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Shuwen H, Yinhang W, Jing Z, Qiang Y, Yizhen J, Quan Q, Yin J, Jiang L, Xi Y. Cholesterol induction in CD8 + T cell exhaustion in colorectal cancer via the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4441-4456. [PMID: 37919522 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03555-8] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypercholesterolemia is one of the risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC). Cholesterol can participate in the regulation of human T cell function and affect the occurrence and development of CRC. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the pathogenesis of CRC immune escape mediated by CD8+ T cell exhaustion induced by cholesterol. METHODS CRC samples (n = 217) and healthy individuals (n = 98) were recruited to analyze the relationship between peripheral blood cholesterol levels and the clinical features of CRC. An animal model of CRC with hypercholesterolemia was established. Intraperitoneal intervention with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) inhibitors in hypercholesterolemic CRC mice was performed. CD69, PD1, TIM-3, and CTLA-4 on CD8+ T cells of spleens from C57BL/6 J mice were detected by flow cytometry. CD8+ T cells were cocultured with MC38 cells (mouse colon cancer cell line). The proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasive ability of MC38 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, Annexin-V APC/7-AAD double staining, scratch assay and transwell assay, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ER structure of CD8+ T cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ERS and mitophagy-related proteins. Mitochondrial function and energy metabolism were measured. Immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact site (ERMC) proteins. Immunofluorescence colocalization was used to detect the expression and intracellular localization of ERMC-related molecules. RESULTS Peripheral blood cholesterol-related indices, including Tc, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and Apo(a), were all increased, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) was decreased in CRCs. The proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of MC38 cells were enhanced, and the proportion of tumor cell apoptosis was decreased in the high cholesterol group. The expression of IL-2 and TNF-α was decreased, while IFN-γ was increased in the high cholesterol group. It indicated high cholesterol could induce exhaustion of CD8+ T cells, leading to CRC immune escape. Hypercholesterolemia damaged the ER structure of CD8+ T cells and increased the expression of ER stress molecules (CHOP and GRP78), lead to CD8+ T cell exhaustion. The expression of mitophagy-related proteins (BNIP3, PINK and Parkin) in exhausted CD8+ T cells increased at high cholesterol levels, causing mitochondrial energy disturbance. High cholesterol enhanced the colocalization of Fis1/Bap31, MFN2/cox4/HSP90B1, VAPB/PTPIP51, VDAC1/IPR3/GRP75 in ERMCs, indicated that high cholesterol promoted the intermolecular interaction between ER and mitochondrial membranes in CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION High cholesterol regulated the ERS-ERMC-mitophagy axis to induce the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Shuwen
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu Yinhang
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuang Jing
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Qiang
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Yizhen
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Quan
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Yin
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu Jiang
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Xi
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, No. 1558, Sanhuan North Road, Wuxing District, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Multiomics Research and Clinical Transformation of Digestive Cancer of Huzhou, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Alzamami A. Implications of single-cell immune landscape of tumor microenvironment for the colorectal cancer diagnostics and therapy. Med Oncol 2023; 40:352. [PMID: 37950801 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02226-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) originates from the polyps lining the colon and is among the most common types of cancer. With the increasing popularity of single-cell sequencing technologies, researchers have been able to better understand the immune landscape of colorectal cancer, by analyzing their expression and interactions in detail with the tumor microenvironment (TME) at single-cell level. Since the tumor-immune cell interactions play a critical part in the advancement as well as treatment response in colorectal cancer, the release of inhibitory factors such as T cells are important for recognizing and destroying cancer cells. Such information is vital to identify immunotherapeutic targets for cure and monitoring response to treatments. Therefore, a comprehensive single-cell studies-based overview of key immunogenic agents regulating the TME of CRC is provided in this review. Tumor-associated macrophages can promote tumor growth and resistance to treatment by releasing factors that inhibit the function of other immune cells. Additionally, colorectal cancer cells can express programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand, which can also inhibit T-cell function. Researchers have found that certain types of immune cells, prominently T cells, natural killer, and dendritic cells, can have a positive impact on the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. Treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies that help to release the inhibitory signals from the cancer cells allow the immune cells to function more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Alzamami
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, 11961, Al-Quwayiyah, Saudi Arabia.
