1
|
Wang L, Garg P, Chan KY, Yuan TZ, Lujan Hernandez AG, Han Z, Peterson SM, Tuscano E, Safavi C, Kwan E, Villalta M, Mathur M, Lai J, Axelrod F, Souders CA, Emery C, Sato AK. Discovery of a potent, selective, and tumor-suppressing antibody antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301223. [PMID: 38837964 PMCID: PMC11152298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
New immune checkpoints are emerging in a bid to improve response rates to immunotherapeutic drugs. The adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) has been proposed as a target for immunotherapeutic development due to its participation in immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment. Blockade of A2AR could restore tumor immunity and, consequently, improve patient outcomes. Here, we describe the discovery of a potent, selective, and tumor-suppressing antibody antagonist of human A2AR (hA2AR) by phage display. We constructed and screened four single-chain variable fragment (scFv) libraries-two synthetic and two immunized-against hA2AR and antagonist-stabilized hA2AR. After biopanning and ELISA screening, scFv hits were reformatted to human IgG and triaged in a series of cellular binding and functional assays to identify a lead candidate. Lead candidate TB206-001 displayed nanomolar binding of hA2AR-overexpressing HEK293 cells; cross-reactivity with mouse and cynomolgus A2AR but not human A1, A2B, or A3 receptors; functional antagonism of hA2AR in hA2AR-overexpressing HEK293 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); and tumor-suppressing activity in colon tumor-bearing HuCD34-NCG mice. Given its therapeutic properties, TB206-001 is a good candidate for incorporation into next-generation bispecific immunotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linya Wang
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Pankaj Garg
- Gilead, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Kara Y. Chan
- Slingshot, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Tom Z. Yuan
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - Zhen Han
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sean M. Peterson
- Nurix Therapeutics, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Emily Tuscano
- Sartorius, Fremont, California, United States of America
| | - Crystal Safavi
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Kwan
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mouna Villalta
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Melina Mathur
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Joyce Lai
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Fumiko Axelrod
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Colby A. Souders
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chloe Emery
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Aaron K. Sato
- Twist Bioscience, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Santiso A, Heinemann A, Kargl J. Prostaglandin E2 in the Tumor Microenvironment, a Convoluted Affair Mediated by EP Receptors 2 and 4. Pharmacol Rev 2024; 76:388-413. [PMID: 38697857 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.123.000901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The involvement of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) system in cancer progression has long been recognized. PGE2 functions as an autocrine and paracrine signaling molecule with pleiotropic effects in the human body. High levels of intratumoral PGE2 and overexpression of the key metabolic enzymes of PGE2 have been observed and suggested to contribute to tumor progression. This has been claimed for different types of solid tumors, including, but not limited to, lung, breast, and colon cancer. PGE2 has direct effects on tumor cells and angiogenesis that are known to promote tumor development. However, one of the main mechanisms behind PGE2 driving cancerogenesis is currently thought to be anchored in suppressed antitumor immunity, thus providing possible therapeutic targets to be used in cancer immunotherapies. EP2 and EP4, two receptors for PGE2, are emerging as being the most relevant for this purpose. This review aims to summarize the known roles of PGE2 in the immune system and its functions within the tumor microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has long been known to be a signaling molecule in cancer. Its presence in tumors has been repeatedly associated with disease progression. Elucidation of its effects on immunological components of the tumor microenvironment has highlighted the potential of PGE2 receptor antagonists in cancer treatment, particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapeutics. Adjuvant treatment could increase the response rates and the efficacy of immune-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Santiso
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Akos Heinemann
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Toffoli EC, van Vliet AA, Forbes C, Arns AJ, Verheul HWM, Tuynman J, van der Vliet HJ, Spanholtz J, de Gruijl TD. Allogeneic NK cells induce the in vitro activation of monocyte-derived and conventional type-2 dendritic cells and trigger an inflammatory response under cancer-associated conditions. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 216:159-171. [PMID: 38330230 PMCID: PMC11036108 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes capable to recognize and kill virus-infected and cancer cells. In the past years, the use of allogeneic NK cells as anti-cancer therapy gained interest due to their ability to induce graft-versus-cancer responses without causing graft-versus-host disease and multiple protocols have been developed to produce high numbers of activated NK cells. While the ability of these cells to mediate tumor kill has been extensively studied, less is known about their capacity to influence the activity of other immune cells that may contribute to a concerted anti-tumor response in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we analyzed how an allogeneic off-the-shelf cord blood stem cell-derived NK-cell product influenced the activation of dendritic cells (DC). Crosstalk between NK cells and healthy donor monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) resulted in the release of IFNγ and TNF, MoDC activation, and the release of the T-cell-recruiting chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10. Moreover, in the presence of prostaglandin-E2, NK cell/MoDC crosstalk antagonized the detrimental effect of IL-10 on MoDC maturation leading to higher expression of multiple (co-)stimulatory markers. The NK cells also induced activation of conventional DC2 (cDC2) and CD8+ T cells, and the release of TNF, GM-CSF, and CXCL9/10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The activated phenotype of MoDC/cDC2 and the increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and T-cell-recruiting chemokines resulting from NK cell/DC crosstalk should contribute to a more inflamed TME and may thus enhance the efficacy of T-cell-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E C Toffoli
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A A van Vliet
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Glycostem Therapeutics, Oss, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Forbes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A J Arns
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H W M Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Tuynman
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H J van der Vliet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Lava Therapeutics, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Spanholtz
- Glycostem Therapeutics, Oss, The Netherlands
| | - T D de Gruijl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhao X, Fan X, Lin X, Guo B, Yu Y. Deciphering age-specific molecular features in cervical cancer and constructing an angio-immune prognostic model. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37717. [PMID: 38608077 PMCID: PMC11018232 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037717] [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: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer incidence is increasingly seen in younger individuals. Molecular distinctions between young and elderly patients at onset are understudied. This study used public databases to explore genomic, transcriptomic, and immune-related features across age groups in cervical cancer. Additionally, it aims to create a prognostic model applicable across diverse age cohorts, enabling precise patient stratification, and personalized therapies. Gene mutations, expression data, and clinicopathological information were obtained from 317 cervical cancer patients. These patients were divided into a young group and an old group based on the median age of onset. The characteristics of differential gene mutation, gene expression, and immune cells analysis were analyzed by R software. Finally, the prognostic model was constructed by univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and multivariate Cox regression analyses of angiogenic and immune gene sets. Its validity was further confirmed using an additional 300 cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma tissues. Cervical cancer patients at elderly onset age exhibit a significantly higher frequency of NOTCH1 and TP53 driver mutations compared to young patients, along with a notably higher tumor mutational burden. However, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of genomic instability and age-related mutational signatures. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that the young group significantly upregulated interferon-alpha and gamma responses and exhibited significantly higher activity in multiple metabolic pathways. Immune microenvironment analysis indicated enrichment of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in the young group, while transforming growth factor-β signature was enriched in the elderly group, indicating a higher degree of immune exclusion. A multigene prognostic model based on angiogenesis and T cell immune gene sets showed excellent prognostic performance independent of clinical factors such as age. High-risk groups identified by the model exhibit significant activation of tumor-promoting processes, such as metastasis and angiogenesis. Our study reveals distinct patterns in cancer-driving mechanisms, biological processes, and immune system status between young and elderly patients at onset with cervical cancer. These findings shed light on the age-specific underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Furthermore, an independent molecular prognostic model is constructed to provide valuable references for patient stratification and the development of potential drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Department of Public Health, International College, Krirk University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Xichen Fan
