The disease stage-associated imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in uterine cervical cancer patients and their recovery with the reduction of tumor burden

Immune landscape of vulvar cancer patients treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy revealed restricted T cell functionality and increased IL-17 expression associated with cancer relapse

For vulvar cancers, radiotherapy is targeting cancer cells, but also affects the host immune system. As this may affect treatment outcome, in this prospective study, we characterized the individual T cell immune milieu induced by surgery and adjuvant radio +/- chemotherapy (aRT) systemically in the blood of vulvar cancer patients and found increased frequencies of Interleukin (IL)-17-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after aRT while frequencies of Th1 and perforin-producing CD8+ killer cells were strongly diminished. Phenotypic characterization revealed enhanced expression of the ectonucleotidase CD39 on Th17 and Tc17 cells as well as CD8+ perforin+ cells after aRT. Furthermore, the aRT cohort exhibited increased proportions of Programmed Cell Death Protein (PD-1) expressing cells among Th1 and CD8+ perforin+ cells, but not among Th17 and Tc17 cells. High post-therapeutic levels of Th17 and Tc17 cells and low proportions of Th1 and CD8+ perforin+ cells expressing PD-1 was associated with reduced recurrence free survival on follow-up. In conclusion, our study defines individual therapy-induced changes in the cellular immune milieu of patients and their association with cancer relapse. Our results may help to explain differences in the individual courses of disease of vulvar cancer patients and suggest PD-1 and IL-17 as targets for immunotherapy in vulvar cancer.

Disfunction of communication among immune cells in minimal-deviation adenocarcinoma of the cervix as an immunotherapeutic opportunity

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) of the uterine cervix, also referred to as malignant adenoma, is a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma that exhibits histological characteristics resembling those of benign tumors, resulting in a low diagnostic rate and a lack of effective treatment options. The transcriptomic features of MDA at the single-cell resolution and within the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain unclear. In this study, we conducted single-cell transcriptomic analyses of MDA samples (Ca) and adjacent normal tissues (PCa). The present study reveals the prevalence of dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells in the carcinoma (Ca) of mammary ductal adenocarcinoma (MDA), with DCs undergoing significant metabolic reprogramming and immune stress. Additionally, our findings demonstrate the crucial involvement of DCs and T cells in the pathogenesis and metastatic progression of MDA, as evidenced by single-cell transcriptomic profiling of MDA and HPV samples. This resource provides a more profound understanding of the indolent nature of MDA and may prove useful in the development of MDA immunotherapy.

Elevated profiles of peripheral Th22, Th17, Th2 cells, and decreased percentage of Th1 cells in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Th22 subset is a particular type of CD4+ T helper cells subset. Our study aimed to explore the expression level of circulating Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells and the possible mechanism of these cells in breast cancer (BC) with different pathological features.

METHODS

Our study enrolled 43 newly diagnosed BC patients and 30 healthy controls. Frequencies of peripheral Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells were tested by flow cytometry. Concentrations of IL-22 cytokine in plasma were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR was done to test aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and RAR-associated orphan receptor C (RORC) gene expression.

RESULTS

Frequencies of Th22, Th17, Th2 subsets, and the plasma IL-22 level was obviously higher in the BC patients. A positive correlation between Th22 frequency and IL-22 concentration in plasma was detected in BC patients. Furthermore, the percentage of Th22, Th2 subsets in peripheral blood of HER2 positive BC was higher than that in HER2 negative BC patients. A negative correlation between Th1 subset and Ki-67% as well as a positive correlation between Th2 subset and Ki-67% was found in BC patients. The proportion of Th1 cells in BC patients was significantly lower than that of the control group. Expression of AHR and RORC transcription factors were also observed to be upregulated in the BC patients. Furthermore, Th22 cells were positively correlated with BC tumor stage and clinical outcomes. The BC patients with a higher percentage of Th22, Th17, Th1 cells or a lower percentage of Th1 cells showed a decreased trend of survival rate.

CONCLUSION

Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 subsets may play an essential role in BC patients. Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells may have potential significance to be used as clinical markers in BC patients with different molecular classification. Th22 cells may have potential value in BC patients' outcomes prediction, providing clinical value.

