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Zhang C, Asadollahpour Nanaei H, Jafarpour Negari N, Amiri Roudbar M, Amiri Ghanatsaman Z, Niyazbekova Z, Yang X. Genomic analysis uncovers novel candidate genes related to adaptation to tropical climates and milk production traits in native goats. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:477. [PMID: 38745140 PMCID: PMC11094986 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10387-y] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since domestication, both evolutionary forces and human selection have played crucial roles in producing adaptive and economic traits, resulting in animal breeds that have been selected for specific climates and different breeding goals. Pakistani goat breeds have acquired genomic adaptations to their native climate conditions, such as tropical and hot climates. In this study, using next-generation sequencing data, we aimed to assess the signatures of positive selection in three native Pakistani goats, known as milk production breeds, that have been well adapted to their local climate. RESULTS To explore the genomic relationship between studied goat populations and their population structure, whole genome sequence data from native goat populations in Pakistan (n = 26) was merged with available worldwide goat genomic data (n = 184), resulting in a total dataset of 210 individuals. The results showed a high genetic correlation between Pakistani goats and samples from North-East Asia. Across all populations analyzed, a higher linkage disequilibrium (LD) level (- 0.59) was found in the Pakistani goat group at a genomic distance of 1 Kb. Our findings from admixture analysis (K = 5 and K = 6) showed no evidence of shared genomic ancestry between Pakistani goats and other goat populations from Asia. The results from genomic selection analysis revealed several candidate genes related to adaptation to tropical/hot climates (such as; KITLG, HSPB9, HSP70, HSPA12B, and HSPA12B) and milk production related-traits (such as IGFBP3, LPL, LEPR, TSHR, and ACACA) in Pakistani native goat breeds. CONCLUSIONS The results from this study shed light on the structural variation in the DNA of the three native Pakistani goat breeds. Several candidate genes were discovered for adaptation to tropical/hot climates, immune responses, and milk production traits. The identified genes could be exploited in goat breeding programs to select efficient breeds for tropical/hot climate regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Hojjat Asadollahpour Nanaei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
- Animal Science Research Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz, Iran.
| | | | - Mahmoud Amiri Roudbar
- Department of Animal Science, Safiabad-Dezful Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Dezful 333, Iran
| | - Zeinab Amiri Ghanatsaman
- Animal Science Research Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zhannur Niyazbekova
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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Chiu YJ, Li CY, Wang TH, Ma H, Chou TY. Comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals differences in gene expression and regulatory pathways between nonacral and acral melanoma in Asian individuals. J Dermatol 2024; 51:659-670. [PMID: 38469735 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17187] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma predominantly occurs in White individuals, which is associated with factors such as exposure to UV radiation and skin pigmentation. Despite its low incidence, melanoma is the primary cause of skin cancer-related death in Asia, typically in areas with low sun exposure. In our previous whole-exome sequencing study, we identified mutational signature 12 as the most prevalent variant in Asian patients, differing from the common UV-associated mutational signature 7 observed in White individuals. We also observed major differences between acral melanoma (AM) and nonacral melanoma (NAM) in terms of signatures 7, 21, and 22. Notably, few studies have investigated the genomic differences between AM and NAM in Asian individuals. Therefore, in this study, we conducted transcriptomic sequencing to examine the disparities in RNA expression between AM and NAM. Ribosomal RNA depletion was performed to enhance the detection of functionally relevant coding and noncoding transcripts. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression and regulatory pathways between AM and NAM. The results also indicate that the genes involved in cell cycle signaling or immune modulation and programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 signaling were differentially expressed in NAM and AM. In addition, high CDK4 expression and cell cycle variability were observed in AM, with high immunogenicity in NAM. Overall, these findings provide further insights into the pathogenesis of melanoma and serve as a reference for future research on this major malignant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Chiu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yuan Li
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Hsiang Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsu Ma
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teh-Ying Chou
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology and Precision Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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3
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Augustin RC, Luke JJ. Rapidly Evolving Pre- and Post-surgical Systemic Treatment of Melanoma. Am J Clin Dermatol 2024; 25:421-434. [PMID: 38409643 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-024-00852-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
With the development of effective BRAF-targeted and immune-checkpoint immunotherapies for metastatic melanoma, clinical trials are moving these treatments into earlier adjuvant and perioperative settings. BRAF-targeted therapy is a standard of care in resected stage III-IV melanoma, while anti-programmed death-1 (PD1) immunotherapy is now a standard of care option in resected stage IIB through IV disease. With both modalities, recurrence-free survival and distant-metastasis-free survival are improved by a relative 35-50%, yet no improvement in overall survival has been demonstrated. Neoadjuvant anti-PD1 therapy improves event-free survival by approximately an absolute 23%, although improvements in overall survival have yet to be demonstrated. Understanding which patients are most likely to recur and which are most likely to benefit from treatment is now the highest priority question in the field. Biomarker analyses, such as gene expression profiling of the primary lesion and circulating DNA, are preliminarily exciting as potential biomarkers, though each has drawbacks. As in the setting of metastatic disease, markers that inform positive outcomes include interferon-γ gene expression, PD-L1, and high tumor mutational burden, while negative predictors of outcome include circulating factors such as lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin-8, and C-reactive protein. Integrating and validating these markers into clinically relevant models is thus a high priority. Melanoma therapeutics continues to advance with combination adjuvant approaches now investigating anti-PD1 with lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), and individualized neoantigen therapies. How this progress will be integrated into the management of a unique patient to reduce recurrence, limit toxicity, and avoid over-treatment will dominate clinical research and patient care over the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Augustin
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Ave. Room 1.27C, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jason J Luke
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Ave. Room 1.27C, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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4
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Li L, Xiang T, Li X. The immune response-related genomic alterations in patients with malignant melanoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37966. [PMID: 38669390 PMCID: PMC11049764 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037966] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improve the survival outcomes of patients with advanced melanoma. However, response varies among from patient to patient and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. We integrated mutational profiles from next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and clinicopathologic characteristics of melanoma patients to investigate whether tumor genomic profiling contribute to clinical benefit of ICIs treatment. The majority of genes identified with high mutation frequency have all been reported as well-known immunotherapy-related genes. Thirty-five patients (43.2%) had at least 1 BRAF/RAS/NF1 mutation. The other 46 (56.8%) melanomas without BRAF/RAS/NF1 mutation were classified as Triple-WT. We identified mutational signature 6 (known as associated with defective DNA mismatch repair) among cases in this cohort. Compared to patients with PD-L1 expression (TPS < 1%), patients with PD-L1 expression (TPS ≥ 1%) had significantly higher median progression-free survival (mPFS), but no significantly higher durable clinical benefit (DCB) rate. In contrast, FAT1, ATM, BRCA2, LRP1B, and PBRM1 mutations only occurred frequently in patients with DCB, irrespective of PD-L1 expression status. Our study explored molecular signatures of melanoma patients who respond to ICIs treatment and identified a series of mutated genes that might serve as predictive biomarker for ICIs responses in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linqing Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Tianmin Xiang
- Research and Development Department, Bioperfectus Technologies Company Limited, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xianan Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan, China
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5
