1
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Jame-Chenarboo Z, Gray TE, Macauley MS. Advances in understanding and exploiting Siglec-glycan interactions. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 80:102454. [PMID: 38631213 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins (Siglecs) are a family of cell-surface immunomodulatory receptors that recognize sialic-acid-containing glycans. The majority of Siglecs have an inhibitory motif in their intercellular domain and can regulate the cellular activation of immune cells. Importantly, the immunomodulatory role of Siglecs is regulated by engagement with distinct sialoglycan ligands. However, there are still many unanswered questions about the precise ligand(s) recognized by individual Siglec family members. New tools and approaches to study Siglec-ligand interactions are rapidly filling this knowledge gap. This review provides an overview of recent advances in discovering Siglec ligands as well as the development of approaches to modulate the function of Siglecs. In both aspects, chemical biology approaches are emphasized with a discussion on how these are complementing biochemical and genetic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taylor E Gray
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthew S Macauley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Canada.
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2
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Isaji T, Gu J. Novel regulatory mechanisms of N-glycan sialylation: Implication of integrin and focal adhesion kinase in the regulation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130617. [PMID: 38614280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sialylation of glycoproteins, including integrins, is crucial in various cancers and diseases such as immune disorders. These modifications significantly impact cellular functions and are associated with cancer progression. Sialylation, catalyzed by specific sialyltransferases (STs), has traditionally been considered to be regulated at the mRNA level. SCOPE OF REVIEW Recent research has expanded our understanding of sialylation, revealing ST activity changes beyond mRNA level variations. This includes insights into COPI vesicle formation and Golgi apparatus maintenance and identifying specific target proteins of STs that are not predictable through recombinant enzyme assays. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS This review summarizes that Golgi-associated pathways largely influence the regulation of STs. GOLPH3, GORAB, PI4K, and FAK have become critical elements in sialylation regulation. Some STs have been revealed to possess specificity for specific target proteins, suggesting the presence of additional, enzyme-specific regulatory mechanisms. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This study enhances our understanding of the molecular interplay in sialylation regulation, mainly focusing on the role of integrin and FAK. It proposes a bidirectional system where sialylations might influence integrins and vice versa. The diversity of STs and their specific linkages offer new perspectives in cancer research, potentially broadening our understanding of cellular mechanisms and opening avenues for new therapeutic approaches in targeting sialylation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Isaji
- Division of Regulatory Glycobiology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan.
| | - Jianguo Gu
- Division of Regulatory Glycobiology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan.
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3
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Pinkeova A, Kosutova N, Jane E, Lorencova L, Bertokova A, Bertok T, Tkac J. Medical Relevance, State-of-the-Art and Perspectives of "Sweet Metacode" in Liquid Biopsy Approaches. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:713. [PMID: 38611626 PMCID: PMC11011756 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This review briefly introduces readers to an area where glycomics meets modern oncodiagnostics with a focus on the analysis of sialic acid (Neu5Ac)-terminated structures. We present the biochemical perspective of aberrant sialylation during tumourigenesis and its significance, as well as an analytical perspective on the detection of these structures using different approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We also provide a comparison to other established liquid biopsy approaches, and we mathematically define an early-stage cancer based on the overall prognosis and effect of these approaches on the patient's quality of life. Finally, some barriers including regulations and quality of clinical validations data are discussed, and a perspective and major challenges in this area are summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pinkeova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
- Glycanostics, Ltd., Kudlakova 7, 841 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Natalia Kosutova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Eduard Jane
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Lenka Lorencova
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Aniko Bertokova
- Glycanostics, Ltd., Kudlakova 7, 841 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Tomas Bertok
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
| | - Jan Tkac
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia; (A.P.); (N.K.); (E.J.); (L.L.)
