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Capone E, Tryggvason T, Cela I, Dufrusine B, Pinti M, Del Pizzo F, Gunnarsdottir HS, Grottola T, De Laurenzi V, Iacobelli S, Lattanzio R, Sala G. HER-3 surface expression increases in advanced colorectal cancer representing a potential therapeutic target. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:400. [PMID: 37898642 PMCID: PMC10613198 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
HER-3 (also known as ErbB-3) is a human epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases family member, and its expression in CRC (colorectal cancer) tissues was previously associated with poor prognosis. In this study, HER-3 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in two cohorts of early and advanced metastatic CRC patients. The first cohort included 180 patients diagnosed with CRC in absence of lymph nodes or distant metastases (Stage I and Stage II), while the second was obtained from 53 advanced metastatic CRC patients who developed synchronous (SM) and metachronous (MM) liver metastases. In the first early-stage CRC cohort, 86 out of 180 (47.8%) tumors showed membranous expression of HER-3, with a mean percentage of positive tumor cells of 25.7%; conversely, in advanced metastatic CRC primary tumors, HER-3 was detected in all specimens, with a mean percentage of positive tumor cells of 76.1%. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that in the advanced metastatic CRC group, patients with HER-3high tumors had a significantly lower Cancer-Specific Survival (CSS) rate compared to patients with HER-3low tumors (p = 0.021). Importantly, this worse CSS rate was observed only in the MM subgroup of patients with HER-3high tumors (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis confirmed that high HER-3 expression represents a significant and strong risk factor for death in patients developing MM liver metastases (Hazard Ratio = 64.9; 95% Confidence Interval, 4.7-886.6; p = 0.002). In addition, using a specific anti-HER-3 antibody-drug conjugate, named EV20/MMAF, we showed that HER-3 + CRC cells can be efficiently targeted in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this study confirms that surface HER-3 is highly expressed in CRC and reveals that HER-3 expression increases in metastatic CRC patients compared to early stage. Importantly, the results suggest that HER-3 has a prognostic and therapeutic value in patients developing MM liver metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Capone
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Thordur Tryggvason
- Department of Pathology, Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Ilaria Cela
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Beatrice Dufrusine
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Morena Pinti
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Grottola
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Casa di Cura Pierangeli, 65124, Pescara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Rossano Lattanzio
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sala
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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Damiani V, Lamolinara A, Cicalini I, Cufaro MC, Del Pizzo F, Di Marco F, Del Boccio P, Dufrusine B, Hahne M, Lattanzio R, Pieragostino D, Iezzi M, Federici M, Turco MC, Maiorana A, Dionisi-Vici C, De Laurenzi V. Pancreatic beta-cell specific BAG3 knockout results in chronic hyperinsulinemia inducing insulin resistance. Mol Metab 2023:101752. [PMID: 37308077 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101752] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin, secreted from pancreatic islets of Langerhans, is of critical importance in regulating glucose homeostasis. Defective insulin secretion and/or the inability of tissues to respond to insulin results in insulin resistance and to several metabolic and organ alterations. We have previously demonstrated that BAG3 regulates insulin secretion. Herein we explored the consequences of beta-cells specific BAG3 deficiency in an animal model. METHODS We generated a beta-cells specific BAG3 knockout mouse model. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests, proteomics, metabolomics, and immunohistochemical analysis were used to investigate the role of BAG3 in regulating insulin secretion and the effects of chronic exposure to excessive insulin release in vivo. RESULTS Beta-cells specific BAG3 knockout results in primary hyperinsulinism due to excessive insulin exocytosis finally leading to insulin resistance. We demonstrate that resistance is mainly muscle-dependent while the liver remains insulin sensitive. The chronically altered metabolic condition leads in time to histopathological alterations in different organs. We observe elevated glycogen and lipid accumulation in the liver reminiscent of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as mesangial matrix expansion and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, resembling the histology of chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION Altogether, this study shows that BAG3 plays a role in insulin secretion and provides a model for the study of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Damiani
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cicalini
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Cufaro
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Federica Di Marco
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Del Boccio
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Pharmacy, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Beatrice Dufrusine
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Michael Hahne
- IGMM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Rossano Lattanzio
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Damiana Pieragostino
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Federici
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Turco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Arianna Maiorana