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Xiao L, He R, Hu K, Song G, Han S, Lin J, Chen Y, Zhang D, Wang W, Peng Y, Zhang J, Yu P. Exploring a specialized programmed-cell death patterns to predict the prognosis and sensitivity of immunotherapy in cutaneous melanoma via machine learning. Apoptosis 2024:10.1007/s10495-024-01960-7. [PMID: 38615305 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01960-7] [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] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The mortality and therapeutic failure in cutaneous melanoma (CM) are mainly caused by wide metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. Meanwhile, immunotherapy is considered a crucial therapy strategy for CM patients. However, the efficiency of currently available methods and biomarkers in predicting the response of immunotherapy and prognosis of CM is limited. Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a significant role in the occurrence, development, and therapy of various malignant tumors. In this research, we integrated fourteen types of PCD, multi-omics data from TCGA-SKCM and other cohorts in GEO, and clinical CM patients to develop our analysis. Based on significant PCD patterns, two PCD-related CM clusters with different prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME), and response to immunotherapy were identified. Subsequently, seven PCD-related features, especially CD28, CYP1B1, JAK3, LAMP3, SFN, STAT4, and TRAF1, were utilized to establish the prognostic signature, namely cell death index (CDI). CDI accurately predicted the response to immunotherapy in both CM and other cancers. A nomogram with potential superior predictive ability was constructed, and potential drugs targeting CM patients with specific CDI have also been identified. Given all the above, a novel CDI gene signature was indicated to predict the prognosis and exploit precision therapeutic strategies of CM patients, providing unique opportunities for clinical intelligence and new management methods for the therapy of CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyang Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruifeng He
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaibo Hu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Gelin Song
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengye Han
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jitao Lin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixuan Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Deju Zhang
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, 999077, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wuming Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangxi Provincial Chest Hospital, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yating Peng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peng Yu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China.
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Meierjohann S, Bertolotto C. Messing with cancer therapy: how the melanoma phenotype predicts checkpoint inhibitor response. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:76. [PMID: 38561348 PMCID: PMC10985104 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01785-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- University Côte d'Azur, Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
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7
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Ravi P, Freeman D, Thomas J, Ravi A, Mantia C, McGregor BA, Berchuck JE, Epstein I, Budde P, Ahangarian Abhari B, Rupieper E, Gajewski J, Schubert AS, Kilian AL, Bräutigam M, Zucht HD, Sonpavde G. Comprehensive multiplexed autoantibody profiling of patients with advanced urothelial cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008215. [PMID: 38309723 PMCID: PMC10840035 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008215] [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] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive profiling of autoantibodies (AAbs) in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) has not been performed to date. This may aid in diagnosis of UC, uncover novel therapeutic targets in this disease as well as identify associations between AAbs and response and toxicity to systemic therapies. METHODS We used serum from patients with mUC collected prior to and after systemic therapy (immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) or platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC)) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 38 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) from healthy blood donors were also evaluated. The SeroTag immuno-oncology discovery array (Oncimmune) was used, with quantification of the AAb reactivity toward 1132 antigens. Bound AAbs were detected using an anti-immunoglobulin G-specific detection antibody conjugated to the fluorescent reporter dye phycoerythrin. The AAb reactivity was reported as the median fluorescence intensity for each color and sample using a Luminex FlexMAP3D analyzer. Clinical outcomes of interest included radiographic response and development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Significance analysis of microarray was used to compare mUC versus HC and radiographic response. Associations with irAE were evaluated using a logistic regression model. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS 66 patients were included with a median age of 68 years; 54 patients (82%) received ICI and 12 patients (18%) received PBC. Compared with HCs, AAbs against the cancer/testis antigens (CTAG1B, CTAG2, MAGEB18), HSPA1A, TP53, KRAS, and FGFR3 were significantly elevated in patients with mUC. AAbs against BRCA2, TP53, and CTNBB1 were associated with response, and those against BICD2 and UACA were associated with resistance to ICI therapy. AAbs against MITF, CDH3, and KDM4A were associated with development of irAEs in patient who received an ICI. A higher variance in pre-to-post treatment fold change in AAb levels was seen in patients treated with ICI versus PBC and was associated with response to ICI. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of comprehensive AAb profiling of patients with mUC and identified key AAbs that were elevated in patients with mUC versus HCs as well as AAbs associated with therapeutic response to ICI. These findings are hypothesis generating and further mechanistic studies evaluating humoral immunity in UC are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praful Ravi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dory Freeman
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Arvind Ravi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ilana Epstein
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Guru Sonpavde
- AdventHealth Cancer Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
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8
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Lee A, Lim J, Lim JS. Emerging roles of MITF as a crucial regulator of immunity. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:311-318. [PMID: 38351314 PMCID: PMC10907664 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01175-5] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor (bHLH-Zip), has been identified as a melanocyte-specific transcription factor and plays a critical role in melanocyte survival, differentiation, function, proliferation and pigmentation. Although numerous studies have explained the roles of MITF in melanocytes and in melanoma development, the function of MITF in the hematopoietic or immune system-beyond its function in melanin-producing cells-is not yet fully understood. However, there is convincing and increasing evidence suggesting that MITF may play multiple important roles in immune-related cells. Therefore, this review is focused on recent advances in elucidating novel functions of MITF in cancer progression and immune responses to cancer. In particular, we highlight the role of MITF as a central modulator in the regulation of immune responses, as elucidated in recent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aram Lee
- Department of Biological Science and the Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Lim
- Department of Biological Science and the Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Seok Lim
- Department of Biological Science and the Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, Research Institute of Women's Health, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Saettini F, Guerra F, Fazio G, Bugarin C, McMillan HJ, Ohtake A, Ardissone A, Itoh M, Giglio S, Cappuccio G, Giardino G, Romano R, Quadri M, Gasperini S, Moratto D, Chiarini M, Akira I, Fukuhara Y, Hayakawa I, Okazaki Y, Mauri M, Piazza R, Cazzaniga G, Biondi A. Antibody Deficiency in Patients with Biallelic KARS1 Mutations. J Clin Immunol 2023; 43:2115-2125. [PMID: 37770806 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01584-7] [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: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Biallelic KARS1 mutations cause KARS-related diseases, a rare syndromic condition encompassing central and peripheral nervous system impairment, heart and liver disease, and deafness. KARS1 encodes the t-RNA synthase of lysine, an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, involved in different physiological mechanisms (such as angiogenesis, post-translational modifications, translation initiation, autophagy and mitochondrial function). Although patients with immune-hematological abnormalities have been individually described, results have not been collectively discussed and functional studies investigating how KARS1 mutations affect B cells have not been performed. Here, we describe one patient with severe developmental delay, sensoneurinal deafness, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent infections. Pathogenic biallelic KARS1 variants (Phe291Val/ Pro499Leu) were associated with impaired B cell metabolism (decreased mitochondrial numbers and activity). All published cases of KARS-related diseases were identified. The corresponding authors and researchers involved in the diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity or genetic syndromes were contacted to obtain up-to-date clinical and immunological information. Seventeen patients with KARS-related diseases were identified. Recurrent/severe infections (9/17) and B cell abnormalities (either B cell lymphopenia [3/9], hypogammaglobulinemia [either IgG, IgA or IgM; 6/15] or impaired vaccine responses [4/7]) were frequently reported. Immunoglobulin replacement therapy was given in five patients. Full immunological assessment is warranted in these patients, who may require detailed investigation and specific supportive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saettini
- Centro Tettamanti, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.