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiu Lin
- Department of Public Health, International College, Krirk University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Baozhu Guo
- Department of Public Health, International College, Krirk University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yanqin Yu
- Department of Public Health, International College, Krirk University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sadozai H, Acharjee A, Kayani HZ, Gruber T, Gorczynski RM, Burke B. High hypoxia status in pancreatic cancer is associated with multiple hallmarks of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360629. [PMID: 38510243 PMCID: PMC10951397 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360629] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, is a particularly lethal disease that is often diagnosed late and is refractory to most forms of treatment. Tumour hypoxia is a key hallmark of PDAC and is purported to contribute to multiple facets of disease progression such as treatment resistance, increased invasiveness, metabolic reprogramming, and immunosuppression. Methods We used the Buffa gene signature as a hypoxia score to profile transcriptomics datasets from PDAC cases. We performed cell-type deconvolution and gene expression profiling approaches to compare the immunological phenotypes of cases with low and high hypoxia scores. We further supported our findings by qPCR analyses in PDAC cell lines cultured in hypoxic conditions. Results First, we demonstrated that this hypoxia score is associated with increased tumour grade and reduced survival suggesting that this score is correlated to disease progression. Subsequently, we compared the immune phenotypes of cases with high versus low hypoxia score expression (HypoxiaHI vs. HypoxiaLOW) to show that high hypoxia is associated with reduced levels of T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells (DC), including the crucial cDC1 subset. Concomitantly, immune-related gene expression profiling revealed that compared to HypoxiaLOW tumours, mRNA levels for multiple immunosuppressive molecules were notably elevated in HypoxiaHI cases. Using a Random Forest machine learning approach for variable selection, we identified LGALS3 (Galectin-3) as the top gene associated with high hypoxia status and confirmed its expression in hypoxic PDAC cell lines. Discussion In summary, we demonstrated novel associations between hypoxia and multiple immunosuppressive mediators in PDAC, highlighting avenues for improving PDAC immunotherapy by targeting these immune molecules in combination with hypoxia-targeted drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Sadozai
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Animesh Acharjee
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hateem Z. Kayani
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Gruber
- Independent Scholar, National Coalition of Independent Scholars, Visp, Switzerland
| | | | - Bernard Burke
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gong B, Huang Y, Wang Z, Wan B, Zeng Y, Lv C. BAG3 as a novel prognostic biomarker in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma correlating with immune infiltrates. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:93. [PMID: 38297320 PMCID: PMC10832118 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01687-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE BCL-2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is an anti-apoptotic protein that plays an essential role in the onset and progression of multiple cancer types. However, the clinical significance of BAG3 in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) remains unclear. METHODS Using Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we explored the expression, prognostic value, and clinical correlations of BAG3 in KIRC. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of HKH cohort further validated the expression of BAG3 in KIRC and its impact on prognosis. Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCA) was utilized to scrutinize the prognostic value of BAG3 methylation. Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to identify potential biological functions of BAG3 in KIRC. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was performed to confirm the correlation between BAG3 expression and immune cell infiltration. RESULTS BAG3 mRNA expression and protein expression were significantly downregulated in KIRC tissues compared to normal kidney tissues, associated with adverse clinical-pathological factors and poor clinical prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that low expression of BAG3 was an independent prognostic factor in KIRC patients. GSEA analysis showed that BAG3 is mainly involved in DNA methylation and the immune-related pathways in KIRC. In addition, the expression of BAG3 is closely related to immune cell infiltration and immune cell marker set. CONCLUSION BAG3 might be a potential therapeutic target and valuable prognostic biomarker of KIRC and is closely related to immune cell infiltration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binghao Gong
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Zhenting Wang
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Bangbei Wan
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Yaohui Zeng
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Cai Lv
- Department of Urology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pasha A, Tondo A, Favre C, Calvani M. Inside the Biology of the β3-Adrenoceptor. Biomolecules 2024; 14:159. [PMID: 38397396 PMCID: PMC10887351 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the first discovery in 1989, the β3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR) has gained great attention because it showed the ability to regulate many physiologic and metabolic activities, such as thermogenesis and lipolysis in brown and white adipose tissue, respectively (BAT, WAT), negative inotropic effects in cardiomyocytes, and relaxation of the blood vessels and the urinary bladder. The β3-AR has been suggested as a potential target for cancer treatment, both in adult and pediatric tumors, since under hypoxia its upregulation in the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates stromal cell differentiation, tumor growth and metastases, signifying that its agonism/antagonism could be useful for clinical benefits. Promising results in cancer research have proposed the β3-AR being targeted for the treatment of many conditions, with some drugs, at present, undergoing phase II and III clinical trials. In this review, we report the scientific journey followed by the research from the β3-Ars' discovery, with focus on the β3-Ars' role in cancer initiation and progression that elects it an intriguing target for novel antineoplastic approaches. The overview highlights the great potential of the β3-AR, both in physiologic and pathologic conditions, with the intention to display the possible benefits of β3-AR modulation in cancer reality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amada Pasha
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tondo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Claudio Favre
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
| | - Maura Calvani
- Department of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.P.); (A.T.); (C.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Santoro J, Carrese B, Peluso MS, Coppola L, D’Aiuto M, Mossetti G, Salvatore M, Smaldone G. Influence of Breast Cancer Extracellular Vesicles on Immune Cell Activation: A Pilot Study. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1531. [PMID: 38132355 PMCID: PMC10740516 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. It is well known that breast cancer shows significant alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is composed of a variety of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, that have a key role in tumor development or anti-tumor responses in breast cancer patients. Luminal B (BT474) and triple-negative breast cancer (HS578T) cell lines were cultured in 2D and 3D model systems. PMBCs from healthy donors were isolated and treated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) from monolayer and spheroids of BT474 and HS578T and analyzed using cytofluorimetric approaches. We observed that EVs can alter the activation and presence of CD335+/CD11b+ NK cells. EVs derived from BT474 and HS578T cells trigger the activation and, simultaneously, a reduction in the percentage of CD335+/CD11b+ NK cells. In addition, EVs derived from BT474 also significantly reduce CD39+ T-regulatory (T-reg) cells. Our preliminary data suggest that using EVs to treat tumors could potentially alter components of the immune system, which causes hyperactivation of specific cell types and can lead to aggressive growth. These data will guide the designing of new personalized diagnostic approaches based on in-depth study of the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Santoro
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Barbara Carrese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Sara Peluso
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Luigi Coppola
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | | | - Gennaro Mossetti
- Pathological Anatomy Service, Casa di Cura Maria Rosaria, Via Colle San Bartolomeo, 50, 80045 Pompei, Italy;
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanni Smaldone
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
