RESUMO
Clinically approved head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) immunotherapies manipulate the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) axis but have had limited success outside of recurrent/metastatic disease. Interleukin-7 (IL7) has been shown to be essential for effector T-cell survival, activation, and proliferation. Here, we show that IL7 in combination with radiotherapy (RT) is effective in activating CD8 + T-cells for reducing tumor growth. Our studies were conducted using both human papillomavirus related and unrelated orthotopic HNSCC murine models. Immune populations from the tumor, draining lymph nodes, and blood were compared between treatment groups and controls using flow cytometry, proteomics, immunofluorescence staining, and RNA sequencing. Treatment with RT and IL7 (RT + IL7) resulted in significant tumor growth reduction, high CD8 T-cell tumor infiltration, and increased proliferation of T-cell progenitors in the bone marrow. IL7 also expanded a memory-like subpopulation of CD8 T-cells. These results indicate that IL7 in combination with RT can serve as an effective immunotherapy strategy outside of the conventional ICB axis to drive the antitumor activity of CD8 T-cells.
Assuntos
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Interleucina-7 , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço/radioterapia , Células T de Memória , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/radioterapia , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
Placental growth factor (PlGF) is produced by tumor cells and stimulates tumor growth and metastasis in part by upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor HIF1α. Orchestration of tumor cell proliferation and migration involves oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i). The [Ca2+]i oscillations could be accomplished by triggering of intracellular Ca2+ release followed by store-operated Ca2+-entry (SOCE). Mechanisms accomplishing SOCE include the pore-forming ion channel unit Orai1 and its regulator STIM1. The present study explored whether PlGF influences the expression of Orai1 and STIM1, as well as SOCE and whether this effect impacts on HIF1α expression. To this end, ovary carcinoma cells were cultured for 24â¯h without and with PlGF (10â¯ng/ml). Orai1, STIM1 and HIF1α transcript levels were quantified utilizing RT-PCR and Orai1, STIM1 and HIF1α protein levels by Western blotting. [Ca2+]i was estimated from Fura-2-fluorescence and SOCE from increase of [Ca2+]i following Ca2+ re-addition after Ca2+-store depletion with extracellular Ca2+ removal and sarcoendoplasmatic Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin (1⯵M). As a result, exposure of ovary carcinoma cells to PlGF was followed by a significant increase of Orai1 as well as STIM1 transcript and protein levels. PlGF significantly increased store-operated Ca2+-entry following re-addition of extracellular Ca2+, an effect virtually abrogated by Orai1 inhibitor MRS1845 (10⯵M). PlGF further increased HIF1α transcript and protein levels, an effect again significantly blunted by MRS1845 (10⯵M). In conclusion, PlGF upregulates expression of both, Orai1 and STIM1 thus enhancing store-operated Ca2+-entry with subsequent upregulation of HIF1α.
Assuntos
Cálcio/metabolismo , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genética , Proteína ORAI1/genética , Neoplasias Ovarianas/genética , Fator de Crescimento Placentário/metabolismo , Molécula 1 de Interação Estromal/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Neoplasias Ovarianas/metabolismo , Regulação para CimaRESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Key properties of tumor cells include enhanced glycolytic flux with excessive consumption of glucose and formation of lactate. As glycolysis is highly sensitive to cytosolic pH, maintenance of glycolysis requires export of H+ ions, which is in part accomplished by Na+/H+ exchangers, such as NHE1. The carrier is sensitive to oxidative stress. Growth of tumor cells could be suppressed by the polyphenol Ellagic acid, which is found in various fruits and vegetables. An effect of Ellagic acid on transport processes has, however, never been reported. The present study thus elucidated an effect of Ellagic acid on cytosolic pH (pHi), NHE1 transcript levels, NHE1 protein abundance, Na+/H+ exchanger activity, and lactate release. METHODS: Experiments were performed in Ishikawa cells without or with prior Ellagic acid (20 µM) treatment. NHE1 transcript levels were determined by qRT-PCR, NHE1 protein abundance by Western blotting, pHi utilizing (2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein [BCECF] fluorescence, Na+/H+ exchanger activity from Na+ dependent realkalinization after an ammonium pulse, cell volume from forward scatter in flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) from 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein fluorescence, glucose uptake utilizing 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose, and lactate concentration in the supernatant utilizing a colorimetric (570 nm)/ fluorometric enzymatic assay. RESULTS: A 48 hour treatment with Ellagic acid (20 µM) significantly decreased NHE1 transcript levels by 75%, NHE1 protein abundance by 95%, pHi from 7.24 ± 0.01 to 7.02 ± 0.01, Na+/H+ exchanger activity by 77%, forward scatter by 10%, ROS by 82%, glucose uptake by 58%, and lactate release by 15%. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid (20µM) markedly down-regulates ROS formation and NHE1 expression leading to decreased Na+/H+ exchanger activity, pHi, glucose uptake and lactate release in endometrial cancer cells. Those effects presumably contribute to reprogramming and growth inhibition of tumor cells.