| | - Fabiola Guerra
- Pediatria, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Medicina E Chirurgia, Università Degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Grazia Fazio
- Centro Tettamanti, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Cristina Bugarin
- Centro Tettamanti, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Hugh J McMillan
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Akira Ohtake
- Department of Clinical Genomics & Pediatrics, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama, Saitama, Japan
| | - Anna Ardissone
- Child Neurology, "Fondazione IRCCS IstitutoNeurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Masayuki Itoh
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Sabrina Giglio
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gerarda Cappuccio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Current address: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Giuliana Giardino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Romano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Manuel Quadri
- Centro Tettamanti, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Serena Gasperini
- Pediatria, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Daniele Moratto
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical ChemistryLaboratory, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Chiarini
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical ChemistryLaboratory, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ishiguro Akira
- Center for Postgraduate Education and Training, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Hematology, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Fukuhara
- Division of Medical Genetics, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Itaru Hayakawa
- Division of Neurology, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okazaki
- Division of Neurology, National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), Tokyo, Japan
- Diagnostics and Therapeutic of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mario Mauri
- Dipartimento Di Medicina E Chirurgia, Università Degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Rocco Piazza
- Ematologia, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Gianni Cazzaniga
- Centro Tettamanti, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Medicina E Chirurgia, Università Degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Centro Tettamanti, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Pediatria, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Medicina E Chirurgia, Università Degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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10
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Chagani S, De Macedo MP, Carapeto F, Wang F, Marzese DM, Wani K, Haydu LE, Peng W, Ong GT, Warren SE, Beechem JM, Hoon DSB, Mills GB, Tetzlaff MT, Lazar AJ, Kwong LN, Davies MA. Multiplatform Analysis of Intratumoral PTEN Heterogeneity in Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1779-1787.e1. [PMID: 36871660 PMCID: PMC10475489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.034] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Loss of protein expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN is associated with increased cancer aggressiveness, decreased tumor immune infiltration, and resistance to immune and targeted therapies in melanoma. We assessed a unique cohort of eight melanoma samples with focal loss of PTEN protein expression to understand the features and mechanisms of PTEN loss in this disease. We compared the PTEN-negative (PTEN[-]) areas to their adjacent PTEN-positive (PTEN[+]) areas using DNA sequencing, DNA methylation, RNA expression, digital spatial profiling, and immunohistochemical platforms. Variations or homozygous deletions of PTEN were identified in PTEN(-) areas that were not detected in the adjacent PTEN(+) areas in three cases (37.5%), but no clear genomic or DNA methylation basis for loss was identified in the remaining PTEN(-) samples. RNA expression data from two independent platforms identified a consistent increase in chromosome segregation gene expression in PTEN(-) versus adjacent PTEN(+) areas. Proteomic analysis showed a relative paucity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in PTEN(-) versus adjacent PTEN(+) areas. The findings add to our understanding of potential molecular intratumoral heterogeneity in melanoma and the features associated with the loss of PTEN protein in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmeen Chagani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mariana P De Macedo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fernando Carapeto
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Diego M Marzese
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain; Saint John's Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, PHS, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Khalida Wani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren E Haydu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Weiyi Peng
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, The University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Giang T Ong
- NanoString Technologies, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Dave S B Hoon
- Saint John's Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, PHS, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Division of Oncologic Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Michael T Tetzlaff
- Department of Pathology, The University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lawrence N Kwong
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Melanoma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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11
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Sordo-Bahamonde C, Lorenzo-Herrero S, Granda-Díaz R, Martínez-Pérez A, Aguilar-García C, Rodrigo JP, García-Pedrero JM, Gonzalez S. Beyond the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 era: promising role of the BTLA/HVEM axis as a future target for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:142. [PMID: 37649037 PMCID: PMC10466776 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01845-4] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent introduction of monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoints to harness antitumor immunity has revolutionized the cancer treatment landscape. The therapeutic success of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based therapies mainly relies on PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade. However, the limited overall responses and lack of reliable predictive biomarkers of patient´s response are major pitfalls limiting immunotherapy success. Hence, this reflects the compelling need of unveiling novel targets for immunotherapy that allow to expand the spectrum of ICB-based strategies to achieve optimal therapeutic efficacy and benefit for cancer patients. This review thoroughly dissects current molecular and functional knowledge of BTLA/HVEM axis and the future perspectives to become a target for cancer immunotherapy. BTLA/HVEM dysregulation is commonly found and linked to poor prognosis in solid and hematological malignancies. Moreover, circulating BTLA has been revealed as a blood-based predictive biomarker of immunotherapy response in various cancers. On this basis, BTLA/HVEM axis emerges as a novel promising target for cancer immunotherapy. This prompted rapid development and clinical testing of the anti-BTLA blocking antibody Tifcemalimab/icatolimab as the first BTLA-targeted therapy in various ongoing phase I clinical trials with encouraging results on preliminary efficacy and safety profile as monotherapy and combined with other anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the intricate signaling network constituted by BTLA/HVEM/CD160/LIGHT involved in immune response regulation, tumor development and tumor microenvironment could limit therapeutic success. Therefore, in-depth functional characterization in different cancer settings is highly recommended for adequate design and implementation of BTLA-targeted therapies to guarantee the best clinical outcomes to benefit cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sordo-Bahamonde
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Seila Lorenzo-Herrero
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Rocío Granda-Díaz
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Martínez-Pérez
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Candelaria Aguilar-García
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana M García-Pedrero
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Segundo Gonzalez
- Department of Functional Biology, Immunology, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.
