1
|
Daneshmandi S, Yan Q, Choi JE, Katsuta E, MacDonald CR, Goruganthu M, Roberts N, Repasky EA, Singh PK, Attwood K, Wang J, Landesman Y, McCarthy PL, Mohammadpour H. Exportin 1 governs the immunosuppressive functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumors through ERK1/2 nuclear export. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:873-891. [PMID: 38902348 PMCID: PMC11291768 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01187-1] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a main driver of immunosuppression in tumors. Understanding the mechanisms that determine the development and immunosuppressive function of these cells could provide new therapeutic targets to improve antitumor immunity. Here, using preclinical murine models, we discovered that exportin 1 (XPO1) expression is upregulated in tumor MDSCs and that this upregulation is induced by IL-6-induced STAT3 activation during MDSC differentiation. XPO1 blockade transforms MDSCs into T-cell-activating neutrophil-like cells, enhancing the antitumor immune response and restraining tumor growth. Mechanistically, XPO1 inhibition leads to the nuclear entrapment of ERK1/2, resulting in the prevention of ERK1/2 phosphorylation following the IL-6-mediated activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Similarly, XPO1 blockade in human MDSCs induces the formation of neutrophil-like cells with immunostimulatory functions. Therefore, our findings revealed a critical role for XPO1 in MDSC differentiation and suppressive functions; exploiting these new discoveries revealed new targets for reprogramming immunosuppressive MDSCs to improve cancer therapeutic responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Daneshmandi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jee Eun Choi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Eriko Katsuta
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Cameron R MacDonald
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mounika Goruganthu
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Nathan Roberts
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Repasky
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Prashant K Singh
- Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kristopher Attwood
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Philip L McCarthy
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mastronikolis N, Chrysovergis A, Papanikolaou V, Derka S, Asimakopoulos AD, Mastronikoli S, Tsiambas E, Manaios L, Papouliakos S, Ragos V, Fotiades P, Pantos P, Stathopoulos P, Kyrodimos E. C-Jun Transcription Factor Oncogenic Activation in Oral Carcinoma. MAEDICA 2024; 19:350-354. [PMID: 39188842 PMCID: PMC11345067 DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2024.19.2.3502024;] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oral carcinogenetic is based on a variety of genomic imbalances (gross chromosome or specific gene alterations) that drive the normal oral mucosa to its neoplastic/dysplastic epithelial form and finally to a totally malignant tissue transformation. In this multi-step procedure, down-regulation of suppressor genes combined with overactivation of oncogenes are two crucial and partially early genetic events involved in the onset and progression of neoplastic/malignant epithelia transformation. More specifically, deregulation of strong transcription factors negatively affects the normal expression of a broad spectrum of genes that are involved in cell proliferation and signalling transduction to the nucleus. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the current molecular review was to explore the c-Jun (chromosome location: 1p32-p31) transcription factor transformation mechanisms to oncogene in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIAL AND METHOD A systematic review of the literature was carried out by searching in PubMed international database. The year 2010 was set as a prominent time limit for the publication date of the articles in the majority of them, whereas specific references of great importance and historical value in the field of the c-Jun gene discovery and analysis were also included. The following keywords were used: c-Jun, oncogene, signaling pathway, oral, carcinoma, transcription. A pool of 45 important articles were selected for the present study at the basis of combining molecular knowledge with new targeted therapeutic strategies. RESULTS C-Jun - as a part of the c-Jun/c-Fos transcription factors' complex -critically regulates the expression levels in a variety of genes inside the cellular microenvironment. A broad spectrum of malignancies, including OSCC, demonstrate c-Jun alterations driving the gene to its oncogenic phenotype. Interestingly, c-Jun oncogenic activation is mediated by high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) persistent infection in significant subsets of these malignancies. CONCLUSIONS C-Jun was the first oncogene - acting as a strong transcription factor - that was discovered and cloned 35 years ago. C-Jun is the living history of oncogenes and its discovery marks a significant step in the evolution of molecular biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aristeidis Chrysovergis
- First Department of Otolaryngology, ''Hippocration'' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Papanikolaou
- First Department of Otolaryngology, ''Hippocration'' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridoula Derka
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Asimakis D Asimakopoulos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Sotirios Papouliakos
- First Department of Otolaryngology, ''Hippocration'' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Ragos
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Pavlos Pantos
- First Department of Otolaryngology, ''Hippocration'' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Efthymios Kyrodimos