Study on the effect and mechanisms of piperine against cervical cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Piperine has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, and its potential in treating cervical cancer needs further exploration. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified immune-related differentially expressed genes (IRDEGs) in cervical cancer. Predicted targets of piperine were compared with cervical cancer-associated genes from various databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, enrichment of GO and KEGG pathways, and molecular docking were performed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was done to assess prognostic significance. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to confirm findings. We obtained 403 IRDEGs, 125 piperine targets, and 7037 cervical cancer genes. PPI network analysis revealed potential targets and pathways regulated by piperine. Molecular docking showed good binding activity of piperine with specific targets. In vitro, piperine inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. In vivo, piperine suppressed tumor growth and downregulated expression of IL-1β and NLRP3 in tumor cells. Piperine also downregulated expression of IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, and RORγt, and decreased the number of Th17 cells in tumor tissues. Piperine may inhibit cervical cancer progression through modulation of Th17 cell activation mediated by the NLRP3/IL-1β axis. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential of piperine as an immunomodulatory agent in cervical cancer treatment.

[Correction of serum prooncogenic cytokines and metastases by 5-hydroxypyrimidine derivatives and doxorubicin after removal of a primary tumor node in mice with the Lewis lung epidermoid carcinoma]

The effect of a single injection of doxorubicin, 8-day administration of two 5-hydroxypyrimidine derivatives, SNK-411 (2-Isobutyl-4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxypyrimidine) and SNK-578 (hydrochloride of 2-isobutyl-4,6-dimethyl-5-hydroxypyrimidine), on metastases, lifespan and serum cytokines has been investigated in С57ВL/6 mice after removal of a primary tumor node of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). LLC cells (1×106) were injected in the footpad of right hind feet of mice in control and experimental groups; after 14 days of tumor development the hind feet with the tumor were amputated at the ankle level. One hour before the amputation mice received a single injection of doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and 8-day therapy with the 5-hydroxypyrimidine derivatives started. SNK-578 monotherapy was performed at a dose of 10 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). SNK-411 was administered per os at a dose of 25 mg/kg. In the case of combined therapy mice also received a single injection of doxorubicin (4 mg/kg; i.p.). The metastasis inhibition index in mice-treated with SNK-411 and SNK-578 were 53.3% as compared with control mice (with removed tumor). The mice-treated with SNK-411, doxorubicin, and the combination SNK-578 + doxorubicin had lifespan increased by 60.2%, 53.9%, and 42.9%, respectively. A single injection of doxorubicin, the course administration of the 5-hydroxypyrimidine derivative alone and in combination with single injection of doxorubicin completely decreased serum levels of the prooncogenic Th2-cytokines IL-4, and IL-6 and significantly decreased the level of the Th2-cytokine IL-5. Administration of doxorubicin, SNK-411 and SNK-578 did not influence serum concentration of Th1-cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ). These data confirm our previous findings that administration of the compounds studied decreased concentrations of prooncogenic IL-4 and IL-6 in tumor-bearing mice with LLC and had no effect on concentrations of the Th1-cytokine IFN-γ.

Glycans as shapers of tumour microenvironment: A sweet driver of T-cell-mediated anti-tumour immune response

Essentially all cells are covered with a dense coat of different glycan structures/sugar chains, giving rise to the so-called glycocalyx. Changes in cellular glycosylation are a hallmark of cancer, affecting most of the pathophysiological processes associated with malignant transformation, including tumour immune responses. Glycans are chief macromolecules that define T-cell development, differentiation, fate, activation and signalling. Thus, the diversity of glycans expressed at the surface of T cells constitutes a fundamental molecular interface with the microenvironment by regulating the bilateral interactions between T-cells and cancer cells, fine-tuning the anti-tumour immune response. In this review, we will introduce the power of glycans as orchestrators of T-cell-mediated immune response in physiological conditions and in cancer. We discuss how glycans modulate the glyco-metabolic landscape in the tumour microenvironment, and whether glycans can synergize with immunotherapy as a way of rewiring T-cell effector functions against cancer cells.

MARCKS is a New Prognostic Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common type of cancers, but there is still a lack of known biomarkers for the effective diagnosis or prognosis of HCC. Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a substrate of protein kinase C, which was located in the cell plasma membrane. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of MARCKS in HCC.

Methods

The role of MARCKS in HCC was explored by bioinformatics and experiment.

Results

We demonstrated that MARCKS expression was significantly elevated in HCC datasets of TCGA. MARCKS was up-regulated in tumor sample in HCC. Functional enrichment indicated that MARCKS-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in cell junction tissue, response to growth factors and cell population proliferation. Tumor and ECM-receptor interactions related pathways were enriched by the KEGG. MARCKS expression in HCC patients was higher in females, younger individuals, and those at worse clinical stages. Cox regression analysis showed that MARCKS expression was a risk factor for overall survival and disease-specific survival of patients.

Conclusion

MARCKS was up-regulated in HCC, may play a crucial role in HCCs, and has prognostic value for clinical outcomes.