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12
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Kasamoto M, Funakoshi S, Hatani T, Okubo C, Nishi Y, Tsujisaka Y, Nishikawa M, Narita M, Ohta A, Kimura T, Yoshida Y. Am80, a retinoic acid receptor agonist, activates the cardiomyocyte cell cycle and enhances engraftment in the heart. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1672-1685. [PMID: 37451261 PMCID: PMC10444569 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.06.006] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSC) cardiomyocytes are a promising source for regenerative therapy. To realize this therapy, however, their engraftment potential after their injection into the host heart should be improved. Here, we established an efficient method to analyze the cell cycle activity of hiPSC cardiomyocytes using a fluorescence ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) system. In vitro high-throughput screening using FUCCI identified a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, Am80, as an effective cell cycle activator in hiPSC cardiomyocytes. The transplantation of hiPSC cardiomyocytes treated with Am80 before the injection significantly enhanced the engraftment in damaged mouse heart for 6 months. Finally, we revealed that the activation of endogenous Wnt pathways through both RARA and RARB underlies the Am80-mediated cell cycle activation. Collectively, this study highlights an efficient method to activate cell cycle in hiPSC cardiomyocytes by Am80 as a means to increase the graft size after cell transplantation into a damaged heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kasamoto
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Funakoshi
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Takeda-CiRA Joint program (T-CiRA), Fujisawa, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Hatani
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chikako Okubo
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yohei Nishi
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuta Tsujisaka
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Misato Nishikawa
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Megumi Narita
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Ohta
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Yoshida
- Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Takeda-CiRA Joint program (T-CiRA), Fujisawa, Japan.
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13
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Xie Y, Gong C, Xia Y, Zhou Y, Ye T, Mei T, Chen H, Chen J. α-Mangostin Suppresses Melanoma Growth, Migration, and Invasion and Potentiates the Anti-tumor Effect of Chemotherapy. Int J Med Sci 2023; 20:1220-1234. [PMID: 37575275 PMCID: PMC10416720 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.80940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor, which metastasizes and has poor prognosis in late-stage cancer patients. α-Mangostin possesses pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-infective, and anticarcinogenic activities. We investigated α-Mangostin effect on melanoma growth, migration, and invasion and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods: Melanoma cells growth inhibition was determined by the colorimetric 4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay. Morphological changes of α-Mangostin-treated melanoma cells were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were assessed by flow cytometry. The effect of α-Mangostin on tumor cells migration and invasion was observed by migration and invasion in vitro assay. Furthermore, the nude and C57BL/6 mouse subcutaneous melanoma models were used to evaluate the in vivo anti-tumor effect of α-Mangostin. Western blot and real time-PCR were performed to analyze the influence of α-Mangostin on some of the common signaling pathways in melanoma cell lines. Signaling pathways were further verified in dissected tumor tissues. Results: α-Mangostin inhibited in vitro melanoma cells proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells, induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and caused mitochondrial swelling and membrane depolarization, whereas it effectively suppressed melanoma growth in xenografted mice. In addition, α-Mangostin potentiated the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, α-Mangostin down-regulated expression of RAS protein and mRNA, as well as phosphorylation of PI3K in A375, B16F10, M14 and SK-MEL-2 cells. MITF protein and mRNA were inhibited only in M14 cells. Conclusion: α-Mangostin suppresses melanoma cells growth, migration and invasion, and synergistically enhances the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy, whose mechanism may be mediated through inhibiting Ras, PI3K and MITF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiu Xie
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chongwen Gong
- Department of Oncology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Xia
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuhan Zhou
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Ye
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Mei
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongxiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Dermatology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Ralser DJ, Herr E, de Vos L, Kulcsár Z, Zarbl R, Klümper N, Gielen GH, Maas AP, Hoffmann F, Dietrich J, Kuster P, Mustea A, Glodde N, Kristiansen G, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. ICOS DNA methylation regulates melanoma cell-intrinsic ICOS expression, is associated with melanoma differentiation, prognosis, and predicts response to immune checkpoint blockade. Biomark Res 2023; 11:56. [PMID: 37259155 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00508-2] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inducible T cell costimulator ICOS is an emerging target in immuno-oncology. The aim of this study was to investigate the epigenetic regulation of ICOS in melanoma by DNA methylation. METHODS We comprehensively investigate ICOS DNA methylation of specific CpG sites and expression pattern within the melanoma microenvironment with regard to immune correlates, differentiation, clinical outcomes, and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response. RESULTS Our study revealed a sequence-contextual CpG methylation pattern consistent with an epigenetically regulated gene. We found a cell type-specific methylation pattern and locus-specific correlations and associations of CpG methylation with ICOS mRNA expression, immune infiltration, melanoma differentiation, prognosis, and response to ICB. High ICOS mRNA expression was identified as a surrogate for enriched immune cell infiltration and was associated with favorable overall survival (OS) in non-ICB-treated patients and predicted response and a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) following ICB therapy initiation. ICOS hypomethylation, however, significantly correlated with poor OS in non-ICB patients but predicted higher response and prolonged PFS and OS in ICB-treated patients. Moreover, we observed cytoplasmic and sporadically nuclear tumor cell-intrinsic ICOS protein expression. Tumor cell-intrinsic ICOS protein and mRNA expression was inducible by pharmacological demethylation with decitabine. CONCLUSION Our study identified ICOS DNA methylation and mRNA expression as promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in melanoma and points towards a hitherto undescribed role of ICOS in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian J Ralser
- Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Herr
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Luka de Vos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Zsófi Kulcsár
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Romina Zarbl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Niklas Klümper
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerrit H Gielen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Philippe Maas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Friederike Hoffmann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörn Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pia Kuster
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Mustea
- Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Glodde
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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15
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Gruen C, Yang HH, Sassano A, Wu E, Gopalan V, Marie KL, Castro A, Mehrabadi FR, Wu CH, Church I, Needle GA, Smith C, Chin S, Ebersole J, Marcelus C, Fon A, Liu H, Malikic S, Sahinalp C, Carter H, Hannenhalli S, Day CP, Lee MP, Merlino G, Pérez-Guijarro E. Melanoma clonal subline analysis uncovers heterogeneity-driven immunotherapy resistance mechanisms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535074. [PMID: 37333132 PMCID: PMC10274874 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) can promote cancer progression and treatment failure, but the complexity of the regulatory programs and contextual factors involved complicates its study. To understand the specific contribution of ITH to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response, we generated single cell-derived clonal sublines from an ICB-sensitive and genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous mouse melanoma model, M4. Genomic and single cell transcriptomic analyses uncovered the diversity of the sublines and evidenced their plasticity. Moreover, a wide range of tumor growth kinetics were observed in vivo , in part associated with mutational profiles and dependent on T cell-response. Further inquiry into melanoma differentiation states and tumor microenvironment (TME) subtypes of untreated tumors from the clonal sublines demonstrated correlations between highly inflamed and differentiated phenotypes with the response to anti-CTLA-4 treatment. Our results demonstrate that M4 sublines generate intratumoral heterogeneity at both levels of intrinsic differentiation status and extrinsic TME profiles, thereby impacting tumor evolution during therapeutic treatment. These clonal sublines proved to be a valuable resource to study the complex determinants of response to ICB, and specifically the role of melanoma plasticity in immune evasion mechanisms.