McMahon RA, D'Souza C, Neeson PJ, Siva S. Innate immunity: Looking beyond T-cells in radiation and immunotherapy combinations. Neoplasia 2023; 46:100940. [PMID: 37913654 PMCID: PMC10637988 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100940] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Radiation therapy is an established and effective anti-cancer treatment modality. Extensive pre-clinical experimentation has demonstrated that the pro-inflammatory properties of irradiation may be synergistic with checkpoint immunotherapy. Radiation induces double-stranded DNA breaks (dsDNA). Sensing of the dsDNA activates the cGAS/STING pathway, producing Type 1 interferons essential to recruiting antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Radiation promotes cytotoxic CD8 T-cell recruitment by releasing tumour-associated antigens captured and cross-presented by surveying antigen-presenting cells. Radiation-induced vascular normalisation may further promote T-cell trafficking and drug delivery. Radiation is also immunosuppressive. Recruitment of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and innate cells such as myeloid-derived suppressive cells (m-MDSCs) all counteract the immunostimulatory properties of radiation. Many innate immune cell types operate at the interface of the adaptive immune response. Innate immune cells, such as m-MDSCs, can exert their immunosuppressive effects by expressing immune checkpoints such as PD-L1, further highlighting the potential of combined radiation and checkpoint immunotherapy. Several early-phase clinical studies investigating the combination of radiation and immunotherapy have been disappointing. A greater appreciation of radiotherapy's impact on the innate immune system is essential to optimise radioimmunotherapy combinations. This review will summarise the impact of radiotherapy on crucial cells of the innate immune system and vital immunosuppressive cytokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R A McMahon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - C D'Souza
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - P J Neeson
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Siva
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhou X, Renauer PA, Zhou L, Fang SY, Chen S. Applications of CRISPR technology in cellular immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:199-216. [PMID: 37449673 PMCID: PMC10787818 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR technology has transformed multiple fields, including cancer and immunology. CRISPR-based gene editing and screening empowers direct genomic manipulation of immune cells, opening doors to unbiased functional genetic screens. These screens aid in the discovery of novel factors that regulate and reprogram immune responses, offering novel drug targets. The engineering of immune cells using CRISPR has sparked a transformation in the cellular immunotherapy field, resulting in a multitude of ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the development and applications of CRISPR and related gene editing technologies in immune cells, focusing on functional genomics screening, gene editing-based cell therapies, as well as future directions in this rapidly advancing field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul A. Renauer
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Liqun Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shao-Yu Fang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rumler S. Non-cellular immunotherapies in pediatric central nervous system tumors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1242911. [PMID: 37885882 PMCID: PMC10598668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1242911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common type of cancer and the most common cause of cancer death in pediatric patients. New therapies are desperately needed for some of the most malignant of all cancers. Immunotherapy has emerged in the past two decades as an additional avenue to augment/replace traditional therapies (such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy). This article first discusses the unique nature of the pediatric CNS immune system and how it interacts with the systemic immune system. It then goes on to review three important and widely studied types of immune therapies: checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, and radiation therapy, and touches on early studies of antibody-mediated immunogenic therapies, Finally, the article discusses the importance of combination immunotherapy for pediatric CNS tumors, and addresses the neurologic toxicities associated with immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rumler
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang Y, Sun P, Hao X, Cao D, Liu J, Zhang D. Decreased DIO3OS Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and is Associated with Immune Infiltration. Biochem Genet 2023; 61:1791-1806. [PMID: 36802306 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10345-5] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma has become one of the most shared cancers in the whole world because of its high morbidity, poor survival rate, and low recovery rate. LncRNA DIO3 opposite strand upstream RNA (DIO3OS) has been reported to be obviously important in several human cancers, while its biological function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Here, DIO3OS gene expression data and clinical information of HCC patients were extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the university of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Xena database. In our study, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare DIO3OS expression between healthy individuals and HCC patients. It was found that patients with HCC had significantly lower DIO3OS expression than healthy individuals. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis showed that high DIO3OS expression tended to predict better prognosis and higher survival rate in HCC patients. In addition, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) assay was used to annotate the biological function of DIO3OS. It was found that DIO3OS was significantly correlated with immune invasion in HCC. This was also aided by the subsequent ESTIMATE assay. Our study provides a novel biomarker and therapeutic strategy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunhan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Immunology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xinping Hao
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Weifang, 261041, Shandong Province, China
| | - Daihong Cao
- Dpartment of Pathology, Shanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Jiangyue Liu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Daijuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Eralp Y, Ates U. Clinical Applications of Combined Immunotherapy Approaches in Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Case-Based Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1545. [PMID: 37896948 PMCID: PMC10610904 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant neoplasms arising from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are among the most common types of cancer with high mortality rates. Despite advances in treatment in a small subgroup harboring targetable mutations, the outcome remains poor, accounting for one in three cancer-related deaths observed globally. As a promising therapeutic option in various tumor types, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has also been evaluated in GI cancer, albeit with limited efficacy except for a small subgroup expressing microsatellite instability. In the quest for more effective treatment options, energetic efforts have been placed to evaluate the role of several immunotherapy approaches comprising of cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we report our experience with a personalized dendritic cell cancer vaccine and cytokine-induced killer cell therapy in three patients with GI cancers and summarize current clinical data on combined immunotherapy strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Eralp
- Maslak Acıbadem Hospital, Acıbadem University, Istanbul 34398, Turkey
| | - Utku Ates
- Biotech4life Tissue and Cell R&D Center, Stembio Cell and Tissue Technologies, Inc., Istanbul 34398, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Menghuan L, Yang Y, Qianhe M, Na Z, Shicheng C, Bo C, XueJie YI. Advances in research of biological functions of Isthmin-1. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:507-521. [PMID: 36995541 PMCID: PMC10409700 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00732-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Isthmin-1 (ISM1) was initially thought to be a brain secretory factor, but with the development of technical means of research and the refinement of animal models, numerous studies have shown that this molecule is expressed in multiple tissues, suggesting that it may have multiple biological functions. As a factor that regulates growth and development, ISM1 is expressed in different animals with spatial and temporal variability and can coordinate the normal development of multiple organs. Recent studies have found that under the dependence of a non-insulin pathway, ISM1 can lower blood glucose, inhibit insulin-regulated lipid synthesis, promote protein synthesis, and affect the body's glucolipid and protein metabolism. In addition, ISM1 plays an important role in cancer development by promoting apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis, and by regulating multiple inflammatory pathways to influence the body's immune response. The purpose of this paper is to summarize relevant research results from recent years and to describe the key features of the biological functions of ISM1. We aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the study of ISM1 related diseases, and potential therapeutic strategies. The main biological functions of ISM1. Current studies on the biological functions of ISM1 focus on growth and development, metabolism, and anticancer treatment. During embryonic development, ISM1 is dynamically expressed in the zebrafish, African clawed frog, chick, mouse, and human, is associated with craniofacial malformations, abnormal heart localization, and hematopoietic dysfunction. ISM1 plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and protein metabolism in the body. ISM1 affects cancer development by regulating cellular autophagy, angiogenesis, and the immune microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Menghuan
- School of Sports and Human Sciences, Shenyang Sport University, No. 36 Qiangsong East Road, Sujiatun District, Shenyang, 110102, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Sports and Human Sciences, Shanghai Sport University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ma Qianhe
- School of Physical Education, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China
| | - Zhang Na
- School of Sports and Human Sciences, Shenyang Sport University, No. 36 Qiangsong East Road, Sujiatun District, Shenyang, 110102, China
| | - Cao Shicheng
- Department of Sports Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chang Bo
- School of Sports and Human Sciences, Shenyang Sport University, No. 36 Qiangsong East Road, Sujiatun District, Shenyang, 110102, China.