- Division of Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics Subspecialties, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics Subspecialties, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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3
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Bruno A, Contursi A, Tacconelli S, Sacco A, Hofling U, Mucci M, Lamolinara A, Del Pizzo F, Ballerini P, Di Gregorio P, Yu Y, Patrignani P. The specific deletion of cyclooxygenase-1 in megakaryocytes/platelets reduces intestinal polyposis in Apc Min/+ mice. Pharmacol Res 2022; 185:106506. [PMID: 36241001 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106506] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and experimental evidence sustain the role of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 in intestinal tumorigenesis. However, the cell type expressing the enzyme involved and molecular mechanism(s) have not been clarified yet. We aimed to elucidate the role of platelet COX-1 (the target of low-dose aspirin in humans) in intestinal tumorigenesis of ApcMin/+ mice, considered a clinically relevant model. To realize this objective, we generated an ApcMin/+ mouse with a specific deletion of Ptgs1(COX-1 gene name) in megakaryocytes/platelets (ApcMin/+;pPtgs1-/-mice) characterized by profound inhibition of thromboxane(TX)A2 biosynthesis ex vivo (serum TXB2; by 99%) and in vivo [urinary 2,3-dinor-TXB2(TXM), by 79%]. ApcMin/+ mice with the deletion of platelet COX-1 showed a significantly reduced number (67%) and size (32%) of tumors in the small intestine. The intestinal adenomas of these mice had decreased proliferative index associated with reduced COX-2 expression and systemic prostaglandin(PG)E2 biosynthesis (urinary PGEM) vs. ApcMin/+mice. Extravasated platelets were detected in the intestine of ApcMin/+mice. Thus, we explored their contribution to COX-2 induction in fibroblasts, considered the primary polyp cell type expressing the protein. In the coculture of human platelets and myofibroblasts, platelet-derived TXA2 was involved in the induction of COX-2-dependent PGE2 in myofibroblasts since it was prevented by the selective inhibition of platelet COX-1 by aspirin or by a specific antagonist of TXA2 receptors. In conclusion, our results support the platelet hypothesis of intestinal tumorigenesis and provide experimental evidence that selective inhibition of platelet COX-1 can mitigate early events of intestinal tumorigenesis by restraining COX-2 induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Bruno
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Annalisa Contursi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Tacconelli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Angela Sacco
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Ulrika Hofling
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Matteo Mucci
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ballerini
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Gregorio
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, "Ss. Annunziata" Hospital, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Paola Patrignani
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G.d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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4
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Macagno M, Bandini S, Bolli E, Bello A, Riccardo F, Barutello G, Merighi IF, Forni G, Lamolinara A, Del Pizzo F, Iezzi M, Cavallo F, Conti L, Quaglino E. Role of ADCC, CDC, and CDCC in Vaccine-Mediated Protection against Her2 Mammary Carcinogenesis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020230. [PMID: 35203439 PMCID: PMC8869482 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020230] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification or mutation of the Her2 oncoantigen in human mammary glands leads to the development of an aggressive breast carcinoma. Several features of this breast carcinoma are reproduced in mammary carcinomas that spontaneously arise in female transgenic mice bearing the activated rat Her2 oncogene under transcriptional control of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter-BALB-neuT (neuT) mice. We previously demonstrated that carcinoma progression in neuT mice can be prevented by DNA vaccination with RHuT, a plasmid coding for a chimeric rat/human Her2 protein. RHuT vaccination exerts an antitumor effect, mostly mediated by the induction of a strong anti-rat Her2 antibody response. IgG induced by RHuT vaccine mainly acts by blocking Her2 signaling, thus impairing cell cycle progression and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, but other indirect effector mechanisms could be involved in the antibody-mediated protection. The recruitment of cells with perforin-dependent cytotoxic activity, able to perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, has already been investigated. Less is known about the role of the complement system in sustaining antitumor response through complement-dependent cytotoxicity and cellular cytotoxicity in vaccinated mice. This work highlights that the weight of such mechanisms in RHuT-induced cancer protection is different in transplantable versus autochthonous Her2+ tumor models. These results may shed new light on the effector mechanisms involved in antibody-dependent anti-cancer responses, which might be exploited to ameliorate the therapy of Her2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Macagno
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Silvio Bandini
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Amanda Bello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Guido Forni
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- CAST-Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.L.); (F.D.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- CAST-Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.L.); (F.D.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- CAST-Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. D’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.L.); (F.D.P.); (M.I.)
