scholarly journals LncRNAs Target Ferroptosis-Related Genes and Impair Activation of CD4+ T Cell in Gastric Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuwen Yao ◽  
Yongqiang Zhan ◽  
Zuhui Pu ◽  
Ying Lu ◽  
Jiao Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
Poor Overall Survival

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant disease of the digestive tract and a life-threatening disease worldwide. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death caused by lipid peroxidation, is reported to be highly correlated with gastric tumorigenesis and immune cell activity. However, the underlying relationship between ferroptosis and the tumor microenvironment in GC and potential intervention strategies have not been unveiled. In this study, we profiled the transcriptome and prognosis data of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in GC samples of the TCGA-STAD dataset. The infiltrating immune cells in GC were estimated using the CIBERSORT and XCELL algorithms. We found that the high expression of the hub FRGs (MYB, PSAT1, TP53, and LONP1) was positively correlated with poor overall survival in GC patients. The results were validated in an external GC cohort (GSE62254). Further immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that CD4+ T cells were the major infiltrated cells in the tumor microenvironment of GC. Moreover, the hub FRGs were significantly positively correlated with activated CD4+ T cell infiltration, especially Th cells. The gene features in the high-FRG score group were enriched in cell division, DNA repair, protein folding, T cell receptor, Wnt and NIK/NF-kappaB signaling pathways, indicating that the hub FRGs may mediate CD4+ T cell activation by these pathways. In addition, an upstream transcriptional regulation network of the hub FRGs by lncRNAs was also developed. Three lncRNAs (A2M-AS1, C2orf27A, and ZNF667-AS1) were identified to be related to the expression of the hub FRGs. Collectively, these results showed that lncRNA A2M-AS1, C2orf27A, and ZNF667-AS1 may target the hub FRGs and impair CD4+ T cell activation, which finally leads to poor prognosis of GC. Effective interventions for the above lncRNAs and the hub FRGs can help promote CD4+ T cell activation in GC patients and improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. These findings provide a novel idea of GC immunotherapy and hold promise for future clinical application.

scholarly journals 469 A phase 1 first in human study of HMBD-002, an IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting VISTA, as a monotherapy and combined with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid malignancies

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A498-A498
Author(s):  
Leah DiMascio ◽  
Dipti Thakkar ◽  
Siyu Guan ◽  
Eric Rowinsky ◽  
Jordi Rodon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Human Study ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Myeloid Cells

BackgroundV-domain Ig suppressor of T cell Activation (VISTA), an immune checkpoint regulator predominantly expressed on myeloid cells, represents a promising therapeutic target due to its role in suppressing pro-inflammatory, anti-tumor responses within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Based on VISTA’s broad expression across immune cell subtypes, HMBD-002 has been designed as a non-depleting, IgG4 monoclonal antibody with high affinity and specificity to VISTA across species (human, cynomolgus monkey, and rodent) that has the ability to block a predicted counter-structure binding site. In preclinical studies, HMBD-002 significantly inhibited tumor growth, both as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, while decreasing infiltration of suppressive myeloid cells within the TME and increasing T cell activity. While rapid serum clearance and immune toxicities (e.g. cytokine release syndrome) have been reported for IgG1 antibodies, these were not observed preclinically with HMBD-002. In addition to VISTA expression on pro-inflammatory immune cells, examination of VISTA expression across cancer types has revealed that several malignancies, particularly human samples of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), express high levels of VISTA, thereby providing a rationale for exploring these indications in clinical studies.MethodsThis Phase 1, first in human study is being conducted in two parts and will evaluate multiple doses and schedules of intravenously (IV) administered HMBD-002, with or without pembrolizumab, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Part 1 (dose escalation) seeks to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), or the maximum tested dose, of HMBD-002 as a monotherapy, and separately, in combination with pembrolizumab to define the recommend doses for subsequent disease directed studies (i.e., recommended phase 2 dose [RP2D]). Part 2 (dose expansion) will assess the anti-cancer activity of HMBD-002 as a monotherapy at the RP2D in previously treated patients with TNBC, and NSCLC, and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with TNBC, NSCLC, and other VISTA-expressing malignancies. The size of the disease-directed cohorts will be determined based on an interim futility analysis conducted upon enrollment of 15 patients. Safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic endpoints will be monitored and reported. Correlative studies will assess pre- and post-treatment markers of immune activity in the periphery and the tumor microenvironment.AcknowledgementsThis work was funded in part by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).Ethics ApprovalThe study was approved by each participating Institution’s Institutional Review Board.

