scholarly journals Remodeling of the tumor microenvironment via disrupting Blimp1+ effector Treg activity augments response to anti-PD-1 blockade

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Dixon ◽  
Lin Luo ◽  
Sadashib Ghosh ◽  
Jeffrey M. Grimes ◽  
Jonathan D. Leavenworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Melanoma Metastasis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Treg Population

Abstract Background Accumulation of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in the tumor often represents an important mechanism for cancer immune evasion and a critical barrier to anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy. Many tumor-infiltrating Treg cells display an activated phenotype and express the transcription factor Blimp1. However, the specific impact of these Blimp1+ Treg cells and their follicular regulatory T (TFR) cell subset on tumor and the underlying mechanisms of action are not yet well-explored. Methods Various transplantable tumor models were established in immunocompetent wild-type mice and mice with a Foxp3-specific ablation of Blimp1. Tumor specimens from patients with metastatic melanoma and TCGA datasets were analyzed to support the potential role of Treg and TFR cells in tumor immunity. In vitro culture assays and in vivo adoptive transfer assays were used to understand how Treg, TFR cells and antibody responses influence tumor control. RNA sequencing and NanoString analysis were performed to reveal the transcriptome of tumor-infiltrating Treg cells and tumor cells, respectively. Finally, the therapeutic effects of anti-PD-1 treatment combined with the disruption of Blimp1+ Treg activity were evaluated. Results Blimp1+ Treg and TFR cells were enriched in the tumors, and higher tumoral TFR signatures indicated increased risk of melanoma metastasis. Deletion of Blimp1 in Treg cells resulted in impaired suppressive activity and a reprogramming into effector T-cells, which were largely restricted to the tumor-infiltrating Treg population. This destabilization combined with increased anti-tumor effector cellular responses, follicular helper T-cell expansion, enhanced tumoral IgE deposition and activation of macrophages secondary to dysregulated TFR cells, remodeled the tumor microenvironment and delayed tumor growth. The increased tumor immunogenicity with MHC upregulation improved response to anti-PD-1 blockade. Mechanistically, Blimp1 enforced intratumoral Treg cells with a unique transcriptional program dependent on Eomesodermin (Eomes) expression; deletion of Eomes in Blimp1-deficient Treg cells restored tumor growth and attenuated anti-tumor immunity. Conclusions These findings revealed Blimp1 as a new critical regulator of tumor-infiltrating Treg cells and a potential target for modulating Treg activity to treat cancer. Our study has also revealed two FCERIA-containing immune signatures as promising diagnostic or prognostic markers for melanoma patients.

scholarly journals Bcl6 Preserves the Suppressive Function of Regulatory T Cells during Tumorigenesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiding Li ◽  
Zhiming Wang ◽  
Huayu Lin ◽  
Lisha Wang ◽  
Xiangyu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Suppressive Function

AbstractDuring tumorigenesis, tumor infiltrating regulatory T (Treg) cells restrict the function of effector T cells in tumor microenvironment and thereby promoting tumor growth. The anti-tumor activity of effector T cells can be therapeutically unleashed, and is now being exploited for the treatment of various types of human cancers. However, the immune suppressive function of Treg cells remains a major hurdle to broader effectiveness of tumor immunotherapy. In this article, we reported that the deletion of Bcl6 specifically in Treg cells led to stunted tumor growth, which was caused by impaired Treg cell responses. Notably, Bcl6 is essential in maintaining the lineage stability of Treg cells in tumor microenvironment. Meanwhile, we found that the absence of follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells, which is a result of Bcl6 deletion in Foxp3+ cells, was dispensable for tumor control. Importantly, the increased Bcl6 expression in Treg cells is associated with poor prognosis of human colorectal cancer and lymph node metastasis of skin melanoma. Furthermore, Bcl6 deletion in Treg cells exhibits synergistic effects with immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Collectively, these results indicate that Bcl6 actively participates in regulating Treg cell immune responses during tumorigenesis and can be exploited as a therapeutic target of anti-tumor immunity.