Dysregulated Th1 cells in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a common subtype of lung cancer. Th1 cells contribute to antitumor immune responses. However, there are few studies on Th1 cells in LUSC. CD8⁺ T cells are the main driver of the antitumor immunity, targeting tumor cells killing. Th1 cells play an important auxiliary role in this process. Here, we used single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) to analyze qualified CD4⁺ T cells and Th1 cells (defined CD4⁺ T cells with 1 or more of STAT1⁺ , STAT4⁺ , T-bet⁺ , and IFN-γ⁺ as Th1 cells) from tissues of 8 LUSC patients. Then, we validated Th1 cells and CD8⁺ T cells of 32 LUSC patients by multiplex immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry. Finally, we used flow cytometry to detect IFN-γ of CD4⁺ T cells in human PBMCs coincubated with LUSC-derived supernatant to simulate a tumor inhibitory microenvironment. ScRNA-seq showed IFN-γ⁺ Th1 cells account for 25.28% of all Th1 cells. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes between IFN-γ⁺ Th1 cells and IFN-γ^- Th1 cells confirmed the decreased IFN-γ is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). Multiplex immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry proved there was a positive correlation between IFN-γ⁺ STAT1⁺ T-bet⁺ Th1 cells and CD8⁺ T cells. Flow cytometry showed IFN-γ secreted by Th1 cells is decreased. These findings support the claim that Th1 cells' function is suppressed in LUSC. Through scRNA-seq, we found that the decreased Th1 cells' function is associated with ER stress, which requires further study. Overall, these findings may produce a new method for the treatment of LUSC.

Pan-cancer analysis of the prognostic and immunological roles of DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) in human tumors

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the significance of the DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) gene, which is involved in pathways concerning the modification of RNA structures. DDX5 functions as a coregulator of cellular transcription and splicing, and participates in the processing of small noncoding RNAs. The aberrant regulation of DDX5 expression possibly plays a significant role in the genesis of cancer. However, there are no comprehensive pan-cancer studies on DDX5. This study is the first to conduct a pan-cancer analysis of DDX5 for aiding the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Methods: The gene expression, genetic alterations, protein phosphorylation, promoter methylation, immune infiltration, and enrichment analyses of DDX5 were performed using data retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-tissue Expression (GTEx), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Tumor Immunological Estimation Resource 2.0 (TIMER2.0), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), DNA methylation interactive visualization database (DNMIVD), and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interaction Genes/Proteins (STRING). Data analyses were performed with the R software and other webtools.

Results: The expression of DDX5 mRNA decreased significantly in 17 cancer types, but increased significantly in eight cancer types. The enhanced expression of DDX5 mRNA in the tumor samples was related to decreased overall survival (OS), progression-free interval (PFI), and disease-specific survival (DSS) in three cancers, but increased OS, PFI, and DSS in other cancers. The DNA promoter methylation level was significantly reduced in eight cancer types, and there were exceptions in the methylation levels of the DDX5 promoter in four cancer types. The expression of DDX5 mRNA was highly correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and B cells in a wide variety of malignancies. The findings revealed a strong association between DDX5 and its co-expressed genes in numerous cancer types. Enrichment analysis suggested that DDX5 was associated with multiple cellular pathways, including RNA splicing, Notch signaling pathway, and viral carcinogenesis, which was consistent with the results of previous studies.

Conclusion: The findings obtained herein provide further information on the oncogenic potential of DDX5 in diverse tumor types. We propose that DDX5 has important roles in tumor immunity and the diagnosis of cancer.

The Immune-related ceRNA Network in Prognosis of Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy is gaining attention and it is being included as one of the treatment strategies for cancer patients. However, the molecular mechanisms of immune-related genes and their affinity for cervical cancer progression remain unclear. In this study, we have developed an immune-related competing endogenous RNA [ceRNA] network and assessed the tumour infiltrating immune cells towards the prognosis of cervical cancer.

METHODS

Differential RNA expression pattern between stages I and II-IV of cervical cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA] was analyzed. Immune-related ceRNA network based on the immune gene signatures were retrieved and their targets were predicted using miRwalk 3.0. CIBERSORT was employed to identify the immune cell types based on their respective transcripts. The prognostic significance of RNAs in the ceRNA network and immune cell subsets was analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant differences in 22 long non-coding RNAs [lncRNAs], 15 microRNAs [miRNAs], and 252 messenger RNAs [mRNAs] between stages I and II-IV of cervical cancer were observed. Further, we shortlisted the 49 immune-related mRNAs based on immune gene signature and predicted their target miRNAs and lncRNAs. A potential ceRNA network of 4 lncRNAs, 10 miRNAs, and 11 mRNAs had a strong correlation for prognosis. Out of 11 protein-coding immune mRNAs, IRF4 and AZGP1 had high degrees of interaction. In addition, the evaluation of immune cell subsets showed increased infiltration of M1 macrophages had better survival outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified an immune-related ceRNA network based on differentially expressed transcripts between stages I and II-IV which may help predict the prognosis of cervical cancer.

