However, their overall survival benefit over conventional therapy remains limited and certain tumors exhibit poor response to anti-angiogenic therapy. Additionally, whilst preclinical studies have shown several components of the tumor coagulome to curb effective anti-tumor immune responses, the clinical studies reporting combinations of anticoagulants with immunotherapies have demonstrated variable treatment outcomes. By reviewing the current state of the literature on this topic, we address the key questions and future directions in the field, the answers of which are crucial for developing effective strategies to reprogram the TME in order to further the field of cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Areez Shafqat
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed H. Omer
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ali Mushtaq
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Eman Ijaz
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zara Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Alkattan
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J, Kharazinejad E. The impact of hypoxia on tumor-mediated bypassing anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114646. [PMID: 37011483 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extending the durability of response is the current focus in cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, factors like non-immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) along with aberrant angiogenesis and dysregulated metabolic systems are negative contributors. Hypoxia is a key TME condition and a critical promoter of tumor hallmarks. It acts on immune and non-immune cells within TME in order for promoting immune evasion and therapy resistance. Extreme hypoxia is a major promoter of resistance to the programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor therapy. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) acts as a key mediator of hypoxia and a critical promoter of resistance to the anti-PD-(L)1. Targeting hypoxia or HIF-1 can thus be an effective strategy for reinvigoration of cellular immunity against cancer. Among various strategies presented so far, the key focus is over vascular normalization, which is an approach highly effective for reducing the rate of hypoxia, increasing drug delivery into the tumor area, and boosting the efficacy of anti-PD-(L)1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Ebrahim Kharazinejad
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Benavente S. Remodeling the tumor microenvironment to overcome treatment resistance in HPV-negative head and neck cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:291-313. [PMID: 37457128 PMCID: PMC10344731 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive efforts and refined techniques, overall survival in HPV-negative head and neck cancer remains poor. Robust immune priming is required to elicit a strong and durable antitumor immune response in immunologically cold and excluded tumors like HPV-negative head and neck cancer. This review highlights how the tumor microenvironment could be affected by different immune and stromal cell types, weighs the need to integrate metabolic regulation of the tumor microenvironment into cancer treatment strategies and summarizes the emerging clinical applicability of personalized immunotherapeutic strategies in HPV-negative head and neck cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Benavente
- Correspondence to: Dr. Sergi Benavente, Department of Radiation Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119, Barcelona 08035, Spain. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Huang M, Yang S, Tai WCS, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Cho WCS, Chan LWC, Wong SCC. Bioinformatics Identification of Regulatory Genes and Mechanism Related to Hypoxia-Induced PD-L1 Inhibitor Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108720. [PMID: 37240068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108720] [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: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of a PD-L1 inhibitor and an anti-angiogenic agent has become the new reference standard in the first-line treatment of non-excisable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to the survival advantage, but its objective response rate remains low at 36%. Evidence shows that PD-L1 inhibitor resistance is attributed to hypoxic tumor microenvironment. In this study, we performed bioinformatics analysis to identify genes and the underlying mechanisms that improve the efficacy of PD-L1 inhibition. Two public datasets of gene expression profiles, (1) HCC tumor versus adjacent normal tissue (N = 214) and (2) normoxia versus anoxia of HepG2 cells (N = 6), were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We identified HCC-signature and hypoxia-related genes, using differential expression analysis, and their 52 overlapping genes. Of these 52 genes, 14 PD-L1 regulator genes were further identified through the multiple regression analysis of TCGA-LIHC dataset (N = 371), and 10 hub genes were indicated in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. It was found that POLE2, GABARAPL1, PIK3R1, NDC80, and TPX2 play critical roles in the response and overall survival in cancer patients under PD-L1 inhibitor treatment. Our study provides new insights and potential biomarkers to enhance the immunotherapeutic role of PD-L1 inhibitors in HCC, which can help in exploring new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Huang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sijun Yang
- Department of endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - William Chi Shing Tai
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lingfeng Zhang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yinuo Zhou
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Lawrence Wing Chi Chan
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sze Chuen Cesar Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Xanthopoulou ET, Kakouratos C, Nanos C, Gkegka AG, Kalaitzis C, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI. HIF1α-dependent and independent pathways regulate the expression of PD-L1 in prostate cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:151. [PMID: 37067635 PMCID: PMC10110727 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02017-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
