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Kong D, Tian Q, Chen Z, Zheng H, Stashko MA, Yan D, Earp HS, Frye SV, DeRyckere D, Kireev D, Graham DK, Wang X. Discovery of Novel Macrocyclic MERTK/AXL Dual Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5866-5882. [PMID: 38556760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00148] [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: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
MERTK and AXL are members of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases that are aberrantly expressed and have been implicated as therapeutic targets in a wide variety of human tumors. Dual MERTK and AXL inhibition could provide antitumor action mediated by both direct tumor cell killing and modulation of the innate immune response in some tumors such as nonsmall cell lung cancer. We utilized our knowledge of MERTK inhibitors and a structure-based drug design approach to discover a novel class of macrocyclic dual MERTK/AXL inhibitors. The lead compound 43 had low-nanomolar activity against both MERTK and AXL and good selectivity over TYRO3 and FLT3. Its target engagement and selectivity were also confirmed by NanoBRET and cell-based MERTK and AXL phosphorylation assays. Compound 43 had excellent pharmacokinetic properties (large AUC and long half-life) and mediated antitumor activity against lung cancer cell lines, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Kong
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Qiang Tian
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Zhilong Chen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Hongchao Zheng
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Michael A Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Miao YR, Rankin EB, Giaccia AJ. Therapeutic targeting of the functionally elusive TAM receptor family. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:201-217. [PMID: 38092952 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00846-8] [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] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The TAM receptor family of TYRO3, AXL and MERTK regulates tissue and immune homeostasis. Aberrant TAM receptor signalling has been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and viral infections. Specifically, the dysregulation of TAM receptors can enhance tumour growth and metastasis due to their involvement in multiple oncogenic pathways. For example, TAM receptors have been implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, maintaining the stem cell phenotype, immune modulation, proliferation, angiogenesis and resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. Therapeutically, multiple TAM receptor inhibitors are in preclinical and clinical development for cancers and other indications, with those targeting AXL being the most clinically advanced. Although there has been notable clinical advancement in recent years, challenges persist. This Review aims to provide both biological and clinical insights into the current therapeutic landscape of TAM receptor inhibitors, and evaluates their potential for the treatment of cancer and non-malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rebecca Miao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Fan J, Yu Y, Yan L, Yuan Y, Sun B, Yang D, Liu N, Guo J, Zhang J, Zhao X. GAS6-based CAR-T cells exhibit potent antitumor activity against pancreatic cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:77. [PMID: 37475048 PMCID: PMC10357739 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01467-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The receptor tyrosine kinases TAM family (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) are highly expressed in multiple forms of cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages and promote the development of cancers including pancreatic tumor. Targeting TAM receptors could be a promising therapeutic option. METHODS We designed a novel CAR based on the extracellular domain of growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6), a natural ligand for all TAM members. The ability of CAR-T to kill pancreatic cancer cells is tested in vitro and in vivo, and the safety is evaluated in mice and nonhuman primate. RESULTS GAS6-CAR-T cells efficiently kill TAM-positive pancreatic cancer cell lines, gemcitabine-resistant cancer cells, and cancer stem-like cells in vitro. GAS6-CAR-T cells also significantly suppressed the growth of PANC1 xenografts and patient-derived xenografts in mice. Furthermore, these CAR-T cells did not induce obvious side effects in nonhuman primate or mice although the CAR was demonstrated to recognize mouse TAM. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that GAS6-CAR-T-cell therapy may be effective for pancreatic cancers with low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Fan
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Ye Yu
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lanzhen Yan
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuncang Yuan
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Core Facilities of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Laboratory of Animal Tumor Models, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Berube LL, Nickel KOP, Iida M, Ramisetty S, Kulkarni P, Salgia R, Wheeler DL, Kimple RJ. Radiation Sensitivity: The Rise of Predictive Patient-Derived Cancer Models. Semin Radiat Oncol 2023; 33:279-286. [PMID: 37331782 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Patient-derived cancer models have been used for decades to improve our understanding of cancer and test anticancer treatments. Advances in radiation delivery have made these models more attractive for studying radiation sensitizers and understanding an individual patient's radiation sensitivity. Advances in the use of patient-derived cancer models lead to a more clinically relevant outcome, although many questions remain regarding the optimal use of patient-derived xenografts and patient-derived spheroid cultures. The use of patient-derived cancer models as personalized predictive avatars through mouse and zebrafish models is discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of patient-derived spheroids are reviewed. In addition, the use of large repositories of patient-derived models to develop predictive algorithms to guide treatment selection is discussed. Finally, we review methods for establishing patient-derived models and identify key factors that influence their use as both avatars and models of cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana L Berube
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Kwang-Ok P Nickel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Sravani Ramisetty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI
| | - Randall J Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI.