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Li S, Zhu X, Zhang L, Huang C, Li D. The effect of pain-education nursing based on a mind map on postoperative pain score and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33562. [PMID: 37171350 PMCID: PMC10174362 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mind mapping is a combination of images and logical thinking in the form of pictures and texts. It presents a natural expression process that conforms to the divergent thinking of the brain, helping patients understand memory. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pain-education nursing with the aid of mind maps on postoperative pain scores and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer. The medical records of 100 colorectal cancer patients treated from July 2020 to July 2022 were selected as retrospective research participants and divided into control and observation groups. The control group received routine pain care, and the observation group was given pain-education nursing based on a mind map. The effects on quality of life, pain, negative emotions, and comfort after nursing were compared between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in quality of-life scores between the 2 groups before the nursing intervention (P > .05). After nursing, the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functions of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, the overall quality of life and financial difficulties of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The observation group's social, physical, and psychological comfort scores were significantly higher than those in the control group after nursing intervention (P < .05). After nursing, the observation group's visual analog scale scores at different times after the operation were significantly lower than those of the control group. The scores on the self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). Pain-education nursing based on mind maps can effectively improve the daily living ability, pain symptoms, and quality of life of patients after colorectal cancer, and there is a reference value for post-nursing care of patients after colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- Pain Department Hand Surgery, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Pain Department Hand Surgery, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cui Huang
- Urology Gastrointestinal Surgery, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dan Li
- Urology Gastrointestinal Surgery, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Ben Hamouda S, Essafi-Benkhadir K. Interplay between Signaling Pathways and Tumor Microenvironment Components: A Paradoxical Role in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065600. [PMID: 36982677 PMCID: PMC10057671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has become an important part of colorectal cancer (CRC) research. Indeed, it is now accepted that the invasive character of a primary CRC is determined not only by the genotype of the tumor cells, but also by their interactions with the extracellular environment, which thereby orchestrates the development of the tumor. In fact, the TME cells are a double-edged sword as they play both pro- and anti-tumor roles. The interaction of the tumor-infiltrating cells (TIC) with the cancer cells induces the polarization of the TIC, exhibiting an antagonist phenotype. This polarization is controlled by a plethora of interconnected pro- and anti-oncogenic signaling pathways. The complexity of this interaction and the dual function of these different actors contribute to the failure of CRC control. Thus, a better understanding of such mechanisms is of great interest and provides new opportunities for the development of personalized and efficient therapies for CRC. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathways linked to CRC and their implication in the development or inhibition of the tumor initiation and progression. In the second part, we enlist the major components of the TME and discuss the complexity of their cells functions.
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Cheng X, Wei Y, Fu Y, Li J, Han L. A novel enterocyte-related 4-gene signature for predicting prognosis in colon adenocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1052182. [PMID: 36532007 PMCID: PMC9755665 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1052182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a fatal disease, and its cases are constantly increasing worldwide. Further, the therapeutic and management strategies for patients with COAD are still unsatisfactory due to the lack of accurate patient classification and prognostic models. Therefore, our study aims to identify prognostic markers in patients with COAD and construct a cell subtype-specific prognostic model with high accuracy and robustness. Methods Single-cell transcriptomic data of six samples were retrieved from the Gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. The cluster annotation and cell-cell communication analysis identified enterocytes as a key player mediating signal communication networks. A four-gene signature prognostic model was constructed based on the enterocyte-related differentially expressed genes (ERDEGs) in patients with COAD of the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. The prognostic model was validated on three external validation cohorts from the GEO database. The correlation between immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy response, drug sensitivity, and the four-gene signature prognostic model was investigated. Finally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to determine the expression of the four genes. Results We found that the proportion of epithelial cells was obviously large in COAD samples. Further analysis of epithelial cells showed that the activity of the enterocytes was highest in the cell-cell communication network. Based on enterocyte data, 30 ERDEGs were identified and a 4-gene prognostic model including CPM, CLCA4, ELOVL6, and ATP2A3 was developed and validated. The risk score derived from this model was considered as an independent variable factor to predict overall survival. The patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the median riskscore value. The correlation between immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy response, immune status, clinical characteristics, drug sensitivity, and risk score was analyzed. IHC confirmed the expression of signature genes in tissues from normal individuals, patients with polyps, and COAD. Conclusion In this study, we constructed and validated a novel four-gene signature prognostic model, which could effectively predict the response to immunotherapy and overall survival in patients with COAD. More importantly, this model provides useful insight into the management of colon cancer patients and aids in designing personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehua Cheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Wei
- Translational Medicine Department, GeneScience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Changchun, China
| | - Yugang Fu
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Li Han, ; Jiacheng Li,
| | - Li Han
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Li Han, ; Jiacheng Li,