scholarly journals SIRT5 Contributes to Colorectal Cancer Growth by Regulating T Cell Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ke Wang ◽  
Zuojian Hu ◽  
Cuiping Zhang ◽  
Lujie Yang ◽  
Li Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
T Helper 1 ◽  
Colorectal Tumorigenesis

Over the past several years, SIRT5 has attracted considerable attention in metabolic regulation. However, the function of SIRT5 in tumorigenesis by regulating tumor microenvironment is poorly understood. In this work, we found that Sirt5 knockout mice were resistant to AOM and DSS-induced colitis-associated colorectal tumorigenesis and the level of IFN-γ in their tumor microenvironment was higher. Additionally, proteome and network analysis revealed that SIRT5 was important in the T cell receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, we determined that a deficiency of Sirt5 induced stronger T cell activation and demonstrated that SIRT5 played a pivotal role in regulating the differentiation of CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and T helper 1 (Th1) cells. An imbalance in the lineages of immunosuppressive Treg cells and the inflammatory Th1 subsets of helper T cells leads to the development of colon cancer. Our results revealed a regulatory role of SIRT5 in T cell activation and colorectal tumorigenesis.

Induction of antigen specific CD8+ T cell infiltration by a novel neoadjuvant vaccine containing HSP70 and GPC3 peptides plus soluble LAG-3 and Poly-IC:LC: Interim results of a Phase I study.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14306-e14306
Author(s):  
Yukio Tokumitsu ◽  
Shoichi Hazama ◽  
Shun Doi ◽  
Koji Tamada ◽  
Keiko Udaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Phase I ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Phase I Study ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Antigen Expression ◽  
Lymphocytic Infiltration ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

e14306 Background: Even with curative resection, the recurrence rate of HCC is still high, and no effective adjuvant therapy is currently available. Our previous Phase I study with novel therapeutic peptides and immune adjuvants demonstrated the safety, antigen specific CTL induction in PBMC and a sign of efficacy (ASCO 2017 Abstract # 3086); thus, we started Phase I study of the same therapy as a perioperative immunotherapy setting in patients with resectable HCC (UMIN000029991). Methods: Two mg each of HLA-A*24:02, 02:01, or 02:06 restricted HSP70- and GPC3-derived peptides, in combination with hLAG-3Ig (1.0 mg) + Poly-IC:LC (1.4 mg) were injected intradermally at four sites of the inguinal and axillary regions every week for 6 weeks before surgery. Patients subsequently received 10 injections of adjuvant immunotherapy over 4 months. Surgical specimens and PBMCs were analyzed by mass cytometry (CyTOF), using 66 antibodies to monitor T cell exhaustion, T cell activation, Effector Treg induction, etc. Tumor specimens were also subjected to immunohistochemical staining of CD3, CD8, PD1, HSP70, and GPC3. The reason for early reporting is the interesting findings at the foci of HCC, and the interim analyses was approved by the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee. Results: Of the 11 screened patients, 5 completed the treatments and were analyzed. We found massive CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration in the intratumor foci of HCC, which is usually accompanied by peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration. Moreover, the density of lymphocytes was markedly higher in areas of HSP70 or GPC3 antigen expression. One case out of five recurred 5 month after surgery and it showed low CD8+ and PD1+ cell infiltration and high effector Treg (CD4+/CD25+/CD45RA-/FoxP3 +) infiltration. This trend was not observed in PBMC, suggesting the importance of TIL analysis. The high PD1 expression was accompanied by massive intratumoral infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes. Conclusions: The novel therapeutic peptide and immune adjuvant combination induced sustained immune cell infiltration into tumor microenvironments, especially those presenting target tumor-associated antigens. Our novel immunotherapy may convert cold tumors into hot tumors containing PD1+ lymphocytes. Thus, the combination of this novel strategy with PD (L) 1 antibody is warranted. Clinical trial information: 000029991.