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5
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Kostecki KL, Iida M, Wiley AL, Kimani S, Mehall B, Tetreault K, Alexandridis R, Yu M, Hong S, Salgia R, Bruce JY, Birge RB, Harari P, Wheeler DL. Dual Axl/MerTK inhibitor INCB081776 creates a proinflammatory tumor immune microenvironment and enhances anti-PDL1 efficacy in head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2023; 45:1255-1271. [PMID: 36939040 PMCID: PMC10079616 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27340] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tyrosine kinase receptors Axl and MerTK are highly overexpressed in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells, where they are critical drivers of survival, proliferation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. METHODS We investigated the role of Axl and MerTK in creating an immunologically "cold" tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by targeting both receptors simultaneously with a small molecule inhibitor of Axl and MerTK (INCB081776). Effects of INCB081776 and/or anti-PDL1 on mouse oral cancer (MOC) cell growth and on the TIME were evaluated. RESULTS Targeting Axl and MerTK can reduce M2 and induce M1 macrophage polarization. In vivo, INCB081776 treatment alone or with anti-PDL1 appears to slow MOC tumor growth, increase proinflammatory immune infiltration, and decrease anti-inflammatory immune infiltration. CONCLUSIONS This data indicates that simultaneous targeting of Axl and MerTK with INCB081776, either alone or in combination with anti-PDL1, slows tumor growth and creates a proinflammatory TIME in mouse models of HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourtney L Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Anne L Wiley
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stanley Kimani
- Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bridget Mehall
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kaitlin Tetreault
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Roxana Alexandridis
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Menggang Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
- Yonsei Frontier Lab and Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raymond B Birge
- Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Paul Harari
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
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Lang C, Roy S, Wang Y, Graves D, Xu Y, Serezani CH, Korrer M, Kim YJ. Efferocytosis drives myeloid NLRP3 dependent inflammasome signaling secretion of IL-1β to promote tumor growth. Front Immunol 2022; 13:993771. [PMID: 36439171 PMCID: PMC9681818 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.993771] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspase-1 signaling in myeloid suppressor cells can promote T-cell independent cancer progression, but the regulation of inflammasome signaling within the highly heterogeneous myeloid population in the tumor milieu remains elusive. To resolve this complexity, single cell transcriptomic profile of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) identified distinct inflammasome-associated genes within specific clusters of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. Among these myeloid cells, the sensor protein, NLRP3, and downstream effector IL-1β transcripts were enriched in discreet monocytic and macrophage subtypes in the TME. We showed that deletion of NLRP3, but not AIM2, phenocopied caspase-1/IL-1β dependent tumor progression in vivo. Paradoxically, we found myeloid-intrinsic caspase-1 signaling increased myeloid survival contrary to what would be predicted from the canonical pyroptotic function of caspase-1. This myeloid NLRP3/IL-1β signaling axis promotion of tumor growth was found to be gasdermin D independent. Mechanistically, we found that phagocyte-mediated efferocytosis of dying tumor cells in the TME directly activated NLRP3-dependent inflammasome signaling to drive IL-1β secretion. Subsequently we showed that NLRP3-mediated IL-1β production drives tumor growth in vivo. Dynamic RNA velocity analysis showed a robust directional flow from efferocytosis gene-set high macrophages to an inflammasome gene-set high macrophage population. We provide a novel efferocytosis-dependent inflammasome signaling pathway which mediates homeostatic tumor cell apoptosis that characterizes chronic inflammation-induced malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Lang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sohini Roy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Diana Graves
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Yaomin Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - C. Henrique Serezani
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Michael Korrer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Young J. Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Young J. Kim,
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Zhou X, Wang X, Sun Q, Zhang W, Liu C, Ma W, Sun C. Natural compounds: A new perspective on targeting polarization and infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages in lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113096. [PMID: 35567987 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development in tumor immunology, people are gradually understanding the complexity and diversity of the tumor microenvironment immune status and its important effect on tumors. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), an important part of the tumor immune microenvironment, have a double effect on tumor growth and metastasis. Many studies have focused on lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer and other "hot tumors" with typical inflammatory characteristics. The polarization and infiltration of TAMs is an important mechanism in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors, such as lung cancer, and in the tumor immune microenvironment. Therapeutic drugs designed for these reasons are key to targeting TAMs in the treatment of lung cancer. A large number of reports have suggested that natural compounds have a strong potential of affecting immunity by targeting the polarization and infiltration of TAMs to improve the immune microenvironment of lung cancer and exert a natural antitumor effect. This paper discusses the infiltration and polarization effects of natural compounds on lung cancer TAMs, provides a detailed classification and systematic review of natural compounds, and summarizes the bias of different kinds of natural compounds by affecting their antitumor mechanism of TAMs, with the aim of providing new perspectives and potential therapeutic drugs for targeted macrophages in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Zhou
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qi Sun
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Wenzhe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China; College of Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, China.
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Liu Y, Lan L, Li Y, Lu J, He L, Deng Y, Fei M, Lu JW, Shangguan F, Lu JP, Wang J, Wu L, Huang K, Lu B. N-glycosylation stabilizes MerTK and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumor growth. Redox Biol 2022; 54:102366. [PMID: 35728303 PMCID: PMC9214875 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102366] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the evidences of elevated expression of Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) in multiple human cancers, mechanisms underlying the oncogenic roles of MerTK in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains undefined. We explored the functional effects of MerTK and N-Glycosylated MerTK on HCC cell survival and tumor growth. Here, we show that MerTK ablation increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and promotes the switching from glycolytic metabolism to oxidative phosphorylation in HCC cells, thus suppressing HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth. MerTK is N-glycosylated in HCC cells at asparagine 294 and 454 that stabilizes MerTK to promote oncogenic transformation. Moreover, we observed that nuclear located non-glycosylated MerTK is indispensable for survival of HCC cells under stress. Pathologically, tissue microarray (TMA) data indicate that MerTK is a pivotal prognostic factor for HCC. Our data strongly support the roles of MerTK N-glycosylation in HCC tumorigenesis and suggesting N-glycosylation inhibition as a potential HCC therapeutic strategy. MerTK promotes the switching from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolytic metabolism in HCC cells. MerTK is N-glycosylated in HCC cells at asparagine 294 and 454 that stabilizes MerTK to promote HCC tumor growth. The nuclear located non-glycosylated MerTK is indispensable for survival of HCC cells under stress. MerTK is a pivotal prognostic factor for HCC and its N-glycosylation inhibition is a potential HCC therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhang Liu
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Linhua Lan
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434000, China
| | - Lipeng He
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Yao Deng
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Mingming Fei
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jun-Wan Lu
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Fugen Shangguan
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Ju-Ping Lu
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Kate Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Attardi Institute of Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
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Mikolajczyk A, Mitula F, Popiel D, Kaminska B, Wieczorek M, Pieczykolan J. Two-Front War on Cancer-Targeting TAM Receptors in Solid Tumour Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2488. [PMID: 35626092 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, many studies have shown the importance of TAM kinases in both normal and neoplastic cells. In this review, we present and discuss the role of the TAM family (AXL, MERTK, TYRO3) of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) as a dual target in cancer, due to their intrinsic roles in tumour cell survival, migration, chemoresistance, and their immunosuppressive roles in the tumour microenvironment. This review presents the potential of TAMs as emerging therapeutic targets in cancer treatment, focusing on the distinct structures of TAM receptor tyrosine kinases. We analyse and compare different strategies of TAM inhibition, for a full perspective of current and future battlefields in the war with cancer. Abstract Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane receptors that bind growth factors and cytokines and contain a regulated kinase activity within their cytoplasmic domain. RTKs play an important role in signal transduction in both normal and malignant cells, and their encoding genes belong to the most frequently affected genes in cancer cells. The TAM family proteins (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) are involved in diverse biological processes: immune regulation, clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Recent studies show that TAMs share overlapping functions in tumorigenesis and suppression of antitumour immunity. MERTK and AXL operate in innate immune cells to suppress inflammatory responses and promote an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, while AXL expression correlates with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and motility in tumours. Therefore, TAM RTKs represent a dual target in cancer due to their intrinsic roles in tumour cell survival, migration, chemoresistance, and their immunosuppressive roles in the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the potential of TAMs as emerging therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. We critically assess and compare current approaches to target TAM RTKs in solid tumours and the development of new inhibitors for both extra- and intracellular domains of TAM receptor kinases.