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Liu Z, Li H, Dang Q, Weng S, Duo M, Lv J, Han X. Integrative insights and clinical applications of single-cell sequencing in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:577. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04608-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Tieng FYF, Lee LH, Ab Mutalib NS. Deciphering colorectal cancer immune microenvironment transcriptional landscape on single cell resolution – A role for immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:959705. [PMID: 36032085 PMCID: PMC9399368 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.959705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a novel high-throughput technique that enables the investigation of a single cell’s entire transcriptome. It elucidates intricate cellular networks and generates indices that will eventually enable the development of more targeted and personalized medications. The importance of scRNA-seq has been highlighted in complex biological systems such as cancer and the immune system, which exhibit significant cellular heterogeneity. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Chemotherapy continues to be used to treat these patients. However, 5-FU has been utilized in chemotherapy regimens with oxaliplatin and irinotecan since the 1960s and is still used today. Additionally, chemotherapy-resistant metastatic CRCs with poor prognoses have been treated with immunotherapy employing monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy and cancer vaccines. Personalized immunotherapy employing tumor-specific neoantigens allows for treating each patient as a distinct group. Sequencing and multi-omics approaches have helped us identify patients more precisely in the last decade. The introduction of modern methods and neoantigen-based immunotherapy may usher in a new era in treating CRC. The unmet goal is to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to CRC pathogenesis and resistance to treatment, identify novel therapeutic targets, and make more stratified and informed treatment decisions using single cell approaches. This review summarizes current scRNA-seq utilization in CRC research, examining its potential utility in the development of precision immunotherapy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Yew Fu Tieng
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, Microbiome and Bioresource Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib, ; Learn-Han Lee,
| | - Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group, Microbiome and Bioresource Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib, ; Learn-Han Lee,
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Urbiola-Salvador V, Miroszewska D, Jabłońska A, Qureshi T, Chen Z. Proteomics approaches to characterize the immune responses in cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2022; 1869:119266. [PMID: 35390423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite the dynamic development of cancer research, annually millions of people die of cancer. The human immune system is the major 'guard' against tumor development. Unfortunately, cancer cells have the ability to evade the immune system and continue to grow. The proper understanding of the intricate immune response in tumorigenesis remains the holy grail of cancer immunology and designing effective immunotherapy. To decode the immune responses in cancer, in recent years, proteomics studies have received considerable attention. Proteomics studies focus on the detection and quantification of proteins, which are the effectors of biological functions, and as such, are proven to reflect the cell state more accurately, in comparison to genomic or transcriptomic studies. In this review, we discuss the proteomics studies applied to characterize the immune responses in cancer and tumor immune microenvironment heterogeneity. Further, we describe emerging single-cell proteomics approaches that have the potential to be applied in cancer immunity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Urbiola-Salvador
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Dominika Miroszewska
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Jabłońska
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Talha Qureshi
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Zhi Chen
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, University of Gdańsk, Poland; Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Zhang J, Ejikemeuwa A, Gerzanich V, Nasr M, Tang Q, Simard JM, Zhao RY. Understanding the Role of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a in Viral Pathogenesis and COVID-19. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:854567. [PMID: 35356515 PMCID: PMC8959714 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.854567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shocked the world due to its persistence, COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality, and the high mutability of the virus. One of the major concerns is the emergence of new viral variants that may increase viral transmission and disease severity. In addition to mutations of spike protein, mutations of viral proteins that affect virulence, such as ORF3a, also must be considered. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on ORF3a, to summarize the molecular actions of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, and its role in viral pathogenesis and COVID-19. ORF3a is a polymorphic, multifunctional viral protein that is specific to SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2. It was acquired from β-CoV lineage and likely originated from bats through viral evolution. SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a is a viroporin that interferes with ion channel activities in host plasma and endomembranes. It is likely a virion-associated protein that exerts its effect on the viral life cycle during viral entry through endocytosis, endomembrane-associated viral transcription and replication, and viral release through exocytosis. ORF3a induces cellular innate and pro-inflammatory immune responses that can trigger a cytokine storm, especially under hypoxic conditions, by activating NLRP3 inflammasomes, HMGB1, and HIF-1α to promote the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. ORF3a induces cell death through apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis, which leads to tissue damage that affects the severity of COVID-19. ORF3a continues to evolve along with spike and other viral proteins to adapt in the human cellular environment. How the emerging ORF3a mutations alter the function of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and its role in viral pathogenesis and COVID-19 is largely unknown. This review provides an in-depth analysis of ORF3a protein's structure, origin, evolution, and mutant variants, and how these characteristics affect its functional role in viral pathogenesis and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Research and Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amara Ejikemeuwa
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Volodymyr Gerzanich
- Research and Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mohamed Nasr
- Drug Development and Clinical Sciences Branch, Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Qiyi Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - J. Marc Simard
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Research and Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Richard Y. Zhao
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Research and Development Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute of Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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T Cell Aging in Patients with Colorectal Cancer-What Do We Know So Far? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246227. [PMID: 34944847 PMCID: PMC8699226 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review describes the role of T cell aging in colorectal cancer development. T cells are important mediators in cancer immunity. Aging affects T cells, leading to various dysfunctions which can impede antitumor immunity. While some hallmarks of T cell aging have been observed in colorectal cancer patients, the functional role of such cells is not clear. Therefore, understanding how aged T cells influence overall patient outcome could potentially help in the pursue to develop new therapies for the elderly. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be one of the most frequently diagnosed types of cancers in the world. CRC is considered to affect mostly elderly patients, and the number of diagnosed cases increases with age. Even though general screening improves outcomes, the overall survival and recurrence-free CRC rates in aged individuals are highly dependent on their history of comorbidities. Furthermore, aging is also known to alter the immune system, and especially the adaptive immune T cells. Many studies have emphasized the importance of T cell responses to CRC. Therefore, understanding how age-related changes affect the outcome in CRC patients is crucial. This review focuses on what is so far known about age-related T cell dysfunction in elderly patients with colorectal cancer and how aged T cells can mediate its development. Last, this study describes the advances in basic animal models that have potential to be used to elucidate the role of aged T cells in CRC.
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