scholarly journals 695 Oral delivery of a microbial extracellular vesicle induces potent anti-tumor immunity in mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A737-A737
Author(s):  
Loise Francisco-Anderson ◽  
Loise Francisco-Anderson ◽  
Mary Abdou ◽  
Michael Goldberg ◽  
Erin Troy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
The Body ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibition ◽  
Small Intestinal ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe small intestinal axis (SINTAX) is a network of anatomic and functional connections between the small intestine and the rest of the body. It acts as an immunosurveillance system, integrating signals from the environment that affect physiological processes throughout the body. The impact of events in the gut in the control of tumor immunity is beginning to be appreciated. We have previously shown that an orally delivered single strain of commensal bacteria induces anti-tumor immunity preclinically via pattern recognition receptor-mediated activation of innate and adaptive immunity. Some bacteria produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) that share molecular content with the parent bacterium in a particle that is roughly 1/1000th the volume in a non-replicating form. We report here an orally-delivered and gut-restricted bacterial EV which potently attenuates tumor growth to a greater extent than whole bacteria or checkpoint inhibition.MethodsEDP1908 is a preparation of extracellular vesicles produced by a gram-stain negative strain of bacterium of the Oscillospiraceae family isolated from a human donor. EDP1908 was selected for its immunostimulatory profile in a screen of EVs from a range of distinct microbial strains. Its mechanism of action was determined by ex vivo analysis of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and by in vitro functional studies with murine and human cells.ResultsOral treatment of tumor-bearing mice with EDP1908 shows superior control of tumor growth compared to checkpoint inhibition (anti-PD-1) or an intact microbe. EDP1908 significantly increased the percentage of IFNγ and TNF producing CD8+ CTLs, NK cells, NKT cells and CD4+ cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). EDP1908 also increased tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (DC1 and DC2). Analysis of cytokines in the TME showed significant increases in IP-10 and IFNg production in mice treated with EDP1908, creating an environment conducive to the recruitment and activation of anti-tumor lymphocytes.ConclusionsThis is the first report of striking anti-tumor effects of an orally delivered microbial extracellular vesicle. These data point to oral EVs as a new class of immunotherapeutic drugs. They are particularly effective at harnessing the biology of the small intestinal axis, acting locally on host cells in the gut to control distal immune responses within the TME. EDP1908 is in preclinical development for the treatment of cancer.Ethics ApprovalPreclinical murine studies were conducted under the approval of the Avastus Preclinical Services’ Ethics Board. Human in vitro samples were attained by approval of the IntegReview Ethics Board; informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

253 Anti-TIGIT antibodies require enhanced FcγR co-engagement for optimal T and NK cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A275-A275
Author(s):  
Rebecca Ward ◽  
Elena Paltrinieri ◽  
Marilyn Marques ◽  
Priyadarshini Iyer ◽  
Sylvia Dietrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Tumor Bearing ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity ◽  
Ct26 Tumor ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

