Resident Kupffer cells and neutrophils drive liver toxicity in cancer immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment but is often restricted by toxicities. What distinguishes adverse events from concomitant antitumor reactions is poorly understood. Here, using anti-CD40 treatment in mice as a model of TH1-promoting immunotherapy, we showed that liver macrophages promoted local immune-related adverse events. Mechanistically, tissue-resident Kupffer cells mediated liver toxicity by sensing lymphocyte-derived IFN-γ and subsequently producing IL-12. Conversely, dendritic cells were dispensable for toxicity but drove tumor control. IL-12 and IFN-γ were not toxic themselves but prompted a neutrophil response that determined the severity of tissue damage. We observed activation of similar inflammatory pathways after anti–PD-1 and anti–CTLA-4 immunotherapies in mice and humans. These findings implicated macrophages and neutrophils as mediators and effectors of aberrant inflammation in TH1-promoting immunotherapy, suggesting distinct mechanisms of toxicity and antitumor immunity.

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NF-κB–dependent IRF1 activation programs cDC1 dendritic cells to drive antitumor immunity

Science Immunology ◽

10.1126/sciimmunol.abg3570 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (61) ◽

pp. eabg3570

Author(s):

Ghita Ghislat ◽

Ammar S. Cheema ◽

Elodie Baudoin ◽

Christophe Verthuy ◽

Pedro J. Ballester ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Antitumor Immunity ◽

Focal Point ◽

Cytotoxic T Cells ◽

Nuclear Factor Κb ◽

Cytokines And Chemokines ◽

Ifn Γ

Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are critical for antitumor immunity. They acquire antigens from dying tumor cells and cross-present them to CD8+ T cells, promoting the expansion of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells. However, the signaling pathways that govern the antitumor functions of cDC1s in immunogenic tumors are poorly understood. Using single-cell transcriptomics to examine the molecular pathways regulating intratumoral cDC1 maturation, we found nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and interferon (IFN) pathways to be highly enriched in a subset of functionally mature cDC1s. We identified an NF-κB–dependent and IFN-γ–regulated gene network in cDC1s, including cytokines and chemokines specialized in the recruitment and activation of cytotoxic T cells. By mapping the trajectory of intratumoral cDC1 maturation, we demonstrated the dynamic reprogramming of tumor-infiltrating cDC1s by NF-κB and IFN signaling pathways. This maturation process was perturbed by specific inactivation of either NF-κB or IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) in cDC1s, resulting in impaired expression of IFN-γ–responsive genes and consequently a failure to efficiently recruit and activate antitumoral CD8+ T cells. Last, we demonstrate the relevance of these findings to patients with melanoma, showing that activation of the NF-κB/IRF1 axis in association with cDC1s is linked with improved clinical outcome. The NF-κB/IRF1 axis in cDC1s may therefore represent an important focal point for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve cancer immunotherapy.

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OK‐432 synergizes with IFN‐γ to confer dendritic cells with enhanced antitumor immunity

Immunology and Cell Biology ◽

10.1038/icb.2013.87 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 263-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ke Pan ◽

Lin Lv ◽

Hai‐Xia Zheng ◽

Jing‐Jing Zhao ◽

Qiu‐Zhong Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dendritic Cells ◽

Antitumor Immunity ◽

Ifn Γ

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Stereotactic radiosurgery for treating meningiomas eligible for complete resection

Radiation Oncology ◽

10.1186/s13014-021-01748-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maximilian I. Ruge ◽

Juman Tutunji ◽

Daniel Rueß ◽

Eren Celik ◽

Christian Baues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Local Tumor Control ◽

Complete Resection ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Tumor Control ◽

Recurrence Rates ◽

Treatment Volume

Abstract Background For meningiomas, complete resection is recommended as first-line treatment while stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is established for meningiomas of smaller size considered inoperable. If the patient´s medical condition or preference excludes surgery, SRS remains a treatment option. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of SRS in a cohort comprising these cases. Methods In this retrospective single-centre analysis we included patients receiving single fraction SRS either by modified LINAC or robotic guidance by Cyberknife for potentially resectable intracranial meningiomas. Treatment-related adverse events as well as local and regional control rates were determined from follow-up imaging and estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results We analyzed 188 patients with 218 meningiomas. The median radiological, and clinical follow-up periods were 51.4 (6.2–289.6) and 55.8 (6.2–300.9) months. The median tumor volume was 4.2 ml (0.1–22), and the mean marginal radiation dose was 13.0 ± 3.1 Gy, with reference to the 80.0 ± 11.2% isodose level. Local recurrence was observed in one case (0.5%) after 239 months. The estimated 2-, 5-, 10- and 15-year regional recurrence rates were 1.5%, 3.0%, 6.6% and 6.6%, respectively. Early adverse events (≤ 6 months after SRS) occurred in 11.2% (CTCEA grade 1–2) and resolved during follow-up in 7.4% of patients, while late adverse events were documented in 14.4% (grade 1–2; one case grade 3). Adverse effects (early and late) were associated with the presence of symptoms or neurological deficits prior to SRS (p < 0.03) and correlated with the treatment volume (p < 0.02). Conclusion In this analysis SRS appears to be an effective treatment for patients with meningiomas eligible for complete resection and provides reliable long-term local tumor control with low rates of mild morbidity.

