1
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Bozorgmehr N, Syed H, Mashhouri S, Walker J, Elahi S. Transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood cells in HPV-associated carcinoma patients receiving combined valproic acid and avelumab. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1209-1230. [PMID: 37681284 PMCID: PMC11077001 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13519] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer continues to evade the immune system by promoting a suppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, immunotherapy appears to be a promising approach for targeting HPV-associated tumors. We hypothesized that valproic acid (VA) as an epigenetic agent combined with avelumab may enhance the antitumor immunity in HPV-associated solid tumors. We performed bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) on total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of seven nonresponders (NRs) and four responders (Rs). A total of 39 samples (e.g., pretreatment, post-VA, postavelumab, and endpoint) were analyzed. Also, we quantified plasma analytes and performed flow cytometry. We observed a differential pattern in immune response following treatment with VA and/or avelumab in NRs vs. Rs. A significant upregulation of transcripts associated with NETosis [the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)] and neutrophil degranulation pathways was linked to the presence of a myeloid-derived suppressor cell signature in NRs. We noted the elevation of IL-8/IL-18 cytokines and a distinct transcriptome signature at the baseline and endpoint in NRs. By using the receiver operator characteristics, we identified a cutoff value for the plasma IL-8/IL-18 to discriminate NRs from Rs. We found differential therapeutic effects for VA and avelumab in NRs vs. Rs. Thus, our results imply that measuring the plasma IL-8/IL-18 and bulk RNA-Seq of PBMCs may serve as valuable biomarkers to predict immunotherapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najmeh Bozorgmehr
- Division of Foundational Sciences, School of DentistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Hussain Syed
- Division of Foundational Sciences, School of DentistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Siavash Mashhouri
- Division of Foundational Sciences, School of DentistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - John Walker
- Department of Medical OncologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Shokrollah Elahi
- Division of Foundational Sciences, School of DentistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Medical OncologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Faculty of Medicine and DentistryLi Ka Shing Institute of VirologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
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2
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Wu Y, Han W, Dong H, Liu X, Su X. The rising roles of exosomes in the tumor microenvironment reprogramming and cancer immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e541. [PMID: 38585234 PMCID: PMC10999178 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are indispensable for intercellular communications. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is the living environment of tumor cells, which is composed of various components, including immune cells. Based on TME, immunotherapy has been recently developed for eradicating cancer cells by reactivating antitumor effect of immune cells. The communications between tumor cells and TME are crucial for tumor development, metastasis, and drug resistance. Exosomes play an important role in mediating these communications and regulating the reprogramming of TME, which affects the sensitivity of immunotherapy. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the role of exosomes in TME reprogramming and the impact of exosomes on immunotherapy. Here, we review the communication role of exosomes in regulating TME remodeling and the efficacy of immunotherapy, as well as summarize the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we also introduce the potential application of the artificially modified exosomes as the delivery systems of antitumor drugs. Further efforts in this field will provide new insights on the roles of exosomes in intercellular communications of TME and cancer progression, thus helping us to uncover effective strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Clinical Medical Research Center of the Affiliated HospitalInner Mongolia Medical UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Wenyan Han
- Clinical Laboratorythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Hairong Dong
- Clinical LaboratoryHohhot first hospitalHohhotChina
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Department IKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Peking University Cancer Hospital and InstituteBeijingChina
| | - Xiulan Su
- Clinical Medical Research Center of the Affiliated HospitalInner Mongolia Medical UniversityHohhotChina
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3
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Yang Z, Liu L, Zhu Z, Hu Z, Liu B, Gong J, Jin Y, Luo J, Deng Y, Jin Y, Wang G, Yin Y. Tumor-Associated Monocytes Reprogram CD8 + T Cells into Central Memory-Like Cells with Potent Antitumor Effects. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304501. [PMID: 38386350 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are critical for host antitumor responses, whereas persistent antigenic stimulation and excessive inflammatory signals lead to T cell dysfunction or exhaustion. Increasing early memory T cells can improve T cell persistence and empower T cell-mediated tumor eradication, especially for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Here, it is reported that tumor-associated monocytes (TAMos) are highly correlated with the accumulation of CD8+ memory T cells in human cancers. Further analysis identifies that TAMos selectively reprogram CD8+ T cells into T central memory-like (TCM-like) cells with enhanced recall responses. L-NMMA, a pan nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, can mitigate TAMo-mediated inhibition of T cell proliferation without affecting TCM-like cell generation. Moreover, the modified T cells by TAMo exposure and L-NMMA treatment exhibit long-term persistence and elicit superior antitumor effects in vivo. Mechanistically, the transmembrane protein CD300LG is involved in TAMo-mediated TCM-like cell polarization in a cell-cell contact-dependent manner. Thus, the terminally differentiated TAMo subset (CD300LGhighACElow) mainly contributes to TCM-like cell development. Taken together, these findings establish the significance of TAMos in boosting T-cell antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeliang Yang