| | - Y I XueJie
- Exercise and Health Research Center/Department of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, No.36 Qiangsong East Road, Sujiatun District, Shenyang, 110115, Liaoning Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Feng Q, Huang Z, Song L, Wang L, Lu H, Wu L. Combining bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing data to develop an NK cell-related prognostic signature for hepatocellular carcinoma based on an integrated machine learning framework. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:306. [PMID: 37649103 PMCID: PMC10466881 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01300-6] [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: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of molecular targeting therapy and immunotherapy has notably prolonged the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, multidrug resistance and high molecular heterogeneity of HCC still prevent the further improvement of clinical benefits. Dysfunction of tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells was strongly related to HCC progression and survival benefits of HCC patients. Hence, an NK cell-related prognostic signature was built up to predict HCC patients' prognosis and immunotherapeutic response. METHODS NK cell markers were selected from scRNA-Seq data obtained from GSE162616 data set. A consensus machine learning framework including a total of 77 algorithms was developed to establish the gene signature in TCGA-LIHC data set, GSE14520 data set, GSE76427 data set and ICGC-LIRI-JP data set. Moreover, the predictive efficacy on ICI response was externally validated by GSE91061 data set and PRJEB23709 data set. RESULTS With the highest C-index among 77 algorithms, a 11-gene signature was established by the combination of LASSO and CoxBoost algorithm, which classified patients into high- and low-risk group. The prognostic signature displayed a good predictive performance for overall survival rate, moderate to high predictive accuracy and was an independent risk factor for HCC patients' prognosis in TCGA, GEO and ICGC cohorts. Compared with high-risk group, low-risk patients showed higher IPS-PD1 blocker, IPS-CTLA4 blocker, common immune checkpoints expression but lower TIDE score, which indicated low-risk patients might be prone to benefiting from ICI treatment. Moreover, a real-world cohort, PRJEB23709, also revealed better immunotherapeutic response in low-risk group. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the present study developed a gene signature based on NK cell-related genes, which offered a novel platform for prognosis and immunotherapeutic response evaluation of HCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Feng
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Zhihao Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1st min de Road, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Lei Song
- Department of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Hongcheng Lu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1st min de Road, Nanchang, 330000, China.
| | - Linquan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 1st min de Road, Nanchang, 330000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nunes S, Tibúrcio R, Bonyek-Silva I, Oliveira PR, Khouri R, Boaventura V, Barral A, Brodskyn C, Tavares NM. Transcriptome Analysis Identifies the Crosstalk between Dendritic and Natural Killer Cells in Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1937. [PMID: 37630497 PMCID: PMC10459107 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081937] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin ulcers of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are characterized by a localized inflammatory response mediated by innate and adaptive immune cells, including dendritic cells (DC) and natural killer (NK) cells. Bidirectional interactions between DCs and NK cells contribute to tailor leishmaniasis outcome. Despite advances in the Leishmania biology field in recent decades, the mechanisms involved in DC/NK-mediated control of Leishmania sp. pathogenesis as well as the cellular and molecular players involved in such interaction remain unclear. The present study sought to investigate canonical pathways associated with CL arising from Leishmania braziliensis infection. Initially, two publicly available microarray datasets of skin biopsies from active CL lesions were analyzed, and five pathways were identified using differentially expressed genes. The "Crosstalk between DCs and NK cells" pathway was notable due to a high number of modulated genes. The molecules significantly involved in this pathway were identified, and our findings were validated in newly obtained CL biopsies. We found increased expression of TLR4, TNFRSF1B, IL-15, IL-6, CD40, CCR7, TNF and IFNG, confirming the analysis of publicly available datasets. These findings reveal the "crosstalk between DCs and NK cells" as a potential pathway to be further explored in the pathogenesis of CL, especially the expression of CCR7, which is correlated with lesion development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nunes
- Laboratory of Parasite-Host Interaction and Epidemiology (LaIPHE), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil; (S.N.); (R.T.); (C.B.)
| | - Rafael Tibúrcio
- Laboratory of Parasite-Host Interaction and Epidemiology (LaIPHE), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil; (S.N.); (R.T.); (C.B.)
| | - Icaro Bonyek-Silva
- Baiano Federal Institute (IFBaiano), Xique-Xique 47400-000, Bahia, Brazil;
| | - Pablo Rafael Oliveira
- Biology Institute (IBIO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40170-115, Bahia, Brazil; (P.R.O.); (R.K.); (V.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Ricardo Khouri
- Biology Institute (IBIO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40170-115, Bahia, Brazil; (P.R.O.); (R.K.); (V.B.); (A.B.)
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Transmitted by Vectors (LEITV), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Viviane Boaventura
- Biology Institute (IBIO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40170-115, Bahia, Brazil; (P.R.O.); (R.K.); (V.B.); (A.B.)
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Transmitted by Vectors (LEITV), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Aldina Barral
- Biology Institute (IBIO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40170-115, Bahia, Brazil; (P.R.O.); (R.K.); (V.B.); (A.B.)
