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Meng J, Tan JYT, Joseph CR, Ye J, Lim JCT, Goh D, Xue Y, Lim X, Koh VCY, Wee F, Tay TKY, Chan JY, Ng CCY, Iqbal J, Lau MC, Lim HE, Toh HC, Teh BT, Dent RA, Tan PH, Yeong JPS. The Prognostic Value of CD39 as a Marker of Tumor-Specific T Cells in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Asian Women. J Transl Med 2024; 104:100303. [PMID: 38103870 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100303] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis with limited therapeutic options available for affected patients. Efforts are ongoing to identify surrogate markers for tumor-specific CD8+ T cells that can predict the response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies, such as programmed cell death protein 1 or programmed cell death ligand-1 blockade. We have previously identified tumor-specific CD39+CD8+ T cells in non-small cell lung cancer that might help predict patient responses to programmed cell death protein 1 or programmed cell death ligand-1 blockade. Based on this finding, we conducted a comparative interrogation of TNBC in an Asian cohort to evaluate the potential of CD39 as a surrogate marker of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. Using ICI-treated TNBC mouse models (n = 24), flow cytometric analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes revealed that >99% of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells also expressed CD39. To investigate the relationship between CD39+CD8+ T-cell density and CD39 expression with disease prognosis, we performed multiplex immunohistochemistry staining on treatment-naive human TNBC tissues (n = 315). We saw that the proportion of CD39+CD8+ T cells in human TNBC tumors correlated with improved overall survival, as did the densities of other CD39+ immune cell infiltrates, such as CD39+CD68+ macrophages. Finally, increased CD39 expression on CD8+ T cells was also found to predict the response to ICI therapy (pembrolizumab) in a separate cohort of 11 TNBC patients. These findings support the potential of CD39+CD8+ T-cell density as a prognostic factor in Asian TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Meng
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jing Ying Tira Tan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jiangfeng Ye
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yuezhen Xue
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Xinru Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Valerie Cui Yun Koh
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Felicia Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Timothy Kwang Yong Tay
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | | | | | - Jabed Iqbal
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Mai Chan Lau
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hsuen Elaine Lim
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Rebecca Alexandra Dent
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Puay Hoon Tan
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Luma Women's Imaging Centre/Medical Centre, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
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2
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Kaya NA, Tai D, Lim X, Lim JQ, Lau MC, Goh D, Phua CZJ, Wee FYT, Joseph CR, Lim JCT, Neo ZW, Ye J, Cheung L, Lee J, Loke KSH, Gogna A, Yao F, Lee MY, Shuen TWH, Toh HC, Hilmer A, Chan YS, Lim TKH, Tam WL, Choo SP, Yeong J, Zhai W. Multimodal molecular landscape of response to Y90-resin microsphere radioembolization followed by nivolumab for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007106. [PMID: 37586766 PMCID: PMC10432632 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007106] [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] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination therapy with radioembolization (yttrium-90)-resin microspheres) followed by nivolumab has shown a promising response rate of 30.6% in a Phase II trial (CA209-678) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the response mechanisms and relevant biomarkers remain unknown. METHODS By collecting both pretreatment and on-treatment samples, we performed multimodal profiling of tissue and blood samples and investigated molecular changes associated with favorable responses in 33 patients from the trial. RESULTS We found that higher tumor mutation burden, NCOR1 mutations and higher expression of interferon gamma pathways occurred more frequently in responders. Meanwhile, non-responders tended to be enriched for a novel Asian-specific transcriptomic subtype (Kaya_P2) with a high frequency of chromosome 16 deletions and upregulated cell cycle pathways. Strikingly, unlike other cancer types, we did not observe any association between T-cell populations and treatment response, but tumors from responders had a higher proportion of CXCL9+/CXCR3+ macrophages. Moreover, biomarkers discovered in previous immunotherapy trials were not predictive in the current cohort, suggesting a distinctive molecular landscape associated with differential responses to the combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study unraveled extensive molecular changes underlying distinctive responses to the novel treatment and pinpointed new directions for harnessing combination therapy in patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neslihan Arife Kaya
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - David Tai
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Xinru Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Jia Qi Lim
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Mai Chan Lau
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency of Science Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Cheryl Zi Jin Phua
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Felicia Yu Ting Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Zhen Wei Neo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Jiangfeng Ye
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Lawrence Cheung
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Joycelyn Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Kelvin S H Loke
- Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Apoorva Gogna
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Fei Yao
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - May Yin Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | | | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Axel Hilmer