PD-L1/PD-1 pathway is a major pathway exploited by human cancer types, which is a target for current immunotherapy. We investigated tumor microenvironmental factors involved in PD-L1 induction in prostate cancer (PC). We studied the expression of PD-L1 in a series of 66 PCs, in parallel with the expression of hypoxia- and acidity-related immunohistochemical markers (Hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1α, and lactate dehydrogenase LDHA) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte TIL density. Experiments with three PC cell lines, the 22Rv1, DU145, and PC3 were conducted focusing on the inducibility of PD-L1 by hypoxia, acidity, lymphocyte interactions, and radiation. In tissues, PD-L1 expression by cancer cells was directly related to PD-L1 expression by TILs and macrophages (p < 0.05), and the overexpression of HIF1α and LDH5 (p < 0.05). TIL density was inversely related to ΗΙF1α (p = 0.02). Exposure of PC cell lines to hypoxia strongly induced PD-L1 and protein and mRNA levels, directly controlled by HIF1α function (p < 0.001). Irradiation with 20 Gy had no apparent effect on PD-L1 expression. Culturing PC cell lines with culture medium (CM) from PBMCs strongly induced PD-L1 at protein and mRNA levels, independently from HIF1α, which was also confirmed when cells were incubated with Interferon-γ (p < 0.001). It is concluded that the combination of anti-PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapy with hypoxia/HIF-targeting may be important in the treatment of specific subgroups of PC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erasmia T Xanthopoulou
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Christos Kakouratos
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Christos Nanos
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Anastasia G Gkegka
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Christos Kalaitzis
- Department of Urology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mohammadi A, Najafi S, Amini M, Baradaran B, Firouzamandi M. B7H6 silencing increases chemosensitivity to dacarbazine and suppresses cell survival and migration in cutaneous melanoma. Melanoma Res 2023; 33:173-183. [PMID: 37053079 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a highly metastatic cancer whose incidence rate is heightening worldwide. B7H6, as one of the co-stimulatory ligands of the B7 family, is expressed in malignant cells, involved in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to investigate the significance of B7H6 in CM cell chemosensitivity and metastatic ability. A375 CM cells were transfected with B7H6-siRNA and treated with dacarbazine individually or combined. The MTT assay to estimate half-maximal inhibitory concentration of dacarbazine and cell viability, the apoptotic induction using Annexin V/PI, cell cycle progression via flow cytometry, and wound healing assay for determining the migration ability of cells and assessing the clonogenic potential of A375 cells were executed. Functional analyses were performed to evaluate changes in A375 cells. The results illustrated that B7H6 suppression significantly increased the chemosensitivity of A375 cells to dacarbazine. Apoptosis induction by dacarbazine was enhanced after B7H6 knockdown through modulating Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 mRNA levels. Western blotting indicated enhancement of cleaved caspase-3 protein expression in treatment groups. A375 cells were arrested at the sub-G1 and S phases when using B7H6-siRNA and dacarbazine. B7H6 suppression combined with dacarbazine restrained cell migration through suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, including MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9. In addition, the clonogenic ability of A375 cells was decreased by downregulating Sox2, Nanog, and CD44 mRNA levels. A visible decrement in STAT3 protein expression was observed in the combination group. Hence, our findings revealed that B7H6 knockdown with dacarbazine could be a promising treatment approach for cutaneous melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaleh Mohammadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz
- Immunology Research Center
| | | | | | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Nong S, Han X, Xiang Y, Qian Y, Wei Y, Zhang T, Tian K, Shen K, Yang J, Ma X. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutics. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e218. [PMID: 36994237 PMCID: PMC10041388 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells characterized by uncontrolled growth and proliferation require altered metabolic processes to maintain this characteristic. Metabolic reprogramming is a process mediated by various factors, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, changes in growth factors, and tumor–host cell interactions, which help to meet the needs of cancer cell anabolism and promote tumor development. Metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells is dynamically variable, depending on the tumor type and microenvironment, and reprogramming involves multiple metabolic pathways. These metabolic pathways have complex mechanisms and involve the coordination of various signaling molecules, proteins, and enzymes, which increases the resistance of tumor cells to traditional antitumor therapies. With the development of cancer therapies, metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a new therapeutic target for metabolic changes in tumor cells. Therefore, understanding how multiple metabolic pathways in cancer cells change can provide a reference for the development of new therapies for tumor treatment. Here, we systemically reviewed the metabolic changes and their alteration factors, together with the current tumor regulation treatments and other possible treatments that are still under investigation. Continuous efforts are needed to further explore the mechanism of cancer metabolism reprogramming and corresponding metabolic treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Nong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologyWest China School of StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xiaoyue Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologyWest China School of StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yu Xiang
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yuran Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologyWest China School of StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yuhao Wei
- Department of Clinical MedicineWest China School of MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tingyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologyWest China School of StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Keyue Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologyWest China School of StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Kai Shen