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zixi Hu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Bowen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jingjing Gong
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuan Jin
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Juan Luo
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Yichen Deng
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Guangxi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuxin Yin
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
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4
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Saxena R, Gottlin EB, Campa MJ, Bushey RT, Guo J, Patz EF, He YW. Complement factor H: a novel innate immune checkpoint in cancer immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1302490. [PMID: 38389705 PMCID: PMC10883309 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1302490] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The elimination of cancer cells critically depends on the immune system. However, cancers have evolved a variety of defense mechanisms to evade immune monitoring, leading to tumor progression. Complement factor H (CFH), predominately known for its function in inhibiting the alternative pathway of the complement system, has recently been identified as an important innate immunological checkpoint in cancer. CFH-mediated immunosuppression enhances tumor cells' ability to avoid immune recognition and produce an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This review explores the molecular underpinnings, interactions with immune cells, clinical consequences, and therapeutic possibilities of CFH as an innate immune checkpoint in cancer control. The difficulties and opportunities of using CFH as a target in cancer immunotherapy are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Saxena
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth B Gottlin
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Michael J Campa
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ryan T Bushey
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jian Guo
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Edward F Patz
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - You-Wen He
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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Lasser SA, Ozbay Kurt FG, Arkhypov I, Utikal J, Umansky V. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer and cancer therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:147-164. [PMID: 38191922 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Anticancer agents continue to dominate the list of newly approved drugs, approximately half of which are immunotherapies. This trend illustrates the considerable promise of cancer treatments that modulate the immune system. However, the immune system is complex and dynamic, and can have both tumour-suppressive and tumour-promoting effects. Understanding the full range of immune modulation in cancer is crucial to identifying more effective treatment strategies. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that develop in association with chronic inflammation, which is a hallmark of cancer. Indeed, MDSCs accumulate in the tumour microenvironment, where they strongly inhibit anticancer functions of T cells and natural killer cells and exert a variety of other tumour-promoting effects. Emerging evidence indicates that MDSCs also contribute to resistance to cancer treatments, particularly immunotherapies. Conversely, treatment approaches designed to eliminate cancer cells can have important additional effects on MDSC function, which can be either positive or negative. In this Review, we discuss the interplay between MDSCs and various other cell types found in tumours as well as the mechanisms by which MDSCs promote tumour progression. We also discuss the relevance and implications of MDSCs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Lasser
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Feyza G Ozbay Kurt
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ihor Arkhypov
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany.
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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6
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Ito N, Tsujimoto H, Miyazaki H, Takahata R, Ueno H. Pivotal role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in infection-related tumor growth. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6917. [PMID: 38457241 PMCID: PMC10923041 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we investigated infection-related tumor growth, focusing on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in clinical and experimental settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the clinical study, a total 109 patients who underwent gastrectomy or esophagectomy were included. Blood samples were collected from a preoperative time point through 3 months after surgery, and MDSCs were analyzed using flow cytometry. In animal experiments, peritonitis model mice were created by CLP method. We investigated the number of splenic MDSCs in these mice using flow cytometry. Malignant melanoma cells (B16F10) were inoculated on the back of the mice, and tumor growth was monitored. We compared the level of MDSC infiltration around the tumor and the migration ability between CLP and sham-operated mice-derived MDSCs. Finally, we focused on PD-L1+ MDSCs to examine the effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 antibodies on tumor growth in CLP mice. RESULTS In patients with postoperative infectious complication, MDSC number was found to remain elevated 3 months after surgery, when the inflammatory responses were normalized. CLP mice showed increased numbers of MDSCs, and following inoculation with B16F10 cells, this higher number of MDSCs was associated with significant tumor growth. CLP-mice-derived MDSCs had higher levels of accumulation around the tumor and had more enhanced migration ability. Finally, CLP mice had increased numbers of PD-L1+ MDSCs and showed more effective inhibition of tumor growth by anti-PD-L1 antibodies compared to sham-operated mice. CONCLUSION Long-lasting enhanced MDSCs associated with infection may contribute to infection-related tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Ito
- Department of SurgeryNational Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
| | | | - Hiromi Miyazaki
- Division of Biomedical EngineeringResearch Institute, National Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
| | - Risa Takahata
- Department of SurgeryNational Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
| | - Hideki Ueno
- Department of SurgeryNational Defense Medical CollegeTokorozawaJapan
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7
