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Huang M, Liu Y, Peng J, Cheng Y. Causal effects of immune cells in glioblastoma: a Bayesian Mendelian Randomization study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1375723. [PMID: 38742049 PMCID: PMC11089213 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1375723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumor, and immune cells play a crucial role in its initiation and progression. The immune system's cellular components, including various types of lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, among others, engage in intricate interactions with GBM. However, the precise nature of these interactions remains to be conclusively determined. Method In this study, a comprehensive two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to elucidate the causal relationship between immune cell features and the incidence of GBM. Utilizing publicly available genetic data, we investigated the causal associations between 731 immune cell signatures and the risk of GBM. Subsequently, we conducted a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis to rule out reverse causation. Finally, it was concluded that there is a unidirectional causal relationship between three subtypes of immune cells and GBM. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses were employed to validate the results robustness, heterogeneity, and presence of horizontal pleiotropy. To enhance the accuracy of our results, we concurrently subjected them to Bayesian analysis. Results After conducting MR analyses, we identified 10 immune phenotypes that counteract glioblastoma, with the most protective being FSC-A on Natural Killer T cells (OR = 0.688, CI = 0.515-0.918, P = 0.011). Additionally, we found 11 immune cell subtypes that promote GBM incidence, including CD62L- HLA DR++ monocyte % monocyte (OR = 1.522, CI = 1.004-2.307, P = 0.048), CD4+CD8+ T cell % leukocyte (OR = 1.387, CI = 1.031-1.866, P = 0.031). Following the implementation of reverse MR analysis, where glioblastoma served as the exposure variable and the outcomes included 21 target immune cell subtypes, we discerned that only three cell subtypes (CD45 on CD33+ HLA DR+ CD14dim, CD33+ HLA DR+ Absolute Count, and IgD+ CD24+ B cell Absolute Count) exhibited a unidirectional causal association with glioblastoma. Conclusion Our study has genetically demonstrated the close relationship between immune cells and GBM, guiding future clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingsheng Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiheng Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Repici A, Ardizzone A, Filippone A, Colarossi C, Mare M, Raciti G, Mannino D, Cuzzocrea S, Paterniti I, Esposito E. Interleukin-21 Influences Glioblastoma Course: Biological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Cells 2023; 12:2284. [PMID: 37759505 PMCID: PMC10526836 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182284] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms involving the brain or nearby tissues, affecting populations of all ages with a high incidence worldwide. Among the primary brain tumors, the most aggressive and also the most common is glioblastoma (GB), a type of glioma that falls into the category of IV-grade astrocytoma. GB often leads to death within a few months after diagnosis, even if the patient is treated with available therapies; for this reason, it is important to continue to discover new therapeutic approaches to allow for a better survival rate of these patients. Immunotherapy, today, seems to be one of the most innovative types of treatment, based on the ability of the immune system to counteract various pathologies, including cancer. In this context, interleukin 21 (IL-21), a type I cytokine produced by natural killer (NK) cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes, appears to be a valid target for new therapies since this cytokine is involved in the activation of innate and adaptive immunity. To match this purpose, our review deeply evaluated how IL-21 could influence the progression of GB, analyzing its main biological processes and mechanisms while evaluating the potential use of the latest available therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Repici
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Alessia Filippone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Cristina Colarossi
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Marzia Mare
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Gabriele Raciti
- IOM Ricerca, Via Penninazzo 11, 95029 Viagrande, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Deborah Mannino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
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3
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Choi H, Baek IC, Park SA, Park JS, Jeun SS, Kim TG, Ahn S. Polymorphisms of Killer Ig-like Receptors and the Risk of Glioblastoma. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4780. [PMID: 37510895 PMCID: PMC10380963 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The immune responses of natural killer (NK) cells against cancer cells vary by patient. Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs), which are some of the major receptors involved in regulating NK cell activity for killing cancer cells, have significant genetic variation. Numerous studies have suggested a potential association between the genetic variation of KIR genes and the risk of development or prognosis of various cancer types. However, an association between genetic variations of KIR genes and glioblastoma (GB) remains uncertain. We sought to evaluate the association of genetic variations of KIRs and their ligand genes with the risk of GB development in Koreans. METHODS A case-control study was performed to identify the odds ratios (ORs) of KIR genes and Classes A, B, and, C of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) for GB. The GB group was comprised of 77 patients with newly diagnosed IDH-wildtype GB at our institution, and the control group consisted of 200 healthy Korean volunteers. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the frequency of KIR genes and KIR haplotypes between the GB and control groups. Genetic variations of KIR-2DL1, 3DL1, and 3DS1 with their ligand genes (HLA-C2, HLA-Bw4/6, and Bw4, respectively) had effects on the risk of GB in Korean patients. The frequency of KIR-2DL1 with HLA-C2 (OR 2.05, CI 1.19-3.52, p = 0.009), the frequency of KIR-3DL1 without HLA-Bw4 (80I) (OR 8.36, CI 4.06-17.18, p < 0.001), and the frequency of KIR-3DL1 with Bw6 (OR 4.54, CI 2.55-8.09, p < 0.001) in the GB group were higher than in the control group. In addition, the frequency of KIR-2DL1 without HLA-C2 (OR 0.44, CI 0.26-0.75, p = 0.003), the frequency of KIR-3DL1 with HLA-Bw4 (80T) (OR 0.13, CI 0.06-0.27, p < 0.001), the frequency of KIR-3DL1 without Bw6 (OR 0.27, CI 0.15-0.49, p < 0.001), and the frequency of KIR-3DS1 with Bw4 (80I) (OR 0.03, CI 0.00-0.50, p < 0.001) in the GB group were lower than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that genetic variations of KIRs and their ligand genes may affect GB development in the Korean population. Further investigations are needed to demonstrate the different immune responses for GB cells according to genetic variations of KIR genes and their ligand genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haeyoun Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Cheol Baek
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon A Park
- Department of Biomedicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sung Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Soo Jeun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Gyu Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Stephen Ahn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
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Segura-Collar B, Hiller-Vallina S, de Dios O, Caamaño-Moreno M, Mondejar-Ruescas L, Sepulveda-Sanchez JM, Gargini R. Advanced immunotherapies for glioblastoma: tumor neoantigen vaccines in combination with immunomodulators. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:79. [PMID: 37165457 PMCID: PMC10171733 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01569-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial-origin brain tumors, including glioblastomas (GBM), have one of the worst prognoses due to their rapid and fatal progression. From an oncological point of view, advances in complete surgical resection fail to eliminate the entire tumor and the remaining cells allow a rapid recurrence, which does not respond to traditional therapeutic treatments. Here, we have reviewed new immunotherapy strategies in association with the knowledge of the immune micro-environment. To understand the best lines for the future, we address the advances in the design of neoantigen vaccines and possible new immune modulators. Recently, the efficacy and availability of vaccine development with different formulations, especially liposome plus mRNA vaccines, has been observed. We believe that the application of new strategies used with mRNA vaccines in combination with personalized medicine (guided by different omic's strategies) could give good results in glioma therapy. In addition, a large part of the possible advances in new immunotherapy strategies focused on GBM may be key improving current therapies of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), given the fact that this type of tumor has been highly refractory to ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Segura-Collar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Hiller-Vallina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Olaya de Dios
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, UFIEC, 28222, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Marta Caamaño-Moreno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Mondejar-Ruescas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M Sepulveda-Sanchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Gargini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas I+12, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
- Pathology and Neurooncology Unit, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Av. de Córdoba, S/N, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
- Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
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5
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Durmanova V, Kluckova K, Filova B, Minarik G, Kozak J, Rychly B, Svajdler M, Matejcik V, Steno J, Bucova M. HLA-G 5'URR regulatory polymorphisms are associated with the risk of developing gliomas. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:365-374. [PMID: 33902385 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1922401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) belongs to non-classical MHC class I molecules that is involved in the suppression of immune response. As HLA-G plays important role in the maintenance of fetal tolerance, its overexpression has been associated with tumor progression. For the regulation of HLA-G levels, genetic variants within the 5' upstream regulatory region (5'URR) are of crucial importance. Our study aimed to analyze the association between 16 HLA-G 5'URR variants, sHLA-G level and clinical variables in glioma patients. METHODS We investigated 59 patients with gliomas (mean age 54.70 ± 15.10 years) and 131 healthy controls (mean age 41.45 ± 9.75 years). Patient's blood was obtained on the day of surgical treatment. The HLA-G 5'URR polymorphisms were typed by direct sequencing and the plasma level of sHLA-G assessed by ELISA. RESULTS Haploblock within HLA-G 5'URR consisting of -762T, -716G, -689G, -666T, -633A, followed by -486C and -201A alleles were significantly more frequent in patients with gliomas than in the controls (p < 0.05). No correlation of HLA-G 5'URR variants with sHLA-G plasma level was found. Analysis of HLA-G 5'URR variants with main clinical variables in patients with grade IV gliomas revealed that haploblock carriers of -762CT, -716TG, -689AG, -666GT, -633GA, -486AC, -477GC, -201GA followed by -369AC carriers tend to have lower age at onset as compared to other genotype carriers (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION Our results suggest genetic association of HLA-G 5'URR variants with risk of developing gliomas and possible contribution of HLA-G to disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimira Durmanova
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Kristina Kluckova
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Filova
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Gabriel Minarik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jan Kozak
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Rychly
- Department of Pathology, Cytopathos, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marian Svajdler
- Department of Pathology, Cytopathos, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Sikl's Department of Pathology, Charles University, The Faculty of Medicine and Faculty Hospital in Pilsen, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Viktor Matejcik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Steno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maria Bucova
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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TRUONG NC, HUYNH NT, PHAM KD, PHAM PV. Roles of cancer stem cells in cancer immune surveillance. MINERVA BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMOLECULAR RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.23736/s2724-542x.23.02944-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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7