- First Department of Otolaryngology, ''Hippocration'' Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao X, Zhao R, Wen J, Zhang X, Wu S, Fang J, Ma J, Gao L, Hu Y. Bioinformatics-based screening and analysis of the key genes involved in the influence of antiangiogenesis on myeloid-derived suppressor cells and their effects on the immune microenvironment. Med Oncol 2024; 41:96. [PMID: 38526604 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02357-x] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the influence of antiangiogenic therapy on myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration and investigate their mechanisms of action. Data on DEGs after the action of antiangiogenic drugs in a pan-cancer context were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the clusterProfiler package in R software. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was performed using the gene set variation analysis package to evaluate the levels of immune cells and the activity of immune-related pathways. The relationships of DEGs with the infiltration levels of MDSCs and specific immune cell subpopulations were investigated via gene module analysis. The top 10 key genes were subsequently obtained from PPI network analysis using the cytoHubba plugin of the Cytoscape platform. When the DEGs of the four datasets were intersected, a DEG in the intersection of three datasets and 12 DEGs in the intersection of two datasets were upregulated, and 28 DEGs in the intersection of two datasets were downregulated. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the DEGs were associated with multiple important signaling pathways closely related to tumor onset and development, including cell differentiation, cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and immune responses. Most downregulated genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) were positively correlated with MDSC expression. Only MGP was negatively correlated; the correlation between CACNG6 and MDSC expression was statistically insignificant. In lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), the relationships of PMEPA1, PCDH7, NEURL1B, and CACNG6 with MDSC expression were statistically insignificant; MGP was negatively correlated with MDSC expression. The top 10 key genes with the highest degree scores obtained using the cytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape were AURKB, RRM2, BUB1, NUSAP1, PRC1, TOP2A, NCAPH, CENPA, KIF2C, and CCNA2. Most of these genes were upregulated in LUAD and associated with immune cell infiltration and prognosis in tumors. An analysis of the relationships between DEGs and infiltration by other specific immune cells revealed the presence of consistent patterns in the downregulated genes, which exhibited positive correlations with the levels of Th2 cells, γδ T cells, and CD56dim NK cells, and negative correlations with other infiltrating immune cells. Antiangiogenic therapy may regulate MDSC infiltration through multiple important signaling pathways closely associated with tumor onset and development, such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and immune responses. Antiangiogenic drugs may exert effects by affecting various types of infiltrating cells associated with immune suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- XiangFei Zhao
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - RuGang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - JuYi Wen
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - ShanShan Wu
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Juan Fang
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - JunPeng Ma
- Department of Oncology, 6th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - LiPin Gao
- Department of Oncology, 6th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Oncology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Dongdajie 8th, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100853, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee HJ, Oh JY. Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Induce Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in the Bone Marrow via the Activation of the c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1119. [PMID: 38256195 PMCID: PMC10816501 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021119] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Our previous study demonstrated that mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) induce the differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the bone marrow (BM) under inflammatory conditions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the signaling pathway involved. RNA-seq revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway exhibited the highest number of upregulated genes in MSC-induced MDSCs. Western blot analysis confirmed the strong phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in BM cells cocultured with MSCs under granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulation, whereas p38 kinase activation remained unchanged in MSC-cocultured BM cells. JNK inhibition by SP600125 abolished the expression of Arg1 and Nos2, hallmark genes of MDSCs, as well as Hif1a, a molecule mediating monocyte functional reprogramming toward a suppressive phenotype, in MSC-cocultured BM cells. JNK inhibition also abrogated the effects of MSCs on the production of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and IL-10 in BM cells. Furthermore, JNK inhibition increased Tnfa expression, while suppressing IL-10 production, in MSC-cocultured BM cells in response to lipopolysaccharides. Collectively, our results suggest that MSCs induce MDSC differentiation and promote immunoregulatory cytokine production in BM cells during inflammation, at least in part, through the activation of the JNK-MAPK signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ju Lee
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea;