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Farahmandnejad M, Mosaddeghi P, Dorvash M, Sakhteman A, Negahdaripour M, Faridi P. Correlation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Expansion with Upregulated Transposable Elements in Severe COVID-19 Unveiled in Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reanalysis. Biomedicines 2024; 12:315. [PMID: 38397917 PMCID: PMC10887269 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020315] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Some studies have investigated the potential role of transposable elements (TEs) in COVID-19 pathogenesis and complications. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study to examine the possible association of TE expression in cell functions and its potential role in COVID-19 immune response at the single-cell level. In this study, we reanalyzed single-cell RNA seq data of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained from six severe COVID-19 patients and three healthy donors to assess the probable correlation of TE expression with the immune responses induced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in COVID-19 patients. Our findings indicate that the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) may be a characteristic feature of COVID-19. Additionally, a significant increase in TE expression in MDSCs was observed. This upregulation of TEs in COVID-19 may be linked to the adaptability of these cells in response to their microenvironments. Furthermore, it appears that the identification of overexpressed TEs by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in MDSCs may enhance the suppressive capacity of these cells. Thus, this study emphasizes the crucial role of TEs in the functionality of MDSCs during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Farahmandnejad
- Quality Control of Drug Products Department, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran;
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran
| | - Pouria Mosaddeghi
- Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran;
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Dorvash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
| | - Amirhossein Sakhteman
- Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Department of Molecular Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany;
| | - Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71348-14336, Iran
| | - Pouya Faridi
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
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8
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Wang C, Chen L, Fu D, Liu W, Puri A, Kellis M, Yang J. Antigen presenting cells in cancer immunity and mediation of immune checkpoint blockade. Clin Exp Metastasis 2024:10.1007/s10585-023-10257-z. [PMID: 38261139 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10257-z] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are pivotal mediators of immune responses. Their role has increasingly been spotlighted in the realm of cancer immunology, particularly as our understanding of immunotherapy continues to evolve and improve. There is growing evidence that these cells play a non-trivial role in cancer immunity and have roles dependent on surface markers, growth factors, transcription factors, and their surrounding environment. The main dendritic cell (DC) subsets found in cancer are conventional DCs (cDC1 and cDC2), monocyte-derived DCs (moDC), plasmacytoid DCs (pDC), and mature and regulatory DCs (mregDC). The notable subsets of monocytes and macrophages include classical and non-classical monocytes, macrophages, which demonstrate a continuum from a pro-inflammatory (M1) phenotype to an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Despite their classification in the same cell type, each subset may take on an immune-activating or immunosuppressive phenotype, shaped by factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we introduce the role of DCs, monocytes, and macrophages and recent studies investigating them in the cancer immunity context. Additionally, we review how certain characteristics such as abundance, surface markers, and indirect or direct signaling pathways of DCs and macrophages may influence tumor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. We also highlight existing knowledge gaps regarding the precise contributions of different myeloid cell subsets in influencing the response to ICB therapy. These findings provide a summary of our current understanding of myeloid cells in mediating cancer immunity and ICB and offer insight into alternative or combination therapies that may enhance the success of ICB in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia Wang
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lee Chen
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Doris Fu
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Wendi Liu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anusha Puri
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jiekun Yang
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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9
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Krumm J, Petrova E, Lechner S, Mergner J, Boehm HH, Prestipino A, Steinbrunn D, Deline ML, Koetzner L, Schindler C, Helming L, Fromme T, Klingenspor M, Hahne H, Pieck JC, Kuster B. High-Throughput Screening and Proteomic Characterization of Compounds Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100632. [PMID: 37586548 PMCID: PMC10518717 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100632] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous cell population of incompletely differentiated immune cells. They are known to suppress T cell activity and are implicated in multiple chronic diseases, which make them an attractive cell population for drug discovery. Here, we characterized the baseline proteomes and phospho-proteomes of mouse MDSC differentiated from a progenitor cell line to a depth of 7000 proteins and phosphorylation sites. We also validated the cellular system for drug discovery by recapitulating and identifying known and novel molecular responses to the well-studied MDSC drugs entinostat and mocetinostat. We established a high-throughput drug screening platform using a MDSC/T cell coculture system and assessed the effects of ∼21,000 small molecule compounds on T cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion to identify novel MDSC modulator. The most promising candidates were validated in a human MDSC system, and subsequent proteomic experiments showed significant upregulation of several proteins associated with the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proteome-wide solvent-induced protein stability assays identified Acyp1 and Cd74 as potential targets, and the ROS-reducing drug phenotype was validated by measuring ROS levels in cells in response to compound, suggesting a potential mode of action. We anticipate that the data and chemical tools developed in this study will be valuable for further research on MDSC and related drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Krumm