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Musatova OE, Rubtsov YP. Effects of glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles on the functions of immune cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1060000. [PMID: 36960410 PMCID: PMC10028257 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1060000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive variant of glioma, the tumor of glial origin which accounts for 80% of brain tumors. Glioblastoma is characterized by astoundingly poor prognosis for patients; a combination of surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy used for clinical treatment of glioblastoma almost inevitably results in rapid relapse and development of more aggressive and therapy resistant tumor. Recently, it was demonstrated that extracellular vesicles produced by glioblastoma (GBM-EVs) during apoptotic cell death can bind to surrounding cells and change their phenotype to more aggressive. GBM-EVs participate also in establishment of immune suppressive microenvironment that protects glioblastoma from antigen-specific recognition and killing by T cells. In this review, we collected present data concerning characterization of GBM-EVs and study of their effects on different populations of the immune cells (T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells). We aimed at critical analysis of experimental evidence in order to conclude whether glioblastoma-derived extracellular vesicles are a major factor in immune evasion of this deadly tumor. We summarized data concerning potential use of GBM-EVs for non-invasive diagnostics of glioblastoma. Finally, the applicability of approaches aimed at blocking of GBM-EVs production or their fusion with target cells for treatment of glioblastoma was analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana E. Musatova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yury P. Rubtsov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- N.N.Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Yury P. Rubtsov,
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Guo Z, Zhang R, Yang AG, Zheng G. Diversity of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121285. [PMID: 36960057 PMCID: PMC10027905 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Finding effective treatments for cancer remains a challenge. Recent studies have found that the mechanisms of tumor evasion are becoming increasingly diverse, including abnormal expression of immune checkpoint molecules on different immune cells, in particular T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages and others. In this review, we discuss the checkpoint molecules with enhanced expression on these lymphocytes and their consequences on immune effector functions. Dissecting the diverse roles of immune checkpoints in different immune cells is crucial for a full understanding of immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - An-Gang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxu Zheng, ; An-Gang Yang,
| | - Guoxu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxu Zheng, ; An-Gang Yang,
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Knabl J, Hüttenbrenner R, Mahner S, Kainer F, Desoye G, Jeschke U. Lower HLA-G levels in extravillous trophoblasts of human term placenta in gestational diabetes mellitus than in normal controls. Histochem Cell Biol 2022:10.1007/s00418-022-02163-4. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe non-classical human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule HLA-G is widely known to play a major role in feto-maternal tolerance. We tested the hypothesis that HLA-G expression is altered in placentas of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a specific pattern that depends on fetal sex. HLA-G expression was analysed in a total of 80 placentas (40 placentas from women with GDM and 40 healthy controls) by immunohistochemistry using the semi-quantitative immunoreactive score (IRS). Double immunofluorescence staining identified the cells expressing HLA-G in the decidua and allowed evaluation of the expression pattern. We found a significant (p < 0.001) reduction of HLA-G expression in extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVTs) in the placentas of women with GDM as compared to the healthy controls and were able to demonstrate that this downregulation was not due to a loss of cell number, but to a loss of expression intensity. A special change in the cell pattern of EVTs was observed, with these cells showing an obvious decrease in HLA-G expression on their cell surface. No significant differences according to fetal sex were found. These data show a possible association between decreased HLA-G expression and presence of GDM and provide new insights into altered placental function in women with GDM.
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10
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Munquad S, Si T, Mallik S, Li A, Das AB. Subtyping and grading of lower-grade gliomas using integrated feature selection and support vector machine. Brief Funct Genomics 2022; 21:408-421. [PMID: 35923100 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elac025] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Classifying lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) is a crucial step for accurate therapeutic intervention. The histopathological classification of various subtypes of LGG, including astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma, suffers from intraobserver and interobserver variability leading to inaccurate classification and greater risk to patient health. We designed an efficient machine learning-based classification framework to diagnose LGG subtypes and grades using transcriptome data. First, we developed an integrated feature selection method based on correlation and support vector machine (SVM) recursive feature elimination. Then, implementation of the SVM classifier achieved superior accuracy compared with other machine learning frameworks. Most importantly, we found that the accuracy of subtype classification is always high (>90%) in a specific grade rather than in mixed grade (~80%) cancer. Differential co-expression analysis revealed higher heterogeneity in mixed grade cancer, resulting in reduced prediction accuracy. Our findings suggest that it is necessary to identify cancer grades and subtypes to attain a higher classification accuracy. Our six-class classification model efficiently predicts the grades and subtypes with an average accuracy of 91% (±0.02). Furthermore, we identify several predictive biomarkers using co-expression, gene set enrichment and survival analysis, indicating our framework is biologically interpretable and can potentially support the clinician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Munquad
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal 506004, Telangana, India
| | - Tapas Si
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Bankura Unnayani Institute of Engineering, Bankura 722146, West Bengal, India
| | - Saurav Mallik
- Department of Environmental Epigenetics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aimin Li
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Asim Bikas Das
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal 506004, Telangana, India
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Pediatric glioblastoma: mechanisms of immune evasion and potential therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:1813-1822. [PMID: 35020009 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03131-y] [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: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric glioblastoma is relatively rare compared with its adult counterpart but is associated with a similarly grim prognosis. Available data indicate that pediatric glioblastomas are molecularly distinct from adult tumors, and relatively little is known about the pediatric glioblastoma tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a new pillar of cancer treatment and is revolutionizing the care of patients with many advanced solid tumors, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, attempts to treat adult glioblastoma with current immunotherapies have had limited success to date. Nevertheless, the immune milieu in pediatric glioblastoma is distinct from that found in adult tumors, and evidence suggests that pediatric tumors are less immunosuppressive. As a result, immunotherapies should be specifically evaluated in the pediatric context. The purpose of this review is to explore known and emerging mechanisms of immune evasion in pediatric glioblastoma and highlight potential opportunities for implementing immunotherapy in the treatment of these devastating pediatric brain tumors.
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12
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Immunotherapy for Neuro-oncology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1342:233-258. [PMID: 34972967 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-79308-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has changed the landscape of treatment of many solid and hematological malignancies and is at the forefront of cancer breakthroughs. Several circumstances unique to the central nervous system (CNS) such as limited space for an inflammatory response, difficulties with repeated sampling, corticosteroid use for management of cerebral edema, and immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor and brain parenchyma have posed challenges in clinical development of immunotherapy for intracranial tumors. Nonetheless, the success of immunotherapy in brain metastases (BMs) from solid cancers such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) proves that the CNS is not an immune-privileged organ and is capable of initiating and regulating immune responses that lead to tumor control. However, the development of immunotherapeutics for the most malignant primary brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM), has been challenging due to systemic and profound tumor-mediated immunosuppression unique to GBM, intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, and lack of stably expressed clonal antigens. Here, we review recent advances in the field of immunotherapy for neuro-oncology with a focus on BM, GBM, and rare CNS cancers.
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Hernández A, Domènech M, Muñoz-Mármol AM, Carrato C, Balana C. Glioblastoma: Relationship between Metabolism and Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123529. [PMID: 34944036 PMCID: PMC8700075 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor in adults and is characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Different factors shaping this tumor microenvironment (TME) regulate tumor initiation, progression, and treatment response. Genetic alterations and metabolism pathways are two main elements that influence tumor immune cells and TME. In this manuscript, we review how both factors can contribute to an immunosuppressive state and overview the strategies being tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Hernández
- B·ARGO (Badalona Applied Research Group of Oncology) Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology Badalona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Marta Domènech
- B·ARGO (Badalona Applied Research Group of Oncology) Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology Badalona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Ana M. Muñoz-Mármol
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.M.M.-M.); (C.C.)
| | - Cristina Carrato
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.M.M.-M.); (C.C.)
| | - Carmen Balana
- B·ARGO (Badalona Applied Research Group of Oncology) Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology Badalona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.H.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-4978925
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14
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Kumar AR, Devan AR, Nair B, Vinod BS, Nath LR. Harnessing the immune system against cancer: current immunotherapy approaches and therapeutic targets. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:8075-8095. [PMID: 34671902 PMCID: PMC8605995 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06752-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a rapidly evolving concept that has been given the tag "fifth pillar" of cancer therapy while radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery and targeted therapy remain the other four pillars. This involves the stimulation of the immune system to control tumor growth and it specifically targets the neoplastic cells rather than the normal cells. Conventional chemotherapy has many limitations which include drug resistance, recurrence of cancer and severe adverse effects. Immunology has made major treatment breakthroughs for several cancers such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, stomach cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia etc. Currently, therapeutic strategies harnessing the immune system involve Checkpoint inhibitors, Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells), Monoclonal antibodies, Cancer vaccines, Cytokines, Radio-immunotherapy and Oncolytic virus therapy. The molecular characterization of several tumor antigens (TA) indicates that these TA can be utilized as promising candidates in cancer immunotherapy strategies. Here in this review, we highlight and summarize the different categories of emerging cancer immunotherapies along with the immunologically recognized tumor antigens involved in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayana R Kumar
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P. O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Aswathy R Devan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P. O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P. O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Balachandran S Vinod
- Department of Biochemistry, Sree Narayana College, Kollam, Kerala, 691001, India.
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P. O., Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India.