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Koln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yun Shen Chan
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Tony Kiat-Hon Lim
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Pin Choo
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Weiwei Zhai
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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3
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Yeong J, Goh D, Tan TJ, Tan B, Sivaraj H, Koh V, Tatt Lim JC, Joseph CR, Ye J, Yong Tay TK, Chan Lau M, Chan JY, Ng C, Iqbal J, Teh BT, Dent RA, Tan PH. Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancers in a Singapore Cohort Exhibit High PIK3CA Mutation Rates Associated With Low PD-L1 Expression. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100056. [PMID: 36788078 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2022.100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the PI3K pathway, particularly PIK3CA, were reported to be intimately associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression and the development of treatment resistance. We profiled PIK3CA and other genes on 166 early-stage TNBC tumors from Singapore for comparison to publicly available TNBC cohorts. These tumors were profiled transcriptionally using a NanoString panel of immune genes and multiplex immunohistochemistry, then manually scored for PD-L1-positivity using 2 clinically relevant clones, SP142 and 22C3. We discovered a higher rate of PIK3CA mutations in our TNBC cohort than in non-Asian cohorts, along with TP53, BRCA1, PTPN11, and MAP3K1 alterations. PIK3CA mutations did not affect overall or recurrence-free survival, and when compared with PIK3CAWT tumors, there were no differences in immune infiltration. Using 2 clinically approved antibodies, PIK3CAmut tumors were associated with PD-L1 negativity. Analysis of comutation frequencies further revealed that PIK3CA mutations tended to be accompanied by MAP kinase pathway mutation. The mechanism and impact of PIK3CA alterations on the TNBC tumor immune microenvironment and PD-L1 positivity warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Yeong
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Tira J Tan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benedict Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | | | - Valerie Koh
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | - Jiangfeng Ye
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | | | - Mai Chan Lau
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore
| | | | - Cedric Ng
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jabed Iqbal
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Puay Hoon Tan
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore; Luma Women's Imaging Centre/Medical Centre, Singapore.
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4
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Goh D, Lim JCT, Fernaíndez S, Joseph CR, Edwards S, Neo ZW, Lee JN, Caballero S, Lau MC, Yeong JPS. Corrigendum: Case report: Persistence of residual antigen and RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in tissues of two patients with long COVID. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1036894. [PMID: 36275692 PMCID: PMC9583834 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1036894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.939989.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Zhen Wei Neo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justina Nadia Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Mai Chan Lau
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
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5
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Lau MC, Yi Y, Goh D, Cheung CCL, Tan B, Lim JCT, Joseph CR, Wee F, Lee JN, Lim X, Lim CJ, Leow WQ, Lee JY, Ng CCY, Bashiri H, Cheow PC, Chan CY, Koh YX, Tan TT, Kalimuddin S, Tai WMD, Ng JL, Low JGH, Lim TKH, Liu J, Yeong JPS. Case report: Understanding the impact of persistent tissue-localization of SARS-CoV-2 on immune response activity via spatial transcriptomic analysis of two cancer patients with COVID-19 co-morbidity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978760. [PMID: 36172383 PMCID: PMC9510984 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978760] [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: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected half a billion people, including vulnerable populations such as cancer patients. While increasing evidence supports the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 months after a negative nasopharyngeal swab test, the effects on long-term immune memory and cancer treatment are unclear. In this report, we examined post-COVID-19 tissue-localized immune responses in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient and a colorectal cancer (CRC) patient. Using spatial whole-transcriptomic analysis, we demonstrated spatial profiles consistent with a lymphocyte-associated SARS-CoV-2 response (based on two public COVID-19 gene sets) in the tumors and adjacent normal tissues, despite intra-tumor heterogeneity. The use of RNAscope and multiplex immunohistochemistry revealed that the spatial localization of B cells was significantly associated with lymphocyte-associated SARS-CoV-2 responses within the spatial transcriptomic (ST) niches showing the highest levels of virus. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing data obtained from previous (CRC) or new (HCC) ex vivo stimulation experiments showed that patient-specific SARS-CoV-2 memory B cells were the main contributors to this positive association. Finally, we evaluated the spatial associations between SARS-CoV-2-induced immunological effects and immunotherapy-related anti-tumor immune responses. Immuno-predictive scores (IMPRES) revealed consistent positive spatial correlations between T cells/cytotoxic lymphocytes and the predicted immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response, particularly in the HCC tissues. However, the positive spatial correlation between B cells and IMPRES score was restricted to the high-virus ST niche. In addition, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) analysis revealed marked T cell dysfunction and inflammation, alongside low T cell exclusion and M2 tumor-associated macrophage infiltration. Our results provide in situ evidence of SARS-CoV-2-generated persistent immunological memory, which could not only provide tissue protection against reinfection but may also modulate the tumor microenvironment, favoring ICB responsiveness. As the number of cancer patients with COVID-19 comorbidity continues to rise, improved understanding of the long-term immune response induced by SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on cancer treatment is much needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Chan Lau