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Engelsen AST, Lotsberg ML, Abou Khouzam R, Thiery JP, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S. Dissecting the Role of AXL in Cancer Immune Escape and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869676. [PMID: 35572601 PMCID: PMC9092944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and implementation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in clinical oncology have significantly improved the survival of a subset of cancer patients with metastatic disease previously considered uniformly lethal. However, the low response rates and the low number of patients with durable clinical responses remain major concerns and underscore the limited understanding of mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and tumor immune resistance. There is an urgent unmet need for novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of ICI in the clinic, and for predictive tools that can accurately predict ICI responders based on the composition of their tumor microenvironment. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been associated with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies and the emergence of therapy resistance. AXL is a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MERTK (TAM) kinase family. Upon binding to its ligand GAS6, AXL regulates cell signaling cascades and cellular communication between various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Converging evidence points to AXL as an attractive molecular target to overcome therapy resistance and immunosuppression, supported by the potential of AXL inhibitors to improve ICI efficacy. Here, we review the current literature on the prominent role of AXL in regulating cancer progression, with particular attention to its effects on anti-tumor immune response and resistance to ICI. We discuss future directions with the aim to understand better the complex role of AXL and TAM receptors in cancer and the potential value of this knowledge and targeted inhibition for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S. T. Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria L. Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - James B. Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
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11
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Iida M, McDaniel NK, Kostecki KL, Welke NB, Kranjac CA, Liu P, Longhurst C, Bruce JY, Hong S, Salgia R, Wheeler DL. AXL regulates neuregulin1 expression leading to cetuximab resistance in head and neck cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:447. [PMID: 35461210 PMCID: PMC9035247 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed and an important therapeutic target in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Cetuximab is currently the only EGFR-targeting agent approved by the FDA for treatment of HNC; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab is a major problem in the clinic. Our lab previously reported that AXL leads to cetuximab resistance via activation of HER3. In this study, we investigate the connection between AXL, HER3, and neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene expression with a focus on understanding how their interdependent signaling promotes resistance to cetuximab in HNC. METHODS Plasmid or siRNA transfections and cell-based assays were conducted to test cetuximab sensitivity. Quantitative PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to analyze gene and protein expression levels. Seven HNC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were evaluated for protein expression levels. RESULTS We found that HER3 expression was necessary but not sufficient for cetuximab resistance without AXL expression. Our results demonstrated that addition of the HER3 ligand NRG1 to cetuximab-sensitive HNC cells leads to cetuximab resistance. Further, AXL-overexpressing cells regulate NRG1 at the level of transcription, thereby promoting cetuximab resistance. Immunoblot analysis revealed that NRG1 expression was relatively high in cetuximab-resistant HNC PDXs compared to cetuximab-sensitive HNC PDXs. Finally, genetic inhibition of NRG1 resensitized AXL-overexpressing cells to cetuximab. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that AXL may signal through HER3 via NRG1 to promote cetuximab resistance and that targeting of NRG1 could have significant clinical implications for HNC therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nellie K McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kourtney L Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Noah B Welke
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Carlene A Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Peng Liu
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Colin Longhurst
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Yonsei Frontier Lab, Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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12
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Busch CJ, Hagel C, Becker B, Oetting A, Möckelmann N, Droste C, Möller-Koop C, Witt M, Blaurock M, Loges S, Rothkamm K, Betz C, Münscher A, Clauditz TS, Rieckmann T. Tissue Microarray Analyses Suggest Axl as a Predictive Biomarker in HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1829. [PMID: 35406601 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite many efforts, no predictive biomarkers that could guide clinical decision making and personalized treatment have been established for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We propose that high expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl identifies patients as being at enhanced risk for treatment failure under surgery alone and, hence, should be treated by primary or adjuvant radiotherapy. Abstract The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl is described to promote migration, metastasis and resistance against molecular targeting, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in various tumor entities, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Since clinical data on Axl and its ligand Gas6 in HNSCC are sparse, we assessed the association of Axl and Gas6 expression with patient survival in a single center retrospective cohort in a tissue microarray format. Expression was evaluated manually using an established algorithm and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. A number of 362 samples yielded interpretable staining, which did not correlate with T- and N-stage. Protein expression levels were not associated with the survival of patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal SCC. In HPV-negative tumors, Axl expression did not impact patients treated with primary or adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy, but was significantly associated with inferior overall and recurrence-free survival in patients treated with surgery alone. Gas6 was a positive predictor of survival in patients whose treatment included radiotherapy. Associations remained significant in multivariable analysis. Our data question a meaningful contribution of the Axl/Gas6 pathway to radio-resistance in HNSCC and instead suggest that strong Axl expression identifies tumors requiring adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy after surgery.