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15
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Nava S, Lisini D, Frigerio S, Bersano A. Dendritic Cells and Cancer Immunotherapy: The Adjuvant Effect. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212339. [PMID: 34830221 PMCID: PMC8620771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are immune specialized cells playing a critical role in promoting immune response against antigens, and may represent important targets for therapeutic interventions in cancer. DCs can be stimulated ex vivo with pro-inflammatory molecules and loaded with tumor-specific antigen(s). Protocols describing the specific details of DCs vaccination manufacturing vary widely, but regardless of the employed protocol, the DCs vaccination safety and its ability to induce antitumor responses is clearly established. Many years of studies have focused on the ability of DCs to provide overall survival benefits at least for a selection of cancer patients. Lessons learned from early trials lead to the hypothesis that, to improve the efficacy of DCs-based immunotherapy, this should be combined with other treatments. Thus, the vaccine’s ultimate role may lie in the combinatorial approaches of DCs-based immunotherapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, more than in monotherapy. In this review, we address some key questions regarding the integration of DCs vaccination with multimodality therapy approaches for cancer treatment paradigms.
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16
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Singh K, Hotchkiss KM, Mohan AA, Reedy JL, Sampson JH, Khasraw M. For whom the T cells troll? Bispecific T-cell engagers in glioblastoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e003679. [PMID: 34795007 PMCID: PMC8603282 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Onset of disease is followed by a uniformly lethal prognosis and dismal overall survival. While immunotherapies have revolutionized treatment in other difficult-to-treat cancers, these have failed to demonstrate significant clinical benefit in patients with glioblastoma. Obstacles to success include the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME), the immune-privileged intracranial space, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and local and systemic immunosuppressions. Monoclonal antibody-based therapies have failed at least in part due to their inability to access the intracranial compartment. Bispecific T-cell engagers are promising antibody fragment-based therapies which can bring T cells close to their target and capture them with a high binding affinity. They can redirect the entire repertoire of T cells against tumor, independent of T-cell receptor specificity. However, the multiple challenges posed by the TME, immune privilege and the BBB suggest that a single agent approach may be insufficient to yield durable, long-lasting antitumor efficacy. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of action of T-cell engagers, their preclinical and clinical developments to date. We also draw comparisons with other classes of multispecific antibodies and potential combinations using these antibody fragment therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirit Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Biomedical Engineering, Duke Universtiy, Durham, NC, USA
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27703
| | - Kelly M Hotchkiss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27703
| | - Aditya A Mohan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica L Reedy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27703
| | - John H Sampson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Biomedical Engineering, Duke Universtiy, Durham, NC, USA
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27703
| | - Mustafa Khasraw
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27703
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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17
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Fan Y, Wang Y, Zhang J, Dong X, Gao P, Liu K, Ma C, Zhao G. Breaking Bad: Autophagy Tweaks the Interplay Between Glioma and the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:746621. [PMID: 34671362 PMCID: PMC8521049 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.746621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Though significant strides in tumorigenic comprehension and therapy modality have been witnessed over the past decades, glioma remains one of the most common and malignant brain tumors characterized by recurrence, dismal prognosis, and therapy resistance. Immunotherapy advance holds promise in glioma recently. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy varies among individuals with glioma, which drives researchers to consider the modest levels of immunity in the central nervous system, as well as the immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Considering the highly conserved property for sustaining energy homeostasis in mammalian cells and repeatedly reported links in malignancy and drug resistance, autophagy is determined as a cutting angle to elucidate the relations between glioma and the TIME. In this review, heterogeneity of TIME in glioma is outlined along with the reciprocal impacts between them. In addition, controversies on whether autophagy behaves cytoprotectively or cytotoxically in cancers are covered. How autophagy collapses from its homeostasis and aids glioma malignancy, which may depend on the cell type and the cellular context such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, are briefly discussed. The consecutive application of autophagy inducers and inhibitors may improve the drug resistance in glioma after overtreatments. It also highlights that autophagy plays a pivotal part in modulating glioma and the TIME, respectively, and the intricate interactions among them. Specifically, autophagy is manipulated by either glioma or tumor-associated macrophages to conform one side to the other through exosomal microRNAs and thereby adjust the interactions. Given that some of the crosstalk between glioma and the TIME highly depend on the autophagy process or autophagic components, there are interconnections influenced by the status and well-being of cells presumably associated with autophagic flux. By updating the most recent knowledge concerning glioma and the TIME from an autophagic perspective enhances comprehension and inspires more applicable and effective strategies targeting TIME while harnessing autophagy collaboratively against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yubo Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuechao Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pu Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chengyuan Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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18
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Jan CI, Huang SW, Canoll P, Bruce JN, Lin YC, Pan CM, Lu HM, Chiu SC, Cho DY. Targeting human leukocyte antigen G with chimeric antigen receptors of natural killer cells convert immunosuppression to ablate solid tumors. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003050. [PMID: 34663641 PMCID: PMC8524382 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy against solid tumors has long been hampered by the development of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and the lack of a specific tumor-associated antigen that could be targeted in different kinds of solid tumors. Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is an immune checkpoint protein (ICP) that is neoexpressed in most tumor cells as a way to evade immune attack and has been recently demonstrated as a useful target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy of leukemia by in vitro studies. Here, we design and test for targeting HLA-G in solid tumors using a CAR strategy. Methods We developed a novel CAR strategy using natural killer (NK) cell as effector cells, featuring enhanced cytolytic effect via DAP12-based intracellular signal amplification. A single-chain variable fragment (scFv) against HLA-G is designed as the targeting moiety, and the construct is tested both in vitro and in vivo on four different solid tumor models. We also evaluated the synergy of this anti-HLA-G CAR-NK strategy with low-dose chemotherapy as combination therapy. Results HLA-G CAR-transduced NK cells present effective cytolysis of breast, brain, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer cells in vitro, as well as reduced xenograft tumor growth with extended median survival in orthotopic mouse models. In tumor coculture assays, the anti-HLA-G scFv moiety promotes Syk/Zap70 activation of NK cells, suggesting reversal of the HLA-G-mediated immunosuppression and hence restoration of native NK cytolytic functions. Tumor expression of HLA-G can be further induced using low-dose chemotherapy, which when combined with anti-HLA-G CAR-NK results in extensive tumor ablation both in vitro and in vivo. This upregulation of tumor HLA-G involves inhibition of DNMT1 and demethylation of transporter associated with antigen processing 1 promoter. Conclusions Our novel CAR-NK strategy exploits the dual nature of HLA-G as both a tumor-associated neoantigen and an ICP to counteract tumor spread. Further ablation of tumors can be boosted when combined with administration of chemotherapeutic agents in clinical use. The readiness of this novel strategy envisions a wide applicability in treating solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ing Jan
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Translational Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Wei Huang
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Bruce
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yu-Chuan Lin
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ming Pan
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Man Lu
- Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Chih Chiu
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan .,Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Der-Yang Cho
- Translational Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan .,Drug Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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19
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Burster T, Traut R, Yermekkyzy Z, Mayer K, Westhoff MA, Bischof J, Knippschild U. Critical View of Novel Treatment Strategies for Glioblastoma: Failure and Success of Resistance Mechanisms by Glioblastoma Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:695325. [PMID: 34485282 PMCID: PMC8415230 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.695325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the invasive nature of glioblastoma, which is the most common form of malignant brain tumor, the standard care by surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy is particularly challenging. The presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) and the surrounding tumor microenvironment protects glioblastoma from recognition by the immune system. Conventional therapy concepts have failed to completely remove glioblastoma cells, which is one major drawback in clinical management of the disease. The use of small molecule inhibitors, immunomodulators, immunotherapy, including peptide and mRNA vaccines, and virotherapy came into focus for the treatment of glioblastoma. Although novel strategies underline the benefit for anti-tumor effectiveness, serious challenges need to be overcome to successfully manage tumorigenesis, indicating the significance of developing new strategies. Therefore, we provide insights into the application of different medications in combination to boost the host immune system to interfere with immune evasion of glioblastoma cells which are promising prerequisites for therapeutic approaches to treat glioblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Burster
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Rebecca Traut
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Zhanerke Yermekkyzy
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Katja Mayer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mike-Andrew Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Joachim Bischof
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Uwe Knippschild
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Surgery Center, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
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20