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DNGR-1 limits Flt3L-mediated antitumor immunity by restraining tumor-infiltrating type I conventional dendritic cells

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer ◽

10.1136/jitc-2020-002054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. e002054

Author(s):

Francisco J Cueto ◽

Carlos del Fresno ◽

Paola Brandi ◽

Alexis J. Combes ◽

Elena Hernández-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Therapy ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Antitumor Immunity ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Dead Cell ◽

Type I ◽

Cross Presentation ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Deficient Mice

BackgroundConventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) are central to antitumor immunity and their presence in the tumor microenvironment associates with improved outcomes in patients with cancer. DNGR-1 (CLEC9A) is a dead cell-sensing receptor highly restricted to cDC1s. DNGR-1 has been involved in both cross-presentation of dead cell-associated antigens and processes of disease tolerance, but its role in antitumor immunity has not been clarified yet.MethodsB16 and MC38 tumor cell lines were inoculated subcutaneously into wild-type (WT) and DNGR-1-deficient mice. To overexpress Flt3L systemically, we performed gene therapy through the hydrodynamic injection of an Flt3L-encoding plasmid. To characterize the immune response, we performed flow cytometry and RNA-Seq of tumor-infiltrating cDC1s.ResultsHere, we found that cross-presentation of tumor antigens in the steady state was DNGR-1-independent. However, on Flt3L systemic overexpression, tumor growth was delayed in DNGR-1-deficient mice compared with WT mice. Of note, this protection was recapitulated by anti-DNGR-1-blocking antibodies in mice following Flt3L gene therapy. This improved antitumor immunity was associated with Batf3-dependent enhanced accumulation of CD8+ T cells and cDC1s within tumors. Mechanistically, the deficiency in DNGR-1 boosted an Flt3L-induced specific inflammatory gene signature in cDC1s, including Ccl5 expression. Indeed, the increased infiltration of cDC1s within tumors and their protective effect rely on CCL5/CCR5 chemoattraction. Moreover, FLT3LG and CCL5 or CCR5 gene expression signatures correlate with an enhanced cDC1 signature and a favorable overall survival in patients with cancer. Notably, cyclophosphamide elevated serum Flt3L levels and, in combination with the absence of DNGR-1, synergized against tumor growth.ConclusionDNGR-1 limits the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating cDC1s promoted by Flt3L. Thus, DNGR-1 blockade may improve antitumor immunity in tumor therapy settings associated to high Flt3L expression.

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Human Herpesvirus 6A Induces Dendritic Cell Death and HMGB1 Release without Virus Replication

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10010057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 57

Author(s):

Rasmus Gustafsson

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

High Mobility ◽

Human Herpesvirus ◽

Human Monocyte ◽

Hmgb1 Protein ◽

Innate And Adaptive Immunity ◽

Th2 Polarization ◽

Dependent Cell ◽

Ifn Γ

Human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) is a common virus that has important immunomodulatory effects. Dendritic cells (DC) are key players in innate and adaptive immunity and are implicated in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, including infections. (1) Background: Previous studies have demonstrated suppressive effects of HHV-6A on key DC functions. (2) Methods: human monocyte derived dendritic cells were inoculated with HHV-6A and viral replication, cell viability, and release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein from DC and of the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF and IFN-γ after co-culture with allogenic CD4+ T cells were assessed. (3) Results: Nonproductive infection of HHV-6A in DC leads to titer-dependent cell death and the release of HMGB1 protein, and a Th2 polarization. (4) Conclusion: These immune responses aimed to clear the infection may also imply risks for inflammatory pathologies associated with HHV-6A such as multiple sclerosis.

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Batf3-Dependent Dendritic Cells Promote Optimal CD8 T Cell Responses against Respiratory Poxvirus Infection

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.00495-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 92 (16) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Pritesh Desai ◽

Vikas Tahiliani ◽

Georges Abboud ◽

Jessica Stanfield ◽

Shahram Salek-Ardakani

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Dendritic Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Vaccinia Virus ◽

Respiratory Infection ◽

Host Resistance ◽

T Cell Responses ◽

Cell Responses ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTRespiratory infection with vaccinia virus (VacV) elicits robust CD8+T cell responses that play an important role in host resistance. In the lung, VacV encounters multiple tissue-resident antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations, but which cell plays a dominant role in priming of virus-specific CD8+effector T cell responses remains poorly defined. We used Batf3−/−mice to investigate the impact of CD103+and CD8α+dendritic cell (DC) deficiency on anti-VacV CD8+T cell responses. We found that Batf3−/−mice were more susceptible to VacV infection, exhibiting profound weight loss, which correlated with impaired accumulation of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD8+T cells in the lungs. This was largely due to defective priming since early in the response, antigen-specific CD8+T cells in the draining lymph nodes of Batf3−/−mice expressed significantly reduced levels of Ki67, CD25, and T-bet. These results underscore a specific role for Batf3-dependent DCs in regulating priming and expansion of effector CD8+T cells necessary for host resistance against acute respiratory VacV infection.IMPORTANCEDuring respiratory infection with vaccinia virus (VacV), a member ofPoxviridaefamily, CD8+T cells play important role in resolving the primary infection. Effector CD8+T cells clear the virus by accumulating in the infected lungs in large numbers and secreting molecules such as IFN-γ that kill virally infected cells. However, precise cell types that regulate the generation of effector CD8+T cells in the lungs are not well defined. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous population of immune cells that are recognized as key initiators and regulators of T-cell-mediated immunity. In this study, we reveal that a specific subset of DCs that are dependent on the transcription factor Batf3 for their development regulate the magnitude of CD8+T cell effector responses in the lungs, thereby providing protection during pulmonary VacV infection.

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