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Transmitted by Vectors (LEITV), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Brodskyn
- Laboratory of Parasite-Host Interaction and Epidemiology (LaIPHE), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil; (S.N.); (R.T.); (C.B.)
- Biology Institute (IBIO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40170-115, Bahia, Brazil; (P.R.O.); (R.K.); (V.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Natalia Machado Tavares
- Laboratory of Parasite-Host Interaction and Epidemiology (LaIPHE), Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Salvador 40296-710, Bahia, Brazil; (S.N.); (R.T.); (C.B.)
- Biology Institute (IBIO), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40170-115, Bahia, Brazil; (P.R.O.); (R.K.); (V.B.); (A.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yang Z, Chen F, Wang F, Chen X, Zheng B, Liao X, Deng Z, Ruan X, Ning J, Li Q, Jiang H, Qin S. Identification of ZBTB4 as an immunological biomarker that can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:263. [PMID: 36949454 PMCID: PMC10035130 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10749-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 4 (ZBTB4) belongs to the zinc finger protein family, which has a role in regulating epigenetic inheritance and is associated with cell differentiation and proliferation. Previous studies have identified aberrant ZBTB4 expression in cancer and its ability to modulate disease progression, but studies on the immune microenvironment, immunotherapy and its role in cancer are still lacking. METHODS Human pan-cancer and normal tissue transcriptome data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The pan-cancer genomic alteration landscape of ZBTB4 was investigated with the online tool. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of ZBTB4 in pancreatic cancer. In parallel, ZBTB4 interacting molecules and potential functions were analyzed by co-expression and the correlation between ZBTB4 and immune cell infiltration, immune modulatory cells and efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy was explored. Next, we retrieved the Gene Expression Omnibus database expression datasets of ZBTB4 and investigated ZBTB4 expression and clinical significance in pancreatic cancer by immunohistochemical staining experiments. Finally, cell experiments were performed to investigate changes in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion following overexpression and knockdown of ZBTB4. FINDINGS ZBTB4 showed loss of expression in the majority of tumors and possessed the ability to predict cancer prognosis. ZBTB4 was closely related to the tumor immune microenvironment, immune cell infiltration and immunotherapy efficacy. ZBTB4 had good diagnostic performance for pancreatic cancer in the clinic, and ZBTB4 protein expression was lost in pancreatic cancer tumor tissues. Cell experiments revealed that overexpression of ZBTB4 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, while silencing ZBTB4 showed the opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS According to our results, ZBTB4 is present in pancreatic cancer with aberrant expression and is associated with an altered immune microenvironment. We show that ZBTB4 is a promising marker for cancer immunotherapy and cancer prognosis and has the potential to influence pancreatic cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Feiran Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiubing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Biaolin Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhejun Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianxian Ruan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Haixing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shanyu Qin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No 6 Shuangyong Road Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Peng L, Renauer PA, Ye L, Yang L, Park JJ, Chow RD, Zhang Y, Lin Q, Bai M, Sanchez A, Zhang Y, Lam SZ, Chen S. Perturbomics of tumor-infiltrating NK cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532653. [PMID: 36993337 PMCID: PMC10055047 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an innate immune cell type that serves at the first level of defense against pathogens and cancer. NK cells have clinical potential, however, multiple current limitations exist that naturally hinder the successful implementation of NK cell therapy against cancer, including their effector function, persistence, and tumor infiltration. To unbiasedly reveal the functional genetic landscape underlying critical NK cell characteristics against cancer, we perform perturbomics mapping of tumor infiltrating NK cells by joint in vivo AAV-CRISPR screens and single cell sequencing. We establish a strategy with AAV-SleepingBeauty(SB)- CRISPR screening leveraging a custom high-density sgRNA library targeting cell surface genes, and perform four independent in vivo tumor infiltration screens in mouse models of melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma. In parallel, we characterize single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, which identifies previously unexplored sub-populations of NK cells with distinct expression profiles, a shift from immature to mature NK (mNK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and decreased expression of mature marker genes in mNK cells. CALHM2, a calcium homeostasis modulator that emerges from both screen and single cell analyses, shows both in vitro and in vivo efficacy enhancement when perturbed in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells. Differential gene expression analysis reveals that CALHM2 knockout reshapes cytokine production, cell adhesion, and signaling pathways in CAR- NKs. These data directly and systematically map out endogenous factors that naturally limit NK cell function in the TME to offer a broad range of cellular genetic checkpoints as candidates for future engineering to enhance NK cell-based immunotherapies.
Collapse
|
19
|
Sakref C, Bendriss-Vermare N, Valladeau-Guilemond J. Phenotypes and Functions of Human Dendritic Cell Subsets in the Tumor Microenvironment. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2618:17-35. [PMID: 36905506 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2938-3_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the antitumor immunity, as they are at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity. This important task can only be performed thanks to the broad range of mechanisms that DCs can perform to activate other immune cells. As DCs are well known for their outstanding capacity to prime and activate T cells through antigen presentation, DCs were intensively investigated during the past decades. Numerous studies have identified new DC subsets, leading to a large variety of subsets commonly separated into cDC1, cDC2, pDCs, mature DCs, Langerhans cells, monocyte-derived DCs, Axl-DCs, and several other subsets. Here, we review the specific phenotypes, functions, and localization within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human DC subsets thanks to flow cytometry and immunofluorescence but also with the help of high-output technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing and imaging mass cytometry (IMC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Candice Sakref
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie Bendriss-Vermare
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Lyon, France
- Laboratoire d'Immunothérapie des Cancers de Lyon (LICL), Lyon, France
| | - Jenny Valladeau-Guilemond
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France.