- Department of OncologyFirst Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuelei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologyWest China School of StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Department of Biotherapy and Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abou Khouzam R, Lehn JM, Mayr H, Clavien PA, Wallace MB, Ducreux M, Limani P, Chouaib S. Hypoxia, a Targetable Culprit to Counter Pancreatic Cancer Resistance to Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041235. [PMID: 36831579 PMCID: PMC9953896 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, and it is a disease of dismal prognosis. While immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of various solid tumors, it has achieved little success in PDAC. Hypoxia within the stroma-rich tumor microenvironment is associated with resistance to therapies and promotes angiogenesis, giving rise to a chaotic and leaky vasculature that is inefficient at shuttling oxygen and nutrients. Hypoxia and its downstream effectors have been implicated in immune resistance and could be contributing to the lack of response to immunotherapy experienced by patients with PDAC. Paradoxically, increasing evidence has shown hypoxia to augment genomic instability and mutagenesis in cancer, suggesting that hypoxic tumor cells could have increased production of neoantigens that can potentially enable their clearance by cytotoxic immune cells. Strategies aimed at relieving this condition have been on the rise, and one such approach opts for normalizing the tumor vasculature to reverse hypoxia and its downstream support of tumor pathogenesis. An important consideration for the successful implementation of such strategies in the clinic is that not all PDACs are equally hypoxic, therefore hypoxia-detection approaches should be integrated to enable optimal patient selection for achieving improved patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman P.O. Box 4184, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Marie Lehn
- Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Hemma Mayr
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Surgery & Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Alain Clavien
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Surgery & Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bradley Wallace
- Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 11001, United Arab Emirates
| | - Michel Ducreux
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute, F-94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Perparim Limani
- Swiss Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplantation Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Surgery & Transplantation, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (P.L.); (S.C.); Tel.: +41-78-859-68-07 (P.L.); +33-(0)1-42-11-45-47 (S.C.)
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman P.O. Box 4184, United Arab Emirates
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, F-94805 Villejuif, France
- Correspondence: (P.L.); (S.C.); Tel.: +41-78-859-68-07 (P.L.); +33-(0)1-42-11-45-47 (S.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhuang Y, Liu K, He Q, Gu X, Jiang C, Wu J. Hypoxia signaling in cancer: Implications for therapeutic interventions. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e203. [PMID: 36703877 PMCID: PMC9870816 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a persistent physiological feature of many different solid tumors and a key driver of malignancy, and in recent years, it has been recognized as an important target for cancer therapy. Hypoxia occurs in the majority of solid tumors due to a poor vascular oxygen supply that is not sufficient to meet the needs of rapidly proliferating cancer cells. A hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) can reduce the effectiveness of other tumor therapies, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the critical role of hypoxia in tumor development, including tumor metabolism, tumor immunity, and tumor angiogenesis. The treatment methods for hypoxic TME are summarized, including hypoxia-targeted therapy and improving oxygenation by alleviating tumor hypoxia itself. Hyperoxia therapy can be used to improve tissue oxygen partial pressure and relieve tumor hypoxia. We focus on the underlying mechanisms of hyperoxia and their impact on current cancer therapies and discuss the prospects of hyperoxia therapy in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNational Institute of Healthcare Data Science at Nanjing UniversityJiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Kua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNational Institute of Healthcare Data Science at Nanjing UniversityJiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qinyu He
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNational Institute of Healthcare Data Science at Nanjing UniversityJiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Microecological, Regenerative and Microfabrication Technical Platform for Biomedicine and Tissue EngineeringJinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinan CityChina
| | - Chunping Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNational Institute of Healthcare Data Science at Nanjing UniversityJiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjing UniversityNanjingChina,Microecological, Regenerative and Microfabrication Technical Platform for Biomedicine and Tissue EngineeringJinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinan CityChina
| | - Junhua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNational Institute of Healthcare Data Science at Nanjing UniversityJiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineMedicineMedical School of Nanjing UniversityNanjing UniversityNanjingChina,Microecological, Regenerative and Microfabrication Technical Platform for Biomedicine and Tissue EngineeringJinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryJinan CityChina