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yang Yi
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chun Chau Lawrence Cheung
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benedict Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Felicia Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justina Nadia Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xinru Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chun Jye Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Qiang Leow
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Yi Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Hamed Bashiri
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peng Chung Cheow
- Cancer Discovery Hub, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chun Yip Chan
- Cancer Discovery Hub, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ye Xin Koh
- Cancer Discovery Hub, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thuan Tong Tan
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shirin Kalimuddin
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Meng David Tai
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Division of Medical Oncology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Lin Ng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jenny Guek-Hong Low
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tony Kiat Hon Lim
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Joe Poh Sheng Yeong, ; Jin Liu, ; Tony Kiat Hon Lim,
| | - Jin Liu
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Joe Poh Sheng Yeong, ; Jin Liu, ; Tony Kiat Hon Lim,
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Joe Poh Sheng Yeong, ; Jin Liu, ; Tony Kiat Hon Lim,
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6
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Goh D, Lim JCT, Fernaíndez SB, Joseph CR, Edwards SG, Neo ZW, Lee JN, Caballero SG, Lau MC, Yeong JPS. Case report: Persistence of residual antigen and RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in tissues of two patients with long COVID. Front Immunol 2022; 13:939989. [PMID: 36131932 PMCID: PMC9483160 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.939989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has defined long COVID-19 (LC) as a condition that occurs in individuals with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection who exhibit persistent symptoms after its acute phase that last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Since we had previously reported residual viral antigens in tissues of convalescent patients, we aimed to assess the presence of such antigens in long COVID tissues. Here, we established the presence of the residual virus in the appendix, skin, and breast tissues of 2 patients who exhibited LC symptoms 163 and 426 days after symptom onset. With multiplex immunohistochemistry, we detected viral nucleocapsid protein in all three tissues. The nucleocapsid protein was further observed to colocalize with macrophage marker CD68, suggesting that immune cells were direct targets of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, using RNAscope, the presence of viral RNA was also detected. Our positive finding in the breast tissue is corroborated by the recent reports of immunocompromised patients experiencing LC symptoms and persistent viral replication. Overall, our findings and emerging LC studies raise the possibility that the gastrointestinal tract may function as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Zhen Wei Neo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justina Nadia Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Mai Chan Lau
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Joe Poh Sheng Yeong,
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7
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Goh D, Lim JCT, Fernandez SB, Lee JN, Joseph CR, Guerrero S, Neo ZW, Lau MC, Yeong JPS. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in long COVID-19 patients. The Journal of Immunology 2022. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.208.supp.182.37] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The World Health Organization has defined long COVID-19 (LC) as a condition where patients exhibit persistent symptoms over time after its acute phase, which cannot be explained by alternative diagnosis. Since we have previously reported residual viral antigens in tissues of convalescent patients, we now aim to assess the presence of such antigens in post-convalescent tissues. Here, we established the presence of residual virus within the appendix and breast tissue of 2 patients who exhibited LC symptoms, 163 to 462 days upon positive diagnosis, using immunohistological techniques. We observed positive staining for viral nucleocapsid protein (NP) in the appendix, and tumour-adjacent region of the breast, but not within the tumour. Multiplex immunohistochemistry further detected colocalization of viral NP with macrophage marker CD68, in support of immune cells being direct targets. Notably, with RNA scope, both positive-sense and negative-sense (replicative intermediate) viral RNA were detected. As a single-stranded virus, SARS-CoV-2, have to produce a replicative intermediate as a template to synthesize new genomic RNAs. Thus, the detection of negative-sense viral RNA suggests ongoing viral replication. While viral RNA and antigen from gastrointestinal and stool samples of convalescent patients has been extensively reported, we believe this is the first study to detect viable virus. Furthermore, our positive finding in the breast tissue also corroborated with recent reports that immunocompromised patients had also experienced LC symptoms and persistent viral replication. Overall, our findings, along with emerging LC studies, question the possibility of the gastrointestinal tract functioning as a reservoir.