| | - Joo Youn Oh
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Voskamp AL, Tak T, Gerdes ML, Menafra R, Duijster E, Jochems SP, Kielbasa SM, Kormelink TG, Stam KA, van Hengel OR, de Jong NW, Hendriks RW, Kloet SL, Yazdanbakhsh M, de Jong EC, Gerth van Wijk R, Smits HH. Inflammatory and tolerogenic myeloid cells determine outcome following human allergen challenge. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20221111. [PMID: 37428185 PMCID: PMC10333709 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) cells preserve mucosal immune homeostasis. We investigated their role at nasal mucosa following allergen challenge with house dust mite. We combined single-cell proteome and transcriptome profiling on nasal immune cells from nasal biopsies cells from 30 allergic rhinitis and 27 non-allergic subjects before and after repeated nasal allergen challenge. Biopsies of patients showed infiltrating inflammatory HLA-DRhi/CD14+ and CD16+ monocytes and proallergic transcriptional changes in resident CD1C+/CD1A+ conventional dendritic cells (cDC)2 following challenge. In contrast, non-allergic individuals displayed distinct innate MPS responses to allergen challenge: predominant infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC: HLA-DRlow/CD14+ monocytes) and cDC2 expressing inhibitory/tolerogenic transcripts. These divergent patterns were confirmed in ex vivo stimulated MPS nasal biopsy cells. Thus, we identified not only MPS cell clusters involved in airway allergic inflammation but also highlight novel roles for non-inflammatory innate MPS responses by MDSC to allergens in non-allergic individuals. Future therapies should address MDSC activity as treatment for inflammatory airway diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid L. Voskamp
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tamar Tak
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maarten L. Gerdes
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roberta Menafra
- Leiden Genome Technology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ellen Duijster
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Simon P. Jochems
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Szymon M. Kielbasa
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tom Groot Kormelink
- Department of Exp Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Koen A. Stam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Nicolette W. de Jong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rudi W. Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Susan L. Kloet
- Leiden Genome Technology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Esther C. de Jong
- Department of Exp Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roy Gerth van Wijk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H. Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ren R, Xiong C, Ma R, Wang Y, Yue T, Yu J, Shao B. The recent progress of myeloid-derived suppressor cell and its targeted therapies in cancers. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e323. [PMID: 37547175 PMCID: PMC10397484 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.323] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are an immature group of myeloid-derived cells generated from myeloid cell precursors in the bone marrow. MDSCs appear almost exclusively in pathological conditions, such as tumor progression and various inflammatory diseases. The leading function of MDSCs is their immunosuppressive ability, which plays a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis through their immunosuppressive effects. Since MDSCs have specific molecular features, and only a tiny amount exists in physiological conditions, MDSC-targeted therapy has become a promising research direction for tumor treatment with minimal side effects. In this review, we briefly introduce the classification, generation and maturation process, and features of MDSCs, and detail their functions under various circumstances. The present review specifically demonstrates the environmental specificity of MDSCs, highlighting the differences between MDSCs from cancer and healthy individuals, as well as tumor-infiltrating MDSCs and circulating MDSCs. Then, we further describe recent advances in MDSC-targeted therapies. The existing and potential targeted drugs are divided into three categories, monoclonal antibodies, small-molecular inhibitors, and peptides. Their targeting mechanisms and characteristics have been summarized respectively. We believe that a comprehensive in-depth understanding of MDSC-targeted therapy could provide more possibilities for the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesDepartment of OrthodonticsWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chenyi Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Runyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianyang Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jiayun Yu
- Department of RadiotherapyCancer Center and State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang T, Hu Y, Dusi S, Qi F, Sartoris S, Ugel S, De Sanctis F. "Open Sesame" to the complexity of pattern recognition receptors of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130060. [PMID: 36911674 PMCID: PMC9992799 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130060] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors are primitive sensors that arouse a preconfigured immune response to broad stimuli, including nonself pathogen-associated and autologous damage-associated molecular pattern molecules. These receptors are mainly expressed by innate myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Recent investigations have revealed new insights into these receptors as key players not only in triggering inflammation processes against pathogen invasion but also in mediating immune suppression in specific pathological states, including cancer. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are preferentially expanded in many pathological conditions. This heterogeneous cell population includes immunosuppressive myeloid cells that are thought to be associated with poor prognosis and impaired response to immune therapies in various cancers. Identification of pattern recognition receptors and their ligands increases the understanding of immune-activating and immune-suppressive myeloid cell functions and sheds light on myeloid-derived suppressor cell differences from cognate granulocytes and monocytes in healthy conditions. This review summarizes the different expression, ligand recognition, signaling pathways, and cancer relations and identifies Toll-like receptors as potential new targets on myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer, which might help us to decipher the instruction codes for reverting suppressive myeloid cells toward an antitumor phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Yushu Hu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Dusi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fang Qi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartoris
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jackson JJ, Shibuya GM, Ravishankar B, Adusumilli L, Bradford D, Brockstedt DG, Bucher C, Bui M, Cho C, Colas C, Cutler G, Dukes A, Han X, Hu DX, Jacobson S, Kassner PD, Katibah GE, Ko MYM, Kolhatkar U, Leger PR, Ma A, Marshall L, Maung J, Ng AA, Okano A, Pookot D, Poon D, Ramana C, Reilly MK, Robles O, Schwarz JB, Shakhmin AA, Shunatona HP, Sreenivasan R, Tivitmahaisoon P, Xu M, Zaw T, Wustrow DJ, Zibinsky M. Potent GCN2 Inhibitor Capable of Reversing MDSC-Driven T Cell Suppression Demonstrates In Vivo Efficacy as a Single Agent and in Combination with Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12895-12924. [PMID: 36127295 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
General control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) protein kinase is a cellular stress sensor within the tumor microenvironment (TME), whose signaling cascade has been proposed to contribute to immune escape in tumors. Herein, we report the discovery of cell-potent GCN2 inhibitors with excellent selectivity against its closely related Integrated Stress Response (ISR) family members heme-regulated inhibitor kinase (HRI), protein kinase R (PKR), and (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), as well as good kinome-wide selectivity and favorable PK. In mice, compound 39 engages GCN2 at levels ≥80% with an oral dose of 15 mg/kg BID. We also demonstrate the ability of compound 39 to alleviate MDSC-related T cell suppression and restore T cell proliferation, similar to the effect seen in MDSCs from GCN2 knockout mice. In the LL2 syngeneic mouse model, compound 39 demonstrates significant tumor growth inhibition (TGI) as a single agent. Furthermore, TGI mediated by anti-VEGFR was enhanced by treatment with compound 39 demonstrating the complementarity of these two mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Jackson
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Grant M Shibuya
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Buvana Ravishankar
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Lavanya Adusumilli
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Delia Bradford
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Dirk G Brockstedt
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Cyril Bucher
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Minna Bui
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Cynthia Cho
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Christoph Colas
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Gene Cutler
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Adrian Dukes
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Xinping Han
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Dennis X Hu
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Scott Jacobson
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Paul D Kassner
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - George E Katibah
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Michelle Yoo Min Ko
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Urvi Kolhatkar
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Paul R Leger
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Anqi Ma
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Lisa Marshall
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Jack Maung
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Andrew A Ng
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Akinori Okano
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Deepa Pookot
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Daniel Poon
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Chandru Ramana
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Maureen K Reilly
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Omar Robles
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Jacob B Schwarz
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Anton A Shakhmin
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Hunter P Shunatona
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Raashi Sreenivasan
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | | | - Mengshu Xu
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Thant Zaw
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - David J Wustrow
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| | - Mikhail Zibinsky