BackgroundT-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) is an important negative regulator of the immune response to cancer that contributes to resistance/relapse to anti-PD-1 therapy.1 In clinical trials, anti-human (h) TIGIT antibodies have shown promising activity in combination with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies for the treatment of various solid tumors.2 However, the optimal format for anti-TIGIT antibodies remains controversial. Here we describe a novel Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-dependent mechanism of action that is critical for enhancing T and NK cell anti-tumor immunity, and, further informs on the optimal design of anti-TIGIT antibodies.MethodsWe investigated a panel of Fc-silent, Fc-competent, and Fc-engineered anti-mouse (m) TIGIT antibody variants in syngeneic murine CT26 tumor-bearing or B16F10 pseudo-metastases models. To further elucidate the relative contribution of T and NK cells in controlling tumor growth, we assessed the activity of Fc-engineered anti-TIGIT antibodies in NK cell-depleted or T cell-deficient (Nu-Foxn1nu) CT26 tumor-bearing mice. Immune-related pharmacodynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment were assessed by flow cytometry. We further validated these findings in primary human T and NK cell activation assays using Fc-engineered anti-human TIGIT antibodies.ResultsThe Fc-engineered anti-mTIGIT antibody, which demonstrates enhanced binding to mouse FcγRIV, was the only variant to deliver single agent anti-tumor activity. The Fc-enhanced variant outperformed the Fc-competent variant while the Fc-inert variant had no anti-tumor activity. Tumor control by anti-mTIGIT antibodies was not dependent on Treg depletion, but rather on increased frequency of CD8+ T cells and activated NK cells (Ki67, IFNγ, CD107a and TRAIL) in the tumor microenvironment. Concordant with observations in the mouse, Fc-engineered anti-hTIGIT antibodies with improved binding to FcγRIIIA demonstrate superior T and NK cell activation in PBMC-based assays compared to a standard hIgG1 variant. Notably, superior activity of the Fc-engineered anti-hTIGIT antibody was observed from PBMC donors that express either high or low affinity FcγRIIIA. Blockade of FcγRIIIA or depletion of CD14+ and CD56+ cells reduced the functional activity of the Fc-enhanced anti-TIGIT antibody, confirming the requirement for FcγR co-engagement to maximize T cell responses.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate the importance of FcγR co-engagement by anti-TIGIT antibodies to promote immune activation and tumor control. First generation anti-TIGIT antibodies are not optimally designed to co-engage all FcγRIIIA variants. However, Fc-enhanced anti-TIGIT antibodies unlock a novel FcγR-dependent mechanism of action to enhance T and NK cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity and further improve therapeutic outcomes.ReferencesJohnston RJ, et al., The immunoreceptor TIGIT regulates antitumor and antiviral CD8(+) T cell effector function. Cancer Cell 2014; 26:923–37.Rodriguez-Abreu D, et al., Primary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, phase II study of the anti-TIGIT antibody tiragolumab (tira) plus atezolizumab (atezo) versus placebo plus atezo as first-line (1L) treatment in patients with PD-L1-selected NSCLC (CITYSCAPE). Journal of Clinical Oncology 2020; 38:15_suppl, 9503–9503.

IL-12 Enhances Tumor Immunity Via Differential Effects On Regulatory T Cells and Cytotoxic Lymphocytes.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1656-1656
Author(s):  
Xuefang Cao ◽  
Karen Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Cytotoxic Lymphocytes ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Killing Activity