Supported by A*STAR Career Development Award (C21112056)
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Goh
- 1Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | - Sílvia Guerrero
- 2Long Covid Autonomous Communities Together Spain (Investigation group), Spain
| | - Zhen Wei Neo
- 1Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Mai Chan Lau
- 1Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- 1Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore
- 3Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- 4Cancer Science Institute, Singapore
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8
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Hopkins JL, Betageri R, Cohen KA, Emmanuel MJ, Joseph CR, Bax PM, Pallai PV, Skoog MT. Rhinovirus 3C protease catalyzes efficient cleavage of a fluorescein-labeled peptide affording a rapid and robust assay. J Biochem Biophys Methods 1991; 23:107-13. [PMID: 1658106 DOI: 10.1016/0165-022x(91)90058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The 3C protease encoded by human rhinovirus type 2 catalyzes with equal efficiency cleavage of a peptide substrate with or without a fluorescein label attached to the amino acid at the P7' position. Substrates Ac-MEALFQGPLQYKDL-NH2 and MEALFQGPLQYKE(fluorescein)L are hydrolyzed with values of Vmax/KM of 970 M-1 s-1 and 1100 M-1 s-1, respectively. With the labeled substrate, HPLC achieves separation of substrate and product in 2.5 min. Separation in as little as 12 s is feasible. Fluorescein was derivatized so that it could be incorporated into peptides using automated solid-phase peptide synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Hopkins
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877
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Roman-Lopez CR, Shriver BJ, Joseph CR, Allred JB. Mitochondrial acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Time course of mobilization/activation in liver of refed rats. Biochem J 1989; 260:927-30. [PMID: 2569864 PMCID: PMC1138765 DOI: 10.1042/bj2600927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Fasted (48 h) rats were killed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after they were refed on a high-carbohydrate diet. An increase in the maximal activity and quantity of cystolic acetyl-CoA carboxylase was found in liver of refed rats after a lag time of about 8 h. The increased quantity of cytosolic enzyme was attributable primarily to mobilization of mitochondrial storage forms and not to substantial increase in the rate of synthesis of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Roman-Lopez
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
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Joseph CA, McKay TD, Joseph CR. Sex effects on free recall of transforming orally and visually presented nouns into printed, picture, or imagery form. J Gen Psychol 1982; 107:51-5. [PMID: 7119760 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.1982.9709906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Two experiments using male and female college students studied the effects on free recall of transforming auditory and visual stimuli by imagination or penciling. Experiment 1 (N = 152) presented nouns either auditorily by a tape recorder or visually as printed words, and Ss either drew them as pictures or printed them as words. Significantly more items were recalled as a result of drawing pictures during the presentation of stimuli (p less than .001). Female Ss recalled significantly more items than male Ss (p less than .01). There was no significant difference found between auditory or visual presentation. The procedure in Experiment 2 (N = 112) was similar, except that Ss transformed the nouns by imagination or penciling. Results were similar to those of Experiment 1. There was no significant difference between imagery and penciling.
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Joseph CA, Joseph CR, Beasley C. Effects on free recall and recognition of transforming visually presented words and pictures into trace or imagery form. J Gen Psychol 1982; 106:21-6. [PMID: 7057165 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.1982.9710969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The effects on free recall and recognition of transforming visually presented words and pictures was investigated. The Ss (n = 88) were asked to imagine or trace the words or pictures, and the number of item remembered was measured through free recall or recognition. There was no significant difference in items remembered as a result of tracing or imagining. Significantly more picture stimuli were remembered as opposed to words, and recognition of items was superior to free recall (p less than .01). A significant interaction (p less than .01) indicated that picture stimuli enhanced free recall, but when the method of recollection was recognition there was no difference in performance; words and pictures were remembered equally as well. The results support previous findings and also indicate that it is important to know the method of recollection, as well as the form of the presented stimuli.
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Organtini JE, Joseph CR, Farber JL. Increases in the activity of the solubilized rat liver nuclear RNA polymerases following partial hepatectomy. Arch Biochem Biophys 1975; 170:485-91. [PMID: 1190777 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(75)90144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Laws ER, Sedlak VA, Miles JW, Joseph CR, Lacomba JR, Diaz Rivera A. Field study of the safety of abate for treating potable water and observations on the effectiveness of a control programme involving both abate and malathion. Bull World Health Organ 1968; 38:439-45. [PMID: 5302335 PMCID: PMC2554476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Abate is a larvicide for Aedes aegypti, a vector of yellow fever, dengue, and haemorrhagic fever. It is less toxic than malathion or DDT. Tests in human volunteers had previously indicated it would be safe to add to drinking-water where the mosquito often breeds.In a 19-month test in Puerto Rico, Abate was added to the drums and cisterns in which a community of about 2000 persons stored their drinking-water. This use of Abate and other insecticidal measures (malathion spraying) gradually achieved control of A. aegypti during the first 4 months of treatment and control was maintained thereafter although the test area was surrounded by active breeding-sites. There was no accumulation of Abate in the water in spite of monthly additions of the compound. With minor exceptions, residents readily accepted this use of Abate. Careful surveillance failed to reveal any illness or significant side-effects attributable to measures adopted in the control programme. Abate is considered safe for full-scale field use according to directions.
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