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Kelly WJ, Giles AJ, Gilbert M. T lymphocyte-targeted immune checkpoint modulation in glioma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2019-000379. [PMID: 32051289 PMCID: PMC7057419 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulatory therapies targeting inhibitory checkpoint molecules have revolutionized the treatment of solid tumor malignancies. Concerns about whether systemic administration of an immune checkpoint inhibitor could impact primary brain tumors were answered with the observation of definitive responses in pediatric patients harboring hypermutated gliomas. Although initial clinical results in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) were disappointing, recently published results have demonstrated a potential survival benefit in patients with recurrent GBM treated with neoadjuvant programmed cell death protein 1 blockade. While these findings necessitate verification in subsequent studies, they support the possibility of achieving clinical meaningful immune responses in malignant primary brain tumors including GBM, a disease in dire need of additional therapeutic options. There are several challenges involved in treating glioma with immune checkpoint modulators including the immunosuppressive nature of GBM itself with high inhibitory checkpoint expression, the immunoselective blood brain barrier impairing the ability for peripheral lymphocytes to traffic to the tumor microenvironment and the high prevalence of corticosteroid use which suppress lymphocyte activation. However, by simultaneously targeting multiple costimulatory and inhibitory pathways, it may be possible to achieve an effective antitumoral immune response. To this end, there are now several novel agents targeting more recently uncovered “second generation” checkpoint molecules. Given the multiplicity of drugs being considered for combination regimens, an increased understanding of the mechanisms of action and resistance combined with more robust preclinical and early clinical testing will be needed to be able to adequately test these agents. This review summarizes our current understanding of T lymphocyte-modulating checkpoint molecules as it pertains to glioma with the hope for a renewed focus on the most promising therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amber Jin Giles
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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21
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Bufalieri F, Basili I, Di Marcotullio L, Infante P. Harnessing the Activation of RIG-I Like Receptors to Inhibit Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:710171. [PMID: 34305530 PMCID: PMC8295747 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.710171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is an incurable form of brain malignancy in an adult with a median survival of less than 15 months. The current standard of care, which consists of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide, has been unsuccessful due to an extensive inter- and intra-tumoral genetic and molecular heterogeneity. This aspect represents a serious obstacle for developing alternative therapeutic options for GB. In the last years, immunotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for a wide range of cancers and several trials have evaluated its effects in GB patients. Unfortunately, clinical outcomes were disappointing particularly because of the presence of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Recently, anti-cancer approaches aimed to improve the expression and the activity of RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) have emerged. These innovative therapeutic strategies attempt to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses against tumor antigens and to promote the apoptosis of cancer cells. Indeed, RLRs are important mediators of the innate immune system by triggering the type I interferon (IFN) response upon recognition of immunostimulatory RNAs. In this mini-review, we discuss the functions of RLRs family members in the control of immune response and we focus on the potential clinical application of RLRs agonists as a promising strategy for GB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center For Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
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22
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Zhao B, Wang Y, Wang Y, Dai C, Wang Y, Ma W. Investigation of Genetic Determinants of Glioma Immune Phenotype by Integrative Immunogenomic Scale Analysis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:557994. [PMID: 34220791 PMCID: PMC8242587 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.557994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunosuppressive mechanisms of the surrounding microenvironment and distinct immunogenomic features in glioblastoma (GBM) have not been elucidated to date. To fill this gap, useful data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), GSE16011, GSE43378, GSE23806, and GSE12907. With the ssGSEA method and the ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms, four microenvironmental signatures were used to identify glioma microenvironment genes, and the samples were reasonably classified into three immune phenotypes. The molecular and clinical features of these phenotypes were characterized via key gene set expression, tumor mutation burden, fraction of immune cell infiltration, and functional enrichment. Exhausted CD8+ T cell (GET) signature construction with the predictive response to commonly used antitumor drugs and peritumoral edema assisted in further characterizing the immune phenotype features. A total of 2,466 glioma samples with gene expression profiles were enrolled. Tumor purity, ESTIMATE, and immune and stromal scores served as the 4 microenvironment signatures used to classify gliomas into immune-high, immune-middle and immune-low groups, which had distinct immune heterogeneity and clinicopathological characteristics. The immune-H phenotype had higher expression of four immune signatures; however, most checkpoint molecules exhibited poor survival. Enriched pathways among the subtypes were related to immunity. The GET score was similar among the three phenotypes, while immune-L was more sensitive to bortezomib, cisplatin, docetaxel, lapatinib, and rapamycin prescriptions and displayed mild peritumor edema. The three novel immune phenotypes with distinct immunogenetic features could have utility for understanding glioma microenvironment regulation and determining prognosis. These results contribute to classifying glioma subtypes, remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment and informing novel cancer immunotherapy in the era of precision immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghao Zhao
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuekun Wang
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yaning Wang
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Congxin Dai
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenbin Ma
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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23
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Passaro AP, Lebos AL, Yao Y, Stice SL. Immune Response in Neurological Pathology: Emerging Role of Central and Peripheral Immune Crosstalk. Front Immunol 2021; 12:676621. [PMID: 34177918 PMCID: PMC8222736 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a key component of neurological disorders and is an important therapeutic target; however, immunotherapies have been largely unsuccessful. In cases where these therapies have succeeded, particularly multiple sclerosis, they have primarily focused on one aspect of the disease and leave room for improvement. More recently, the impact of the peripheral immune system is being recognized, since it has become evident that the central nervous system is not immune-privileged, as once thought. In this review, we highlight key interactions between central and peripheral immune cells in neurological disorders. While traditional approaches have examined these systems separately, the immune responses and processes in neurological disorders consist of substantial crosstalk between cells of the central and peripheral immune systems. Here, we provide an overview of major immune effector cells and the role of the blood-brain barrier in regard to neurological disorders and provide examples of this crosstalk in various disorders, including stroke and traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain cancer. Finally, we propose targeting central-peripheral immune interactions as a potential improved therapeutic strategy to overcome failures in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin P. Passaro
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical Health and Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Abraham L. Lebos
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Yao Yao
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Steven L. Stice
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical Health and Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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HLA-G and HLA-E Immune Checkpoints Are Widely Expressed in Ewing Sarcoma but Have Limited Functional Impact on the Effector Functions of Antigen-Specific CAR T Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122857. [PMID: 34201079 PMCID: PMC8227123 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Solid cancers can effectively counteract immune attack by inhibitory checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment. Blockade of relevant immune checkpoints could be a useful tool for enhancing the efficacy of antitumor T cell therapies. Here, we studied the capacity of two nonclassical HLA molecules with known immunosuppressive function, HLA-G and HLA-E, to prevent antigen-specific immune effector functions of gene-engineered T cells against Ewing sarcoma. Inflammatory conditions and interactions of Ewing sarcoma cells with antitumor T cells reliably induced upregulation of the two molecules on the tumor cells. Moreover, as previously shown for HLA-G, HLA-E was detected in a high proportion of human Ewing sarcoma biopsies. However, artificial expression of either of the two molecules on Ewing sarcoma cells failed to reduce cytolytic and activation responses of antigen-specific T cells. We conclude that blockade of HLA-G and HLA-E immune checkpoints is not a promising strategy for enhancing T cell therapies in Ewing sarcoma. Abstract Immune-inhibitory barriers in the tumor microenvironment of solid cancers counteract effective T cell therapies. Based on our finding that Ewing sarcomas (EwS) respond to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene-modified effector cells through upregulation of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), we hypothesized that nonclassical HLA molecules, HLA-G and HLA-E, contribute to immune escape of EwS. Here, we demonstrate that HLA-G isotype G1 expression on EwS cells does not directly impair cytolysis by GD2-specific CAR T cells (CART), whereas HLA-G1 on myeloid bystander cells reduces CART degranulation responses against EwS cells. HLA-E was induced in EwS cells by IFN-γ stimulation in vitro and by GD2-specific CART treatment in vivo and was detected on tumor cells or infiltrating myeloid cells in a majority of human EwS biopsies. Interaction of HLA-E-positive EwS cells with GD2-specific CART induced upregulation of HLA-E receptor NKG2A. However, HLA-E expressed by EwS tumor cells or by myeloid bystander cells both failed to reduce antitumor effector functions of CART. We conclude that non-classical HLA molecules are expressed in EwS under inflammatory conditions, but have limited functional impact on antigen-specific T cells, arguing against a relevant therapeutic benefit from combining CART therapy with HLA-G or HLA-E checkpoint blockade in this cancer.
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Advances in Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13040520. [PMID: 33918635 PMCID: PMC8069739 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicines have shown great potential in cancer therapy; in particular, the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy (namely chemoimmunotherapy) that is revolutionizing cancer treatment. Currently, most nanomedicines for chemoimmunotherapy are still in preclinical and clinical trials. Lipid-based nanoparticles, the most widely used nanomedicine platform in cancer therapy, is a promising delivery platform for chemoimmunotherapy. In this review, we introduce the commonly used immunotherapy agents and discuss the opportunities for chemoimmunotherapy mediated by lipid-based nanoparticles. We summarize the clinical trials involving lipid-based nanoparticles for chemoimmunotherapy. We also highlight different chemoimmunotherapy strategies based on lipid-based nanoparticles such as liposomes, nanodiscs, and lipid-based hybrid nanoparticles in preclinical research. Finally, we discuss the challenges that have hindered the clinical translation of lipid-based nanoparticles for chemoimmunotherapy, and their future perspectives.