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Elissaveta Petrova
- Global Research & Development, Discovery and Development Technologies, Discovery Pharmacology, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Severin Lechner
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Julia Mergner
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry at Klinikum rechts der Isar (BayBioMS@MRI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Henning Boehm
- Global Research & Development, TIP-Oncology & Immunooncology, Myeloid Cell Research, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Alessandro Prestipino
- Global Research & Development, Discovery and Development Technologies, Discovery Pharmacology, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Marshall L Deline
- Chair of Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Lisa Koetzner
- Global Research & Development, Discovery and Development Technologies, Global Medicinal Chemistry, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christina Schindler
- Global Research & Development, Discovery Technologies, Computational Chemistry & Biologics, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Laura Helming
- Global Research & Development, TIP-Oncology & Immunooncology, Myeloid Cell Research, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Tobias Fromme
- Chair of Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; ZIEL Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- Chair of Molecular Nutritional Medicine, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; ZIEL Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | | | - Jan-Carsten Pieck
- Global Research & Development, Discovery and Development Technologies, Discovery Pharmacology, Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bernhard Kuster
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany; Bavarian Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry Center (BayBioMS), Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
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10
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Ozbay Kurt FG, Lasser S, Arkhypov I, Utikal J, Umansky V. Enhancing immunotherapy response in melanoma: myeloid-derived suppressor cells as a therapeutic target. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e170762. [PMID: 37395271 DOI: 10.1172/jci170762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in melanoma treatment, resistance to them remains a substantial clinical challenge. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that can suppress antitumor immune responses mediated by T and natural killer cells and promote tumor growth. They are major contributors to ICI resistance and play a crucial role in creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, targeting MDSCs is considered a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs. This Review describes the mechanism of MDSC-mediated immune suppression, preclinical and clinical studies on MDSC targeting, and potential strategies for inhibiting MDSC functions to improve melanoma immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feyza Gul Ozbay Kurt
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Samantha Lasser
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ihor Arkhypov
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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11
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Budi HS, Farhood B. Targeting oral tumor microenvironment for effective therapy. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:101. [PMID: 37221555 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral cancers are among the common head and neck malignancies. Different anticancer therapy modalities such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and also targeted molecular therapy may be prescribed for targeting oral malignancies. Traditionally, it has been assumed that targeting malignant cells alone by anticancer modalities such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy suppresses tumor growth. In the last decade, a large number of experiments have confirmed the pivotal role of other cells and secreted molecules in the tumor microenvironment (TME) on tumor progression. Extracellular matrix and immunosuppressive cells such as tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play key roles in the progression of tumors like oral cancers and resistance to therapy. On the other hand, infiltrated CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells are key anti-tumor cells that suppress the proliferation of malignant cells. Modulation of extracellular matrix and immunosuppressive cells, and also stimulation of anticancer immunity have been suggested to treat oral malignancies more effectively. Furthermore, the administration of some adjuvants or combination therapy modalities may suppress oral malignancies more effectively. In this review, we discuss various interactions between oral cancer cells and TME. Furthermore, we also review the basic mechanisms within oral TME that may cause resistance to therapy. Potential targets and approaches for overcoming the resistance of oral cancers to various anticancer modalities will also be reviewed. The findings for targeting cells and potential therapeutic targets in clinical studies will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Setia Budi
- Department of Oral Biology, Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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12
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Liu L, Qu Y, Cheng L, Yoon CW, He P, Monther A, Guo T, Chittle S, Wang Y. Engineering chimeric antigen receptor T cells for solid tumour therapy. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1141. [PMID: 36495108 PMCID: PMC9736813 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapy, for example, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy, has revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly for blood cancers. However, factors such as insufficient T cell tracking, tumour heterogeneity, inhibitory tumour microenvironment (TME) and T cell exhaustion limit the broad application of CAR-based immunotherapy for solid tumours. In particular, the TME is a complex and evolving entity, which is composed of cells of different types (e.g., cancer cells, immune cells and stromal cells), vasculature, soluble factors and extracellular matrix (ECM), with each component playing a critical role in CAR-T immunotherapy. Thus, developing approaches to mitigate the inhibitory TME factors is critical for future success in applying CAR-T cells for solid tumour treatment. Accordingly, understanding the bilateral interaction of CAR-T cells with the TME is in pressing need to pave the way for more efficient therapeutics. In the following review, we will discuss TME-associated aspects with an emphasis on T cell trafficking, ECM barriers, abnormal vasculature, solid tumour heterogenicity and immune suppressive microenvironment. We will then summarize current engineering strategies to overcome the challenges posed by the TME-associated factors. Lastly, the future directions for engineering efficient CAR-T cells for solid tumour therapy will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Liu