Abstract Abstract 1656 Poster Board I-682 To study the roles of IL-12 and Interferon-gamma (IFNg) in tumor immunity, we used RMAS lymphoma cells to challenge IL-12 receptor beta 2-deficient (IL-12Rb2-/-) and IFNg receptor 1-deficient (IFNgR1-/-) mice that are in the syngeneic C57BL/6J background. We intravenously injected mice with a dose of 1 × 104 RMAS cells that caused death in about 50% of wild-type (WT) mice. As shown in the Figure below, all of the WT mice treated with exogenous IL-12 were rescued from death caused by tumor growth; endogenous IL-12 was not sufficient to impact tumor growth since IL-12Rb2-/- mice showed a survival rate similar to that of WT mice. However, all of the IFNgR1-/- mice succumbed to tumor growth, indicating that endogenous IFNg is required for tumor immunity in this system. Furthermore, IL-12 treatment did not improve the survival of the IFNgR1-/- mice, suggesting that IFNg signaling is required for IL-12's anti-tumor effect. We previously showed that an IL-12/IFNg axis can inhibit tumor-induced regulatory T cell (Treg) proliferation in vitro (Cao et al, 2008 ASH Annual Meeting). We have subsequently examined their effects on Treg cells in vivo. Compared to naive mice, significant Treg expansion (4.9 ± 2.1 fold, n=5, p=0.025) was observed in the peritoneal cavity of WT mice within 2 weeks after an intraperitoneal injection of 1 × 104 RMAS cells. This expansion was completely blocked by treatment with exogenous IL-12. Treg cells in the IL-12Rb2-/- mice expanded to levels comparable to that in WT animals, suggesting that endogenous IL-12 was not sufficient to control Treg expansion. In contrast, significantly higher Treg expansion was observed in IFNgR1-/- mice (36.8 ± 11.8 fold, n=5, p=0.002), which was partially inhibited by IL-12 treatment (13.2 ± 3.5 fold, n=5, p=0.002), suggesting that an IFNg-independent mechanism may also account for IL-12's anti-Treg effect. To further study the effects of IL-12 and IFNg on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function, we performed mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and used flow-based killing assays (FloKA) to measure cell contact-dependent killing of allogeneic P815 tumor cells. MLR-activated CTLs were found to kill tumor targets via perforin/granzyme-mediated cytotoxicity. At a 10:1 (effector:target) ratio, granzyme AxB-deficient CTLs and perforin-deficient CTLs displayed significantly reduced killing (8.6 ± 1.2% and 4.5 ± 0.9%, respectively) compared to WT CTLs (36.1 ± 3.5%). IL-12 supplement (2ng/ml) to the MLR significantly increased the killing activity of WT CTLs (65.3 ± 4.2%), but had no significant effect on granzyme AxB-deficient CTLs or perforin-deficient CTLs. In contrast, IFNg supplement (10ng/ml) to the MLR had no significant effect on the killing activity of CTLs. Conversely, MLR-activated IFNgR1-/- CTLs killed P815 cells as efficiently as WT CTLs and responded to IL-12 treatment as efficiently as WT CTLs. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-12 treatment inhibits tumor-induced Treg expansion and stimulates IFNg-dependent anti-tumor immune responses. In addition, IL-12 also activates perforin/granzyme-dependent function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These differential effects on diverse immune components may collectively result in enhanced tumor immunity. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Apatinib Combined with Local Irradiation Leads to Systemic Tumor Control via Reversal of Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Lung Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 406-418
Author(s):  
Li-jun Liang ◽  
Chen-xi Hu ◽  
Yi-xuan Wen ◽  
Xiao-wei Geng ◽  
Ting Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Abscopal Effect ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Secondary Tumor ◽  
Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the potential systemic antitumor effects of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and apatinib (a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor) via reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment for lung carcinoma.Materials and MethodsLewis lung cancer cells were injected into C57BL/6 mice in the left hindlimb (primary tumor; irradiated) and in the right flank (secondary tumor; nonirradiated). When both tumors grew to the touchable size, mice were randomly divided into eight treatment groups. These groups received normal saline or three distinct doses of apatinib (50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) daily for 7 days, in combination with a single dose of 15 Gy radiotherapy or not to the primary tumor. The further tumor growth/regression of mice were followed and observed.ResultsFor the single 15 Gy modality, tumor growth delay could only be observed at the primary tumor. When combining SABR and apatinib 200 mg/kg, significant retardation of both primary and secondary tumor growth could be observed, indicated an abscopal effect was induced. Mechanism analysis suggested that programmed death-ligand 1 expression increased with SABR was counteract by additional apatinib therapy. Furthermore, when apatinib was combined with SABR, the composition of immune cells could be changed. More importantly, this two-pronged approach evoked tumor antigen–specific immune responses and the mice were resistant to another tumor rechallenge, finally, long-term survival was improved.ConclusionOur results suggested that the tumor microenvironment could be managed with apatinib, which was effective in eliciting an abscopal effect induced by SABR.

scholarly journals The CCR2/MCP-1 Chemokine Pathway and Lung Adenocarcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3723
Author(s):  
Payal Mittal ◽  
Liqing Wang ◽  
Tatiana Akimova ◽  
Craig A. Leach ◽  
Jose C. Clemente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Cancer Models ◽  
Inflammatory Site ◽  
Ccr2 Antagonist