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Bolton JL, Short AK, Othy S, Kooiker CL, Shao M, Gunn BG, Beck J, Bai X, Law SM, Savage JC, Lambert JJ, Belelli D, Tremblay MÈ, Cahalan MD, Baram TZ. Early stress-induced impaired microglial pruning of excitatory synapses on immature CRH-expressing neurons provokes aberrant adult stress responses. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110600. [PMID: 35354026 PMCID: PMC9014810 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Several mental illnesses, characterized by aberrant stress reactivity, often arise after early-life adversity (ELA). However, it is unclear how ELA affects stress-related brain circuit maturation, provoking these enduring vulnerabilities. We find that ELA increases functional excitatory synapses onto stress-sensitive hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons, resulting from disrupted developmental synapse pruning by adjacent microglia. Microglial process dynamics and synaptic element engulfment were attenuated in ELA mice, associated with deficient signaling of the microglial phagocytic receptor MerTK. Accordingly, selective chronic chemogenetic activation of ELA microglia increased microglial process dynamics and reduced excitatory synapse density to control levels. Notably, selective early-life activation of ELA microglia normalized adult acute and chronic stress responses, including stress-induced hormone secretion and behavioral threat responses, as well as chronic adrenal hypertrophy of ELA mice. Thus, microglial actions during development are powerful contributors to mechanisms by which ELA sculpts the connectivity of stress-regulating neurons, promoting vulnerability to stress and stress-related mental illnesses. Early-life adversity (ELA) promotes lifelong aberrant stress responses and vulnerability to mental illnesses. Bolton et al. identify poor dynamics and hypothalamic CRH neurons’ excitatory synapse pruning of ELA microglia, implicating microglial MerTK. Chronic chemogenetic activation of ELA microglia normalized process dynamics, synapse density, and adult hormonal and behavioral stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Bolton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Annabel K Short
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Shivashankar Othy
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Cassandra L Kooiker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Manlin Shao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin G Gunn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Division of Neuroscience, Medical Research Institute, Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Jaclyn Beck
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Xinglong Bai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie M Law
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Julie C Savage
- Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jeremy J Lambert
- Division of Neuroscience, Medical Research Institute, Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Delia Belelli
- Division of Neuroscience, Medical Research Institute, Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Michael D Cahalan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Tallie Z Baram
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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14
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Koh MZ, Ho WY, Yeap SK, Ali NM, Yong CY, Boo L, Alitheen NB. Exosomal-microRNA transcriptome profiling of Parental and CSC-like MDA-MB-231 cells in response to cisplatin treatment. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 233:153854. [PMID: 35398617 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153854] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype with higher risk of metastasis and cancer reoccurrence. Cisplatin is one of the potential anticancer drugs for treating TNBC, where its effectiveness remains challenged by frequent occurrence of cisplatin resistance. Since acquirement of drug resistance often being associated with presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), investigation has been conducted, suggesting CSC-like subpopulation to be more resistant to cisplatin than their parental counterpart. On the other hand, plethora evidences showed the transmission of exosomal-miRNAs are capable of promoting drug resistance in breast cancers. In this study, we aim to elucidate the differential expression of exosomal-microRNAs profile and reveal the potential target genes in correlation to cisplatin resistance associated with CSC-like subpopulation by using TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231). Utilizing next generation sequencing and Nanostring techniques, cisplatin-induced dysregulation of exosomal-miRNAs were evaluated in maximal for CSC-like subpopulation as compared to parental cells. Intriguingly, more oncogenic exosomal-miRNAs profile was detected from treated CSC-like subpopulation, which may correlate to enhancement of drug resistance and maintenance of CSCs. In treated CSC-like subpopulation, unique clusters of exosomal-miRNAs namely miR-221-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-17-5p and miR-126-3p were predicted to target on six genes (ATXN1, LATS1, GSK3β, ITGA6, JAG1 and MYC), aligned with previous finding which demonstrated dysregulation of these genes in treated CSC-like subpopulation. Our results highlight the potential correlation of exosomal-miRNAs and their target genes as well as novel perspectives of the corresponding pathways that may be essential to contribute to the attenuated cytotoxicity of cisplatin in CSC-like subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Zie Koh
- Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia.
| | - Wan Yong Ho
- Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia.
| | - Swee Keong Yeap
- China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang 43900, Malaysia.
| | - Norlaily Mohd Ali
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Cheras 43000, Malaysia.
| | - Chean Yeah Yong
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Lily Boo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Cheras 43000, Malaysia.
| | - Noorjahan Banu Alitheen
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia.
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15
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Yan D, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. Targeting MERTK and AXL in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5639. [PMID: 34830794 PMCID: PMC8616094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MERTK and AXL are members of the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases and are abnormally expressed in 69% and 93% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), respectively. Expression of MERTK and/or AXL provides a survival advantage for NSCLC cells and correlates with lymph node metastasis, drug resistance, and disease progression in patients with NSCLC. The TAM receptors on host tumor infiltrating cells also play important roles in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, MERTK and AXL are attractive biologic targets for NSCLC treatment. Here, we will review physiologic and oncologic roles for MERTK and AXL with an emphasis on the potential to target these kinases in NSCLCs with activating EGFR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
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Hedrich V, Breitenecker K, Djerlek L, Ortmayr G, Mikulits W. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Control of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by TAM Receptors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5448. [PMID: 34771611 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK are receptor tyrosine kinases of the TAM family, which are activated by their ligands Gas6 and Protein S. TAM receptors have large physiological implications, including the removal of dead cells, activation of immune cells, and prevention of bleeding. In the last decade, TAM receptors have been suggested to play a relevant role in liver fibrogenesis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The understanding of TAM receptor functions in tumor cells and their cellular microenvironment is of utmost importance to advances in novel therapeutic strategies that conquer chronic liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major subtype of liver cancer, showing high mortality of patients due to limited therapeutic options at advanced stages of disease. The receptor tyrosine kinases Tyro3, Axl and MerTK—belonging to the TAM family—exert a large impact on various aspects of cancer biology. Binding of the ligands Gas6 or Protein S activates TAM receptors causing homophilic dimerization and heterophilic interactions with other receptors to modulate effector functions. In this context, TAM receptors are major regulators of anti-inflammatory responses and vessel integrity, including platelet aggregation as well as resistance to chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss the relevance of TAM receptors in the intrinsic control of HCC progression by modulating epithelial cell plasticity and by promoting metastatic traits of neoplastic hepatocytes. Depending on different etiologies of HCC, we further describe the overt role of TAM receptors in the extrinsic control of HCC progression by focusing on immune cell infiltration and fibrogenesis. Additionally, we assess TAM receptor functions in the chemoresistance against clinically used tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade in HCC progression. We finally address the question of whether inhibition of TAM receptors can be envisaged for novel therapeutic strategies in HCC.