Comprehensive Multiomics Analysis Identified IQGAP3 as a Potential Prognostic Marker in Pan-Cancer

Background

IQGAP3 has important function in cancer progression and has become a potential therapeutic target as a transmembrane protein. But its role in tumor immunity and pan-cancer was not systematically investigated. This study evaluated the potential role of IQGAP3 and clinical significance in pan-cancer through combined multiomics analysis.

Methods

From Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, transcriptomic datasets were first obtained, and from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), expression profiling microarray data were acquired and integrated to systematically assess the expression differences and prognostic relevance of IQGAP3 in pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemical data were obtained from Human Protein Atlas (HPA) to assess IQGAP3 protein expression differences, and exome data from TCGA were used to analyze IQGAP3 expression in relation to tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and mutation. Additionally, we also analyzed the relationship between IQGAP3 expression and immune checkpoints, mismatch repair (MMR), and IQGAP3 relationship with methylation and copy number variation based on expression profiles.

Results

Microsatellite instability (MSI), immune checkpoints, mismatch repair (MMR), and tumor mutational burden (TMB) all closely interacted with IQGAP3 mRNA. In addition, detailed relationships between the immune microenvironment and IQGAP3 mRNA as well as immune cell CD4+ Th2 and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were determined. Mechanistically, IQGAP3 was involved in cytoskeleton formation, T cell receptor signaling pathways, DNA damage, cell cycle, P53 pathway, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, and apoptosis.

Conclusion

IQGAP3 could serve as an effective prognostic biomarker for pan-cancer immune-related therapy.

Identification and validation of a novel necroptosis-related prognostic signature in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic signature of necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLs) and explore their association with immune-related functions and sensitivity of the therapeutic drug in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC).

Methods

UCSC Xena provided lncRNA sequencing and clinical data about CESC, and a necroptosis gene list was obtained from the KEGG database. NRLs were selected by structuring a co-expression network of lncRNAs and necroptosis-related genes. To further screen lncRNAs, we used the univariate Cox regression method, Lasso regression, and multivariate Cox regression. Afterward, an NRL signature was established. We used the xCell algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to clarify the pertinence between immune infiltration and NRL expressions in CESC patients and explored the relationship between the target lncRNAs and immune-related genes. By leveraging the GDSC database, the therapy-sensitive response of the prognostic signature was forecasted and an experimental validation was performed. We performed GSEA with the aim of recognizing the potential pathway related to the individual prognostic signature.

Results

The two prognostic NRLs (AC009095.1 and AC005332.4) showed significant diversity and constituted the NRL signature. On the grounds of our signature, risk score was an independent element which was bound up with patient outcome (HR = 4.97 CI: 1.87–13.2, P = 0.001). The CESC patients were classified by the median risk score. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant increases in CD4 + Tcm, eosinophils, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, NKT, plasma cells, platelets, and smooth muscle in the high-risk group (P< 0.05). Target lncRNAs also showed some correlation with NRGs. The estimated IC50 values of bicalutamide, CHIR.99021, and imatinib were lower in the high-risk group. Through the subsequent experimental validation, both AC009095.1 and AC005332.4 were significantly more highly expressed in SiHa than in Hela. AC009095.1 was expressed more highly in SiHa than in HUCEC, but the expression of AC005332.4 was reversed.

Conclusions

This study elucidated that NRLs, as a novel signature, were indispensable factors which can significantly influence the prognosis of patients with CESC and could provide novel clinical evidence to serve as a potential molecular biomarker for future therapeutic targets.

CDCA4 as a novel molecular biomarker of poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Because of the high incidence and poor prognoses of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), it is essential to identify cost-effective treatment options and accurate and reliable prognostic biomarkers. CDCA4 upregulation has been identified in many cancers. However, the prognostic importance of CDCA4 and its role in LUAD remain unknown.

Methods

CDCA4 expression was assessed through IHC, Western blotting (WB) and RT-PCR. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provided data from 513 patients to study the expression and prognostic relevance of CDCA4 in LUAD. This study used gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses for elucidating potential mechanisms underpinning the function of CDCA4 in LUAD. We also investigated correlations between immune infiltration and CDCA4 expression with single specimen GSEA (ssGSEA).