- Glycanostics, Ltd., Kudlakova 7, 841 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
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4
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Cerchietti L. Genetic mechanisms underlying tumor microenvironment composition and function in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood 2024; 143:1101-1111. [PMID: 38211334 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) show enormous diversity and plasticity, with functions that can range from tumor inhibitory to tumor supportive. The patient's age, immune status, and DLBCL treatments are factors that contribute to the shaping of this TME, but evidence suggests that genetic factors, arising principally in lymphoma cells themselves, are among the most important. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of these genetic drivers of DLBCL in establishing and modulating the lymphoma microenvironment. A better comprehension of the relationship between lymphoma genetic factors and TME biology should lead to better therapeutic interventions, especially immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Cerchietti
- Hematology and Oncology Division, Medicine Department, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY
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5
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Garnham R, Geh D, Nelson R, Ramon-Gil E, Wilson L, Schmidt EN, Walker L, Adamson B, Buskin A, Hepburn AC, Hodgson K, Kendall H, Frame FM, Maitland N, Coffey K, Strand DW, Robson CN, Elliott DJ, Heer R, Macauley M, Munkley J, Gaughan L, Leslie J, Scott E. ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 1 (ST3Gal1) synthesis of Siglec ligands mediates anti-tumour immunity in prostate cancer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:276. [PMID: 38448753 PMCID: PMC10918101 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05924-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade has yet to produce robust anti-cancer responses for prostate cancer. Sialyltransferases have been shown across several solid tumours, including breast, melanoma, colorectal and prostate to promote immune suppression by synthesising sialoglycans, which act as ligands for Siglec receptors. We report that ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 1 (ST3Gal1) levels negatively correlate with androgen signalling in prostate tumours. We demonstrate that ST3Gal1 plays an important role in modulating tumour immune evasion through the synthesises of sialoglycans with the capacity to engage the Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 immunoreceptors preventing immune clearance of cancer cells. Here, we provide evidence of the expression of Siglec-7/9 ligands and their respective immunoreceptors in prostate tumours. These interactions can be modulated by enzalutamide and may maintain immune suppression in enzalutamide treated tumours. We conclude that the activity of ST3Gal1 is critical to prostate cancer anti-tumour immunity and provide rationale for the use of glyco-immune checkpoint targeting therapies in advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Garnham
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Daniel Geh
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Ryan Nelson
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Erik Ramon-Gil
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Laura Wilson
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Edward N Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Laura Walker
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Beth Adamson
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Adriana Buskin
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Anastasia C Hepburn
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Kirsty Hodgson
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Hannah Kendall
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Fiona M Frame
- Cancer Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, North Yorkshire, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Norman Maitland
- Cancer Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, North Yorkshire, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Kelly Coffey
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Douglas W Strand
- Department of Urology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Craig N Robson
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - David J Elliott
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Rakesh Heer
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Matthew Macauley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Jennifer Munkley
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Luke Gaughan
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Jack Leslie
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Emma Scott
- Newcastle University, Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK.
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6
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Boelaars K, van Kooyk Y. Targeting myeloid cells for cancer immunotherapy: Siglec-7/9/10/15 and their ligands. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:230-241. [PMID: 38160071 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Advances in immunotherapy have revolutionized cancer treatment, yet many patients do not show clinical responses. While most immunotherapies target T cells, myeloid cells are the most abundant cell type in solid tumors and are key orchestrators of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), hampering effective T cell responses. Therefore, unraveling the immune suppressive pathways within myeloid cells could unveil new avenues for cancer immunotherapy. Over the past decade, Siglec receptors and their ligand, sialic acids, have emerged as a novel immune checkpoint on myeloid cells. In this review, we highlight key findings on how sialic acids modify immunity in the TME through engagement of Siglec-7/9/10/15 expressed on myeloid cells, and how the sialic acid-Siglec axis can be targeted for future cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Boelaars
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yvette van Kooyk
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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7
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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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8