scholarly journals Improved Immunotherapy Efficacy by Vascular Modulation

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5207
Author(s):  
Emma L. Newport ◽  
Ana Rita Pedrosa ◽  
Alexandra Njegic ◽  
Kairbaan M. Hodivala-Dilke ◽  
José M. Muñoz-Félix
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
Cell Therapies ◽  
T Cell Infiltration ◽  
Tumour Oxygenation

Several strategies have been developed to modulate the tumour vasculature for cancer therapy including anti-angiogenesis and vascular normalisation. Vasculature modulation results in changes to the tumour microenvironment including oxygenation and immune cell infiltration, therefore lending itself to combination with cancer therapy. The development of immunotherapies has led to significant improvements in cancer treatment. Particularly promising are immune checkpoint blockade and CAR T cell therapies, which use antibodies against negative regulators of T cell activation and T cells reprogrammed to better target tumour antigens, respectively. However, while immunotherapy is successful in some patients, including those with advanced or metastatic cancers, only a subset of patients respond. Therefore, better predictors of patient response and methods to overcome resistance warrant investigation. Poor, or periphery-limited, T cell infiltration in the tumour is associated with poor responses to immunotherapy. Given that (1) lymphocyte recruitment requires leucocyte–endothelial cell adhesion and (2) the vasculature controls tumour oxygenation and plays a pivotal role in T cell infiltration and activation, vessel targeting strategies including anti-angiogenesis and vascular normalisation in combination with immunotherapy are providing possible new strategies to enhance therapy. Here, we review the progress of vessel modulation in enhancing immunotherapy efficacy.

scholarly journals CD4+ T-Cell Activation Prompts Suppressive Function by Extracellular Vesicle-Associated MicroRNAs

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Di Silvestre ◽  
Silvia Garavelli ◽  
Claudio Procaccini ◽  
Francesco Prattichizzo ◽  
Giulia Passignani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Effector Function ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Messenger Rnas

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding molecules targeting messenger RNAs and inhibiting protein translation, modulate key biological processes, including cell growth and development, energy utilization, and homeostasis. In particular, miRNAs control the differentiation, survival, and activation of CD4+ T conventional (Tconv) cells, key players of the adaptive immunity, and regulate the physiological response to infections and the pathological loss of immune homeostasis in autoimmunity. Upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, the described global miRNA quantitative decrease occurring in T cells is believed to promote the acquisition of effector functions by relaxing the post-transcriptional repression of genes associated with proliferation and cell activity. MiRNAs were initially thought to get downregulated uniquely by intracellular degradation; on the other hand, miRNA secretion via extracellular vesicles (EVs) represents an additional mechanism of rapid downregulation. By focusing on molecular interactions by means of graph theory, we have found that miRNAs released by TCR-stimulated Tconv cells are significantly enriched for targeting transcripts upregulated upon stimulation, including those encoding for crucial proteins associated with Tconv cell activation and function. Based on this computational approach, we present our perspective based on the following hypothesis: a stimulated Tconv cell will release miRNAs targeting genes associated with the effector function in the extracellular space in association with EVs, which will thus possess a suppressive potential toward other Tconv cells in the paracrine environment. We also propose possible future directions of investigation aimed at taking advantage of these phenomena to control Tconv cell effector function in health and autoimmunity.

