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Lippert AH, Paluch C, Gaglioni M, Vuong MT, McColl J, Jenkins E, Fellermeyer M, Clarke J, Sharma S, Moreira da Silva S, Akkaya B, Anzilotti C, Morgan SH, Jessup CF, Körbel M, Gileadi U, Leitner J, Knox R, Chirifu M, Huo J, Yu S, Ashman N, Lui Y, Wilkinson I, Attfield KE, Fugger L, Robertson NJ, Lynch CJ, Murray L, Steinberger P, Santos AM, Lee SF, Cornall RJ, Klenerman D, Davis SJ. Antibody agonists trigger immune receptor signaling through local exclusion of receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases. Immunity 2024; 57:256-270.e10. [PMID: 38354703 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Antibodies can block immune receptor engagement or trigger the receptor machinery to initiate signaling. We hypothesized that antibody agonists trigger signaling by sterically excluding large receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) such as CD45 from sites of receptor engagement. An agonist targeting the costimulatory receptor CD28 produced signals that depended on antibody immobilization and were sensitive to the sizes of the receptor, the RPTPs, and the antibody itself. Although both the agonist and a non-agonistic anti-CD28 antibody locally excluded CD45, the agonistic antibody was more effective. An anti-PD-1 antibody that bound membrane proximally excluded CD45, triggered Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 recruitment, and suppressed systemic lupus erythematosus and delayed-type hypersensitivity in experimental models. Paradoxically, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, anti-PD-1-blocking antibodies used clinically, also excluded CD45 and were agonistic in certain settings. Reducing these agonistic effects using antibody engineering improved PD-1 blockade. These findings establish a framework for developing new and improved therapies for autoimmunity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna H Lippert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher Paluch
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MiroBio Ltd, Winchester House, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Meike Gaglioni
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mai T Vuong
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James McColl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Edward Jenkins
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joseph Clarke
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sumana Sharma
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Billur Akkaya
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Consuelo Anzilotti
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sara H Morgan
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Claire F Jessup
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Markus Körbel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Uzi Gileadi
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rachel Knox
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mami Chirifu
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jiandong Huo
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan Yu
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicole Ashman
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yuan Lui
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Kathrine E Attfield
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lars Fugger
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Lynne Murray
- MiroBio Ltd, Winchester House, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T cell Activation, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana Mafalda Santos
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Steven F Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard J Cornall
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Simon J Davis
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Jenkins E, Whitehead T, Fellermeyer M, Davis SJ, Sharma S. The current state and future of T-cell exhaustion research. Oxf Open Immunol 2023; 4:iqad006. [PMID: 37554723 PMCID: PMC10352049 DOI: 10.1093/oxfimm/iqad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
'Exhaustion' is a term used to describe a state of native and redirected T-cell hypo-responsiveness resulting from persistent antigen exposure during chronic viral infections or cancer. Although a well-established phenotype across mice and humans, exhaustion at the molecular level remains poorly defined and inconsistent across the literature. This is, in part, due to an overreliance on surface receptors to define these cells and explain exhaustive behaviours, an incomplete understanding of how exhaustion arises, and a lack of clarity over whether exhaustion is the same across contexts, e.g. chronic viral infections versus cancer. With the development of systems-based genetic approaches such as single-cell RNA-seq and CRISPR screens applied to in vivo data, we are moving closer to a consensus view of exhaustion, although understanding how it arises remains challenging given the difficulty in manipulating the in vivo setting. Accordingly, producing and studying exhausted T-cells ex vivo are burgeoning, allowing experiments to be conducted at scale up and with high throughput. Here, we first review what is currently known about T-cell exhaustion and how it's being studied. We then discuss how improvements in their method of isolation/production and examining the impact of different microenvironmental signals and cell interactions have now become an active area of research. Finally, we discuss what the future holds for the analysis of this physiological condition and, given the diversity of ways in which exhausted cells are now being generated, propose the adoption of a unified approach to clearly defining exhaustion using a set of metabolic-, epigenetic-, transcriptional-, and activation-based phenotypic markers, that we call 'M.E.T.A'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Jenkins
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Toby Whitehead
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Simon J Davis
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Sumana Sharma
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
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3