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lindsay RS, Melssen MM, Stasiak K, Annis JL, Woods AN, Rodriguez AB, Brown MG, Engelhard VH. NK cells reduce anergic T cell development in early-stage tumors by promoting myeloid cell maturation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1058894. [PMID: 36531040 PMCID: PMC9755581 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1058894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Studies of NK cells in tumors have primarily focused on their direct actions towards tumor cells. We evaluated the impact of NK cells on expression of homing receptor ligands on tumor vasculature, intratumoral T cell number and function, and T cell activation in tumor draining lymph node. Methods Using an implantable mouse model of melanoma, T cell responses and homing receptor ligand expression on the vasculature were evaluated with and without NK cells present during the early stages of the tumor response by flow cytometry. Results NK cells in early-stage tumors are one source of IFNγ that augments homing receptor ligand expression. More significantly, NK cell depletion resulted in increased numbers of intratumoral T cells with an anergic phenotype. Anergic T cell development in tumor draining lymph node was associated with increased T-cell receptor signaling but decreased proliferation and effector cell activity, and an incomplete maturation phenotype of antigen presenting cells. These effects of NK depletion were similar to those of blocking CD40L stimulation. Discussion We conclude that an important function of NK cells is to drive proper APC maturation via CD40L during responses to early-stage tumors, reducing development of anergic T cells. The reduced development of anergic T cells resulting in improved tumor control and T cell responses when NK cells were present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin S. Lindsay
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Marit M. Melssen
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Katarzyna Stasiak
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Jessica L. Annis
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Amber N. Woods
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Anthony B. Rodriguez
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Michael G. Brown
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Victor H. Engelhard
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Turk S, Baesmat AS, Yılmaz A, Turk C, Malkan UY, Ucar G, Haznedaroğlu IC. NK-cell dysfunction of acute myeloid leukemia in relation to the renin–angiotensin system and neurotransmitter genes. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:1495-1506. [PMID: 36213442 PMCID: PMC9490854 DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most heterogeneous hematological disorder and blast cells need to fight against immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells can elicit fast anti-tumor responses in response to surface receptors of tumor cells. NK-cell activity is often impaired in the disease, and there is a risk of insufficient tumor suppression and progression. The aim of this study is to assess the dysfunction of NK cells in AML patients via focusing on two important pathways. We obtained single-cell RNA-sequencing data from NK cells obtained from healthy donors and AML patients. The data were used to perform a wide variety of approaches, including DESeq2 (version 3.9), limma (version 3.26.8) power differential expression analyses, hierarchical clustering, gene set enrichment, and pathway analysis. ATP6AP2, LNPEP, PREP, IGF2R, CTSA, and THOP1 genes were found to be related to the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) family, while DPP3, GLRA3, CRCP, CHRNA5, CHRNE, and CHRNB1 genes were associated with the neurotransmitter pathways. The determined genes are expressed within different patterns in the AML and healthy groups. The relevant molecular pathways and clusters of genes were identified, as well. The cross-talks of NK-cell dysfunction in relation to the RAS and neurotransmitters seem to be important in the genesis of AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyhan Turk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Ayriana Safari Baesmat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Yılmaz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Can Turk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Umit Yavuz Malkan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Gulberk Ucar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jeng LB, Liao LY, Shih FY, Teng CF. Dendritic-Cell-Vaccine-Based Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Trials and Recent Preclinical Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184380. [PMID: 36139542 PMCID: PMC9497058 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many surgical and nonsurgical therapeutic options have been well-established, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Therefore, the discovery of novel potential therapeutic strategies is still urgently required for improving survival and prognosis of HCC patients. As the most potent antigen-presenting cells in the human immune system, dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in activating not only innate but also adaptive immune responses to specifically destroy tumor cells. As a result, DC-based vaccines, which are prepared by different tumor-antigen-pulsing strategies or maturation-stimulating reagents, either alone or in combination with various anticancer therapies and/or immune effector cells, have been developed as a promising personalized cancer immunotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the evidence from clinical trials evaluating the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of DC-based vaccines in treating HCC patients and highlights the data from recent preclinical studies regarding the development of promising strategies for optimizing the efficacy of DC-vaccine-based immunotherapy for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long-Bin Jeng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ying Liao
- Development of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Ying Shih
- Ph.D. Program for Biotech Pharmaceutical Industry, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Fang Teng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-2205-2121
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Papadas A, Deb G, Cicala A, Officer A, Hope C, Pagenkopf A, Flietner E, Morrow ZT, Emmerich P, Wiesner J, Arauz G, Bansal V, Esbona K, Capitini CM, Matkowskyj KA, Deming DA, Politi K, Abrams SI, Harismendy O, Asimakopoulos F. Stromal remodeling regulates dendritic cell abundance and activity in the tumor microenvironment. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111201. [PMID: 35977482 PMCID: PMC9402878 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulatory type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) engage in productive interactions with CD8+ effectors along tumor-stroma boundaries. The paradoxical accumulation of “poised” cDC1s within stromal sheets is unlikely to simply reflect passive exclusion from tumor cores. Drawing parallels with embryonic morphogenesis, we hypothesized that invasive margin stromal remodeling generates developmentally conserved cell fate cues that regulate cDC1 behavior. We find that, in human T cell-inflamed tumors, CD8+ T cells penetrate tumor nests, whereas cDC1s are confined within adjacent stroma that recurrently displays site-specific proteolysis of the matrix proteoglycan versican (VCAN), an essential organ-sculpting modification in development. VCAN is necessary, and its proteolytic fragment (matrikine) versikine is sufficient for cDC1 accumulation. Versikine does not influence tumor-seeding pre-DC differentiation; rather, it orchestrates a distinctive cDC1 activation program conferring exquisite sensitivity to DNA sensing, supported by atypical innate lymphoid cells. Thus, peritumoral stroma mimicking embryonic provisional matrix remodeling regulates cDC1 abundance and activity to elicit T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironments. T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironments are a prerequisite for immunotherapy efficacy; however, why some tumors are inflamed and others not remains poorly understood. Papadas et al. link stromal reaction dynamics with T cell-induced inflammation. Peritumoral stroma emulating embryonic provisional matrix remodeling regulates cDC1-NK-CD8+ crosstalk to promote T cell repriming and penetration into tumor nests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Papadas
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gauri Deb
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Cicala
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Adam Officer
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, USA; Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chelsea Hope
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adam Pagenkopf
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Evan Flietner
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Zachary T Morrow
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Philip Emmerich
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Joshua Wiesner