CTLA4 and CD47 combinational therapy to extend survival in melanoma.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21025-e21025
Author(s):  
Anthony L. Schwartz ◽  
Pulak Nath ◽  
Elizabeth Lessey-Morillon ◽  
Lisa Ridnour ◽  
Michael Allgaeuer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Granzyme B ◽  
Suppressor Cells ◽  
Cell Infiltration

e21025 Background: Irradiation (IR) combined with chemotherapy is the post-surgical standard of care treatment for melanoma, but metastasis still results in high mortality rates. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) have proven effective for immunotherapy of melanoma. CTLA-4 is up-regulated post-T cell activation and blockade enhances tumor responses in immunocompetent rodents and humans. Trials suggest that combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors are more efficacious than single agents, but tumors remain resistant. We are investigating CD47 blockade for the treatment of cancer. CD47 is frequently elevated in cancers and serves as an inhibitory receptor for thrombospondin-1 on immune cells in the tumor stroma. CD47 blockade on CD8 T or tumor cells significantly enhances immune-targeted tumor cell killing post-IR compared to IR alone. Here we explore the potential for antisense CD47 and anti-CTLA4 therapy alone or in combination with IR using a syngeneic mouse melanoma model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with 1x106B16F10 melanoma cells in the hind limb and treated with 10 Gy IR combined with CTLA4 blocking antibody, CD47 translational blocking morpholino, or the combination of CTLA4/CD47 therapies. Granzyme B along with CD4/CD8 T cell infiltration were examined in tumors. Histology was evaluated for CD3 and necrosis. Results: The combination of CD47/CTLA4 with IR significantly increased survival by 25% compared to IR/CTLA4 alone at 50 days. Granzyme B expression was significantly increased in IR mice with CTLA4/CD47 combination, which correlated with infiltration of CD8+ T cells and a concomitant decrease in Gr1+CD11b suppressor cells compared to controls. In non-IR tumors, histology revealed minimal necrosis, while all IR groups showed increased necrosis. Tumor IR in combination with CTLA4 or CD47 increased immune cell infiltration. However, the combination of IR with CTLA4/CD47 showed widespread necrosis. All groups treated with the CD47 exhibited focal hemorrhage, which was more extensive when combined with CTLA4. Conclusions: Results herein suggest IR combined CTLA4/CD47 checkpoint blockade provides a survival benefit by activating a beneficial adaptive immune response.

Sphingomyelin breakdown in T cells: role in activation, effector functions and immunoregulation

2015 ◽  
Vol 396 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 749-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Beyersdorf ◽  
Nora Müller
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immunological Synapse ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Functional Responses

Abstract Host T cell activation, a key step in obtaining adaptive immunity against pathogens, is initiated by the binding of the T cell receptor to a foreign antigenic peptide presented by the major histocompatibility complex on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell and, consequently, formation of an immunological synapse. Within the immunological synapse, the engagement of the T cell receptor in cooperation with simultaneous ligation of co-stimulatory molecules induces a precisely organized cascade of signaling events and pathways that regulate clonal expansion and differentiation of naïve T cells into effector T cells contributing to pathogen clearance. The biochemical changes that underlie T cell activation and differentiation, however, not only involve proteins but also lipids. In particular, catabolic cleavage of sphingomyelin generating ceramide can substantially influence functional responses in cells of the immune system. Changes in sphingomyelin and ceramide content have been reported to directly impact on membrane physiology, thus modifying signal transmission and interfering with diverse aspects of T cell activity. In this review we will focus on sphingomyelin breakdown/ceramide generation in T cells with regard to their function and development of T cell-mediated immunity.