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Beitzen-Heineke A, Berenbrok N, Waizenegger J, Paesler S, Gensch V, Udonta F, Vargas Delgado ME, Engelmann J, Hoffmann F, Schafhausen P, von Amsberg G, Riecken K, Beumer N, Imbusch CD, Lorens J, Fischer T, Pantel K, Bokemeyer C, Ben-Batalla I, Loges S. AXL Inhibition Represents a Novel Therapeutic Approach in BCR-ABL Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Hemasphere 2021; 5:e630. [PMID: 34396051 DOI: 10.1097/HS9.0000000000000630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) consist of essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis. The majority of patients harbor the JAK2-activating mutation V617F. JAK2 inhibitors were shown to reduce symptom burden and splenomegaly in MPN patients. However, treatment options are limited after failure of JAK2 inhibitors. AXL, a member of the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases, mediates survival and therapy resistance of different myeloid cancers including acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. We studied the relevance of AXL as a target in MPN using primary patient cells and preclinical disease models. We found that AXL is abundantly activated in MPN cells and that its ligand growth arrest-specific gene 6 is upregulated in MPN patients. Pharmacologic and genetic blockade of AXL impaired viability, decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of MPN cells. Interestingly, ruxolitinib treatment induced increased phosphorylation of AXL indicating that activation of AXL might mediate resistance to ruxolitinib. Consistently, the AXL inhibitor bemcentinib exerted additive effects with ruxolitinib via impaired STAT3, STAT5, and AKT signaling. Both agents had activity when employed alone and exerted an additive effect on survival and splenomegaly in vivo. Moreover, bemcentinib treatment normalized red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels in vivo. Thus, our data indicate that AXL inhibition represents a novel treatment option in MPN warranting clinical investigation.
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Zhou L, Matsushima GK. Tyro3, Axl, Mertk receptor-mediated efferocytosis and immune regulation in the tumor environment. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 2021; 361:165-210. [PMID: 34074493 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Three structurally related tyrosine receptor cell surface kinases, Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) have been recognized to modulate immune function, tissue homeostasis, cardiovasculature, and cancer. The TAM receptor family appears to operate in adult mammals across multiple cell types, suggesting both widespread and specific regulation of cell functions and immune niches. TAM family members regulate tissue homeostasis by monitoring the presence of phosphatidylserine expressed on stressed or apoptotic cells. The detection of phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells requires intermediary molecules that opsonize the dying cells and tether them to TAM receptors on phagocytes. This complex promotes the engulfment of apoptotic cells, also known as efferocytosis, that leads to the resolution of inflammation and tissue healing. The immune mechanisms dictating these processes appear to fall upon specific family members or may involve a complex of different receptors acting cooperatively to resolve and repair damaged tissues. Here, we focus on the role of TAM receptors in triggering efferocytosis and its consequences in the regulation of immune responses in the context of inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Zhou
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Glenn K Matsushima
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; UNC Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; UNC Integrative Program for Biological & Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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Zhen L, Ning G, Wu L, Zheng Y, Yang F, Chen T, Xu W, Liu Y, Xie C, Peng L. Prognostic value of aberrantly expressed methylation genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2020; 40:BSR20192593. [PMID: 32955083 DOI: 10.1042/BSR20192593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To identify the prognostic value of aberrantly methylated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Methods: Gene expression profiles (GSE65372 and GSE37988) were analyzed using GEO2R to obtain aberrantly methylated DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis of screened genes was performed by the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Cytoscape software was used to analyze the PPI network and to select hub genes. Transcriptional and proteinic expression data of hub genes were obtained through UALCAN and the Human Protein Reference Database. Finally, we analyzed the prognostic value of hub genes with the Kaplan–Meier Plotter and MethSurv database. Results: In total, 24 up-hypomethylated oncogenes and 37 down-hypermethylated tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) were identified, and 8 hub genes, including 4 up-hypomethylated oncogenes (CDC5L, MERTK, RHOA and YBX1) and 4 down-hypermethylated TSGs (BCR, DFFA, SCUBE2 and TP63), were selected by PPI. Higher expression of methylated CDC5L-cg05671347, MERTK-cg08279316, RHOA-cg05657651 and YBX1-cg16306148, and lower expression of methylated BCR-cg25410636, DFFA-cg20696875, SCUBE2-cg19000089 and TP63-cg06520450, were associated with better overall survival (OS) in HCC patients. Multivariate analysis also showed they were independent prognostic factors for OS of HCC patients. Conclusions: In summary, different expression of methylated genes above mentioned were associated with better prognosis in HCC patients. Altering the methylation status of these genes may be a therapeutic target for HCC, but it should be further evaluated in clinical studies.