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Anna F, Bole-Richard E, LeMaoult J, Escande M, Lecomte M, Certoux JM, Souque P, Garnache F, Adotevi O, Langlade-Demoyen P, Loustau M, Caumartin J. First immunotherapeutic CAR-T cells against the immune checkpoint protein HLA-G. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001998. [PMID: 33737343 PMCID: PMC7978334 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CAR-T cells immunotherapy is a breakthrough in the treatment of hematological malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and B-cell malignancies. However, CAR-T therapies face major hurdles such as the lack of tumor-specific antigen (TSA), and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment sometimes caused by the tumorous expression of immune checkpoints (ICPs) such as HLA-G. Indeed, HLA-G is remarkable because it is both a potent ICP and a TSA. HLA-G tumor expression causes immune escape by impairing innate and adaptive immune responses and by inducing a suppressive microenvironment. Yet, to date, no immunotherapy targets it. METHODS We have developed two anti-HLA-G third-generation CARs based on new anti-HLA-G monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS Anti-HLA-G CAR-T cells were specific for immunosuppressive HLA-G isoforms. HLA-G-activated CAR-T cells polarized toward T helper 1, and became cytotoxic against HLA-G+ tumor cells. In vivo, anti-HLA-G CAR-T cells were able to control and eliminate HLA-G+ tumor cells. The interaction of tumor-HLA-G with interleukin (IL)T2-expressing T cells is known to result in effector T cell functional inhibition, but anti-HLA-G CAR-T cells were insensitive to this inhibition and still exerted their function even when expressing ILT2. Lastly, we show that anti-HLA-G CAR-T cells differentiated into long-term memory effector cells, and seemed not to lose function even after repeated stimulation by HLA-G-expressing tumor cells. CONCLUSION We report for the first time that HLA-G, which is both a TSA and an ICP, constitutes a valid target for CAR-T cell therapy to specifically target and eliminate both tumor cells and HLA-G+ suppressive cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/metabolism
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Cell Differentiation
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- HLA-G Antigens/immunology
- HLA-G Antigens/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunologic Memory
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive
- K562 Cells
- Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute/therapy
- Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptor B1/metabolism
- Memory T Cells/immunology
- Memory T Cells/metabolism
- Memory T Cells/transplantation
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Time Factors
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- François Anna
- Preclinical Department, Invectys, Paris, France
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Virology Department, Pasteur Institute, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Elodie Bole-Richard
- INSERM UMR1098 RIGHT Interactions hôte-greffon-tumeur - Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, Besancon, Franche-Comté, France
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Joel LeMaoult
- Service de Recherche en Hémato-Immunologie (SRHI), CEA, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | | | | | - Jean-Marie Certoux
- INSERM UMR1098 RIGHT Interactions hôte-greffon-tumeur - Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, Besancon, Franche-Comté, France
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Philippe Souque
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Virology Department, Pasteur Institute, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Francine Garnache
- INSERM UMR1098 RIGHT Interactions hôte-greffon-tumeur - Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, Besancon, Franche-Comté, France
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Olivier Adotevi
- INSERM UMR1098 RIGHT Interactions hôte-greffon-tumeur - Ingénierie Cellulaire et Génique, Besancon, Franche-Comté, France
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
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Shukla A, Cloutier M, Appiya Santharam M, Ramanathan S, Ilangumaran S. The MHC Class-I Transactivator NLRC5: Implications to Cancer Immunology and Potential Applications to Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041964. [PMID: 33671123 PMCID: PMC7922096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system constantly monitors the emergence of cancerous cells and eliminates them. CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which kill tumor cells and provide antitumor immunity, select their targets by recognizing tumor antigenic peptides presented by MHC class-I (MHC-I) molecules. Cancer cells circumvent immune surveillance using diverse strategies. A key mechanism of cancer immune evasion is downregulation of MHC-I and key proteins of the antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM). Even though impaired MHC-I expression in cancers is well-known, reversing the MHC-I defects remains the least advanced area of tumor immunology. The discoveries that NLRC5 is the key transcriptional activator of MHC-I and APM genes, and genetic lesions and epigenetic modifications of NLRC5 are the most common cause of MHC-I defects in cancers, have raised the hopes for restoring MHC-I expression. Here, we provide an overview of cancer immunity mediated by CD8+ T cells and the functions of NLRC5 in MHC-I antigen presentation pathways. We describe the impressive advances made in understanding the regulation of NLRC5 expression, the data supporting the antitumor functions of NLRC5 and a few reports that argue for a pro-tumorigenic role. Finally, we explore the possible avenues of exploiting NLRC5 for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Shukla
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Maryse Cloutier
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Madanraj Appiya Santharam
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
- CRCHUS, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H5N4, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (A.S.); (M.C.); (M.A.S.); (S.R.)
- CRCHUS, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H5N4, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-819-346-1110 (ext. 14834)
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Marletta S, Girolami I, Munari E, Pantanowitz L, Bernasconi R, Torresani E, Brunelli M, Eccher A. HLA-G expression in melanomas. Int Rev Immunol 2021; 40:330-343. [PMID: 33426980 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2020.1869732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical HLA class I molecule involved in inducing tolerance at the feto-maternal interface and in escape of immune response by tumor cells. The aim of the study is to review the published literature on the expression of HLA-G in malignant melanomas and its clinicopathological and prognostic correlates. METHODS A systematic search was carried out in electronic databases. Studies dealing with HLA-G expression in surgically-removed human samples were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS Of 1737 retrieved articles, 16 were included. The main themes regarded HLA-G expression in malignant melanocytic lesions, assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), soluble or molecular techniques, and its relationship with clinicopathological features, such as tumor thickness and malignant behavior. Overall significant HLA-G expression was found in 460/843 tumors (55%), and specifically in 251/556 melanomas (45%) evaluated with IHC, in 208/250 cases (83%) examined with soluble methods and in 13/23 melanoma lesions (57%) tested with polymerase chain reaction. Despite the correlation with parameters indicating an aggressive behavior, no studies demonstrated any prognostic value of HLA-G expression. Furthermore, uveal melanomas were constantly negative for this biomarker. CONCLUSION Overall, published data indicate that while HLA-G is involved in the interactions between melanomas and the immune system, it is unlikely to be the only factor to play such a role, therefore making it difficult to designate it as a prognostically relevant molecule. Evidence further suggests that HLA-G is not implicated in the immunobiology of uveal melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Marletta
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Section of Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Munari
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Liron Pantanowitz
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Riccardo Bernasconi
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Section of Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Evelin Torresani
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Section of Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Section of Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Albino Eccher
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Khaddour K, Johanns TM, Ansstas G. The Landscape of Novel Therapeutics and Challenges in Glioblastoma Multiforme: Contemporary State and Future Directions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:E389. [PMID: 33202642 PMCID: PMC7696377 DOI: 10.3390/ph13110389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme is a malignant intracranial neoplasm that constitutes a therapeutic challenge because of the associated high morbidity and mortality given the lack of effective approved medication and aggressive nature of the tumor. However, there has been extensive research recently to address the reasons implicated in the resistant nature of the tumor to pharmaceutical compounds, which have resulted in several clinical trials investigating promising treatment approaches. METHODS We reviewed literature published since 2010 from PUBMED and several annual meeting abstracts through 15 September 2020. Selected articles included those relevant to topics of glioblastoma tumor biology, original basic research, clinical trials, seminal reviews, and meta-analyses. We provide a discussion based on the collected evidence regarding the challenging factors encountered during treatment, and we highlighted the relevant trials of novel therapies including immunotherapy and targeted medication. RESULTS Selected literature revealed four main factors implicated in the low efficacy encountered with investigational treatments which included: (1) blood-brain barrier; (2) immunosuppressive microenvironment; (3) genetic heterogeneity; (4) external factors related to previous systemic treatment that can modulate tumor microenvironment. Investigational therapies discussed in this review were classified as immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Immunotherapy included: (1) immune checkpoint inhibitors; (2) adoptive cell transfer therapy; (3) therapeutic vaccines; (4) oncolytic virus therapy. Targeted therapy included tyrosine kinase inhibitors and other receptor inhibitors. Finally, we provide our perspective on future directions in treatment of glioblastoma. CONCLUSION Despite the limited success in development of effective therapeutics in glioblastoma, many treatment approaches hold potential promise including immunotherapy and novel combinational drugs. Addressing the molecular landscape and resistant immunosuppressive nature of glioblastoma are imperative in further development of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karam Khaddour
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Tanner M. Johanns
- Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - George Ansstas
- Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA;
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Loustau M, Anna F, Dréan R, Lecomte M, Langlade-Demoyen P, Caumartin J. HLA-G Neo-Expression on Tumors. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1685. [PMID: 32922387 PMCID: PMC7456902 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G is known to modulate the immune system activity in tissues where physiological immune-tolerance is necessary (i.e., maternal-fetal interface, thymus, and cornea). However, the frequent neo-expression of HLA-G in many cancer types has been previously and extensively described and is correlated with a bad prognosis. Despite being an MHC class I molecule, HLA-G is highly present in tumor context and shows unique characteristics of tissue restriction of a Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA), and potent immunosuppressive activity of an Immune CheckPoint (ICP). Consequently, HLA-G appears to be an excellent molecular target for immunotherapy. Although the relevance of HLA-G in cancer incidence and development has been proven in numerous tumors, its neo-expression pattern is still difficult to determine. Indeed, the estimation of HLA-G's actual expression in tumor tissue is limited, particularly concerning the presence and percentage of the new non-canonical isoforms, for which detection antibodies are scarce or inexistent. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about HLA-G neo-expression and implication in various tumor types, pointing out the need for the development of new tools to analyze in-depth the HLA-G neo-expression patterns, opening the way for the generation of new monoclonal antibodies and cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - François Anna
- Invectys, Paris, France
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur & CNRS URA 3015, Paris, France
| | - Raphaelle Dréan
- Invectys, Paris, France
- Molecular Retrovirology Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR 3569, Paris, France
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de Carvalho GTC, da Silva-Martins WC, de Magalhães KCSF, Nunes CB, Soares AN, Tafuri LSDA, Simões RT. Recurrence/Regrowth in Grade I Meningioma: How to Predict? Front Oncol 2020; 10:1144. [PMID: 32903787 PMCID: PMC7438949 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The HLA-G and HLA-E molecules, Ki67, progesterone (PR), estrogen (ER) and androgen receptors (AR), p53, COX-2, and HER2 were studied to assess whether the biological behavior of grade I meningiomas is related to their expression. Tissue samples from 96 patients with grade I intracranial meningiomas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray blocks (TMA) using antibodies specific for HLA-G, HLA-E, Ki67, PR, ER, AR, p53, COX-2, and HER2. Meningiomas were classified as small (≤2 cm, 1.0%), medium (>2 and ≤4 cm, 32.3%), and large (>4 cm, 66.7%). Tumor size was not related to recurrence/regrowth (p = 0.486), but was significantly correlated with peritumoral edema (p = 0.031) and intratumoral calcifications (p = 0.018). Recurrent meningiomas were observed in 14.6% of cases. Immunostaining for each marker was: HLA-G 100%; HLA-E 95.6%; PR 62%; ER 2.1%; AR 6.5%; p53 92.6%; COX-2 100%; HER2 0%; Ki67, mean 2.61 ± 2.29%, median 2.1%. Primary and recurrent meningiomas showed no significant relation with HLA-E and hormone receptors (p > 0.05), except for Ki67, where a higher median was observed in recurrent tumors than in primary (p = 0.014). The larger the tumor, the more severe the peritumoral edema, and the greater the presence of calcifications. Ki67 appears to be a good biomarker of recurrence/regrowth in grade I meningiomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gervásio Teles Cardoso de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biomarkers, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Ensino e Pesquisa - EP/SCBH, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais (FCMMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cristiana Buzelin Nunes
- Departamento de Anatomia Patológica e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Centro Universitário de Belo Horizonte - UniBH, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Aleida Nazareth Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biomarkers, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Ensino e Pesquisa - EP/SCBH, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciene Simões de Assis Tafuri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biomarkers, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Ensino e Pesquisa - EP/SCBH, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Departamento de Fisiologia e Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, DFP/CCS/UFPB, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Renata Toscano Simões
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biomarkers, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Ensino e Pesquisa - EP/SCBH, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Krijgsman D, Roelands J, Hendrickx W, Bedognetti D, Kuppen PJK. HLA-G: A New Immune Checkpoint in Cancer? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124528. [PMID: 32630545 PMCID: PMC7350262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), known as a central protein in providing immune tolerance to the fetus in pregnant women, is also studied for a possible role in tumor development. Many studies have claimed HLA-G as a new immune checkpoint in cancer. Therefore, HLA-G and its receptors might be targets for immune checkpoint blockade in cancer immunotherapy. In order to substantiate that HLA-G is indeed an immune checkpoint in cancer, two important questions need to be answered: (1) To what extent is HLA-G expressed in the tumor by cancer cells? and (2) What is the function of HLA-G in cancer immune evasion? In this review, we discuss these questions. We agree that HLA-G is a potentially new immune checkpoint in cancer, but additional evidence is required to show the extent of intra-tumor and inter-tumor expression. These studies should focus on tumor expression patterns of the seven different HLA-G isoforms and of the receptors for HLA-G. Furthermore, specific roles for the different HLA-G isoforms should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
| | - Jessica Roelands
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Wouter Hendrickx
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Cancer Research Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; (W.H.); (D.B.)