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (L.C.); (E.Q.)
| | - Laura Conti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (L.C.); (E.Q.)
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (E.B.); (A.B.); (F.R.); (G.B.); (I.F.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (L.C.); (E.Q.)
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5
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De Sanctis F, Lamolinara A, Boschi F, Musiu C, Caligola S, Trovato R, Fiore A, Frusteri C, Anselmi C, Poffe O, Cestari T, Canè S, Sartoris S, Giugno R, Del Rosario G, Zappacosta B, Del Pizzo F, Fassan M, Dugnani E, Piemonti L, Bottani E, Decimo I, Paiella S, Salvia R, Lawlor RT, Corbo V, Park Y, Tuveson DA, Bassi C, Scarpa A, Iezzi M, Ugel S, Bronte V. Interrupting the nitrosative stress fuels tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003549. [PMID: 35022194 PMCID: PMC8756272 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [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] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest tumors owing to its robust desmoplasia, low immunogenicity, and recruitment of cancer-conditioned, immunoregulatory myeloid cells. These features strongly limit the success of immunotherapy as a single agent, thereby suggesting the need for the development of a multitargeted approach. The goal is to foster T lymphocyte infiltration within the tumor landscape and neutralize cancer-triggered immune suppression, to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of immune-based treatments, such as anticancer adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Methods We examined the contribution of immunosuppressive myeloid cells expressing arginase 1 and nitric oxide synthase 2 in building up a reactive nitrogen species (RNS)-dependent chemical barrier and shaping the PDAC immune landscape. We examined the impact of pharmacological RNS interference on overcoming the recruitment and immunosuppressive activity of tumor-expanded myeloid cells, which render pancreatic cancers resistant to immunotherapy. Results PDAC progression is marked by a stepwise infiltration of myeloid cells, which enforces a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment through the uncontrolled metabolism of L-arginine by arginase 1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, resulting in the production of large amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The extensive accumulation of myeloid suppressing cells and nitrated tyrosines (nitrotyrosine, N-Ty) establishes an RNS-dependent chemical barrier that impairs tumor infiltration by T lymphocytes and restricts the efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy. A pharmacological treatment with AT38 ([3-(aminocarbonyl)furoxan-4-yl]methyl salicylate) reprograms the tumor microenvironment from protumoral to antitumoral, which supports T lymphocyte entrance within the tumor core and aids the efficacy of ACT with telomerase-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Conclusions Tumor microenvironment reprogramming by ablating aberrant RNS production bypasses the current limits of immunotherapy in PDAC by overcoming immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessia Lamolinara
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technnology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Musiu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Simone Caligola
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Trovato
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fiore
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Frusteri
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Anselmi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ornella Poffe
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cestari
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Canè
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartoris
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rosalba Giugno
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Del Pizzo
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technnology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Oncology-Institute for Hospitalization and Care Scientific, Padova, Italy
| | - Erica Dugnani
- Diabetes Research Institute, San Raffaele Research Centre, Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Diabetes Research Institute, San Raffaele Research Centre, Milano, Italy.,School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuela Bottani
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Decimo
- Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Section of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvia
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Corbo
- ARC-NET, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Youngkyu Park
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA.,Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Lustgarten Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA.,Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Lustgarten Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Claudio Bassi
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-NET, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Manuela Iezzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Center for Advanced Studies and Technnology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bronte
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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