Results

According to database analysis and identification of patient tissue samples, CDCA4 expression in tumour tissues surpassed that in normal tissues (P< 0.001). Increased CDCA4 expression was positively correlated with a higher T, N, pathologic stage and poor primary therapy outcome. In addition, the Kaplan–Meier plotter exhibited that an elevated CDCA4 expression was related to worse disease-specific survival(DSS) and overall survival (OS) (DSS HR= 5.145, 95% CI=3.413-7.758, P<0.001; OS HR=3.570, 95% CI=2.472-5.155, P<0.001). Then multivariate COX regression analyses indicated that the CDCA4 gene was an independent risk consideration for prognoses. GO and KEGG results showed that CDCA4 and its neighbouring genes were enriched in the cell cycle and DNA replication. As determined by GSEA, CDCA4 was related to various immune-related signalling pathways (SPs), Homologous recombination, DNA replication and the cell cycle. SsGSEA analysis showed a significant association between CDCA4 expression and Th2 cells, mast cells, eosinophils and Th17 cells.

Conclusions

CDCA4 expression is increased in LUAD and is a potential predictive biomarker and therapeutic target.

Comprehensive characterization of tumor microenvironment and m6A RNA methylation regulators and its effects on PD-L1 and immune infiltrates in cervical cancer

Understanding the role of N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is important since it can contribute to tumor development. However, the research investigating the association between m6A and TME and cervical cancer is still in its early stages. The aim of this study was to discover the possible relationship between m6A RNA methylation regulators, TME, PD-L1 expression levels, and immune infiltration in cervical cancer. We gathered RNA-seq transcriptome data and clinical information from cervical cancer patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. To begin, researchers assessed the differences in m6A regulatory factor expression levels between cervical cancer and normal tissues. Clustering analysis was adapted to assess PD-L1 expression, immunological score, immune cell infiltration, TME, and probable pathways in cervical cancer samples. The majority of m6A regulators were found to be considerably overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues. Using consensus clustering of 21 m6A regulators, we identified two subtypes (clusters 1/2) of cervical cancer, and we found that WHO stage and grade were associated with the subtypes. PD-L1 expression increased dramatically in cervical cancer tissues and was significantly linked to ALKBH5, FTO, METTL3, RBM15B, YTHDF1, YTHDF3, and ZC3H13 expression levels. Plasma cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were considerably elevated in cluster 2. Cluster 1 is involved in numerous signature pathways, including basal transcription factors, cell cycle, RNA degradation, and the spliceosome. The prognostic signature-based riskscore (METTL16, YTHDF1, and ZC3H13) was found to be an independent prognostic indicator of cervical cancer. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) was linked to m6A methylation regulators, and changes in their copy number will affect the quantity of tumor-infiltrating immune cells dynamically. Overall, our research discovered a powerful predictive signature based on m6A RNA methylation regulators. This signature correctly predicted the prognosis of cervical cancer patients. The m6A methylation regulator could be a critical mediator of PD-L1 expression and immune cell infiltration, and it could have a significant impact on the TIME of cervical cancer.

Identification of T cell-related biomarkers for breast cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy worldwide, with immunotherapy and targeted therapy being key strategies to improving the prognosis. We downloaded mRNA expression dataset of breast cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and divided preprocessed genes into 12 modules based on gene expression profile by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The StromalScore, ImmuneScore and ESTIMATEScore of samples were assessed. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that ImmuneScore was notably correlated with breast cancer patient's prognosis. By analyzing the connectivity between module eigengenes and clinical traits, the gene module closely related to ImmuneScore was obtained. Further, through intramodular gene connectivity and protein-protein interaction network topology analysis of module genes, hub genes (HLA-E, HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DRB1) in immune-related module were screened out. Finally, bioinformatics analysis displayed that HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DRB1 were notably overexpressed and HLA-E was underexpressed in breast cancer tissues. TIMER database analysis showed that three hub gene levels were significantly correlated with infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells. Meanwhile, Pearson correlation analysis revealed positive correlation between three hub genes and those of immune checkpoint genes (LAG3, PD-1, PD-L1). Additionally, prognosis could be effectively evaluated by HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DRB1 levels, and differentially activated signalling pathways between high- and low-expression groups of HLA-E and HLA-DPB1 were obtained by gene set enrichment analysis. To conclude, this study identified three T cell-related biomarkers for breast cancer based on TCGA-BRCA dataset, and the screened genes could provide references for breast cancer immunotherapy.