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (D.K.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-5264569
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NKG2A/CD94 Is a New Immune Receptor for HLA-G and Distinguishes Amino Acid Differences in the HLA-G Heavy Chain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124362. [PMID: 32575403 PMCID: PMC7352787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell therapies are a tool to antagonize a dysfunctional immune system. NK cells recognize malignant cells, traffic to a tumor location, and infiltrate the solid tumor. The immune checkpoint molecule human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is upregulated on malignant cells but not on healthy surrounding cells, the requirement of understanding the basis of receptor mediated events at the HLA-G/NK cell interface becomes obvious. The NK cell receptors ILT2 and KIR2DL4 have been described to bind to HLA-G; however, their differential function and expression levels on NK cell subsets suggest the existence of an unreported receptor. Here, we performed a ligand-based receptor capture on living cells utilizing sHLA-G*01:01 molecules coupled to TriCEPS and bound to NK cells followed by mass spectrometric analyses. We could define NKG2A/CD94 as a cognate receptor of HLA-G. To verify the results, we used the reciprocal method by expressing recombinant soluble heterodimeric NKG2A/CD94 molecules and used them to target HLA-G*01:01 expressing cells. NKG2A/CD94 could be confirmed as an immune receptor of HLA-G*01:01. Despite HLA-G is marginal polymorphic, we could previously demonstrate that the most common allelic subtypes HLA-G*01:01/01:03 and 01:04 differ in peptide repertoire, their engagement to NK cells, their catalyzation of dNK cell proliferation and their impact on NK cell development. Continuing these studies with regard to NKG2A/CD94 engagement we engineered recombinant single antigen presenting K562 cells and targeted the surface expressed HLA-G*01:01, 01:03 or 01:04 molecules with NKG2A/CD94. Specificity and sensitivity of HLA-G*01:04/NKG2A/CD94 engagement could be significantly verified. The binding affinity decreases when using K562-G*01:03 or K562-G*01:01 cells as targets. These results demonstrate that the ligand-receptor assignment between HLA-G and NKG2A/CD94 is dependent of the amino acid composition in the HLA-G heavy chain. Understanding the biophysical basis of receptor-mediated events that lead to NK cell inhibition would help to remove non-tumor reactive cells and support personalized mild autologous NK cell therapies.
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de Magalhães KCSF, Silva KR, Gomes NA, Sadissou I, Carvalho GT, Buzellin MA, Tafuri LS, Nunes CB, Nunes MB, Donadi EA, da Silva IL, Simões RT. HLA-G 14 bp In/Del and +3142 C/G genotypes are differentially expressed between patients with grade IV gliomas and controls. Int J Neurosci 2020; 131:327-335. [PMID: 32241248 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1744593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is a non-classical class I molecule that is involved in maternal-fetal immunotolerance. In cancer, this molecule contributes to the tumor escape. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 14 bp In/Del and +3142 C > G polymorphisms of the HLA-G 3' UTR and its relation with plasma and tissue HLA-G expression in patients with grade IV (high-grade) and grade I/II (low-grade) gliomas and controls.Patients and methods: Peripheral blood and tumor biopsies were collected from 85 patients with gliomas and blood samples from 94 controls. Polymorphisms were analyzed from blood DNA. Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) was measured by ELISA in plasma of the subjects and the tissue expression by immunohistochemistry on patient's tissue.Results: Higher levels of sHLA-G were observed in grade IV gliomas patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). In grade IV patients, the heterozygous 14pb In/Del, +3142 C/G genotypes and Del/C*In/G haplotype were associated with higher sHLA-G levels (p < 0.0001) when compared with controls. GBM patients were stratified into high and low sHLA-G expression and an association was found between +3142 C allele and high sHLA-G plasmatic levels (p = 0.0095). Tissue HLA-G immunolabel was higher in high-grade than low-grade gliomas (p = 0.0033).Conclusion: This was the first study evaluating HLA-G 3' UTR polymorphisms and expression in patients with gliomas. The 14 bp In/Del and +3142 C/G genotypes and haplotypes showed high influence over sHLA-G expression, suggesting a heterozygous advantage in the tumor context and may contribute to a worse prognosis in glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karla R Silva
- Department of Health Management, School of Nursing, Federal University of Minas Gerais (EEUFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nathália A Gomes
- Institute of Education and Research of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (IEP/SCBH), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ibrahim Sadissou
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gérvasio T Carvalho
- Institute of Education and Research of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (IEP/SCBH), Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Neurosurgery Department of the Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (SCBH), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A Buzellin
- Institute of Education and Research of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (IEP/SCBH), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciene S Tafuri
- Institute of Education and Research of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (IEP/SCBH), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cristiana B Nunes
- Department of Pathological Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maurício B Nunes
- Pathological Anatomy Service of Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte Hospital (SCBH), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A Donadi
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Istéfani Luciene da Silva
- Institute of Education and Research of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (IEP/SCBH), Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Federal University of West of Bahia (UFOB), Bahia, Brazil
| | - Renata T Simões
- Institute of Education and Research of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Hospital (IEP/SCBH), Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Close HJ, Stead LF, Nsengimana J, Reilly KA, Droop A, Wurdak H, Mathew RK, Corns R, Newton‐Bishop J, Melcher AA, Short SC, Cook GP, Wilson EB. Expression profiling of single cells and patient cohorts identifies multiple immunosuppressive pathways and an altered NK cell phenotype in glioblastoma. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 200:33-44. [PMID: 31784984 PMCID: PMC7066386 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. Generally viewed as weakly immunogenic, GBM responds poorly to current immunotherapies. To understand this problem more clearly we used a combination of natural killer (NK) cell functional assays together with gene and protein expression profiling to define the NK cell response to GBM and explore immunosuppression in the GBM microenvironment. In addition, we used transcriptome data from patient cohorts to classify GBM according to immunological profiles. We show that glioma stem-like cells, a source of post-treatment tumour recurrence, express multiple immunomodulatory cell surface molecules and are targeted in preference to normal neural progenitor cells by natural killer (NK) cells ex vivo. In contrast, GBM-infiltrating NK cells express reduced levels of activation receptors within the tumour microenvironment, with hallmarks of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-mediated inhibition. This NK cell inhibition is accompanied by expression of multiple immune checkpoint molecules on T cells. Single-cell transcriptomics demonstrated that both tumour and haematopoietic-derived cells in GBM express multiple, diverse mediators of immune evasion. Despite this, immunome analysis across a patient cohort identifies a spectrum of immunological activity in GBM, with active immunity marked by co-expression of immune effector molecules and feedback inhibitory mechanisms. Our data show that GBM is recognized by the immune system but that anti-tumour immunity is restrained by multiple immunosuppressive pathways, some of which operate in the healthy brain. The presence of immune activity in a subset of patients suggests that these patients will more probably benefit from combination immunotherapies directed against multiple immunosuppressive pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. J. Close
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - L. F. Stead
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - J. Nsengimana
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - K. A. Reilly
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - A. Droop
- MRC Medical Bioinformatics CentreUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - H. Wurdak
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - R. K. Mathew
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
- Department of NeurosurgeryLeeds General InfirmaryLeedsUK
| | - R. Corns
- Department of NeurosurgeryLeeds General InfirmaryLeedsUK
| | - J. Newton‐Bishop
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | | | - S. C. Short
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - G. P. Cook
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
| | - E. B. Wilson
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, St James's University HospitalLeedsUK
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Abstract
Given its poor prognosis, glioblastoma represents an area of high unmet clinical need. Standard of care for the treatment of glioblastoma in the frontline setting is limited to surgical resection, radiation, and temozolomide, with the more recent addition of Tumor Treating Fields. Several agents, including bevacizumab, lomustine, and carmustine have been approved in the recurrent setting. To date, no therapies have demonstrated substantial survival benefit beyond standard of care. An expanding understanding of the role of the immune system in fighting cancer has led to the development and approval of various immunotherapeutic approaches across solid tumors. In glioblastoma, the notion of a highly immune-restricted central nervous system has also evolved, further providing the rationale for testing therapies that promote immune trafficking to the CNS and infiltration into the tumor to counteract the immunosuppressive mechanisms that support tumor progression. There are five broad categories of immunotherapies currently being tested in GBM: vaccines, cytokine therapy, oncolytic viral therapy, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, and checkpoint inhibitors. This review focuses on checkpoint inhibitors in GBM, the rationale for its use, preclinical data, and early clinical experience. Efficacy data are limited, and while a number of late-stage trials are ongoing, early trials showed no benefit in survival. There is a dizzying array of combinations being tested in clinical studies with an urgent need for a rational approach to determine the role of checkpoint inhibitors in glioblastoma, including the optimal combinations, and identification of biomarkers or predictive models to determine which patients may benefit from immunotherapy.