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16
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Jeong YM, Kim W. FIR-preconditioning promotes Akt-mTOR-exosome manufacture in cooperation with MITF to boost resilience of rat bone marrow-derived stem cells. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15003. [PMID: 37123908 PMCID: PMC10130773 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15003] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A previous study from our laboratory observed the protective effects of far-infrared irradiation (FIR) on bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) against oxidative stress. However, it remains unknown precisely how FIR influences BMSC survival. We identify an unexpected route among the expression of MITF, BCL2, mTOR, and exosome in FIR-preconditioned BMSCs. MITF siRNA demonstrated that loss of MITF expression not only inhibited cell proliferation but also reduced the FIR-mediated expression of mTOR, BCL2, and exosome. mTOR signaling pathways have been implicated in cell growth, proliferation, and survival. We also found that rapamycin, a potent and selective inhibitor of mTOR, when combined with MITF siRNA, repressed FIR-mediated CD63 and BCL2 expression. In addition, FIR-preconditioned BMSCs demonstrated more tolerance in multiple stressful environments than untreated BMSCs. The elevated exosomes in conditioned medium derived from FIR-preconditioned BMSCs also repaired H9c2 cells that sustained cellular damage after subjected to an array of environmental stress conditions. Taken together, these results reveal a possible mechanism about how FIR-preconditioned BMSCs and its conditioned media could contribute to cellular resilience during environmental changes via MITF-Akt-mTOR associated with exosome manufacture. FIR preconditioning could thus complement and improve therapeutic applications of BMSCs on outcomes of various disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Mi Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tech University of Korea, 237 Sangidaehak Street, Si-heung City, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author.
| | - Weon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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17
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Silva C, Ronai ZA. An exploitable Achilles heel of MITF? Cell Res 2023; 33:195-196. [PMID: 36564475 PMCID: PMC9977909 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00762-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Silva
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- The University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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18
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Mehdi A, Attias M, Arakelian A, Szyf M, Piccirillo CA, Rabbani SA. S-adenosylmethionine blocks tumorigenesis and with immune checkpoint inhibitor enhances anti-cancer efficacy against BRAF mutant and wildtype melanomas. Neoplasia 2023; 36:100874. [PMID: 36638586 PMCID: PMC9840362 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite marked success in treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI), only a third of patients are responsive. Thus, melanoma still has one of the highest prevalence and mortality rates; which has led to a search for novel combination therapies that might complement CPI. Aberrant methylomes are one of the mechanisms of resistance to CPI therapy. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), methyl donor of important epigenetic processes, has significant anti-cancer effects in several malignancies; however, SAM's effect has never been extensively investigated in melanoma. We demonstrate that SAM modulates phenotype switching of melanoma cells and directs the cells towards differentiation indicated by increased melanogenesis (melanin and melanosome synthesis), melanocyte-like morphology, elevated Mitf and Mitf activators' expression, increased antigen expression, reduced proliferation, and reduced stemness genes' expression. Consistently, providing SAM orally, reduced tumor growth and progression, and metastasis of syngeneic BRAF mutant and wild-type (WT) melanoma mouse models. Of note, SAM and anti-PD-1 antibody combination treatment had enhanced anti-cancer efficacy compared to monotherapies, showed significant reduction in tumor growth and progression, and increased survival. Furthermore, SAM and anti-PD-1 antibody combination triggered significantly higher immune cell infiltration, higher CD8+ T cells infiltration and effector functions, and polyfunctionality of CD8+ T cells in YUMMER1.7 tumors. Therefore, SAM combined with CPI provides a novel therapeutic strategy against BRAF mutant and WT melanomas and provides potential to be translated into clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mehdi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd. (Glen site), Room EM1.3232, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - M Attias
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - A Arakelian
- Program in Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd. (Glen site), Room EM1.3232, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - M Szyf
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - C A Piccirillo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - S A Rabbani
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Program in Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd. (Glen site), Room EM1.3232, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
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19
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Zhang Z, Butler R, Koestler DC, Bell-Glenn S, Warrier G, Molinaro AM, Christensen BC, Wiencke JK, Kelsey KT, Salas LA. Comparative analysis of the DNA methylation landscape in CD4, CD8, and B memory lineages. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:173. [PMID: 36522672 PMCID: PMC9753273 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01399-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is considerable evidence that epigenetic mechanisms and DNA methylation are critical drivers of immune cell lineage differentiation and activation. However, there has been limited coordinated investigation of common epigenetic pathways among cell lineages. Further, it remains unclear if long-lived memory cell subtypes differentiate distinctly by cell lineages. RESULTS We used the Illumina EPIC array to investigate the consistency of DNA methylation in B cell, CD4 T, and CD8 T naïve and memory cells states. In the process of naïve to memory activation across the three lineages, we identify considerable shared epigenetic regulation at the DNA level for immune memory generation. Further, in central to effector memory differentiation, our analyses revealed specific CpG dinucleotides and genes in CD4 T and CD8 T cells with DNA methylation changes. Finally, we identified unique DNA methylation patterns in terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) CD8 T cells compared to other CD8 T memory cell subtypes. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that epigenetic alterations are widespread and essential in generating human lymphocyte memory. Unique profiles are involved in methylation changes that accompany memory genesis in the three subtypes of lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Rondi Butler
- Department of Epidemiology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shelby Bell-Glenn
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Gayathri Warrier
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Annette M Molinaro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brock C Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - John K Wiencke
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Karl T Kelsey
- Department of Epidemiology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Lucas A Salas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
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20
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Álvarez L, Marín-García PJ, Llobat L. Immunological and genomic characterization of Ibizan Hound dogs in an endemic Leishmania infantum region. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:445. [DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05504-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The Ibizan Hound is a canine breed native to the Mediterranean region, where leishmaniosis is an endemic zoonosis. Several studies indicate low prevalence of this disease in these dogs but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown.
Methods
In this study, qualitative immunological and genomic profiles of this breed have been analyzed.
Results
Our analysis shows relevant differences between the cytokine serum profile of Ibizan Hound dogs and previously published data from other canine strains. Additionally, several genetic risk variants related to the immune response, regulation of the immune system, and genes encoding cytokines and their receptors have been studied. The most relevant genes that presented such fixed polymorphisms were IFNG and IL6R. Other variants with frequencies ≥ 0.7 were found in the genes ARHGAP18, DAPK1, GNAI2, MITF, IL12RB1, LTBP1, SCL28A3, SCL35D2, PTPN22, CIITA, THEMIS, and CD180. Epigenetic regulatory genes such as HEY2 and L3MBTL3 showed also intronic polymorphisms.