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Fellermeyer M, Anzilotti C, Paluch C, Cornall RJ, Davis SJ, Gileadi U. Combination CD200R/PD-1 blockade in a humanised mouse model. Immunother Adv 2023; 3:ltad006. [PMID: 37082107 PMCID: PMC10112683 DOI: 10.1093/immadv/ltad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing number of immune-checkpoint inhibitors being developed and approved for cancer immunotherapy. Most of the new therapies aim to reactivate tumour-infiltrating T cells, which are responsible for tumour killing. However, in many tumours, the most abundant infiltrating immune cells are macrophages and myeloid cells, which can be tumour-promoting as well as tumouricidal. CD200R was initially identified as a myeloid-restricted, inhibitory immune receptor, but was subsequently also found to be expressed within the lymphoid lineage. Using a mouse model humanised for CD200R and PD-1, we investigated the potential of a combination therapy comprising nivolumab, a clinically approved PD-1 blocking antibody, and OX108, a CD200R antagonist. We produced nivolumab as a murine IgG1 antibody and validated its binding activity in vitro as well as ex vivo. We then tested the combination therapy in the immunogenic colorectal cancer model MC38 as well as the PD-1 blockade-resistant lung cancer model LLC1, which is characterised by a large number of infiltrating myeloid cells, making it an attractive target for CD200R blockade. No significant improvement of overall survival was found in either model, compared to nivolumab mIgG1 monotherapy. There was a trend for more complete responses in the MC38 model, but investigation of the infiltrating immune cells failed to account for this. Importantly, MC38 cells expressed low levels of CD200, whereas LLC1 cells were CD200-negative. Further investigation of CD200R-blocking antibodies in tumours expressing high levels of CD200 could be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Fellermeyer
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Consuelo Anzilotti
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher Paluch
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J Cornall
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- CAMS Oxford Institute, Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Davis
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Uzi Gileadi
- Correspondence: MRC Human Immunology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Barreiro RAS, Guardia GDA, Meliso FM, Lei X, Li WQ, Savio A, Fellermeyer M, Conceição HB, Mercuri RLV, Landry T, Qiao M, Blazquez L, Ule J, Penalva LOF, Galante PAF. The paralogues MAGOH and MAGOHB are oncogenic factors in high-grade gliomas and safeguard the splicing of cell division and cell cycle genes. RNA Biol 2023; 20:311-322. [PMID: 37294214 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2221511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The exon junction complex (EJC) plays key roles throughout the lifespan of RNA and is particularly relevant in the nervous system. We investigated the roles of two EJC members, the paralogs MAGOH and MAGOHB, with respect to brain tumour development. High MAGOH/MAGOHB expression was observed in 14 tumour types; glioblastoma (GBM) showed the greatest difference compared to normal tissue. Increased MAGOH/MAGOHB expression was associated with poor prognosis in glioma patients, while knockdown of MAGOH/MAGOHB affected different cancer phenotypes. Reduced MAGOH/MAGOHB expression in GBM cells caused alterations in the splicing profile, including re-splicing and skipping of multiple exons. The binding profiles of EJC proteins indicated that exons affected by MAGOH/MAGOHB knockdown accumulated fewer complexes on average, providing a possible explanation for their sensitivity to MAGOH/MAGOHB knockdown. Transcripts (genes) showing alterations in the splicing profile are mainly implicated in cell division, cell cycle, splicing, and translation. We propose that high MAGOH/MAGOHB levels are required to safeguard the splicing of genes in high demand in scenarios requiring increased cell proliferation (brain development and GBM growth), ensuring efficient cell division, cell cycle regulation, and gene expression (splicing and translation). Since differentiated neuronal cells do not require increased MAGOH/MAGOHB expression, targeting these paralogs is a potential option for treating GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A S Barreiro
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Instituto de Química - Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fabiana M Meliso
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Xiufen Lei
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Wei-Qing Li
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Andre Savio
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Helena B Conceição
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil
- Programa Interunidades Em Bioinformática, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael L V Mercuri
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil
- Programa Interunidades Em Bioinformática, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tesha Landry
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mei Qiao
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lorea Blazquez
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jernej Ule
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Luiz O F Penalva
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Pedro A F Galante
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil
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5
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Schwenzer H, Abdel Mouti M, Neubert P, Morris J, Stockton J, Bonham S, Fellermeyer M, Chettle J, Fischer R, Beggs AD, Blagden SP. LARP1 isoform expression in human cancer cell lines. RNA Biol 2021; 18:237-247. [PMID: 32286153 PMCID: PMC7928056 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1744320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
LARP1 is an oncogenic RNA-binding protein required for ribosome biogenesis and cancer cell survival. From published in vitro studies, there is disparity over which of two different LARP1 protein isoforms (termed the long LI-LARP1 and short SI-LARP1) is the canonical. Here, after conducting a series of biochemical and cellular assays, we conclude that LI-LARP1 (NM_033551.3 > NP_056130.2) is the dominantly expressed form. We observe that SI-LARP1 (NM_015315.5> NP_056130.2) is epigenetically repressed and that this repression is evolutionarily conserved in all but a small subclade of mammalian species. As with other LARP family members, there are multiple potential LARP1 mRNA isoforms that appear to be censored within the nucleus. The capacity of the cell to modulate splicing and expression of these apparently 'redundant' mRNAs hints at contextually specific mechanisms of LARP1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pia Neubert
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Joanne Stockton
- Institute of Cancer & Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sarah Bonham
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - James Chettle
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roman Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew D. Beggs