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Garrett Arauz
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Varun Bansal
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karla Esbona
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christian M Capitini
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kristina A Matkowskyj
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Dustin A Deming
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Katerina Politi
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Scott I Abrams
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Olivier Harismendy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fotis Asimakopoulos
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
You W, Ouyang J, Cai Z, Chen Y, Wu X. Comprehensive Analyses of Immune Subtypes of Stomach Adenocarcinoma for mRNA Vaccination. Front Immunol 2022; 13:827506. [PMID: 35874675 PMCID: PMC9300892 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.827506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have unique advantages against multiple tumors, mRNA vaccine targets in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) remain unknown. The potential effectiveness of mRNA vaccines is closely associated with the tumor immune infiltration microenvironment. The present study aimed to identify tumor antigens of STAD as mRNA vaccine targets and systematically determine immune subtypes (ISs) of STAD that might be suitable for immunotherapy. Methods Gene expression profiles and clinical data of patients with gastric cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; n = 409) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO; n = 433), and genomic data were extracted from cBioPortal. Differential gene expression was analyzed using the limma package, genetic alterations were visualized using maftools, and prognosis was analyzed using ToPP. Correlations between gene expression and immune infiltration were calculated using TIMER software, and potential ISs were identified using ConsensusClusterPlus. Functional enrichment was analyzed in clusterProfiler, and r co-expression networks were analyzed using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) package in R. Results Overexpression of the prognostic and highly mutated antigens ADAMTS18, COL10A1, PPEF1, and STRA6 was associated with infiltration by antigen-presenting cells in STAD. Five ISs (IS1–IS5) in STAD with distinct prognoses were developed and validated in TCGA and GEO databases. The tumor mutational burden and molecular and clinical characteristics significantly differed among IS1–IS5. Both IS1 and IS2 were associated with a high mutational burden, massive infiltration by immune cells, especially antigen-presenting cells, and better survival compared with the other subtypes. Both IS4 and IS5 were associated with cold immune infiltration and correlated with advanced pathological stages. We analyzed the immune microenvironments of five subtypes of immune modulators and biomarkers to select suitable populations for mRNA vaccination and established four co-expressed key modules to validate the characteristics of the ISs. Finally, the correlation of these four mRNA vaccine targets with the transcription factors of DC cells, including BATF3, IRF4, IRF8, ZEB2, ID2, KLF4, E2-2, and IKZF1, were explored to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Conclusions ADAMTS18, COL10A1, PPEF1, and STRA6 are potential mRNA vaccine candidates for STAD. Patients with IS1 and IS2 are suitable populations for mRNA vaccination immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang You
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Ouyang
- The Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Institute for Genome and Bioinformatics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, China
| | - Zerong Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yufeng Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojian Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaojian Wu,
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Man SM, Jenkins BJ. Context-dependent functions of pattern recognition receptors in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:397-413. [PMID: 35355007 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00462-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The immune system plays a critical role in shaping all facets of cancer, from the early initiation stage through to metastatic disease and resistance to therapy. Our understanding of the importance of the adaptive arm of the immune system in antitumour immunity has led to the implementation of immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors in numerous cancers, albeit with differing efficacy. By contrast, the clinical utility of innate immunity in cancer has not been exploited, despite dysregulated innate immunity being a feature of at least one-third of all cancers associated with tumour-promoting chronic inflammation. The past two decades have seen innate immune pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) emerge as critical regulators of the immune response to microbial infection and host tissue damage. More recently, it has become apparent that in many cancer types, PRRs play a central role in modulating a vast array of tumour-inhibiting and tumour-promoting cellular responses both in immune cells within the tumour microenvironment and directly in cancer cells. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the fast-evolving field of PRRs in cancer, and discuss the potential to target PRRs for drug development and biomarker discovery in a wide range of oncology settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si Ming Man
- Division of Immunity, Inflammation and Infection, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Brendan J Jenkins
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Plesca I, Benešová I, Beer C, Sommer U, Müller L, Wehner R, Heiduk M, Aust D, Baretton G, Bachmann MP, Feldmann A, Weitz J, Seifert L, Seifert AM, Schmitz M. Clinical Significance of Tumor-Infiltrating Conventional and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051216. [PMID: 35267524 PMCID: PMC8909898 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor immune contexture plays a pivotal role for the clinical outcome of cancer patients and the efficacy of various treatment modalities. Dendritic cells (DCs) represent a major component of the tumor immune architecture that can either efficiently promote antitumor immunity or contribute to immunosuppression. Here, we investigated the frequency, spatial organization, and clinical significance of tumor-infiltrating conventional DCs type 1 (cDC1s) and type 2 (cDC2s) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A higher frequency of whole tumor area (WTA)- and tumor stroma (TS)-infiltrating cDC1s, and of intraepithelial tumor-infiltrating cDC2s, was significantly associated with improved survival. Furthermore, a higher density of both WTA- and TS-infiltrating cDC1s and pDCs emerged as an independent prognostic factor for better survival. These results provide evidence that tumor-infiltrating DCs are associated with survival of PDAC patients and may support the design of novel DC-based immunotherapeutic strategies. Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the orchestration of antitumor immunity. Activated DCs efficiently enhance antitumor effects mediated by natural killer cells and T lymphocytes. Conversely, tolerogenic DCs essentially contribute to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, DCs can profoundly influence tumor progression and clinical outcome of tumor patients. To gain novel insights into the role of human DCs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we explored the frequency, spatial organization, and clinical significance of conventional DCs type 1 (cDC1s) and type 2 (cDC2s) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in primary PDAC tissues. A higher density of whole tumor area (WTA)- and tumor stroma (TS)-infiltrating cDC1s was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (DFS). In addition, an increased frequency of intraepithelial tumor-infiltrating cDC2s was linked to better DFS and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, an increased density of WTA- and TS-infiltrating pDCs tended to improve DFS. Moreover, a higher frequency of WTA- and TS-infiltrating cDC1s and pDCs emerged as an independent prognostic factor for better DFS and OS. These findings indicate that tumor-infiltrating DCs can significantly influence the clinical outcome of PDAC patients and may contribute to the design of novel treatment options that target PDAC-infiltrating DCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Plesca
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (I.P.); (I.B.); (C.B.); (L.M.); (R.W.)
| | - Iva Benešová
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (I.P.); (I.B.); (C.B.); (L.M.); (R.W.)
| | - Carolin Beer
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (I.P.); (I.B.); (C.B.); (L.M.); (R.W.)
| | - Ulrich Sommer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (U.S.); (D.A.); (G.B.)
| | - Luise Müller
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (I.P.); (I.B.); (C.B.); (L.M.); (R.W.)