Conclusions
Our analysis and results indicate that the regulation of immune responses is different in Ibizan Hounds compared to other breeds. Future studies are needed to elucidate whether these differences are related to the low prevalence of L. infantum infection in the Ibizan Hound.
Graphical Abstract
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21
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Zimmerman SM, Nixon SJ, Chen PY, Raj L, Smith SR, Paolini RL, Lin PN, Souroullas GP. Ezh2 Y641F mutations co-operate with Stat3 to regulate MHC class I antigen processing and alter the tumor immune response in melanoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:4983-4993. [PMID: 36220978 PMCID: PMC9669177 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, a chromatin modifying complex, which mediates methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), a repressive chromatin mark. Genetic alterations in EZH2 in melanoma include amplifications and activating point mutations at tyrosine 641 (Y641) whose underlying oncogenic mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that expression of Ezh2Y641F causes upregulation of a subset of interferon-regulated genes in melanoma cells. Upregulation of these genes was not a direct effect of changes in H3K27me3, but via a non-canonical interaction between Ezh2 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (Stat3). Ezh2 and Stat3 together function as transcriptional activators to mediate gene activation of numerous genes, including MHC Class 1b antigen processing genes. Furthermore, expression of Stat3 is required to maintain an anti-tumor immune response in Ezh2Y641F melanomas and to prevent melanoma progression and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Zimmerman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Samantha J Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Pei Yu Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Leela Raj
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sofia R Smith
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rachel L Paolini
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Phyo Nay Lin
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - George P Souroullas
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Division of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Section, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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22
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Zhou JE, Sun L, Jia Y, Wang Z, Luo T, Tan J, Fang X, Zhu H, Wang J, Yu L, Yan Z. Lipid nanoparticles produce chimeric antigen receptor T cells with interleukin-6 knockdown in vivo. J Control Release 2022; 350:298-307. [PMID: 36002054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric receptor T cells (CAR-T) can effectively cure leukemia; however, there are two limitations: a complicated preparation process ex vivo and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). In this study, we constructed a lipid nanoparticle system modified by CD3 antibody on the surface, loading with the plasmid containing the combination gene of interleukin 6 short hairpin RNA (IL-6 shRNA) and CD19-CAR (AntiCD3-LNP/CAR19 + shIL6). The system targeted T cells by the mediation of CD3 antibody and stably transfected T cells to transform them into CAR-T cells with IL-6 knockdown, thus killing CD19-highly expressed leukemia tumor cells and reducing CRS caused by IL-6. In vivo experiments showed that AntiCD3-LNP/CAR19 + shIL6 could stably transfect T cells and produce CAR-T within 90 days to kill the tumor. This significantly prolonged the survival time of leukemia model mice and demonstrated the prepared LNP exhibited the same anti-tumor effect as the traditional CAR-T cells prepared ex vivo. In this study, CAR-T cells were directly produced in vivo after intravenous injection of the lipid nanoparticles, without the need of using the current complex process ex vivo. Additionally, IL-6 expression was silenced, which would be helpful to reduce the CRS and improve the safety of CAR-T therapy. This method improves the convenience of using CAR-T technology and is helpful in further promoting the clinical application of CAR-T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-E Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Lei Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Yujie Jia
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Zhehao Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Tengshuo Luo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Jingwen Tan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Fang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Hongjia Zhu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | - Lei Yu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China.
| | - Zhiqiang Yan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, PR China.
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23
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Tudor DV, Florea A, Cenariu M, Olteanu DE, Farcaș M, Hopârtean A, Clichici SV, Filip GA. Low Doses of Celecoxib Might Promote Phenotype Switching in Cutaneous Melanoma Treated with Dabrafenib-Preliminary Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154560. [PMID: 35956175 PMCID: PMC9369555 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154560] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor with a rapidly switching molecular and cellular phenotype. The invasive phenotype switching characterized by MITFlow/AXLhigh predicts early resistance to multiple targeted drugs in melanoma. Celecoxib proved to be a valuable adjuvant in cutaneous melanoma in preclinical studies. Our in vitro study evaluated for the first time whether celecoxib could prevent phenotype switching in two human melanoma cell lines treated with dabrafenib. Methods: All in vitro experiments were carried out on BRAF-V600E-positive A375 and SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell lines, and subjected to a celecoxib and dabrafenib drug combination for 72 h. Melanoma cells were already in the MITFlow/AXLhigh end of the spectrum. Of main interest was the evaluation of the key proteins expressed in phenotype switching (TGF-β, MITF, AXL, YAP, TAZ), as well as cell death mechanisms correlated with oxidative stress production. Results: Celecoxib significantly enhanced the apoptotic effect of dabrafenib in each melanoma cell line compared to the dabrafenib group (p < 0.0001). Even though celecoxib promoted low MITF expression, this was correlated with high receptor tyrosine kinase AXL levels in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines (p < 0.0001), a positive marker for the phenotype switch to an invasive state. Conclusion: This preliminary study highlighted that celecoxib might promote MITFlow/AXLhigh expression in cutaneous melanoma treated with dabrafenib, facilitating phenotype switching in vitro. Our results need further confirmation, as this finding could represent an important limitation of celecoxib as an antineoplastic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Valentina Tudor
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Cenariu
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Reproductive Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Diana Elena Olteanu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marius Farcaș
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Hopârtean
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona Valeria Clichici
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriela Adriana Filip
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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24
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Falletta P, Goding CR, Vivas-García Y. Connecting Metabolic Rewiring With Phenotype Switching in Melanoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:930250. [PMID: 35912100 PMCID: PMC9334657 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.930250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a complex and aggressive cancer type that contains different cell subpopulations displaying distinct phenotypes within the same tumor. Metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cell transformation, is essential for melanoma cells to adopt different phenotypic states necessary for adaptation to changes arising from a dynamic milieu and oncogenic mutations. Increasing evidence demonstrates how melanoma cells can exhibit distinct metabolic profiles depending on their specific phenotype, allowing adaptation to hostile microenvironmental conditions, such as hypoxia or nutrient depletion. For instance, increased glucose consumption and lipid anabolism are associated with proliferation, while a dependency on exogenous fatty acids and an oxidative state are linked to invasion and metastatic dissemination. How these different metabolic dependencies are integrated with specific cell phenotypes is poorly understood and little is known about metabolic changes underpinning melanoma metastasis. Recent evidence suggests that metabolic rewiring engaging transitions to invasion and metastatic progression may be dependent on several factors, such as specific oncogenic programs or lineage-restricted mechanisms controlling cell metabolism, intra-tumor microenvironmental cues and anatomical location of metastasis. In this review we highlight how the main molecular events supporting melanoma metabolic rewiring and phenotype-switching are parallel and interconnected events that dictate tumor progression and metastatic dissemination through interplay with the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Falletta
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Falletta, ; Colin R. Goding, ; Yurena Vivas-García, ,
| | - Colin R. Goding
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Paola Falletta, ; Colin R. Goding, ; Yurena Vivas-García, ,
| | - Yurena Vivas-García
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Paola Falletta, ; Colin R. Goding, ; Yurena Vivas-García, ,
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25
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Gelmi MC, Houtzagers LE, Strub T, Krossa I, Jager MJ. MITF in Normal Melanocytes, Cutaneous and Uveal Melanoma: A Delicate Balance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6001. [PMID: 35682684 PMCID: PMC9181002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is an important regulator of melanogenesis and melanocyte development. Although it has been studied extensively in cutaneous melanoma, the role of MITF in uveal melanoma (UM) has not been explored in much detail. We review the literature about the role of MITF in normal melanocytes, in cutaneous melanoma, and in UM. In normal melanocytes, MITF regulates melanocyte development, melanin synthesis, and melanocyte survival. The expression profile and the behaviour of MITF-expressing cells suggest that MITF promotes local proliferation and inhibits invasion, inflammation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition. Loss of MITF expression leads to increased invasion and inflammation and is more prevalent in malignant cells. Cutaneous melanoma cells switch between MITF-high and MITF-low states in different phases of tumour development. In UM, MITF loss is associated with loss of BAP1 protein expression, which is a marker of poor prognosis. These data indicate a dual role for MITF in benign and malignant melanocytic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.C.G.); (L.E.H.)