Molecular Differences between Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma Cervical Cancer Subtypes: Potential Prognostic Biomarkers

The most frequently diagnosed histological types of cervical cancer (CC) are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC). Clinically, the prognosis of both types is controversial. A molecular profile that distinguishes each histological subtype and predicts the prognosis would be of great benefit to CC patients. Methods: The transcriptome of CC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was analyzed using the DESeq2 package to obtain the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ADC and SCC. The DEGs were validated on a publicly available Mexican-Mestizo patient transcriptome dataset (GSE56303). The global biological pathways involving the DEGs were obtained using the Webgestalt platform. The associations of the DEGs with Overall Survival (OS) were assessed. Finally, three DEGs were validated by RT-qPCR in an independent cohort of Mexican patients. Results. The molecular profiles of ADC and SCC of the CC patients of the TCGA database and the Mexican-Mestizo cohort (GSE56303) were determined obtaining 1768 and 88 DEGs, respectively. Strikingly, 70 genes were concordant—with similar Log2FoldChange values—in both cohorts. The 70 DEGs were involved in IL-17, JAK/STAT, and Ras signaling. Kaplan-Meier OS analysis from the Mexican-Mestizo cohort showed that higher GABRB2 and TSPAN8 and lower TMEM40 expression were associated with better OS. Similar results were found in an independent Mexican cohort. Conclusions: Molecular differences were detected between the ADC and SCC subtypes; however, further studies are required to define the appropriate prognostic biomarker for each histological type.

Dynamic Immune Function Changes Before and After the First Radioactive Iodine Therapy After Total Resection of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

The effects of total thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy on immune activation and suppression of the tumor microenvironment remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of these treatments on the immune function in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Our cohort included 45 patients with DTC treated with total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT). Immune function tests were performed by flow cytometry at 0, 30, and 90 days post-RAIT. Both the percentage and absolute number of circulating regulatory T cells were significantly lower in the postoperative DTC compared to the healthy controls. Notably, the absolute number of multiple lymphocyte subgroups significantly decreased at 30 days post-RAIT compared to those pre-RAIT. The absolute counts of these lymphocytes were recovered at 90 days post-RAIT, but not at pre-RAIT levels. Additionally, the Th17 cell percentage before RAIT was positively correlated with thyroglobulin (Tg) levels after RAIT. The tumor burden might contribute to increased levels of circulating Tregs. In conclusion, RAIT caused transient radiation damage in patients with DTC and the percentage of Th17 cells before RAIT could be a significant predictor of poor prognosis in patients with DTC.

A meta-analysis of Th1 and Th2 cytokine profiles differentiating tuberculous from malignant pleural effusion

To clarify the predominance of Th1 or Th2 immune responses in malignant and tuberculous pleural effusion (MPE and TPE, respectively), we performed a meta-analysis of previously published results of the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines associated with these two types of pleural effusion to evaluate the use of Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles in distinguishing TPE from MPE. We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies indexed from 2000 to March 2021. We included studies that (a) diagnosed TPE and MPE based on culture or pleural tissue biopsy and that (b) compared levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines between TPE and MPE. Pooled data based on a random-effects model or fixed-effects model and standardized mean differences (SMDs) across studies were used to compare TPE and MPE. We also performed Egger’s test to assess publication bias. Of 917 identified studies, a total of 42 studies were selected for the meta-analysis. Compared with MPE subjects, TPE subjects had a significantly higher level of TNF-α [2.22, (1.60–2.84)], an elevated level of IFN-γ [3.30, (2.57–4.40)] in pleural effusion, a situation where the Th1 immune response dominated. Conversely, the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 (Th2 cytokines) were higher in the MPE subjects than in the TPE subjects, showing statistically nonsignificant tiny effects [−0.15, (−0.94 to 0.63) and −0.04, (−0.21 to 0.12), respectively]. We confirmed that TPE, a situation in which the Th1 cytokines are predominant. The slight preponderance of Th2 cytokines in MPE, which is not convincing enough to prove.

Changes in immune profile affect disease progression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a chronic liver condition is largely associated with immune responses. Previous studies have revealed that different subsets of lymphocytes play fundamental roles in controlling or improving the development and outcome of solid tumors like HCC. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether immune system changes were related to disease development in HCC patients. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 30 HCC patients and 30 healthy volunteers using Ficoll density centrifugation. The isolated cells were stained with different primary antibodies and percentages of different immune cells were determined by flow cytometry. Results: HCC patients indicated significant reductions in the numbers of CD4⁺ cells, Tbet+IFNγ+cells, and GATA+IL-4+cells in peripheral blood in comparison with healthy individuals (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in IL-17+RORγt+cells between patient and healthy groups. In contrast, Foxp3+CD127^lowcell frequency was significantly higher in patients than healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). The numbers of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells were significantly lower in HCC patients than healthy control (p < 0.0001), although the reduction in Th2 cell numbers was not statistically significant. On the contrary, Treg percentage showed a significant increase in patients compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). Other data revealed that Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell frequencies were significantly higher in healthy individuals than patients with different TNM stages of HCC, with the exception of Th2 in patients with stage II HCC (p < 0.01-0.05). Treg percentage was significantly increased in patients with different TNM stages (p < 0.0001). Among all CD4⁺ T cells, the frequency of Th2 cell was significantly associated with TNM stages of HCC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our data provide further evidence to show that immune changes may participate in determining HCC progression and disease outcome. However, it should be mentioned that more investigations are needed to clarify our results and explain possible impacts of other immune cells on the pathogenesis of HCC.