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20
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Hoque M, Wai Wong S, Recasens A, Abbassi R, Nguyen N, Zhang D, Stashko MA, Wang X, Frye S, Day BW, Baell J, Munoz L. MerTK activity is not necessary for the proliferation of glioblastoma stem cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114437. [PMID: 33571503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114437] [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: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MerTK has been identified as a promising target for therapeutic intervention in glioblastoma. Genetic studies documented a range of oncogenic processes that MerTK targeting could influence, however robust pharmacological validation has been missing. The aim of this study was to assess therapeutic potential of MerTK inhibitors in glioblastoma therapy. Unlike previous studies, our work provides several lines of evidence that MerTK activity is dispensable for glioblastoma growth. We observed heterogeneous responses to MerTK inhibitors that could not be correlated to MerTK inhibition or MerTK expression in cells. The more selective MerTK inhibitors UNC2250 and UNC2580A lack the anti-proliferative potency of less-selective inhibitors exemplified by UNC2025. Functional assays in MerTK-high and MerTK-deficient cells further demonstrate that the anti-cancer efficacy of UNC2025 is MerTK-independent. However, despite its efficacy in vitro, UNC2025 failed to attenuate glioblastoma growth in vivo. Gene expression analysis from cohorts of glioblastoma patients identified that MerTK expression correlates negatively with proliferation and positively with quiescence genes, suggesting that MerTK regulates dormancy rather than proliferation in glioblastoma. In summary, this study demonstrates the importance of orthogonal inhibitors and disease-relevant models in target validation studies and raises a possibility that MerTK inhibitors could be used to target dormant glioblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monira Hoque
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Siu Wai Wong
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ariadna Recasens
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ramzi Abbassi
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dehui Zhang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael A Stashko
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Frye
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bryan W Day
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Jonathan Baell
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Lenka Munoz
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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21
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Rios-Doria J, Favata M, Lasky K, Feldman P, Lo Y, Yang G, Stevens C, Wen X, Sehra S, Katiyar K, Liu K, Wynn R, Harris JJ, Ye M, Spitz S, Wang X, He C, Li YL, Yao W, Covington M, Scherle P, Koblish H. A Potent and Selective Dual Inhibitor of AXL and MERTK Possesses Both Immunomodulatory and Tumor-Targeted Activity. Front Oncol 2020; 10:598477. [PMID: 33425754 PMCID: PMC7793849 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.598477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK constitute the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases, which play important roles in tumor growth, survival, cell adhesion, as well as innate immunity, phagocytosis, and immune-suppressive activity. Therefore, targeting both AXL and MERTK kinases may directly impact tumor growth and relieve immunosuppression. We describe here the discovery of INCB081776, a potent and selective dual inhibitor of AXL and MERTK that is currently in phase 1 clinical trials. In cellular assays, INCB081776 effectively blocked autophosphorylation of AXL or MERTK with low nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentration values in tumor cells and Ba/F3 cells transfected with constitutively active AXL or MERTK. INCB081776 inhibited activation of MERTK in primary human macrophages and partially reversed M2 macrophage–mediated suppression of T-cell proliferation, which was associated with increased interferon-γ production. In vivo, the antitumor activity of INCB081776 was enhanced in combination with checkpoint blockade in syngeneic models, and resulted in increased proliferation of intratumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Finally, antitumor activity of INCB081776 was observed in a subset of sarcoma patient–derived xenograft models, which was linked with inhibition of phospho-AKT. These data support the potential therapeutic utility of INCB081776 as an immunotherapeutic agent capable of both enhancing tumor immune surveillance and blocking tumor cell survival mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kerri Lasky
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Yvonne Lo
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Gengjie Yang
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Xiaoming Wen
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Sarita Sehra
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Kamna Katiyar
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Ke Liu
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Richard Wynn
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Min Ye
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Susan Spitz
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Xiaozhao Wang
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Chunhong He
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Yun-Long Li
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Wenqing Yao
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | | | - Peggy Scherle
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Holly Koblish
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
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22
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Ruicci KM, Meens J, Plantinga P, Stecho W, Pinto N, Yoo J, Fung K, MacNeil D, Mymryk JS, Barrett JW, Howlett CJ, Boutros PC, Ailles L, Nichols AC. TAM family receptors in conjunction with MAPK signalling are involved in acquired resistance to PI3Kα inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:217. [PMID: 33059733 PMCID: PMC7559997 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01713-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Aberrant activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is common in many malignancies, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite pre-clinical and clinical studies, outcomes from targeting the PI3K pathway have been underwhelming and the development of drug resistance poses a significant barrier to patient treatment. In the present study, we examined mechanisms of acquired resistance to the PI3Kα inhibitor alpelisib (formerly BYL719) in HNSCC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Methods Five unique PDX mouse models and three HNSCC cell lines were used. All cell lines and xenografts underwent genomic characterization prior to study. Serial drug treatment was conducted in vitro and in vivo to develop multiple, clinically-significant models of resistance to alpelisib. We then used reverse phase protein arrays (RPPAs) to profile the expression of proteins in parental and drug-resistant models. Top hits were validated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometric analysis and RNA interference studies were then used to interrogate the molecular mechanisms underlying acquired drug resistance. Results Prolonged treatment with alpelisib led to upregulation of TAM family receptor tyrosine kinases TYRO3 and AXL. Importantly, a significant shift in expression of both TYRO3 and AXL to the cell surface was detected in drug-resistant cells. Targeted knockdown of TYRO3 and AXL effectively re-sensitized resistant cells to PI3Kα inhibition. In vivo, resistance to alpelisib emerged following 20–35 days of treatment in all five PDX models. Elevated TYRO3 expression was detected in drug-resistant PDX tissues. Downstream of TYRO3 and AXL, we identified activation of intracellular MAPK signalling. Inhibition of MAPK signalling also re-sensitized drug-resistant cells to alpelisib. Conclusions We have identified TYRO3 and AXL receptors to be key mediators of resistance to alpelisib, both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that pan-TAM inhibition is a promising avenue for combinatorial or second-line therapy alongside PI3Kα inhibition. These findings advance our understanding of the role TAM receptors play in modulating the response of HNSCC to PI3Kα inhibition and suggest a means to prevent, or at least delay, resistance to PI3Kα inhibition in order to improve outcomes for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara M Ruicci
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada.,Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jalna Meens
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Plantinga
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - William Stecho
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Pinto
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - John Yoo
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin Fung
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle MacNeil
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Joe S Mymryk
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada.,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - John W Barrett
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - Christopher J Howlett
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paul C Boutros
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Institute for Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laurie Ailles
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony C Nichols
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Room B3-431A, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada. .,Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
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23
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Huelse J, Fridlyand D, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107577. [PMID: 32417270 PMCID: PMC9847360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Diana Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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24
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Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana M Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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25
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Abstract
Efferocytosis is a physiologic phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells, which modulates inflammatory responses and the immune environment and subsequently facilitates immune escape of cancer cells, thus promoting tumor development and progression. Efferocytosis is an equilibrium formed by perfect coordination among “find-me”, “eat-me” and “don’t-eat-me” signals. These signaling pathways not only affect the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of tumor cells but also regulate adaptive responses and drug resistance to antitumor therapies. Therefore, efferocytosis-related molecules and pathways are potential targets for antitumor therapy. Besides, supplementing conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other immunotherapies with efferocytosis-targeted therapy could enhance the therapeutic efficacy, reduce off-target toxicity, and promote patient outcome. Video abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxiang Zhou
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yihan Yao
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongchuan Deng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Anwen Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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26
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Abstract
AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that has been implicated in diverse tumor-promoting processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, survival, and apoptosis. AXL therefore plays a role in cancer progression, and AXL has been implicated in a wide variety of malignancies from solid tumors to hematopoietic cancers where it is often associated with poor prognosis. In cancer, AXL has been shown to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis formation, drug resistance, and a role for AXL in modulation of the tumor microenvironment and immune response has been identified. In light of these activities multiple AXL inhibitors have been developed, and several of these have entered clinical trials in the U.S. In breast cancer, high levels of AXL expression have been observed. The role of AXL in cancer with a focus on therapeutic implications for breast cancer is discussed.