Assuntos
Citosol/metabolismo , Ácido Elágico/farmacologia , Glicólise/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas de Transporte de Cátions/genética , Proteínas de Transporte de Cátions/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Tamanho Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Citosol/química , Neoplasias do Endométrio/metabolismo , Neoplasias do Endométrio/patologia , Feminino , Glucose/metabolismo , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Ácido Láctico/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Trocador 1 de Sódio-Hidrogênio , Trocadores de Sódio-Hidrogênio/genética , Trocadores de Sódio-Hidrogênio/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. Dicer, a cytoplasmic RNase III enzyme, is required for the maturation of miRNAs from precursor miRNAs. Dicer, therefore, is a critical enzyme involved in the biogenesis and processing of miRNAs. Several biological processes are controlled by miRNAs, including the regulation of T cell development and function. T cells generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) with parallel H+ extrusion accomplished by the Na+/H+-exchanger 1 (NHE1). The present study explored whether ROS production, as well as NHE1 expression and function are sensitive to the lack of Dicer (miRNAs deficient) and could be modified by individual miRNAs. METHODS: CD4+ T cells were isolated from CD4 specific Dicer deficient (DicerΔ/Δ) mice and the respective control mice (Dicerfl/fl). Transcript and protein levels were quantified with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. For determination of intracellular pH (pHi) cells were incubated with the pH sensitive dye bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) and Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity was calculated from re-alkalinization after an ammonium pulse. Changes in cell volume were measured using the forward scatter in flow cytometry, and ROS production utilizing 2',7' -dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence. Transfection of miRNA-control and mimics in T cells was performed using DharmaFECT3 reagent. RESULTS: ROS production, cytosolic H+ concentration, NHE1 transcript and protein levels, NHE activity, and cell volume were all significantly higher in CD4+ T cells from DicerΔ/Δ mice than in CD4+ T cells from Dicerfl/fl mice. Furthermore, individual miR-200b and miR-15b modify pHi and NHE activity in Dicerfl/fl and DicerΔ/Δ CD4+ T cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of Dicer leads to oxidative stress, cytosolic acidification, upregulated NHE1 expression and activity as well as swelling of CD4+ T cells, functions all reversed by miR-15b or miR-200b.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte de Cátions/genética , RNA Helicases DEAD-box/deficiência , MicroRNAs/genética , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Ribonuclease III/deficiência , Trocadores de Sódio-Hidrogênio/genética , Animais , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Proteínas de Transporte de Cátions/imunologia , Citosol/imunologia , Citosol/metabolismo , RNA Helicases DEAD-box/genética , RNA Helicases DEAD-box/imunologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Transporte de Íons/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , MicroRNAs/imunologia , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/imunologia , Ribonuclease III/genética , Ribonuclease III/imunologia , Transdução de Sinais , Trocador 1 de Sódio-Hidrogênio , Trocadores de Sódio-Hidrogênio/imunologiaRESUMO
PURPOSE: Head and neck cancer (HNC) improvements are stagnant, even with advances in immunotherapy. Our previous clinical trial data show that altered fatty acid (FA) metabolism correlates with outcome. We hypothesized that pharmacologic and dietary modulation of FA catabolism will affect therapeutic efficacy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed in vivo and in vitro experiments using PPARα agonism with fenofibrate (FF) or high oleic acid diets (OAD) with radiotherapy, generating metabolomic, proteomic, stable isotope tracing, extracellular flux analysis, and flow-cytometric data to investigate these alterations. RESULTS: FF improved antitumor efficacy of high dose per fraction radiotherapy in HNC murine models, whereas the OAD reversed this effect. FF-treated mice on the control diet had evidence of increased FA catabolism. Stable isotope tracing showed less glycolytic utilization by ex vivo CD8+ T cells. Improved efficacy correlated with intratumoral alterations in eicosanoid metabolism and downregulated mTOR and CD36. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic intervention with increased FA catabolism improves the efficacy of HNC therapy and enhances antitumoral immune response.