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37
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El-Kenawi A, Hänggi K, Ruffell B. The Immune Microenvironment and Cancer Metastasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:a037424. [PMID: 31501262 PMCID: PMC7117953 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between neoplastic cells and the immune microenvironment regulates every step of the metastatic process. Immune cells contribute to invasion by secreting a cornucopia of inflammatory factors that promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and remodeling of the stroma. Cancer cells then intravasate to the circulatory system assisted by macrophages and use several pathways to avoid recognition by cytotoxtic lymphocytes and phagocytes. Circulating tumor cells that manage to adhere to the vasculature and encounter premetastic niches are able to use the associated myeloid cells to extravasate into ectopic organs and establish a dormant microscopic colony. If successful at avoiding repetitive immune attack, dormant cells can subsequently grow into overt, clinically detectable metastatic lesions, which ultimately account to most cancer-related deaths. Understanding how disseminated tumor cells evade and corrupt the immune system during the final stages of metastasis will be pivotal in developing new therapeutic modalities that combat metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa El-Kenawi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Kay Hänggi
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
| | - Brian Ruffell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA
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Liang P, Chai Y, Zhao H, Wang G. Predictive Analyses of Prognostic-Related Immune Genes and Immune Infiltrates for Glioblastoma. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10030177. [PMID: 32214002 PMCID: PMC7151008 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10030177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive brain tumor, has a very poor outcome and high tumor recurrence rate. The immune system has positive interactions with the central nervous system. Despite many studies investigating immune prognostic factors, there is no effective model to identify predictive biomarkers for GBM. Genomic data and clinical characteristic information of patients with GBM were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and proportional hazard modeling. Deseq2 software was used for differential expression analysis. Immune-related genes from ImmPort Shared Data and the Cistrome Project were evaluated. The model performance was determined based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. CIBERSORT was used to assess the infiltration of immune cells. The results of differential expression analyses showed a significant difference in the expression levels of 2942 genes, comprising 1338 upregulated genes and 1604 downregulated genes (p < 0.05). A population of 24 immune-related genes that predicted GBM patient survival was identified. A risk score model established on the basis of the expressions of the 24 immune-related genes was used to evaluate a favorable outcome of GBM. Further validation using the ROC curve confirmed the model was an independent predictor of GBM (AUC = 0.869). In the GBM microenvironment, eosinophils, macrophages, activated NK cells, and follicular helper T cells were associated with prognostic risk. Our study confirmed the importance of immune-related genes and immune infiltrates in predicting GBM patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Liang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (P.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yi Chai
- School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (P.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - He Zhao
- School of Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Correspondence: (H.Z.); (G.W.)
| | - Guihuai Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (P.L.); (Y.C.)
- Correspondence: (H.Z.); (G.W.)
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39
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Khan M, Arooj S, Wang H. NK Cell-Based Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32117298 PMCID: PMC7031489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, with an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions, is becoming an important mode of treatment for cancer patients. The inhibition of immune checkpoints, which are the source of immune escape for various cancers, is one such immunotherapeutic dimension. It has mainly been aimed at T cells in the past, but NK cells are a newly emerging target. Simultaneously, the number of checkpoints identified has been increasing in recent times. In addition to the classical NK cell receptors KIRs, LIRs, and NKG2A, several other immune checkpoints have also been shown to cause dysfunction of NK cells in various cancers and chronic infections. These checkpoints include the revolutionized CTLA-4, PD-1, and recently identified B7-H3, as well as LAG-3, TIGIT & CD96, TIM-3, and the most recently acknowledged checkpoint-members of the Siglecs family (Siglec-7/9), CD200 and CD47. An interesting dimension of immune checkpoints is their candidacy for dual-checkpoint inhibition, resulting in therapeutic synergism. Furthermore, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibition with other NK cell cytotoxicity restoration strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. Here, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding NK cell-based immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Sumbal Arooj
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Sialkot, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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40
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Majd N, Dasgupta P, de Groot J. Immunotherapy for Neuro-Oncology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1244:183-203. [PMID: 32301015 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41008-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has changed the landscape of treatment of many solid and hematological malignancies and is at the forefront of cancer breakthroughs. Several circumstances unique to the central nervous system (CNS) such as limited space for an inflammatory response, difficulties with repeated sampling, corticosteroid use for management of cerebral edema, and immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor and brain parenchyma have posed challenges in clinical development of immunotherapy for intracranial tumors. Nonetheless, the success of immunotherapy in brain metastases (BMs) from solid cancers such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) proves that the CNS is not an immune-privileged organ and is capable of initiating and regulating immune responses that lead to tumor control. However, the development of immunotherapeutics for the most malignant primary brain tumor, glioblastoma (GBM), has been challenging due to systemic and profound tumor-mediated immunosuppression unique to GBM, intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, low mutation burden, and lack of stably expressed clonal antigens. Here, we review recent advances in the field of immunotherapy for neuro-oncology with a focus on BM and GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Majd
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pushan Dasgupta
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - John de Groot
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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41
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Zhou Y, Wang X, Huang X, Li XD, Cheng K, Yu H, Zhou YJ, Lv P, Jiang XB. High expression of COPB2 predicts adverse outcomes: A potential therapeutic target for glioma. CNS Neurosci Ther 2019; 26:309-318. [PMID: 31710183 PMCID: PMC7081167 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims To evaluate the clinical significance of coatomer protein complex subunit beta 2 (COPB2) in patients with glioma using a bioinformatics analysis. Methods Oncomine, GEO, and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases were used to examine the COPB2 transcript levels in glioma tissues. Gene expression profiles with clinical information from low‐grade glioma and glioblastoma (GBM) projects were analyzed for associations between COPB2 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics. Kaplan‐Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were used for survival analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to screen the pathways involved in COPB2 expression. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and correlograms were performed to verify the correlations between COPB2 and inflammatory responses. Canonical correlation analyses examined whether COPB2‐high patients have more infiltrating inflammatory and immune cells. Results COPB2 was highly expressed in gliomas and high COPB2 expression correlated with shorter overall survival time and several poor clinical prognostic variables. GSEA indicated that some immune‐related pathways and other signaling pathways in cancer were associated with the COPB2‐high phenotype. The GSVA and canonical correlation analysis demonstrated that COPB2 expression was closely linked to inflammatory and immune responses, and higher immune cell infiltration. Conclusions COPB2 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and an immunotherapeutic target for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xing Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xu-Dong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Jie Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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42
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Lin A, Yan W. Intercellular transfer of HLA-G: its potential in cancer immunology. Clin Transl Immunology 2019; 8:e1077. [PMID: 31489189 PMCID: PMC6716982 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intercellular protein transfer between cancer cells and immune cells is a very common phenomenon that can affect different stages of host antitumor immune responses. HLA‐G, a non‐classical HLA class I antigen, has been observed to be widely expressed in various malignancies, and its immune‐suppressive functions have been well recognised. HLA‐G expression in cancer cells can directly mediate immune tolerance by interacting with inhibitory receptors such as ILT2 and ILT4 expressed on immune cells. Moreover, a network of multiple directional intercellular transfers of HLA‐G among cancer cells and immune cells through trogocytosis, exosomes and tunnelling nanotubes provides malignant cells with an alternative ploy for antigen sharing and induces more complex heterogeneity, to modulate immune responses, ultimately leading to immune evasion, therapy resistance, disease progression and poor clinical outcome. Herein, we discuss the relative aspects of the intercellular transfer of HLA‐G between tumor cells and immune cells and its potential use in tumor immunology research and translational cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource CenterTaizhou Hospital of Zhejiang ProvinceWenzhou Medical UniversityLinhaiZhejiangChina
| | - Wei‐Hua Yan
- Medical Research CenterTaizhou Hospital of Zhejiang ProvinceWenzhou Medical UniversityLinhaiZhejiangChina
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43
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Majd N, de Groot J. Challenges and strategies for successful clinical development of immune checkpoint inhibitors in glioblastoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20:1609-1624. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1621840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Majd
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John de Groot
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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44
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Würfel FM, Winterhalter C, Trenkwalder P, Wirtz RM, Würfel W. European Patent in Immunoncology: From Immunological Principles of Implantation to Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081830. [PMID: 31013867 PMCID: PMC6514949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The granted European patent EP 2 561 890 describes a procedure for an immunological treatment of cancer. It is based on the principles of the HLA-supported communication of implantation and pregnancy. These principles ensure that the embryo is not rejected by the mother. In pregnancy, the placenta, more specifically the trophoblast, creates an “interface” between the embryo/fetus and the maternal immune system. Trophoblasts do not express the “original” HLA identification of the embryo/fetus (HLA-A to -DQ), but instead show the non-classical HLA groups E, F, and G. During interaction with specific receptors of NK cells (e.g., killer-immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR)) and lymphocytes (lymphocyte-immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIL-R)), the non-classical HLA groups inhibit these immunocompetent cells outside pregnancy. However, tumors are known to be able to express these non-classical HLA groups and thus make use of an immuno-communication as in pregnancies. If this occurs, the prognosis usually worsens. This patent describes, in a first step, the profiling of the non-classical HLA groups in primary tumor tissue as well as metastases and recurrent tumors. The second step comprises tailored antibody therapies, which is the subject of this patent. In this review, we analyze the underlying mechanisms and describe the currently known differences between HLA-supported communication of implantation and that of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska M Würfel
- STRATIFYER Molecular Pathology GmbH, D-50935 Cologne, Werthmannstrasse 1c, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
| | | | | | - Ralph M Wirtz
- STRATIFYER Molecular Pathology GmbH, D-50935 Cologne, Werthmannstrasse 1c, 50935 Cologne, Germany.