| | - Laurien E. Houtzagers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.C.G.); (L.E.H.)
| | - Thomas Strub
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (T.S.); (I.K.)
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Imène Krossa
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (T.S.); (I.K.)
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Martine J. Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (M.C.G.); (L.E.H.)
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26
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Laurin KM, Coutu-Beaudry K, Salazar A, Méribout N, Audet-Walsh É, Gravel SP. Low expression of PGC-1β and other mitochondrial biogenesis modulators in melanoma is associated with growth arrest and the induction of an immunosuppressive gene expression program dependent on MEK and IRF-1. Cancer Lett 2022; 541:215738. [PMID: 35594996 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are specialized metabolic and immune organelles that have important roles in tumor progression, metastasis, and response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Mitochondrial biogenesis and function are under the control of the peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PGC-1) transcriptional coactivators. Recent research unveiled the role of PGC-1α in bolstering mitochondrial oxidative functions and in the suppression of metastasis in melanoma, but the role of PGC-1s in tumor immunology remains elusive. Herein, we show that low PGC-1s expression in human melanoma tumors is associated with increased expression of a repertoire of immunosuppressive (CD73, PD-L2, Galectin-9) and pro-inflammatory (IL-8, TNF, IL-1β) transcripts, and that experimental depletion of PGC-1β recapitulates this signature in human melanoma cell lines. The depletion of PGC-1β reduces the expression of HSPA9, impairs mitochondrial activity, and leads to cell cycle arrest. Using pharmacological and gene silencing approaches, we further show that MEK1/2 and IRF-1 mediate the observed immune transcriptional response. Overall, this research suggests that mitochondrial biogenesis modulators can modulate tumor progression, immune evasion, and response to therapeutics through transcriptional control of immune pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl M Laurin
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Nour Méribout
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
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27
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Benboubker V, Boivin F, Dalle S, Caramel J. Cancer Cell Phenotype Plasticity as a Driver of Immune Escape in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873116. [PMID: 35432344 PMCID: PMC9012258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies blocking negative immune checkpoints are now approved for the treatment of a growing number of cancers. However, even in metastatic melanoma, where sustained responses are observed, a significant number of patients still do not respond or display resistance. Increasing evidence indicates that non-genetic cancer cell-intrinsic alterations play a key role in resistance to therapies and immune evasion. Cancer cell plasticity, mainly associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in carcinoma, relies on transcriptional, epigenetic or translational reprogramming. In melanoma, an EMT-like dedifferentiation process is characterized by the acquisition of invasive or neural crest stem cell-like features. Herein, we discuss recent findings on the specific roles of phenotypic reprogramming of melanoma cells in driving immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapies. The mechanisms by which dedifferentiated melanoma cells escape T cell lysis, mediate T cell exclusion or remodel the immune microenvironment will be detailed. The expanded knowledge on tumor cell plasticity in melanoma should contribute to the development of novel therapeutic combination strategies to further improve outcomes in this deadly metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Benboubker
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" team, Lyon, France
| | - Félix Boivin
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" team, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" team, Lyon, France.,Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" team, Lyon, France
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28
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Targeting GPCRs and Their Signaling as a Therapeutic Option in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030706. [PMID: 35158973 PMCID: PMC8833576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030706] [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: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sixteen G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been involved in melanogenesis or melanomagenesis. Here, we review these GPCRs, their associated signaling, and therapies. Abstract G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve prominent roles in melanocyte lineage physiology, with an impact at all stages of development, as well as on mature melanocyte functions. GPCR ligands are present in the skin and regulate melanocyte homeostasis, including pigmentation. The role of GPCRs in the regulation of pigmentation and, consequently, protection against external aggression, such as ultraviolet radiation, has long been established. However, evidence of new functions of GPCRs directly in melanomagenesis has been highlighted in recent years. GPCRs are coupled, through their intracellular domains, to heterotrimeric G-proteins, which induce cellular signaling through various pathways. Such signaling modulates numerous essential cellular processes that occur during melanomagenesis, including proliferation and migration. GPCR-associated signaling in melanoma can be activated by the binding of paracrine factors to their receptors or directly by activating mutations. In this review, we present melanoma-associated alterations of GPCRs and their downstream signaling and discuss the various preclinical models used to evaluate new therapeutic approaches against GPCR activity in melanoma. Recent striking advances in our understanding of the structure, function, and regulation of GPCRs will undoubtedly broaden melanoma treatment options in the future.