Assuntos
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Ácido Oleico , PPAR alfa , Animais , PPAR alfa/agonistas , Camundongos , Ácido Oleico/farmacologia , Humanos , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/imunologia , Fenofibrato/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/imunologia , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos/efeitos dos fármacos , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de DoençasRESUMO
The EphB4-ephrinB2 signaling axis has been heavily implicated in metastasis across numerous cancer types. Our emerging understanding of the dichotomous roles that EphB4 and ephrinB2 play in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a significant challenge to rational drug design. We find that EphB4 knockdown in cancer cells enhances metastasis in preclinical HNSCC models by augmenting immunosuppressive cells like T regulatory cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment. EphB4 inhibition in cancer cells also amplifies their ability to metastasize through increased expression of genes associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition and hallmark pathways of metastasis. In contrast, vascular ephrinB2 knockout coupled with radiation therapy (RT) enhances anti-tumor immunity, reduces Treg accumulation into the tumor, and decreases metastasis. Notably, targeting the EphB4-ephrinB2 signaling axis with the engineered EphB4 ligands EFNB2-Fc-His and Fc-TNYL-RAW-GS reduces local tumor growth and distant metastasis in a preclinical model of HNSCC. Our data suggest that targeted inhibition of vascular ephrinB2 while avoiding inhibition of EphB4 in cancer cells could be a promising strategy to mitigate HNSCC metastasis.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Perineural invasion (PNI) and nerve density within the tumor microenvironment (TME) have long been associated with worse outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This prompted an investigation into how nerves within the tumor microenvironment affect the adaptive immune system and tumor growth. METHODS: We used RNA sequencing analysis of human tumor tissue from a recent HNSCC clinical trial, proteomics of human nerves from HNSCC patients, and syngeneic orthotopic murine models of HPV-unrelated HNSCC to investigate how sensory nerves modulate the adaptive immune system. FINDINGS: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) directly inhibited CD8 T cell activity in vitro, and blocking sensory nerve function surgically, pharmacologically, or genetically increased CD8 and CD4 T cell activity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support sensory nerves playing a role in accelerating tumor growth by directly acting on the adaptive immune system to decrease Th1 CD4 T cells and activated CD8 T cells in the TME. These data support further investigation into the role of sensory nerves in the TME of HNSCC and points toward the possible treatment efficacy of blocking sensory nerve function or specifically inhibiting CGRP release or activity within the TME to improve outcomes. FUNDING: 1R01DE028282-01, 1R01DE028529-01, 1P50CA261605-01 (to S.D.K.), 1R01CA284651-01 (to S.D.K.), and F31 DE029997 (to L.B.D.).