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Stewart N, Daly J, Drummond-Guy O, Krishnamoorthy V, Stark JC, Riley NM, Williams KC, Bertozzi CR, Wisnovsky S. The glycoimmune checkpoint receptor Siglec-7 interacts with T-cell ligands and regulates T-cell activation. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105579. [PMID: 38141764 PMCID: PMC10831161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Siglec-7 (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 7) is a glycan-binding immune receptor that is emerging as a significant target of interest for cancer immunotherapy. The physiological ligands that bind Siglec-7, however, remain incompletely defined. In this study, we characterized the expression of Siglec-7 ligands on peripheral immune cell subsets and assessed whether Siglec-7 functionally regulates interactions between immune cells. We found that disialyl core 1 O-glycans are the major immune ligands for Siglec-7 and that these ligands are particularly highly expressed on naïve T-cells. Densely glycosylated sialomucins are the primary carriers of these glycans, in particular a glycoform of the cell-surface marker CD43. Biosynthesis of Siglec-7-binding glycans is dynamically controlled on different immune cell subsets through a genetic circuit involving the glycosyltransferase GCNT1. Siglec-7 blockade was found to increase activation of both primary T-cells and antigen-presenting dendritic cells in vitro, indicating that Siglec-7 binds T-cell glycans to regulate intraimmune signaling. Finally, we present evidence that Siglec-7 directly activates signaling pathways in T-cells, suggesting a new biological function for this receptor. These studies conclusively demonstrate the existence of a novel Siglec-7-mediated signaling axis that physiologically regulates T-cell activity. Going forward, our findings have significant implications for the design and implementation of therapies targeting immunoregulatory Siglec receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Stewart
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John Daly
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Olivia Drummond-Guy
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vignesh Krishnamoorthy
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jessica C Stark
- Department of Chemistry & Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas M Riley
- Department of Chemistry & Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Karla C Williams
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Carolyn R Bertozzi
- Department of Chemistry & Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Simon Wisnovsky
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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9
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Schildhauer P, Selke P, Staege MS, Harder A, Scheller C, Strauss C, Horstkorte R, Scheer M, Leisz S. Glycation Interferes with the Expression of Sialyltransferases and Leads to Increased Polysialylation in Glioblastoma Cells. Cells 2023; 12:2758. [PMID: 38067186 PMCID: PMC10706364 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor that often utilizes aerobic glycolysis for energy production (Warburg effect), resulting in increased methylglyoxal (MGO) production. MGO, a reactive dicarbonyl compound, causes protein alterations and cellular dysfunction via glycation. In this study, we investigated the effect of glycation on sialylation, a common post-translational modification implicated in cancer. Our experiments using glioma cell lines, human astrocytes (hA), and primary glioma samples revealed different gene expressions of sialyltransferases among cells, highlighting the complexity of the system. Glycation has a differential effect on sialyltransferase expression, upregulating ST8SIA4 in the LN229 and U251 cell lines and decreasing the expression in normal hA. Subsequently, polysialylation increased in the LN229 and U251 cell lines and decreased in hA. This increase in polysialylation could lead to a more aggressive phenotype due to its involvement in cancer hallmark processes such as immune evasion, resistance to apoptosis, and enhancing invasion. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying GBM aggressiveness and suggest that targeting glycation and sialylation could be a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Schildhauer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Philipp Selke
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06114 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Harder
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- CURE-NF Research Group, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christian Scheller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Christian Strauss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Rüdiger Horstkorte
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06114 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maximilian Scheer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Sandra Leisz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.S.); (M.S.)
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10
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Krueger KE. Neo-Darwinian Principles Exemplified in Cancer Genomics. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:1251-1260. [PMID: 37721477 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Within the last two decades, the advent of next-generation sequencing accompanied by single-cell technologies has enabled cancer researchers to study in detail mutations and other genetic aberrations that transpire during transformation of cells to a neoplastic state. This article covers the insights gained through these extensive studies where neo-Darwinian principles can be inferred to play roles throughout neoplastic transformation. The cells promoted during cancer development exhibit cancer hallmarks combined with the related enabling characteristics as outlined by Hanahan and Weinberg, analogous to natural selection and survival of the fittest. Selection of driver mutations that inactivate proteins encoded by tumor suppressor genes differs in profound ways from mutations that activate tumor promoter proteins. In most cases, the later stages of cancer development are characterized by sudden, extensive damage to chromosomes in a process that is not Darwinian in nature. Nevertheless, cells that survive these cataclysmic events remain subject to Darwinian selection promoting clones exhibiting the greatest rates of progression. Duplications of chromosomal segments containing oncogenes, deletions of segments harboring tumor suppressor genes, or distinctive chromosomal rearrangements are often found in cells progressing into later stages of cancer. In summary, the technological developments in genome sequencing since the start of the century have given us clear insights into genomic alterations promoting tumor progression where neo-Darwinian mechanisms of clonal selection can be inferred to play a primary role.