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yunjia Qu
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Leonardo Cheng
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Peixiang He
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Abdula Monther
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tianze Guo
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah Chittle
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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Siemińska I, Baran J. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells as Key Players and Promising Therapy Targets in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:862416. [PMID: 35860573 PMCID: PMC9289201 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.862416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most often diagnosed malignancy in men and one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. Despite genetic predispositions, environmental factors, including a high-fat diet, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, infections of the prostate, and exposure to chemicals or ionizing radiation, play a crucial role in PC development. Moreover, due to a lack of, or insufficient T-cell infiltration and its immunosuppressive microenvironment, PC is frequently classified as a “cold” tumor. This is related to the absence of tumor-associated antigens, the lack of T-cell activation and their homing into the tumor bed, and the presence of immunological cells with regulatory functions, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Treg), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). All of them, by a variety of means, hamper anti-tumor immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME), stimulating tumor growth and the formation of metastases. Therefore, they emerge as potential anti-cancer therapy targets. This article is focused on the function and role of MDSCs in the initiation and progression of PC. Clinical trials directly targeting this cell population or affecting its biological functions, thus limiting its pro-tumorigenic activity, are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Siemińska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine, Jagiellonian University - University of Agriculture, Cracow, Poland
| | - Jarek Baran
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
- *Correspondence: Jarek Baran,
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Tumor-Associated Inflammation: The Tumor-Promoting Immunity in the Early Stages of Tumorigenesis. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:3128933. [PMID: 35733919 PMCID: PMC9208911 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3128933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a multistage progressive oncogenic process caused by alterations in the structure and expression level of multiple genes. Normal cells are continuously endowed with new capabilities in this evolution, leading to subsequent tumor formation. Immune cells are the most important components of inflammation, which is closely associated with tumorigenesis. There is a broad consensus in cancer research that inflammation and immune response facilitate tumor progression, infiltration, and metastasis via different mechanisms; however, their protumor effects are equally important in tumorigenesis at earlier stages. Previous studies have demonstrated that during the early stages of tumorigenesis, certain immune cells can promote the formation and proliferation of premalignant cells by inducing DNA damage and repair inhibition, releasing trophic/supporting signals, promoting immune escape, and activating inflammasomes, as well as enhance the characteristics of cancer stem cells. In this review, we focus on the potential mechanisms by which immune cells can promote tumor initiation and promotion in the early stages of tumorigenesis; furthermore, we discuss the interaction of the inflammatory environment and protumor immune cells with premalignant cells and cancer stem cells, as well as the possibility of early intervention in tumor formation by targeting these cellular mechanisms.
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IL-6 dependent expansion of inflammatory MDSCs (CD11b+ Gr-1+) promote Th-17 mediated immune response during experimental cerebral malaria. Cytokine 2022; 155:155910. [PMID: 35594680 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of heterogeneous cell populations that can suppress T cell responses. Various aspects of MDSCs in regulating immune responses in several cancer and infectious diseases have been reported till date. But the role and regulation of MDSCs have not been systematically studied in the context of malaria. This study depicts the phenotypic and functional characteristics of splenic MDSCs and how they regulate Th-17 mediated immune response during Experimental Cerebral Malaria (ECM). Flow cytometric analysis reveals that MDSCs in the spleen and bone marrow expand at 8 dpi during ECM. Among subtypes of MDSCs, PMN-MDSCs show significant expansion in the spleen but M-MDSCs remain unaltered. Functional analysis of sorted MDSCs from spleens of Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infected mice shows suppressive nature of these cells and high production of Nitric oxide (NO). Besides, MDSCs were also found to express various inflammatory markers during ECM suggesting the M1 type phenotype of these cells. In-vivo depletion of MDSCs by the use of Anti Gr-1 increases mice survival but doesn't significantly alter the parasitemia. Previously, it has been reported that Treg/Th-17 balance in the spleen is skewed towards Th-17 during ECM. Depletion of MDSCs was found to regulate Th-17 percentages to homeostatic levels and subvert various inflammatory changes in the spleen. Among different factors, IL-6 was found to play an important role in the expansion of MDSCs and expression of inflammatory markers on MDSCs in a STAT3-dependent manner. These findings provide a unique insight into the role of IL-6 in the expansion of the MDSC population which causes inflammatory changes and increased Th-17 responses during ECM.
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