Assuntos
Peptídeo Relacionado com Gene de Calcitonina , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Peptídeo Relacionado com Gene de Calcitonina/metabolismo , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/metabolismo , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/patologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, we show that response to radiation therapy (RT) is characterized by increased IL-2Rß and IL-2Rγ along with decreased IL-2Rα expression. The bispecific PD1-IL2v is a PD-1-targeted IL-2 variant (IL-2v) immunocytokine with engineered IL-2 cis targeted to PD-1 and abolished IL-2Rα binding, which enhances tumor-antigen-specific T cell activation while reducing regulatory T cell (Treg) suppression. Using PD1-IL2v in orthotopic PDAC KPC-driven tumor models, we show marked improvement in local and metastatic survival, along with a profound increase in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell subsets with a transcriptionally and metabolically active phenotype and preferential activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. In combination with single-dose RT, PD1-IL2v treatment results in a robust, durable expansion of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells, T cell stemness, tumor-specific memory immune response, natural killer (NK) cell activation, and decreased Tregs. These data show that PD1-IL2v leads to profound local and distant response in PDAC.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático , Neoplasias Pancreáticas , Humanos , Linfócitos T CD8-Positivos , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1 , Subunidade alfa de Receptor de Interleucina-2/uso terapêutico , Interleucina-2/farmacologia , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/genética , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/radioterapia , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático/genética , Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático/radioterapia , Carcinoma Ductal Pancreático/tratamento farmacológico , ImunoterapiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory cutaneous diseases with unmet clinical needs. As a common ingredient found in several medicinal herbs with efficacy on cutaneous inflammatory diseases, Scutellarein (Scu) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Scu against AD and its underlying molecular mechanism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Efficacy of Scu on AD was evaluated in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and carvacrol-induced dermatitis mouse models. Cytokine mRNA and serum IgE levels were examined using qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Voltage clamp recordings were used to measure currents mediated by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. In silico docking, site-direct mutagenesis, and covalent modification were used to explore the binding pocket of Scu on TRPV3. KEY RESULTS: Subcutaneous administration of Scu efficaciously suppresses DNFB and carvacrol-induced pruritus, epidermal hyperplasia and skin inflammation in wild type mice but has no additional benefit in Trpv3 knockout mice in the carvacrol model. Scu is a potent and selective TRPV3 channel allosteric negative modulator with an apparent affinity of 1.18 µM. Molecular docking coupled with site-direct mutagenesis and covalent modification of incorporated cysteine residues demonstrate that Scu targets the cavity formed between the pore helix and transmembrane helix S6. Moreover, Scu attenuates endogenous TRPV3 activity in human keratinocytes and inhibits carvacrol-induced proliferative and proinflammatory responses. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Collectively, these data demonstrate that Scu ameliorates carvacrol-induced skin inflammation by directly inhibiting TRPV3, and TRPV3 represents a viable therapeutic target for AD treatment.
Assuntos
Dermatite Atópica , Canais de Potencial de Receptor Transitório , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Apigenina , Cimenos , Cisteína , Citocinas/metabolismo , Dermatite Atópica/induzido quimicamente , Dermatite Atópica/tratamento farmacológico , Dinitrofluorbenzeno/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Imunoglobulina E , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , RNA Mensageiro , Canais de Cátion TRPV/metabolismoRESUMO
Inflammation is a natural defense process of the innate immune system, associated with the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6, interleukin-12 and TNFα; and enzymes including iNOS through the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 due to the phosphorylation of IκBα. Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ is considered a promising strategy for the prevention of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and accumulation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) that occurs in inflammatory-associated-diseases. Among the metabolites of ellagitannins that are produced in the gut microbiome, urolithin A (UA) has received an increasing attention as a novel candidate with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Here, we investigated the effect of UA on the suppression of pro-inflammatory molecules and NF-κB activation by targeting TLR4 signalling pathway. We also identified the influence of UA on Ca2+ entry, ROS production and DSBs availability in murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages challenged with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We found that UA inhibits IκBα phosphorylation and supresses MAPK and PI3K activation. In addition, UA was able to reduce calcium entry, ROS production and DSBs availability. In conclusion, we suggest that urolithin A is a promising therapeutic agent for treating inflammatory diseases through suppression of NF-κB and preserving DNA through maintaining intracellular calcium and ROS homeostasis.