A multiplex immunofluorescence assay to assess immune checkpoint inhibitor-targeted CD8 activation and tumor colocalization in FFPE tissues.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2629-2629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Navas ◽  
Kristin Fino ◽  
King Leung Fung ◽  
Facundo Cutuli ◽  
Robert J. Kinders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Cd8 Cells ◽  
Tumor Tissues

2629 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors promote antitumor immune responses by enhancing T-cell activity. Measuring the pharmacodynamic effects of these drugs is challenging, as it requires assessing both immune cell and cancer cell populations. To evaluate T cell activation in tumor tissue from patient biopsies, we developed a robust multiplexed immunofluorescence assay. Methods: Our assay uses novel oligo-conjugated antibodies (Ultivue) for simultaneous quantitation of TCR activation (phospho-CD3zeta), immune checkpoint signaling via PD-1 (p-SHP1/p-SHP2), and the net stimulation/inhibition resulting from the integration of these two pathways in CD8 cells (p-ZAP70), while also providing the proximity of CD8 cells to tumor tissues, identified by β-catenin. The method was clinically validated using custom tissue microarrays (TMA) containing tumor biopsies of 3 different histologies (CRC, NSCLC, and breast). Results: From a total of 192 tumor core biopsies, 20/64 NSCLC, 9/64 CRC, and 3/65 breast TMA cores were found to have a significant number of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) at baseline ( > 50 cells in the examined section). In 18 of the 20 NSCLC cores, ≥50% of CD8 cells both inside and outside of the tumor were activated (CD3z-pY142+). In 6/9 CRC cores, ≥50% of CD8+ cells inside tumor tissues were activated, and in 4/9 CRC cores, ≥50% of CD8+ cells in stroma were activated. In 2/3 breast tumor cores, 90% of CD8+ cells inside tumor tissues were activated; in the remaining core, 90% of CD8+ cells in stroma were activated. Interestingly, all 192 cores had minimal to no expression of activated Zap70 (pY493) in CD8+ cells. Conclusions: Depending on tumor histology, baseline biopsy samples may contain variable numbers of activated CD8+ TILs (CD3z-pY142+), which may reside inside or outside of tumor regions and express very low levels of Zap70-pY493. Anti-PD-1 therapy is predicted to enhance T-cell cytotoxic activity, as demonstrated by an increased number of TILs and elevated Zap70-pY493 expression. This assay is being used for pharmacodynamic evaluations in ongoing immunotherapy clinical trials. Funded by NCI Contract No HHSN261200800001E.

scholarly journals Spatially Resolved and Quantitative Analysis of the Immunological Landscape in Human Meningiomas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacky Yeung ◽  
Vesal Yaghoobi ◽  
Thazin N Aung ◽  
Matthew D Vesely ◽  
Tianxiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cell Infiltration ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
T Cell Infiltration ◽  
Human Meningiomas ◽  
T Cell Phenotypes

Abstract The immunological status of human meningiomas is not well understood, hindering the development of rational immunotherapeutic strategies. We measured the levels of PD-L1, PD-L2, and immune cell subsets using multiplex quantitative immunofluorescence in a tissue microarray composed of 73 human meningiomas (56 WHO Grade 1, 13 WHO Grade 2, and 4 WHO Grade 3). We analyzed tumor-infiltrating immune cell populations, T-cell activation/dysfunction, and macrophage phenotypes. PD-L1 and PD-L2 were detected in 5.8% and 68.7% of cases, respectively. There was a higher PD-L1 expression in CD68+ macrophages compared with tumor cells (p < 0.001). There was a weak positive correlation between PD-L1 expression and CD3+ T-cell infiltration. The level of CD3+ cells and T-cell activation/proliferation in human meningiomas were highly variable with an increased CD4-to-CD8 ratio in higher grade tumors (p < 0.05). There was a stronger correlation between GZMB/Ki67 with PD-L2 than PD-L1. We found that 15.23%, 6.66%, and 5.49% of macrophages were CD163+, CD68+, and CD163+CD68+, respectively. In cases where there is high CD3+ T-cell infiltration, 23.5% and 76.5% had dormant and activated T-cell phenotypes, respectively. We conclude that human meningiomas are either PD-L1low TILlow or PD-L1low TILhigh tumors and harbor variable TIL infiltration and phenotypes.

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