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Rok J, Rzepka Z, Kowalska J, Banach K, Beberok A, Wrześniok D. The Anticancer Potential of Doxycycline and Minocycline-A Comparative Study on Amelanotic Melanoma Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020831. [PMID: 35055021 PMCID: PMC8775630 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is still a serious medical problem. Relatively high mortality, a still-growing number of newly diagnosed cases, and insufficiently effective methods of therapy necessitate melanoma research. Tetracyclines are compounds with pleiotropic pharmacological properties. Previously published studies on melanotic melanoma cells ascertained that minocycline and doxycycline exerted an anti-melanoma effect. The purpose of the study was to assess the anti-melanoma potential and mechanisms of action of minocycline and doxycycline using A375 and C32 human amelanotic melanoma cell lines. The obtained results indicate that the tested drugs inhibited proliferation, decreased cell viability, and induced apoptosis in amelanotic melanoma cells. The treatment caused changes in the cell cycle profile and decreased the intracellular level of reduced thiols and mitochondrial membrane potential. The exposure of A375 and C32 cells to minocycline and doxycycline triggered the release of cytochrome c and activated initiator and effector caspases. The anti-melanoma effect of analyzed drugs appeared to be related to the up-regulation of ERK1/2 and MITF. Moreover, it was noticed that minocycline and doxycycline increased the level of LC3A/B, an autophagy marker, in A375 cells. In summary, the study showed the pleiotropic anti-cancer action of minocycline and doxycycline against amelanotic melanoma cells. Considering all results, it could be concluded that doxycycline was a more potent drug than minocycline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Rok
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-32-364-15-47
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Vučinić D, Grahovac M, Grahovac B, Vitezić BM, Kovač L, Belušić-Gobić M, Zamolo G. PD-L1 expression is regulated by microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in nodular melanoma. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 229:153725. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Novel Biomarkers and Druggable Targets in Advanced Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010081. [PMID: 35008245 PMCID: PMC8750474 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with Ipilimumab or antibodies against programmed death (ligand) 1 (anti-PD1/PDL1), targeted therapies with BRAF-inhibitors (anti-BRAF) and their combinations significantly changed melanoma treatment options in both primary, adjuvant and metastatic setting, allowing for a cure, or at least long-term survival, in most patients. However, up to 50% of those with advance or metastatic disease still have no significant benefit from such innovative therapies, and clinicians are not able to discriminate in advance neither who is going to respond and for how long nor who is going to develop collateral effects and which ones. However, druggable targets, as well as affordable and reliable biomarkers are needed to personalize resources at a single-patient level. In this manuscript, different molecules, genes, cells, pathways and even combinatorial algorithms or scores are included in four biomarker chapters (molecular, immunological, peripheral and gut microbiota) and reviewed in order to evaluate their role in indicating a patient’s possible response to treatment or development of toxicities.
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Pisibon C, Ouertani A, Bertolotto C, Ballotti R, Cheli Y. Immune Checkpoints in Cancers: From Signaling to the Clinic. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184573. [PMID: 34572799 PMCID: PMC8468441 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system is known to help fight cancers. Ten years ago, the first immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting CTLA4 was approved by the FDA to treat patients with metastatic melanoma. Since then, immune checkpoint therapies have revolutionized the field of oncology and the treatment of cancer patients. Numerous immune checkpoint inhibitors have been developed and tested, alone or in combination with other treatments, in melanoma and other cancers, with overall clear benefits to patient outcomes. However, many patients fail to respond or develop resistance to these treatments. It is therefore essential to decipher the mechanisms of action of immune checkpoints and to understand how immune cells are affected by signaling to be able to understand and overcome resistance. In this review, we discuss the signaling and effects of each immune checkpoint on different immune cells and their biological and clinical relevance. Restoring the functionality of T cells and their coordination with other immune cells is necessary to overcome resistance and help design new clinical immunotherapy strategies. In this respect, NK cells have recently been implicated in the resistance to anti-PD1 evoked by a protein secreted by melanoma, ITGBL1. The complexity of this network will have to be considered to improve the efficiency of future immunotherapies and may lead to the discovery of new immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Pisibon
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (C.P.); (A.O.); (C.B.); (R.B.)
- INSERM, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Amira Ouertani
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (C.P.); (A.O.); (C.B.); (R.B.)
- INSERM, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (C.P.); (A.O.); (C.B.); (R.B.)
- INSERM, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Robert Ballotti
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (C.P.); (A.O.); (C.B.); (R.B.)
- INSERM, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Yann Cheli
- Université Côte d’Azur, 06103 Nice, France; (C.P.); (A.O.); (C.B.); (R.B.)
- INSERM, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, 06200 Nice, France
- Correspondence:
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Liu D, Yang X, Wu X. Tumor Immune Microenvironment Characterization Identifies Prognosis and Immunotherapy-Related Gene Signatures in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2021; 12:663495. [PMID: 34025664 PMCID: PMC8134682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.663495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) involves infiltration of multiple immune cell subsets, which could influence the prognosis and clinical characteristics. The increasing evidence on the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in primary and metastatic melanomas supports that the immune system is involved in the progression and outcomes of melanoma. However, the immune infiltration landscape in melanoma has not been systematically elucidated. Methods In this study, we used CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms to analyze immune infiltration pattern of 993 melanoma samples. Then we screened differential expression genes (DEGs) related to immune subtypes and survival. The immune cell infiltration (ICI) score was constructed by using principal-component analysis (PCA) based on immune signature genes from DGEs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to explore high and low ICI score related pathways. Finally, the predictive ability of ICI score was evaluated in survival prognosis and immunotherapy benefit. Result We identified three ICI clusters and three gene clusters associated with different immune subtypes and survival outcomes. Then the ICI score was constructed, and we found that high ICI score exhibited activated immune characteristics and better prognosis. High ICI score was significantly enriched in immune pathways and highly expressed immune signature genes. More importantly, we confirmed that melanoma patients with high ICI score had longer overall survival and rate of response to immunotherapy. Conclusion We presented a comprehensive immune infiltration landscape in melanoma. Our results will facilitate understanding of the melanoma tumor microenvironment and provide a new immune therapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, National Human Genetic Resources Sharing Service Platform, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiongzhi Wu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, National Human Genetic Resources Sharing Service Platform, Tianjin, China
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Ko SC, Lee SH. Protocatechuic Aldehyde Inhibits α-MSH-Induced Melanogenesis in B16F10 Melanoma Cells via PKA/CREB-Associated MITF Downregulation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083861. [PMID: 33917915 PMCID: PMC8068260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protocatechuic aldehyde (PA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is a potent inhibitor of mushroom tyrosinase. However, the molecular mechanisms of the anti-melanogenesis activity of PA have not yet been reported. The aim of the current study was to clarify the melanogenesis inhibitory effects of PA and its molecular mechanisms in murine melanoma cells (B16F10). We first predicted the 3D structure of tyrosinase and used a molecular docking algorithm to simulate binding between tyrosinase and PA. These molecular modeling studies calculated a binding energy of -527.42 kcal/mol and indicated that PA interacts with Cu400 and 401, Val283, and His263. Furthermore, PA significantly decreased α-MSH-induced intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose-dependent manner. PA also inhibited key melanogenic proteins such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2 in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. In addition, PA decreased MITF expression levels by inhibiting phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). These results demonstrate that PA can effectively suppress melanin synthesis in melanoma cells. Taken together, our results show that PA could serve as a potential inhibitor of melanogenesis, and hence could be explored as a possible skin-lightening agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Chun Ko
- Department of Genetic Resources, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Korea;
| | - Seung-Hong Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-41-530-4980; Fax: +82-41-530-3085
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