- RAPT Therapeutics, 561 Eccles Avenue, South San Francisco, California94080, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Avery TY, Köhler N, Zeiser R, Brummer T, Ruess DA. Onco-immunomodulatory properties of pharmacological interference with RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:931774. [PMID: 35965494 PMCID: PMC9363660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.931774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK cascade - a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway – has a well-known association with oncogenesis of leading tumor entities, including non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Increasing evidence shows that genetic alterations leading to RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation mediate contact- and soluble-dependent crosstalk between tumor, tumor microenvironment (TME) and the immune system resulting in immune escape mechanisms and establishment of a tumor-sustaining environment. Consequently, pharmacological interruption of this pathway not only leads to tumor-cell intrinsic disruptive effects but also modification of the TME and anti-tumor immunomodulation. At the same time, the importance of ERK signaling in immune cell physiology and potentiation of anti-tumor immune responses through ERK signaling inhibition within immune cell subsets has received growing appreciation. Specifically, a strong case was made for targeted MEK inhibition due to promising associated immune cell intrinsic modulatory effects. However, the successful transition of therapeutic agents interrupting RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK hyperactivation is still being hampered by significant limitations regarding durable efficacy, therapy resistance and toxicity. We here collate and summarize the multifaceted role of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling in physiology and oncoimmunology and outline the rationale and concepts for exploitation of immunomodulatory properties of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK inhibition while accentuating the role of MEK inhibition in combinatorial and intermittent anticancer therapy. Furthermore, we point out the extensive scientific efforts dedicated to overcoming the challenges encountered during the clinical transition of various therapeutic agents in the search for the most effective and safe patient- and tumor-tailored treatment approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Yul Avery
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
| | - Natalie Köhler
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietrich Alexander Ruess
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Targeting Inhibition of Accumulation and Function of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells by Artemisinin via PI3K/AKT, mTOR, and MAPK Pathways Enhances Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy in Melanoma and Liver Tumors. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:2253436. [PMID: 35785030 PMCID: PMC9247850 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2253436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the remarkable success and efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy such as anti-PD-L1 antibody in treating cancers, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that lead to the formation of the protumor immunosuppressive microenvironment are one of the major contributors to ICB resistance. Therefore, inhibition of MDSC accumulation and function is critical for further enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibody in a majority of cancer patients. Artemisinin (ART), the most effective antimalarial drug with tumoricidal and immunoregulatory activities, is a potential option for cancer treatment. Although ART is reported to reduce MDSC levels in 4T1 breast tumor model and improve the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibody in T cell lymphoma-bearing mice, how ART influences MDSC accumulation, function, and molecular pathways as well as MDSC-mediated anti-PD-L1 resistance in melanoma or liver tumors remains unknown. Here, we reported that ART blocks the accumulation and function of MDSCs by polarizing M2-like tumor-promoting phenotype towards M1-like antitumor one. This switch is regulated via PI3K/AKT, mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways. Targeting MDSCs by ART could significantly reduce tumor growth in various mouse models. More importantly, the ART therapy remarkably enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in tumor-bearing mice through promoting antitumor T cell infiltration and proliferation. These findings indicate that ART controls the functional polarization of MDSCs and targeting MDSCs by ART provides a novel therapeutic strategy to enhance anti-PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
11
|
Immunosuppressive Signaling Pathways as Targeted Cancer Therapies. Biomedicines 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030682
expr 829797163 + 949875436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune response has been shown to play an important role in defining patient prognosis and response to cancer treatment. Tumor-induced immunosuppression encouraged the recent development of new chemotherapeutic agents that assists in the augmentation of immune responses. Molecular mechanisms that tumors use to evade immunosurveillance are attributed to their ability to alter antigen processing/presentation pathways and the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells take advantage of normal molecular and immunoregulatory machinery to survive and thrive. Cancer cells constantly adjust their genetic makeup using several mechanisms such as nucleotide excision repair as well as microsatellite and chromosomal instability, thus giving rise to new variants with reduced immunogenicity and the ability to continue to grow without restrictions. This review will focus on the central molecular signaling pathways involved in immunosuppressive cells and briefly discuss how cancer cells evade immunosurveillance by manipulating antigen processing cells and related proteins. Secondly, the review will discuss how these pathways can be utilized for the implementation of precision medicine and deciphering drug resistance.