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ranjbar A, Soltanshahi M, Taghiloo S, Asgarian-Omran H. Glucose Metabolism in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line Is Regulated via Combinational PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Inhibitors. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH : IJPR 2023; 22:e140507. [PMID: 38435444 PMCID: PMC10909123 DOI: 10.5812/ijpr-140507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Metabolism reprogramming is a survival mechanism in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, we investigated the effect of signaling pathway inhibitors on the expression of genes rewired in the metabolic pathway of AML cells. Methods HL-60 cells were treated with Idelalisib, MK-2206, and Everolimus, which respectively are selective inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), either individually or in combination. The relative expressions of glucose transporter 1, hexokinase 2, pyruvate kinase, pyruvate dehydrogenase E1, citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase 2, and hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha were determined by real-time PCR. Results The combined treatment of HL-60 cells with Idelalisib, MK-2206, and Everolimus decreased the expression of glucose transporter 1, hexokinase 2, pyruvate kinase M2, pyruvate dehydrogenase E1, citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase 2, and hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha. Conclusions A combination of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors regulates the expression of genes involved in glycolysis, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH), and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and interferes with metabolic reprogramming and immune evasion mechanisms of AML leukemic cells. Combinational therapy approaches to block these pathways might be a promising and novel therapeutic strategy for targeting the metabolic requirements of AML cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Ranjbar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohsen Soltanshahi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeid Taghiloo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Heuser C, Renner K, Kreutz M, Gattinoni L. Targeting lactate metabolism for cancer immunotherapy - a matter of precision. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:32-45. [PMID: 36496155 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T cell therapies have been valuable additions to the toolbox in the fight against cancer. These treatments have profoundly increased the number of patients with a realistic perspective toward a return to a cancer-free life. Yet, in a number of patients and tumor entities, cancer immunotherapies have been ineffective so far. In solid tumors, immune exclusion and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment represent substantial roadblocks to successful therapeutic outcomes. A major contributing factor to the depressed anti-tumor activity of immune cells in tumors is the harsh metabolic environment. Hypoxia, nutrient competition with tumor and stromal cells, and accumulating noxious waste products, including lactic acid, pose massive constraints to anti-tumor immune cells. Numerous strategies are being developed to exploit the metabolic vulnerabilities of tumor cells in the hope that these would also alleviate metabolism-inflicted immune suppression. While promising in principle, especially in combination with immunotherapies, these strategies need to be scrutinized for their effect on tumor-fighting immune cells, which share some of their key metabolic properties with tumor cells. Here, we provide an overview of strategies that seek to tackle lactate metabolism in tumor or immune cells to unleash anti-tumor immune responses, thereby opening therapeutic options for patients whose tumors are currently not treatable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Heuser
- Division of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Renner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marina Kreutz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Group Immunometabolomics, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology (CITO), University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luca Gattinoni
- Division of Functional Immune Cell Modulation, Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), 93053 Regensburg, Germany; Center for Immunomedicine in Transplantation and Oncology (CITO), University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Li Q, Han J, Yang Y, Chen Y. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1070961. [PMID: 36601120 PMCID: PMC9806143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1070961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high prevalence and mortality rate worldwide. Sorafenib monotherapy has been the standard of first-line treatment for advanced HCC for a long time, but there are still many shortcomings. In recent years, with the deepening of research on tumor immune microenvironment, researchers have begun to explore new approaches in immunotherapy, and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has brought fundamental changes to the treatment of HCC. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that plays an important role in down-regulating immune system function and promoting tolerance. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) is involved in tumor immune evasion by binding to PD-1, resulting in failure of treatment. Currently, immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has achieved unprecedented success in HCC, but it also faces great challenges, with its low remission rate still to be solved. For most patients with HCC, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is not the only rate limiting factor of antitumor immunity, and blocking only the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is not enough to stimulate an effective antitumor immune response; thus, combination therapy may be a better option. In this study, changes in the immune microenvironment of HCC patients were reviewed to clarify the feasibility of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, and a series of monotherapy and combination therapy clinical trials were summarized to verify the safety and efficacy of this newly developed treatment in patients with advanced HCC. Furthermore, we focused on hyperprogressive disease and drug resistance to gain a better understanding of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade as a promising treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yonglin Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zheng Z, Bian C, Wang H, Su J, Meng L, Xin Y, Jiang X. Prediction of immunotherapy efficacy and immunomodulatory role of hypoxia in colorectal cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221138383. [PMID: 36425871 PMCID: PMC9679351 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221138383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been used in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, most patients fail to achieve satisfactory survival benefits. Biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity are being increasingly developed to predict the efficacy of CRC immunotherapy. In addition to DNA alteration markers, such as microsatellite instability/mismatch repair and tumor mutational burden, immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints (ICs), epigenetic changes and no-coding RNA, and gut microbiomes all show potential predictive ability. Recently, the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as a key factor mediating CRC immune evasion and resistance to treatment. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α is the central transcription factor in the hypoxia response that drives the expression of a vast number of survival genes by binding to the hypoxia response element in cancer and immune cells in the TME. Hypoxia regulates angiogenesis, immune cell infiltration and activation, expression of ICs, and secretion of various immune molecules in the TME and is closely associated with the immunotherapeutic efficacy of CRC. Currently, various agents targeting hypoxia have been found to improve the TME and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. We reviewed current markers commonly used in CRC to predict therapeutic efficacy and the mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced angiogenesis and tumor immune evasion. Exploring the mechanisms by which hypoxia affects the TME will assist the discovery of new immunotherapeutic predictive biomarkers and development of more effective combinations of agents targeting hypoxia and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuangzhuang Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chenbin Bian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Su
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lingbin Meng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ying Xin
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130021, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hsu CH, Chen YJ, Yang CN. An order-to-disorder structural switch regulates HIF-1 transcription through S247 phosphorylation in the HIF1α PAS-B domain. Comput Biol Med 2022; 149:106006. [PMID: 36027865 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), a transcriptional activator that mediates cellular responses to hypoxic stress, is essential for tumor progression. It is a heterodimer comprising HIF1α and HIF1β, with multiple interfaces among their PAS-A, PAS-B, and bHLH domains. HIF1β is also known as aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT). Casein kinase 1δ-dependent phosphorylation of the solvent-front residue S247 on the HIF1α PAS-B domain interrupts HIF1α-ARNT complex formation and reduces HIF-1 transcription activity. However, S247 is involved in neither HIF1α-ARNT complex formation nor stabilization of the relative orientation between the HIF1α PAS-A and PAS-B domains. To uncover the underlying allosteric mechanism, we conducted Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulations and identified two distinct conformations of the pS247-carrying HIF1α PAS-B domain: H291-in and H291-out. The H291-in structure can associate with the HIF1α PAS-A domain and form a V-shaped pouch to accommodate the ARNT PAS-A domain, but it cannot associate with the ARNT PAS-B domain. By contrast, the H291-out structure can bind to the ARNT PAS-B domain, but its association with the HIF1α PAS-A domain leads to an unsuitable relative orientation to accommodate the ARNT PAS-A domain. Both conformations were also collected in parallel simulations of the unphosphorylated PAS-B domain. Both structures manage to associate with the ARNT PAS-B and HIF1α PAS-A domains; thus, they are adequate for HIF1α-ARNT complex formation. The domain-domain contact pattern in a phosphorylated variant is shuffled by an order-to-disorder structural switch, triggered by the newly formed K251-pS247 interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hung Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Jyun Chen
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ning Yang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
HIF-1α Inhibition Improves Anti-Tumor Immunity and Promotes the Efficacy of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR). Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133273. [PMID: 35805044 PMCID: PMC9265101 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), which irradiates tumors with high-dose radiation per fraction, promotes anti-tumor immunity by stimulating various immune processes. SABR also induces vascular damage and obstructs blood flow, thereby increasing tumor hypoxia and upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α, master transcription factors for the cellular response to hypoxia. HIF-1α and HIF-2α are key players in the upregulation of immune suppression in hypoxia. Therefore, the radiation-induced increase in anti-tumor immunity is masked by the HIF-mediated immune suppression. Pre-clinical experiments show that inhibition of HIF-1α effectively prevents immune suppression and improves anti-tumor immunity. A combination of HIF-1α inhibitors with immunotherapy with checkpoint blocking antibodies may represent a novel approach to boost anti-tumor immunity and enhance the efficacy of SABR. Abstract High-dose hypofractionated radiation such as SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy) evokes an anti-tumor immune response by promoting a series of immune-stimulating processes, including the release of tumor-specific antigens from damaged tumor cells and the final effector phase of immune-mediated lysis of target tumor cells. High-dose hypofractionated radiation also causes vascular damage in tumors, thereby increasing tumor hypoxia and upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α, the master transcription factors for the cellular response to hypoxia. HIF-1α and HIF-2α are critical factors in the upregulation of immune suppression and are the master regulators of immune evasion of tumors. Consequently, SABR-induced increase in anti-tumor immunity is counterbalanced by the increase in immune suppression mediated by HIFα. Inhibition of HIF-1α with small molecules such as metformin downregulates immunosuppressive pathways, including the expression of immune checkpoints, and it improves or restores the anti-tumor immunity stimulated by irradiation. Combinations of HIFα inhibitors, particularly HIF-1α inhibitors, with immune checkpoint blocking antibodies may represent a novel approach to boost the overall anti-tumor immune profile in patients and thus enhance outcomes after SABR.