The Clinical Significance and Potential Molecular Mechanism of Upregulated CDC28 Protein Kinase Regulatory Subunit 1B in Osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

CDC28 Protein Kinase Regulatory Subunit 1B (CKS1B) is a member of cyclin-dependent kinase subfamily and the relationship between CKS1B and osteosarcoma (OS) remains to be explored.

METHODS

80 OS and 41 nontumor tissue samples were arranged to conduct immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate CKS1B expression between OS and nontumor samples. The standard mean deviation (SMD) was calculated based on in-house IHC and tissue microarrays and exterior high-throughput datasets for further verification of CKS1B expression in OS. The effect of CKS1B expression on clinicopathological and overall survival of OS patients was measured through public high-throughput datasets, and analysis of immune infiltration and single-cell RNA-seq was applied to ascertain molecular mechanism of CKS1B in OS.

RESULTS

A total of 197 OS samples and 83 nontumor samples (including tissue and cell line) were obtained from in-house IHC, microarrays, and exterior high-throughput datasets. The analysis of integrated expression status demonstrated upregulation of CKS1B in OS (SMD = 1.38, 95% CI [0.52-2.25]) and the significant power of CKS1B expression in distinguishing OS samples from nontumor samples (Area under the Curve (AUC) = 0.89, 95% CI [0.86-0.91]). Clinicopathological and prognosis analysis indicated no remarkable significance but inference of immune infiltration and single-cell RNA-seq prompted that OS patients with overexpressed CKS1B were more likely to suffer OS metastasis while MYC Protooncogene may be the upstream regulon of CKS1B in proliferating osteoblastic OS cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, sufficient evidence was provided for upregulation of CKS1B in OS. The advanced effect of CKS1B on OS progression indicates a foreground of CKS1B as a biomarker for OS.

Relationship between Th17 immune response and cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and epidemiological projections predict growing cancer mortality rates in the next decades. Cancer has a close relationship with the immune system and, although Th17 cells are known to play roles in the immune response against microorganisms and in autoimmunity, studies have emphasized their roles in cancer pathogenesis. The Th17 immune response profile is involved in several types of cancer including urogenital, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin cancers. This type of immune response exerts pro and antitumor functions through several mechanisms, depending on the context of each tumor, including the protumor angiogenesis and exhaustion of T cells and the antitumor recruitment of T cells and neutrophils to the tumor microenvironment. Among other factors, the paradoxical behavior of Th17 cells in this setting has been attributed to its plasticity potential, which makes possible their conversion into other types of T cells such as Th17/Treg and Th17/Th1 cells. Interleukin (IL)-17 stands out among Th17-related cytokines since it modulates pathways and interacts with other cell profiles in the tumor microenvironment, which allow Th17 cells to prevail in tumors. Moreover, the IL-17 is able to mediate pro and antitumor processes that influence the development and progression of various cancers, being associated with variable clinical outcomes. The understanding of the relationship between the Th17 immune response and cancer as well as the singularities of carcinogenic processes in each type of tumor is crucial for the identification of new therapeutic targets.

Immune Equilibrium Depends on the Interaction Between Recognition and Presentation Landscapes

In this review, we described the structure and organization of antigen-recognizing repertoires of B and T cells from the standpoint of modern immunology. We summarized the latest advances in bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data from T and B cell repertoires and also presented contemporary ideas about the mechanisms of clonal diversity formation at different stages of organism development. At the same time, we focused on the importance of the allelic variants of the HLA genes and spectra of presented antigens for the formation of T-cell receptors (TCR) landscapes. The main idea of this review is that immune equilibrium and proper functioning of immunity are highly dependent on the interaction between the recognition and the presentation landscapes of antigens. Certain changes in these landscapes can occur during life, which can affect the protective function of adaptive immunity. We described some mechanisms associated with these changes, for example, the conversion of effector cells into regulatory cells and vice versa due to the trans-differentiation or bystander effect, changes in the clonal organization of the general TCR repertoire due to homeostatic proliferation or aging, and the background for the altered presentation of some antigens due to SNP mutations of MHC, or the alteration of the presenting antigens due to post-translational modifications. The authors suggest that such alterations can lead to an increase in the risk of the development of oncological and autoimmune diseases and influence the sensitivity of the organism to different infectious agents.