Host anti-tumor immunity can be hindered by various mechanisms present within the tumor microenvironment, including the actions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We investigated the role of the CCR2/MCP-1 pathway in MDSC-associated tumor progression in murine lung cancer models. Phenotypic profiling revealed maximal expression of CCR2 by tumor-resident MDSCs, and MCP-1 by transplanted TC1 tumor cells, respectively. Use of CCR2-knockout (CCR2-KO) mice showed dependence of tumor growth on CCR2 signaling. Tumors in CCR2-KO mice had fewer CCR2low MDSCs, CD4 T cells and Tregs than WT mice, and increased infiltration by CD8 T cells producing IFN-γ and granzyme-B. Effects were MDSC specific, since WT and CCR2-KO conventional T (Tcon) cells had comparable proliferation and production of inflammatory cytokines, and suppressive functions of WT and CCR2-KO Foxp3+ Treg cells were also similar. We used a thioglycolate-induced peritonitis model to demonstrate a role for CCR2/MCP-1 in trafficking of CCR2+ cells to an inflammatory site, and showed the ability of a CCR2 antagonist to inhibit such trafficking. Use of this CCR2 antagonist promoted anti-tumor immunity and limited tumor growth. In summary, tumor cells are the prime source of MCP-1 that promotes MDSC recruitment, and our genetic and pharmacologic data demonstrate that CCR2 targeting may be an important component of cancer immunotherapy.

scholarly journals P03.31 Skin dendritic cells in melanoma are key for successful checkpoint blockade therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. A35.2-A36
Author(s):  
N Prokopi ◽  
CH Tripp ◽  
B Tummers ◽  
JC Crawford ◽  
M Efremova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
And Function

BackgroundImmunotherapy of cancer by checkpoint blockade has significantly improved the survival of melanoma patients. However, in patients with tumors that are poorly infiltrated by effector T cells the clinical results are not encouraging. Therefore, combination approaches that enhance pre-existing anti-tumor immunity and reset the patients‘ immunological status are urgently needed. In this study we used the tg(Grm1)EPv melanoma mouse model that reflects a non-immunogenic tumor microenvironment. In this mouse model, spontaneous melanoma development is driven by the ectopic expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor-1 in melanocytes, which confers to them a hyperproliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype. The same alteration has been shown to be present in 40% of melanoma patient samples. The aim of our study was to investigate whether enhancing dendritic cell (DC) numbers and function in the tg(Grm1)EPv mouse model could restore responsiveness to checkpoint blockade.Material and MethodsWe used multicolor flow cytometry, gene expression analysis by RNA-seq and microarray to analyze tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLN). With various immunological in vitro and in vivo assays we determined the functional role of DC in tumor immunity.ResultsA loss of skin DC has previously been reported for primary melanoma lesions and we here show that melanoma progression in the tg(Grm1)EPv mouse model coincides with a gradual decrease in the skin cDC2 subset and an upregulation of the inhibitory ligands PD-L1 and galectin-9. Monotherapy with anti-PD-L1 could not delay tumor growth, suggesting that this is a good model to study resistance to checkpoint blockade. We hypothesized that by boosting DC numbers and function we would restore responsiveness to checkpoint blockade. By administering a treatment consisting of systemic Flt3L and intratumoral polyI:C/anti-CD40, we were able to rescue the numbers and function of skin cDC2. Analysis of the treated tumors by flow cytometry showed that the DC boost regimen led to an increased tumor infiltration of activated CD4+ and CD8+T cells. An in vitro T cell proliferation assay revealed that dermal cDC2 that had migrated to the tdLN, played a crucial role in this process, since these were able to cross-present endogenous gp100 antigen more efficiently than migratory Langerhans cells and dermal cDC1. CD4+ and CD8+T cells recruited in the tumors of the DC boost treated mice, expressed PD-1 and TIM-3. Therefore, combination therapy with checkpoint blockade of these molecules resulted in increased cytotoxic activity within the tumor and eventually delay of tumor growth.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that skin DC shape the tumor microenvironment upon immunotherapy and thus, therapies that aim to enhance responsiveness to checkpoint blockade may well benefit from a component that boosts the numbers and the function of skin DC.Disclosure InformationN. Prokopi: None. C.H. Tripp: None. B. Tummers: None. J.C. Crawford: None. M. Efremova: None. K. Hutter: None. L. Bellmann: None. G. Cappellano: None. L. Boon: None. D. Ortner: None. Z. Trajanoski: None. S. Chen: None. T. de Gruijl: None. D.R. Green: None. P. Stoitzner: None.