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45
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Zhang D, An X, Li Z, Zhang S. Role of gene promoter methylation regulated by TETs and DNMTs in the overexpression of HLA-G in MCF-7 cells. Exp Ther Med 2019; 17:4709-4714. [PMID: 31086605 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is highly expressed in numerous solid tumor cell types and has important roles in protecting tumor cells from host immune recognition and destruction. DNA methylation modification, which may regulate gene expression, is aberrant in numerous tumor cell types. However, whether the high expression of HLA-G in tumor cells is induced by aberrant DNA methylation has remained elusive. In the present study, HLA-G, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and ten-eleven translocation (TET) expression, as well as the DNA methylation level of HLA-G, were assessed in the HBL-100 breast cell line and the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The influence of TET on the expression and DNA methylation levels of HLA-G in MCF-7 was assessed through treatment with the TET inhibitor dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG). The results indicated that HLA-G expression was significantly greater in MCF-7 than that in HBL-100 cells; however, the DNA methylation level of HLA-G was lower in MCF-7 than that in HBL-100 cells. Furthermore, in MCF-7 cells, DNMT1 and DNMT3a were expressed at lower levels and TET2 was expressed at higher levels than in HBL-100 cells. Treatment with DMOG significantly decreased HLA-G expression, while increasing the DNA methylation level of HLA-G in MCF-7. In conclusion, the results indicated that overexpression of HLA-G in MCF-7 cells was induced by DNA methylation modification. The lower DNMT1 and DNMT3a and higher TET2 expression levels may be responsible for the abnormal DNA methylation of HLA-G in MCF-7. Treatment with TET inhibitor prevented aberrant HLA-G expression and DNA methylation in MCF-7. The present study may provide potential targets for novel anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyu Zhang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Animal Models of Human Diseases, Academy of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, P.R. China
| | - Xinglan An
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Animal Models of Human Diseases, Academy of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, P.R. China
| | - Ziyi Li
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Animal Models of Human Diseases, Academy of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Animal Models of Human Diseases, Academy of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, P.R. China
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Tomaszewski W, Sanchez-Perez L, Gajewski TF, Sampson JH. Brain Tumor Microenvironment and Host State: Implications for Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:4202-4210. [PMID: 30804019 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-1627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly lethal brain tumor with poor responses to immunotherapies that have been successful in more immunogenic cancers with less immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME). The GBM TME is uniquely challenging to treat due to tumor cell-extrinsic components that are native to the brain, as well as tumor-intrinsic mechanisms that aid in immune evasion. Lowering the barrier of immunosuppression by targeting the genetically stable tumor stroma presents opportunities to treat the tumor in a way that circumvents the complications of targeting a constantly mutating tumor with tumor antigen-directed therapies. Tumor-associated monocytes, macrophages, and microglia are a stromal element of particular interest. Macrophages and monocytes compose the bulk of infiltrating immune cells and are considered to have protumor and immunosuppressive effects. Targeting these cells or other stromal elements is expected to convert what is considered the "cold" TME of GBM to a more "hot" TME phenotype. This conversion could increase the effectiveness of what have become conventional frontline immunotherapies in GBM-creating opportunities for better treatment through combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Tomaszewski
- Duke University Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Luis Sanchez-Perez
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Thomas F Gajewski
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John H Sampson
- Duke University Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. .,Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Feng E, Liang T, Wang X, Du J, Tang K, Wang X, Wang F, You G. Correlation of alteration of HLA-F expression and clinical characterization in 593 brain glioma samples. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:33. [PMID: 30755240 PMCID: PMC6373026 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1418-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human gliomas are highly fatal tumors with a significant feature of immune suppression. The association of the immune system in gliomas is gradually revealed, and immunotherapy is expected to improve the survival of glioma patients. In-depth understanding of the immune microenvironment of gliomas and their associated immunotherapy was increased exponentially in recent years. Gliomas provide clinical targets for immunotherapy during the search of key regulators of immune response. Our study focused on the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system that is responsible for regulating the immune system, and discovered the relationship between HLA-F expression and clinical prognosis in gliomas. Methods A total of 593 patients with gliomas were included in our research. Of these, 325 patients were from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and 268 were from the GSE 16011 set. Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis was performed to explore the prognostic value of HLA-F. t test analysis was used to find the distribution difference in various groups. R language packages are used for other statistical computations and figure drawing. Results HLA-F was negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) in all grades of glioma and glioblastoma (GBM). Moreover, HLA-F was enriched in GBM and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 wild-type (IDH1 wt) group and considered HLA-F as a mesenchymal subtype marker. Pearson correlation test showed that HLA-F was correlated with other HLA-I molecules. Conclusion HLA-F expression was positively correlated with malignant phenotype and negatively correlated with OS, indicating that HLA-F could predict the immune state of gliomas and might be a clinical target of glioma immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enshan Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China.
| | - Tingyu Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Xiaoyong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Kai Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | | | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Gan You
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Lin A, Yan WH. Heterogeneity of HLA-G Expression in Cancers: Facing the Challenges. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2164. [PMID: 30319626 PMCID: PMC6170620 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed in most malignancies, which represents a considerable challenge for tumor therapy. In recent decades, the biological function and clinical significance of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G have been intensively explored. It is now widely accepted that HLA-G is a critical marker of immunotolerance in cancer cell immune evasion and is strongly associated with disease progress and prognosis for cancer patients. Moreover, it has recently been emphasized that the signaling pathway linking HLA-G and immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILTs) is considered an immune checkpoint. In addition, HLA-G itself can generate at least seven distinct isoforms, and intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity of HLA-G expression is common across different tumor types. Furthermore, HLA-G heterogeneity in cancers has been related to disease stage and outcomes, metastatic status and response to different therapies. This review focuses on the heterogeneity of HLA-G expression in malignant lesions, and clinical implications of this heterogeneity that might be relevant to personalized treatments are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifen Lin
- Biological Resource Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Yan
- Medical Research Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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Haspels HN, Rahman MA, Joseph JV, Gras Navarro A, Chekenya M. Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells Are More Susceptible Than Differentiated Cells to Natural Killer Cell Lysis Mediated Through Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors-Human Leukocyte Antigen Ligand Mismatch and Activation Receptor-Ligand Interactions. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1345. [PMID: 29967607 PMCID: PMC6015895 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain malignancy in adults, where survival is approximately 14.6 months. Novel therapies are urgently needed and immunotherapy has hailed a new dawn for treatment of solid tumors. Natural killer (NK) cells may be amenable therapeutic effectors against heterogeneous GBM, since they also do not require co-stimulation and antigen specificity. However, it is unclear how culture media routinely used in pre-clinical studies affect GBM cell responses to NK-mediated cytotoxicity. We hypothesized that the culture medium would affect GBM cell phenotype, proliferation, and responses to NK cytotoxicity. We investigated in paired analyses n = 6 patient-derived primary GBM cells propagated in stem cell or serum-containing medium for morphology, proliferation, as well as susceptibility to NK cytolysis and related this to expression of surface and intracellular lineage markers, as well as ligands for NK cell activating and inhibitory receptors. We genotyped the GBM cells for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) as well as the killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) of the n = 6 allogeneic NK cells used as effector cells. Culture in serum-containing medium induced a switch in GBM cell morphology from suspension neuropsheres to adherent epithelial-mesenchymal-like phenotypes, which was partially reversible. The differentiated cells diminished expression of nestin, CD133 (prominin-1), and A2B5 putative glioma stem-cell markers, attenuated growth, diminished expression of ligands for activating NK cell receptors, while upregulating class I HLA ligands for NK cell inhibitory receptors. When maintained in serum-containing medium, fewer GBM cells expressed intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and were less susceptible to lysis by NK cells expressing αLβ2 integrin receptor (LFA-1), mediated through combination of inhibitory KIR-HLA ligand mismatch and diminished activation receptor-ligand interactions compared to cells maintained in stem cell media. We conclude that development of preclinical immunotherapy strategies against GBM should not use cells propagated in serum-containing media to avoid misinterpretation of potential therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Martha Chekenya
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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