Recent advances in the role of Th17/Treg cells in tumor immunity and tumor therapy

Th17 and Treg cells play an important role in regulating tissue inflammation and maintaining the stability of the immune system. They regulate inflammatory responses, participate in the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases and tumors, and determine the disease progress. Malignant tumor is one of the diseases with the highest mortality rate in the world. However, the efficacy of traditional treatment is limited, so it is necessary to find safe and efficient treatment methods. Studies have shown that the balance of Th17/Treg cells plays a critical role in tumor progression. In this paper, we review the antitumor and tumor-suppressing effects of Th17/Treg cells, and new strategies for tumor therapy, combined with new research hotspots such as immune checkpoint therapy, miRNA-related gene therapy, and metabolic pathway regulation of Th17/Treg cell differentiation and tumor generation. The synergistic therapy is expected to be widely used in the future clinical practice, providing a new choice for the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors.

Effect of Dezocine on the Ratio of Th1/Th2 Cytokines in Patients Receiving Postoperative Analgesia Following Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy: A Prospective Randomised Study

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of dezocine on the postoperative ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

Patients and Methods

Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy were randomly divided into two groups (n=30): dezocine group (Group D) and sufentanil group (Group S). They received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after the operation with either dezocine 0.8 mg/kg (Group D) or sufentanil 2 µg/kg (Group S). Both groups also received ondansetron 8 mg diluted to 100 mL with saline. The primary outcome was the Th1/Th2 cytokines ratio at predetermined intervals, 30 min before the induction of general anaesthesia and 0, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The secondary endpoints were patients’ pain scores, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at predetermined intervals (0, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery), and side effects at follow-up 48 h after surgery.

Results

The Th1/Th2 cytokines ratio in Group D was significantly higher than Group S (P<0.05) 12, 24 and 48 h after the operation. There were no significant differences in VAS pain scores between groups at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery (P>0.05). Compared to Group S, the incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting and lethargy was significantly lower in Group D (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Dezocine increases the ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokines, relieves postoperative pain and causes fewer side effects in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

An epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related long non-coding RNA signature to predict overall survival and immune microenvironment in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignant tumor originating from renal tubular epithelium, lncRNAs can regulate the occurrence and development of EMT by targeting EMT transcription factors. We constructed a new survival signature based on EMT-related differentially expressed lncRNAs obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-KIRC). We first determined 1377 EMT-related lncRNAs, lncRNA AL035661.1 with the largest correlation coefficient and the target gene was PFN2 (cor = 0.843; P= 1.37E-146). Meanwhile, we found an AUC of 0.758 in our signature and we predicted the AUC values of the patients’ 1, 2, 3-year survival rate as 0.768, 0.749, and 0.762 in TCGA cohort, respectively. Multivariate COX analysis was performed to determine if risk score was an independent prognostic predictor of OS. The results indicated that our risk score can be an independent predictor for OS (Univariate: HR = 1.350, 95% CI = 1.276–1.428, P< 0.001; Multivariate: HR = 1.295, 95% CI = 1.201–1.396, P< 0.001). We identified novel EMT-related lncRNAs markers for ccRCC prognosis. The underlying mechanism between EMT-related lncRNAs in ccRCC and tumor immunity is still unclear and requires further study.

Immune function changes of the IDPN-induced Tourette syndrome rat model

There may be immunologic alternations during Tourette syndrome (TS) development. This study aimed to determine the immune function changes in different aspects (spleen or thymus index, plasma cytokines, and T cell) in an 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN)-induced rat model of TS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to control and TS groups. The control group received intraperitoneal infections of normal saline (5 ml kg^-1  day^-1 ), and the TS rats were injected with IDPN (150 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ). The spleen and thymus indices were calculated. The expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, in peripheral blood were measured by ELISA and Western blotting. The proportion of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, Treg, Th1, and Th2 cells were determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. After 1 week of IDPN treatment, TS rats had decreased spleen and thymus weights versus control. The plasma levels of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were significantly increased, while no significant difference in TGF-β was found. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that TS rats had significantly reduced CD3+ and CD4+ cells in spleen, without any change in the proportion of CD8+ cells. Furthermore, the ratio of Treg cells (CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+) was decreased in TS rats; simultaneously, Th1 cells (CD4+/IFN-γ+) and Th2 cells (CD4+/IL4+) were dramatically increased. Together, IDPN can trigger immune dysfunction through impairment of matured Th cells, in particular for the Treg subset.