- Institute of Cancer & Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Jostes SV, Fellermeyer M, Arévalo L, Merges GE, Kristiansen G, Nettersheim D, Schorle H. Unique and redundant roles of SOX2 and SOX17 in regulating the germ cell tumor fate. Int J Cancer 2020; 146:1592-1605. [PMID: 31583686 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Embryonal carcinomas (ECs) and seminomas are testicular germ cell tumors. ECs display expression of SOX2, while seminomas display expression of SOX17. In somatic differentiation, SOX17 drives endodermal cell fate. However, seminomas lack expression of endoderm markers, but show features of pluripotency. Here, we use chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing to report and compare the binding pattern of SOX17 in seminoma-like TCam-2 cells to SOX17 in somatic cells and SOX2 in EC-like 2102EP cells. In seminoma-like cells, SOX17 was detected at canonical (SOX2/OCT4), compressed (SOX17/OCT4) and noncomposite SOX motifs. SOX17 regulates TFAP2C, PRDM1 and PRDM14, thereby maintaining latent pluripotency and suppressing somatic differentiation. In contrast, in somatic cells canonical motifs are rarely bound by SOX17. In sum, only 12% of SOX17-binding sites overlap in seminoma-like and somatic cells. This illustrates that binding site choice is highly dynamic and cell type specific. Deletion of SOX17 in seminoma-like cells resulted in loss of pluripotency, marked by a reduction of OCT4 protein level and loss of alkaline phosphatase activity. Furthermore, we found that in EC-like cells SOX2 regulates pluripotency-associated genes, most likely by partnering with OCT4. In conclusion, SOX17 (in seminomas) functionally replaces SOX2 (in ECs) to maintain expression of the pluripotency cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina V Jostes
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gina E Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Urological Research Laboratory, Department of Urology, Translational Urooncology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
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Nettersheim D, Heimsoeth A, Jostes S, Schneider S, Fellermeyer M, Hofmann A, Schorle H. SOX2 is essential for in vivo reprogramming of seminoma-like TCam-2 cells to an embryonal carcinoma-like fate. Oncotarget 2018; 7:47095-47110. [PMID: 27283990 PMCID: PMC5216926 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II germ cell cancers (GCC) are divided into seminomas, which are highly similar to primordial germ cells and embryonal carcinomas (EC), often described as malignant counterparts to embryonic stem cells. Previously, we demonstrated that the development of GCCs is a highly plastic process and strongly influenced by the microenvironment. While orthotopic transplantation into the testis promotes seminomatous growth of the seminoma-like cell line TCam-2, ectopic xenotransplantation into the flank initiates reprogramming into an EC-like fate. During this reprogramming, BMP signaling is inhibited, leading to induction of NODAL signaling, upregulation of pluripotency factors and downregulation of seminoma markers, like SOX17. The pluripotency factor and EC-marker SOX2 is strongly induced. Here, we adressed the molecular role of SOX2 in this reprogramming. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-editing, we established SOX2-deficient TCam-2 cells. Xenografting of SOX2-deficient cells into the flank of nude mice resulted in maintenance of a seminoma-like fate, indicated by the histology and expression of OCT3/4, SOX17, TFAP2C, PRDM1 and PRAME. In SOX2-deficient cells, BMP signaling is inhibited, but NODAL signaling is not activated. Thus, SOX2 appears to be downstream of BMP signaling but upstream of NODAL activation. So, SOX2 is an essential factor in acquiring an EC-like cell fate from seminomas. A small population of differentiated cells was identified resembling a mixed non-seminoma. Analyses of these cells revealed downregulation of the pluripotency and seminoma markers OCT3/4, SOX17, PRDM1 and TFAP2C. In contrast, the pioneer factor FOXA2 and its target genes were upregulated, suggesting that FOXA2 might play an important role in induction of non-seminomatous differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Nettersheim
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alena Heimsoeth
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sina Jostes
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Hofmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
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8
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Jostes S, Nettersheim D, Fellermeyer M, Schneider S, Hafezi F, Honecker F, Schumacher V, Geyer M, Kristiansen G, Schorle H. The bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumours in vitro and in vivo. J Cell Mol Med 2016; 21:1300-1314. [PMID: 28026145 PMCID: PMC5487916 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [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: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II testicular germ cell cancers (TGCT) are the most frequently diagnosed tumours in young men (20–40 years) and are classified as seminoma or non‐seminoma. TGCTs are commonly treated by orchiectomy and chemo‐ or radiotherapy. However, a subset of metastatic non‐seminomas (embryonal carcinomas) displays only incomplete remission or relapse and requires novel treatment options. Recent studies have shown effective application of the small‐molecule inhibitor JQ1 in tumour therapy, which interferes with the function of ‘bromodomain and extraterminal (BET)’ proteins. JQ1‐treated TGCT cell lines display up‐regulation of genes indicative for DNA damage and cellular stress response and induce cell cycle arrest. Embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines, which presented as JQ1 sensitive, display down‐regulation of pluripotency factors and induction of mesodermal differentiation. In contrast, seminoma‐like TCam‐2 cells tolerated higher JQ1 concentrations and were resistant to differentiation. ECs xenografted in vivo showed a reduction in tumour size, proliferation rate and angiogenesis in response to JQ1. Finally, the combination of JQ1 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin allowed for lower doses and less frequent application, compared with monotherapy. Thus, we propose that JQ1 in combination with romidepsin may serve as a novel therapeutic option for (mixed) TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Jostes
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Fellermeyer
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - François Hafezi
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Valerie Schumacher
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthias Geyer
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Department of Structural Immunology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
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