Collapse
|
43
|
Xu H, Feng Y, Kong W, Wang H, Feng Y, Zhen J, Tian L, Yuan K. High Expression Levels of SIGLEC9 Indicate Poor Outcomes of Glioma and Correlate With Immune Cell Infiltration. Front Oncol 2022; 12:878849. [PMID: 35756603 PMCID: PMC9218569 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.878849] [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: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value and underlying mechanisms of sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 9 (SIGLEC9) in gliomas. Patients and Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases were used to analyze the association of SIGLEC9 expression levels with tumor stages and survival probability. Immunohistochemical staining of SIGLEC9 and survival analysis were performed in 177 glioma patients. Furthermore, related mechanisms were discovered about SIGLEC9 in glioma tumorigenesis, and we reveal how SIGLEC9 functions in macrophages through single-cell analysis. Results TCGA and CGGA databases indicated that patients with high SIGLEC9 expression manifested a significantly shorter survival probability than those with low SIGLEC9 expression. SIGLEC9 was upregulated significantly in malignant pathological types, such as grade III, grade IV, mesenchymal subtype, and isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type gliomas. The immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections from 177 glioma patients showed that high-SIGLEC9-expression patients manifested a significantly shorter survival probability than low-SIGLEC9-expression patients with age ≧60 years, grade IV, glioblastoma multiforme, alpha thalassemia/intellectual disability syndrome X-linked loss, and without radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Furthermore, the SIGLEC9 expression level was positively correlated with myeloid-derived suppressor cell infiltration and neutrophil activation. The SIGLEC9 expression was also positively correlated with major immune checkpoints, such as LAIR1, HAVCR2, CD86, and LGALS9. Through single-cell analysis, we found that the SIGLEC9 gene is related to the ability of macrophages to process antigens and the proliferation of macrophages. Conclusion These findings suggested that SIGLEC9 is a diagnostic marker of poor outcomes in glioma and might serve as a potential immunotherapy target for glioma patients in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyan Feng
- Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weijia Kong
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Medical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hesong Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyin Feng
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Zhen
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lichun Tian
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Yuan L, Xu J, Shi Y, Jin Z, Bao Z, Yu P, Wang Y, Xia Y, Qin J, Zhang B, Yao Q. CD3D Is an Independent Prognostic Factor and Correlates With Immune Infiltration in Gastric Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913670. [PMID: 35719985 PMCID: PMC9198637 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein encoded by CD3D is part of the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex (TCR/CD3 complex) and is involved in T-cell development and signal transduction. Previous studies have shown that CD3D is associated with prognosis and treatment response in breast, colorectal, and liver cancer. However, the expression and clinical significance of CD3D in gastric cancer are not clear. In this study, we collected 488 gastric cancer tissues and 430 paired adjacent tissues to perform tissue microarrays (TMAs). Then, immunohistochemical staining of CD3D, CD3, CD4, CD8 and PD-L1 was conducted to investigate the expression of CD3D in gastric cancer and the correlation between the expression of CD3D and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1. The results showed that CD3D was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues compared with paracancerous tissues (P<0.000). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that CD3D was an independent good prognostic factor for gastric cancer (P=0.004, HR=0.677, 95%CI: 0.510-0.898 for univariate analyses; P=0.046, HR=0.687, 95%CI: 0.474-0.994 for multivariate analyses). In addition, CD3D was negatively correlated with the tumor location, Borrmann type and distant metastasis (P=0.012 for tumor location; P=0.007 for Borrmann type; P=0.027 for distant metastasis). In addition, the expression of CD3D was highly positively correlated with the expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, and PD-L1, and the combination of CD3D with CD3, CD4, CD8 and PD-L1 predicted the best prognosis (P=0.043). In summary, CD3D may play an important regulatory role in the tumor immune microenvironment of gastric cancer and may serve as a potential indicator of prognosis and immunotherapy response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Yuan
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingli Xu
- First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunfu Shi
- First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyuan Jin
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhehan Bao
- First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Yu
- First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuhang Xia
- First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangjiang Qin
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Research Center for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinghua Yao
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Head and Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|