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27
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Zajac O, Leclere R, Nicolas A, Meseure D, Marchiò C, Vincent-Salomon A, Roman-Roman S, Schoumacher M, Dubois T. AXL Controls Directed Migration of Mesenchymal Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010247. [PMID: 31963783 PMCID: PMC7016818 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer with high risk of relapse and metastasis. TNBC is a heterogeneous disease comprising different molecular subtypes including those with mesenchymal features. The tyrosine kinase AXL is expressed in mesenchymal cells and plays a role in drug resistance, migration and metastasis. We confirm that AXL is more expressed in mesenchymal TNBC cells compared to luminal breast cancer cells, and that its invalidation impairs cell migration while having no or little effect on cell viability. Here, we found that AXL controls directed migration. We observed that AXL displays a polarized localization at the Golgi apparatus and the leading edge of migratory mesenchymal TNBC cells. AXL co-localizes with F-actin at the front of the cells. In migratory polarized cells, the specific AXL inhibitor R428 displaces AXL and F-actin from the leading edge to a lateral area localized between the front and the rear of the cells where both are enriched in protrusions. In addition, R428 treatment disrupts the polarized localization of the Golgi apparatus towards the leading edge in migratory cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of aggressive chemo-resistant TNBC samples obtained before treatment reveals inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity of the percentage of AXL expressing tumor cells, and a preference of these cells to be in contact with the stroma. Taken together, our study demonstrates that AXL controls directed cell migration most likely by regulating cell polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Zajac
- Breast Cancer Biology Group, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Renaud Leclere
- Department of Pathology, Platform of Investigative Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (R.L.); (A.N.); (D.M.)
| | - André Nicolas
- Department of Pathology, Platform of Investigative Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (R.L.); (A.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Didier Meseure
- Department of Pathology, Platform of Investigative Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (R.L.); (A.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Verdi 8, 10124 Torino TO, Italy;
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Anne Vincent-Salomon
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Sergio Roman-Roman
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Marie Schoumacher
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Institut de Recherches Internationales SERVIER, 92284 Suresnes, France;
| | - Thierry Dubois
- Breast Cancer Biology Group, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-156246250
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28
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Abstract
The primary conclusions of our 2014 contribution to this series were as follows: Multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) likely contribute to aggressive phenotypes in osteosarcoma and, therefore, inhibition of multiple RTKs is likely necessary for successful clinical outcomes. Inhibition of multiple RTKs may also be useful to overcome resistance to inhibitors of individual RTKs as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapies. Different combinations of RTKs are likely important in individual patients. AXL, EPHB2, FGFR2, IGF1R, and RET were identified as promising therapeutic targets by our in vitro phosphoproteomic/siRNA screen of 42 RTKs in the highly metastatic LM7 and 143B human osteosarcoma cell lines. This chapter is intended to provide an update on these topics as well as the large number of osteosarcoma clinical studies of inhibitors of multiple tyrosine kinases (multi-TKIs) that were recently published.
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29
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Peeters MJW, Dulkeviciute D, Draghi A, Ritter C, Rahbech A, Skadborg SK, Seremet T, Carnaz Simões AM, Martinenaite E, Halldórsdóttir HR, Andersen MH, Olofsson GH, Svane IM, Rasmussen LJ, Met Ö, Becker JC, Donia M, Desler C, Thor Straten P. MERTK Acts as a Costimulatory Receptor on Human CD8 + T Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1472-1484. [PMID: 31266785 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) is known to be expressed on antigen-presenting cells and function as oncogenic drivers and as inhibitors of inflammatory responses. Both human and mouse CD8+ T cells are thought to be negative for TAM receptor expression. In this study, we show that T-cell receptor (TCR)-activated human primary CD8+ T cells expressed MERTK and the ligand PROS1 from day 2 postactivation. PROS1-mediated MERTK signaling served as a late costimulatory signal, increasing proliferation and secretion of effector and memory-associated cytokines. Knockdown and inhibition studies confirmed that this costimulatory effect was mediated through MERTK. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses of PROS1-blocked CD8+ T cells demonstrated a role of the PROS1-MERTK axis in differentiation of memory CD8+ T cells. Finally, using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from melanoma patients, we show that MERTK signaling on T cells improved TIL expansion and TIL-mediated autologous cancer cell killing. We conclude that MERTK serves as a late costimulatory signal for CD8+ T cells. Identification of this costimulatory function of MERTK on human CD8+ T cells suggests caution in the development of MERTK inhibitors for hematologic or solid cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies J W Peeters
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Donata Dulkeviciute
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arianna Draghi
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cathrin Ritter
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, University Hospital Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Essen and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Rahbech
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe K Skadborg
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Seremet
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ana Micaela Carnaz Simões
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte Holmen Olofsson
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Juel Rasmussen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Inflammation and Cancer Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jürgen C Becker
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, University Hospital Essen, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Essen and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Donia
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Desler
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Inflammation and Cancer Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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30
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Myers KV, Amend SR, Pienta KJ. Targeting Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM receptors): implications for macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:94. [PMID: 31088471 PMCID: PMC6515593 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1022-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages are an abundant cell type in the tumor microenvironment. These macrophages serve as a promising target for treatment of cancer due to their roles in promoting cancer progression and simultaneous immunosuppression. The TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are promising therapeutic targets on tumor-associated macrophages. The TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases with shared ligands Gas6 and Protein S that skew macrophage polarization towards a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype. In macrophages, the TAM receptors also promote apoptotic cell clearance, a tumor-promoting process called efferocytosis. The TAM receptors bind the "eat-me" signal phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cell membranes using Gas6 and Protein S as bridging ligands. Post-efferocytosis, macrophages are further polarized to a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype and secrete increased levels of immunosuppressive cytokines. Since M2 polarization and efferocytosis are tumor-promoting processes, the TAM receptors on macrophages serve as exciting targets for cancer therapy. Current TAM receptor-directed therapies in preclinical development and clinical trials may have anti-cancer effects though impacting macrophage phenotype and function in addition to the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla V. Myers