Collapse
|
12
|
Setlai BP, Hull R, Bida M, Durandt C, Mulaudzi TV, Chatziioannou A, Dlamini Z. Immunosuppressive Signaling Pathways as Targeted Cancer Therapies. Biomedicines 2022; 10:682. [PMID: 35327484 PMCID: PMC8945019 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune response has been shown to play an important role in defining patient prognosis and response to cancer treatment. Tumor-induced immunosuppression encouraged the recent development of new chemotherapeutic agents that assists in the augmentation of immune responses. Molecular mechanisms that tumors use to evade immunosurveillance are attributed to their ability to alter antigen processing/presentation pathways and the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells take advantage of normal molecular and immunoregulatory machinery to survive and thrive. Cancer cells constantly adjust their genetic makeup using several mechanisms such as nucleotide excision repair as well as microsatellite and chromosomal instability, thus giving rise to new variants with reduced immunogenicity and the ability to continue to grow without restrictions. This review will focus on the central molecular signaling pathways involved in immunosuppressive cells and briefly discuss how cancer cells evade immunosurveillance by manipulating antigen processing cells and related proteins. Secondly, the review will discuss how these pathways can be utilized for the implementation of precision medicine and deciphering drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Botle Precious Setlai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007, South Africa;
| | - Rodney Hull
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa;
| | - Meshack Bida
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa;
| | - Chrisna Durandt
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Thanyani Victor Mulaudzi
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007, South Africa;
| | - Aristotelis Chatziioannou
- Center of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Str., 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Zodwa Dlamini
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa;
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang W, Zhao X, Li L. Downregulationof circ_0001578 promotes gestational diabetes mellitus by inducing placental inflammation via the NF-κB and JNKs pathways. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:657802. [PMID: 36263320 PMCID: PMC9573949 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.657802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common diseases during pregnancy. Some patients with GDM have adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the pathogenesis of GDM is very complex and not well understood. In this study, we characterized the expression and functions of a circular RNA, circ_0001578, in GDM. In particular, using qRT-PCR, we verified previous RNA-seq results showing that circ_0001578 is significantly downregulated in the placental villous tissues of pregnant women with GMD. We demonstrated that plasma exosome circ_0001578 expression in the second trimester effectively predicts GDM at 28 weeks. Furthermore, in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblasts, the downregulation of circ_0001578 inhibited proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis. These changes may induce chronic inflammation in the placenta. These effects of circ_0001578 downregulation may be mediated by the upregulation of the NF-κB and JNK pathways, combined with increased expression levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and CRP. Collectively, the downregulation of circ_0001578 may promote GDM by inducing chronic inflammation in the placenta via the NF-κB and JNK pathways. Furthermore, our findings support that circ_0001578 has potential to serve as an early marker of GDM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Ling Li, ; Xudong Zhao,
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Ling Li, ; Xudong Zhao,
| |
Collapse
|