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (I.P.); (I.B.); (C.B.); (L.M.); (R.W.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Max Heiduk
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela Aust
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (U.S.); (D.A.); (G.B.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gustavo Baretton
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (U.S.); (D.A.); (G.B.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael P Bachmann
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzener Straße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzener Straße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Jürgen Weitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Lena Seifert
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Adrian M Seifert
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (I.P.); (I.B.); (C.B.); (L.M.); (R.W.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (M.H.); (M.P.B.); (J.W.); (L.S.); (A.M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-351-458-6501
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Russo E, Laffranchi M, Tomaipitinca L, Del Prete A, Santoni A, Sozzani S, Bernardini G. NK Cell Anti-Tumor Surveillance in a Myeloid Cell-Shaped Environment. Front Immunol 2022; 12:787116. [PMID: 34975880 PMCID: PMC8718597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.787116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphoid cells endowed with cytotoxic capacity that play key roles in the immune surveillance of tumors. Increasing evidence indicates that NK cell anti-tumor response is shaped by bidirectional interactions with myeloid cell subsets such as dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. DC-NK cell crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment (TME) strongly impacts on the overall NK cell anti-tumor response as DCs can affect NK cell survival and optimal activation while, in turn, NK cells can stimulate DCs survival, maturation and tumor infiltration through the release of soluble factors. Similarly, macrophages can either shape NK cell differentiation and function by expressing activating receptor ligands and/or cytokines, or they can contribute to the establishment of an immune-suppressive microenvironment through the expression and secretion of molecules that ultimately lead to NK cell inhibition. Consequently, the exploitation of NK cell interaction with DCs or macrophages in the tumor context may result in an improvement of efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Russo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Laffranchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Tomaipitinca
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rozzano, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neuromed, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Neuromed, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Inman KS, Liu Y, Scotti Buzhardt ML, Leitges M, Krishna M, Crawford HC, Fields AP, Murray NR. Prkci Regulates Autophagy and Pancreatic Tumorigenesis in Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030796. [PMID: 35159064 PMCID: PMC8834021 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase C iota (PKCι) functions as a bonafide human oncogene in lung and ovarian cancer and is required for KrasG12D-mediated lung cancer initiation and progression. PKCι expression is required for pancreatic cancer cell growth and maintenance of the transformed phenotype; however, nothing is known about the role of PKCι in pancreas development or pancreatic tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the effect of pancreas-specific ablation of PKCι expression on pancreatic cellular homeostasis, susceptibility to pancreatitis, and KrasG12D-mediated pancreatic cancer development. Knockout of pancreatic Prkci significantly increased pancreatic immune cell infiltration, acinar cell DNA damage, and apoptosis, but reduced sensitivity to caerulein-induced pancreatitis. Prkci-ablated pancreatic acinar cells exhibited P62 aggregation and a loss of autophagic vesicles. Loss of pancreatic Prkci promoted KrasG12D-mediated pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia formation but blocked progression to adenocarcinoma, consistent with disruption of autophagy. Our results reveal a novel promotive role for PKCι in pancreatic epithelial cell autophagy and pancreatic cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin S. Inman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (K.S.I.); (Y.L.); (M.L.S.B.); (H.C.C.); (A.P.F.)
- Environmental Health Perspectives/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (K.S.I.); (Y.L.); (M.L.S.B.); (H.C.C.); (A.P.F.)
| | - Michele L. Scotti Buzhardt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (K.S.I.); (Y.L.); (M.L.S.B.); (H.C.C.); (A.P.F.)
- Neogenomics Laboratories, Clinical Division, Charlotte, NC 28104, USA
| | - Michael Leitges
- Department of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1M 2V7, Canada;
| | - Murli Krishna
- Department of Pathology/Lab Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
| | - Howard C. Crawford
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (K.S.I.); (Y.L.); (M.L.S.B.); (H.C.C.); (A.P.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Pancreatic Cancer Center, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Alan P. Fields
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (K.S.I.); (Y.L.); (M.L.S.B.); (H.C.C.); (A.P.F.)
| | - Nicole R. Murray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; (K.S.I.); (Y.L.); (M.L.S.B.); (H.C.C.); (A.P.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-90-4953-6108
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang Q, Xie B, Liu S, Shi Y, Tao Y, Xiao D, Wang W. What Happens to the Immune Microenvironment After PD-1 Inhibitor Therapy? Front Immunol 2022; 12:773168. [PMID: 35003090 PMCID: PMC8733588 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.773168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The fruitful results of tumor immunotherapy establish its indispensable status in the regulation of the tumorous immune context. It seems that the treatment of programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) blockade is one of the most promising approaches for cancer control. The significant efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor therapy has been made in several cancer types, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and multiple myeloma. Even so, the mechanisms of how anti-PD-1 therapy takes effect by impacting the immune microenvironment and how partial patients acquire the resistance to PD-1 blockade have yet to be studied. In this review, we discuss the cross talk between immune cells and how they promote PD-1 blockade efficacy. In addition, we also depict factors that may underlie tumor resistance to PD-1 blockade and feasible solutions in combination with it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Xie
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University), Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precision Therapy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Desheng Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Department of the 2nd Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Terrén I, Borrego F. Role of NK Cells in Tumor Progression. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:169-187. [PMID: 35165864 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes with the ability to generate an antitumor response. NK cells encompass a diverse group of subsets with different properties and have the capacity to kill cancer cells by different means. However, tumor cells have developed several mechanisms to evade NK cell-mediated killing. In this chapter, we summarize some aspects of NK cell biology with the aim to understand the competence of these cells and explore some of the challenges that NK cells have to face in different malignancies. Moreover, we will review the current knowledge about the role of NK cells in tumor progression and describe their phenotype and effector functions in tumor tissues and peripheral blood from cancer patients. Finally, we will recapitulate several findings from different studies focused on determining the prognostic value of NK cells in distinct cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Terrén
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Francisco Borrego
- Immunopathology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Hu Z, Xu X, Wei H. The Adverse Impact of Tumor Microenvironment on NK-Cell. Front Immunol 2021; 12:633361. [PMID: 34177887 PMCID: PMC8226132 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.633361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells are considered an important component of innate immunity, which is the first line of defensing against tumors and viral infections in the absence of prior sensitization. NK cells express an array of germline-encoded receptors, which allow them to eliminate abnormal cells and were previously considered a homogenous population of innate lymphocytes, with limited phenotypic and functional diversity. Although their characteristics are related to their developmental origins, other factors, such as tumors and viral infections, can influence their phenotype. Here, we provide an overview of NK cells in the context of the tumor microenvironment, with a primary focus on their phenotypes, functions, and roles in tumor micro-environment. A comprehensive understanding of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment will provide a theoretical basis for the development of NK cell immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziming Hu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Xiuxiu Xu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jacobs B, Gebel V, Heger L, Grèze V, Schild H, Dudziak D, Ullrich E. Characterization and Manipulation of the Crosstalk Between Dendritic and Natural Killer Cells Within the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:670540. [PMID: 34054844 PMCID: PMC8160470 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.670540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular therapy has entered the daily clinical life with the approval of CAR T cell therapeutics and dendritic cell (DCs) vaccines in the US and the EU. In addition, numerous other adoptive cellular products, including natural killer (NK) cells, are currently evaluated in early phase I/ II clinical trials for the treatment of cancer patients. Despite these promising accomplishments, various challenges remain to be mastered in order to ensure sustained therapeutic success. These include the identification of strategies by which tumor cells escape the immune system or establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). As part of the innate immune system, DCs and NK cells are both present within the TME of various tumor entities. While NK cells are well known for their intrinsic anti-tumor activity by their cytotoxicity capacities and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the role of DCs within the TME is a double-edged sword as different DC subsets have been described with either tumor-promoting or -inhibiting characteristics. In this review, we will discuss recent findings on the interaction of DCs and NK cells under physiological conditions and within the TME. One focus is the crosstalk of various DC subsets with NK cells and their impact on the progression or inhibition of tumor growth. In addition, we will provide suggestions to overcome the immunosuppressive outcome of the interaction of DCs and NK cells within the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Jacobs
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veronika Gebel
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lukas Heger
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Victoria Grèze
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hansjörg Schild
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Research Centre for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Department of Dermatology, Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Experimental Immunology, Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|