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sarah R. Amend
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Kenneth J. Pienta
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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31
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Badarni M, Prasad M, Balaban N, Zorea J, Yegodayev KM, Joshua BZ, Dinur AB, Grénman R, Rotblat B, Cohen L, Elkabets M. Repression of AXL expression by AP-1/JNK blockage overcomes resistance to PI3Ka therapy. JCI Insight 2019; 5:125341. [PMID: 30860495 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.125341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
AXL overexpression is a common resistance mechanism to anti-cancer therapies, including the resistance to BYL719 (Alpelisib) - the p110α isoform specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) - in esophagus and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC, HNSCC respectively). However, the mechanisms underlying AXL overexpression in resistance to BYL719 remain elusive. Here we demonstrated that the AP-1 transcription factors, c-JUN and c-FOS, regulate AXL overexpression in HNSCC and ESCC. The expression of AXL was correlated with that of c-JUN both in HNSCC patients and in HNSCC and ESCC cell lines. Silencing of c-JUN and c-FOS expression in tumor cells downregulated AXL expression and enhanced the sensitivity of human papilloma virus positive (HPVPos) and negative (HPVNeg) tumor cells to BYL719 in vitro. Blocking of the c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) using SP600125 in combination with BYL719 showed a synergistic anti-proliferative effect in vitro, which was accompanied by AXL downregulation and potent inhibition of the mTOR pathway. In vivo, the BYL719-SP600125 drug combination led to the arrest of tumor growth in cell line-derived and patient-derived xenograft models, and in syngeneic head and neck murine cancer models. Collectively, our data suggests that JNK inhibition in combination with anti-PI3K therapy is a new therapeutic strategy that should be tested in HPVPos and HPVNeg HNSCC and ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Badarni
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Manu Prasad
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Noa Balaban
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jonathan Zorea
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ksenia M Yegodayev
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ben-Zion Joshua
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Anat Bahat Dinur
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Reidar Grénman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Turku University and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Barak Rotblat
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and.,The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Limor Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, and.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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32
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Yokoyama Y, Lew ED, Seelige R, Tindall EA, Walsh C, Fagan PC, Lee JY, Nevarez R, Oh J, Tucker KD, Chen M, Diliberto A, Vaaler H, Smith KM, Albert A, Li G, Bui JD. Immuno-oncological Efficacy of RXDX-106, a Novel TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) Family Small-Molecule Kinase Inhibitor. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1996-2008. [PMID: 30723115 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) has been associated with cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In immune cells, TAM RTKs can dampen inflammation in favor of homeostatic wound-healing responses, thus potentially contributing to the evasion of cancer cells from immune surveillance. Here we characterize the small-molecule RXDX-106 as a selective and potent pan-TAM RTK inhibitor with slow dissociation kinetics and significant antitumor activity in multiple syngeneic tumor models. Expression of AXL and MER on both immune and tumor cells increased during tumor progression. Tumor growth inhibition (TGI) following treatment with RXDX-106 was observed in wild-type mice and was abrogated in immunodeficient mice, suggesting that the antitumor activity of RXDX-106 is, in part, due to the presence of immune cells. RXDX-106-mediated TGI was associated with increased tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, M1-polarized intratumoral macrophages, and activation of natural killer cells. RXDX-106 proportionally increased intratumoral CD8+ T cells and T-cell function as indicated by both IFNγ production and LCK phosphorylation (pY393). RXDX-106 exhibited its effects via direct actions on TAM RTKs expressed on intratumoral macrophages and dendritic cells, leading to indirect activation of other immune cells in the tumor. RXDX-106 also potentiated the effects of an immune checkpoint inhibitor, α-PD-1 Ab, resulting in enhanced antitumor efficacy and survival. Collectively, these results demonstrate the capacity of RXDX-106 to inhibit tumor growth and progression and suggest it may serve as an effective therapy against multiple tumor types. SIGNIFICANCE: The pan-TAM small-molecule kinase inhibitor RXDX-106 activates both innate and adaptive immunity to inhibit tumor growth and progression, indicating its clinical potential to treat a wide variety of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Yokoyama
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Erin D Lew
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California.
| | - Ruth Seelige
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Colin Walsh
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Jack Y Lee
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Robin Nevarez
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Joanne Oh
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Marissa Chen
- Diagnostics, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | - Amanda Albert
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Gary Li
- Translational Research, Ignyta, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Jack D Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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33
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Toulany M. Targeting DNA Double-Strand Break Repair Pathways to Improve Radiotherapy Response. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10010025. [PMID: 30621219 PMCID: PMC6356315 DOI: 10.3390/genes10010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
More than half of cancer patients receive radiotherapy as a part of their cancer treatment. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are considered as the most lethal form of DNA damage and a primary cause of cell death and are induced by ionizing radiation (IR) during radiotherapy. Many malignant cells carry multiple genetic and epigenetic aberrations that may interfere with essential DSB repair pathways. Additionally, exposure to IR induces the activation of a multicomponent signal transduction network known as DNA damage response (DDR). DDR initiates cell cycle checkpoints and induces DSB repair in the nucleus by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The canonical DSB repair pathways function in both normal and tumor cells. Thus, normal-tissue toxicity may limit the targeting of the components of these two pathways as a therapeutic approach in combination with radiotherapy. The DSB repair pathways are also stimulated through cytoplasmic signaling pathways. These signaling cascades are often upregulated in tumor cells harboring mutations or the overexpression of certain cellular oncogenes, e.g., receptor tyrosine kinases, PIK3CA and RAS. Targeting such cytoplasmic signaling pathways seems to be a more specific approach to blocking DSB repair in tumor cells. In this review, a brief overview of cytoplasmic signaling pathways that have been reported to stimulate DSB repair is provided. The state of the art of targeting these pathways will be discussed. A greater understanding of the underlying signaling pathways involved in DSB repair may provide valuable insights that will help to design new strategies to improve treatment outcomes in combination with radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Toulany
- Division of Radiobiology and Molecular Environmental Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tuebingen, Roentgenweg 11, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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