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11
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Frank M, Kuhfeldt E, Cramer J, Watzl C, Prescher H. Synthesis and Binding Mode Predictions of Novel Siglec-7 Ligands. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14315-14334. [PMID: 37793071 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Siglec-7 regulates immune cell activity and is a promising target for immunomodulation. Here, we report the discovery of novel sialic acid derivatives binding to Siglec-7. Synthesis and affinity measurements are complemented by high-quality models of sialoside-Siglec-7 complexes based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the microsecond time scale. We provide details for the predicted binding modes for the new ligands, e.g., that an extension of the carbon backbone leads to a different molecular interaction pattern with the receptor and the nearby water structure than found for known Siglec-7 ligands. Further on, we uncover some shortcomings of the GLYCAM06 and GAFF2 force fields when used for the simulation of sialoside-based glycomimetics. Our results open new opportunities for the rational design of Siglec-7 inhibitors. In addition, we provide strategies on how to use and visualize MD simulations to describe and investigate sialoside-Siglec complexes in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Frank
- Molecular Structure Analysis Core Facility-W160, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Biognos AB, Generatorsgatan 1, 40274 Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | - Jonathan Cramer
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Zhou X, Chi K, Zhang C, Liu Q, Yang G. Sialylation: A Cloak for Tumors to Trick the Immune System in the Microenvironment. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:832. [PMID: 37372117 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), where the tumor cells incite the surrounding normal cells to create an immune suppressive environment, reduces the effectiveness of immune responses during cancer development. Sialylation, a type of glycosylation that occurs on cell surface proteins, lipids, and glycoRNAs, is known to accumulate in tumors and acts as a "cloak" to help tumor cells evade immunological surveillance. In the last few years, the role of sialylation in tumor proliferation and metastasis has become increasingly evident. With the advent of single-cell and spatial sequencing technologies, more research is being conducted to understand the effects of sialylation on immunity regulation. This review provides updated insights into recent research on the function of sialylation in tumor biology and summarizes the latest developments in sialylation-targeted tumor therapeutics, including antibody-mediated and metabolic-based sialylation inhibition, as well as interference with sialic acid-Siglec interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoman Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Kaijun Chi
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Chairui Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Ganglong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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Lustig M, Chan C, Jansen JHM, Bräutigam M, Kölling MA, Gehlert CL, Baumann N, Mester S, Foss S, Andersen JT, Bastian L, Sondermann P, Peipp M, Burger R, Leusen JHW, Valerius T. Disruption of the sialic acid/Siglec-9 axis improves antibody-mediated neutrophil cytotoxicity towards tumor cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1178817. [PMID: 37346044 PMCID: PMC10279866 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1178817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Upregulation of surface expressed sialoglycans on tumor cells is one of the mechanisms which promote tumor growth and progression. Specifically, the interactions of sialic acids with sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) on lymphoid or myeloid cells transmit inhibitory signals and lead to suppression of anti-tumor responses. Here, we show that neutrophils express among others Siglec-9, and that EGFR and HER2 positive breast tumor cells express ligands for Siglec-9. Treatment of tumor cells with neuraminidases or a sialyl transferase inhibitor significantly reduced binding of a soluble recombinant Siglec-9-Fc fusion protein, while EGFR and HER2 expression remained unchanged. Importantly, the cytotoxic activity of neutrophils driven by therapeutic EGFR or HER2 antibodies in vitro was increased by blocking the sialic acid/Siglec interaction, either by reducing tumor cell sialylation or by a Siglec-9 blocking antibody containing an effector silenced Fc domain. In vivo a short-term xenograft mouse model confirmed the improved therapeutic efficacy of EGFR antibodies against sialic acid depleted, by a sialyltransferase inhibitor, tumor cells compared to untreated cells. Our studies demonstrate that sialic acid/Siglec interactions between tumor cells and myeloid cells can impair antibody dependent tumor cell killing, and that Siglec-9 on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) is critically involved. Considering that PMN are often a highly abundant cell population in the tumor microenvironment, Siglec-9 constitutes a promising target for myeloid checkpoint blockade to improve antibody-based tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lustig
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Chilam Chan
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - J. H. Marco Jansen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Max A. Kölling
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Carina Lynn Gehlert
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Niklas Baumann
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simone Mester
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stian Foss
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Terje Andersen
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Department of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lorenz Bastian
- Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Renate Burger
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jeanette H. W. Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thomas Valerius
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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