scholarly journals CD80 Expression on Tumor Cells Alters Tumor Microenvironment and Efficacy of Cancer Immunotherapy by CTLA-4 Blockade

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1935
Author(s):  
Julie Vackova ◽  
Ingrid Polakova ◽  
Shweta Dilip Johari ◽  
Michal Smahel
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Induced Tumors

Cluster of differentiation (CD) 80 is mainly expressed in immune cells but can also be found in several types of cancer cells. This molecule may either activate or inhibit immune reactions. Here, we determined the immunosuppressive role of CD80 in the tumor microenvironment by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deactivation of the corresponding gene in the mouse oncogenic TC-1 cell line. The tumor cells with deactivated CD80 (TC-1/dCD80-1) were more immunogenic than parental cells and induced tumors that gained sensitivity to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockade, as compared with the TC-1 cells. In vivo depletion experiments showed that the deactivation of CD80 switched the pro-tumorigenic effect of macrophages observed in TC-1-induced tumors into an anti-tumorigenic effect in TC-1/dCD80-1 tumors and induced the pro-tumorigenic activity of CD4+ cells. Moreover, the frequency of lymphoid and myeloid cells and the CTLA-4 expression by T helper (Th)17 cells were increased in TC-1/dCD80-1- compared with that in the TC-1-induced tumors. CTLA-4 blockade downregulated the frequencies of most immune cell types and upregulated the frequency of M2 macrophages in the TC-1 tumors, while it increased the frequency of lymphoid cells in TC-1/dCD80-1-induced tumors. Furthermore, the anti-CTLA-4 therapy enhanced the frequency of CD8+ T cells as well as CD4+ T cells, especially for a Th1 subset. Regulatory T cells (Treg) formed the most abundant CD4+ T cell subset in untreated tumors. The anti-CTLA-4 treatment downregulated the frequency of Treg cells with limited immunosuppressive potential in the TC-1 tumors, whereas it enriched this type of Treg cells and decreased the Treg cells with high immunosuppressive potential in TC-1/dCD80-1-induced tumors. The immunosuppressive role of tumor-cell-expressed CD80 should be considered in research into biomarkers for the prediction of cancer patients’ sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors and for the development of a tumor-cell-specific CD80 blockade.

scholarly journals Knockout of High-Mobility Group Box 1 in B16F10 Melanoma Cells Induced Host Immunity-Mediated Suppression of In Vivo Tumor Growth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanako Yokomizo ◽  
Kayoko Waki ◽  
Miyako Ozawa ◽  
Keiko Yamamoto ◽  
Sachiko Ogasawara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
High Mobility

Abstract High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has been reported as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule that is released from damaged or dead cells and induces inflammation and subsequent innate immunity. However, the role of HMGB1 in the anti-tumor immunity is unclear since inflammation in the tumor microenvironment also contributes to tumor promotion and progression. In the present study, we established HMGB1-knockout clones from B16F10 and CT26 murine tumors by genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and investigated the role of HMGB1 in anti-tumor immunity. We found that 1) knockout of HMGB1 in the tumor cells suppressed in vivo, but not in vitro, tumor growth, 2) the suppression of the in vivo tumor growth was mediated by CD8 T cells, and 3) infiltration of CD8 T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells into the tumor tissues was accelerated in HMGB1-knockout tumors. These results demonstrated that knockout of HMGB1 in tumor cells converted tumors from poor infiltration of immune cells called “cold” to “immune-inflamed” or “hot” and inhibited in vivo tumor growth mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Infiltration of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment is an important step in the series known as the cancer immunity cycle. Thus, manipulation of tumor-derived HMGB1 might be applicable to improve the clinical outcomes of cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockades and cancer vaccine therapies.

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