Multi-Omics Data Analyses Identify B7-H3 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker and Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3) is a recently found superfamily B7 molecule and therefore has significant involvement in immunological regulation. However, the relationships of B7-H3 expression with the tumor microenvironment (TME), response to immunotherapy, and prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are still unknown. In the present analysis, we determined B7-H3 as a novel biomarker that predicts the prognosis and response to immunotherapy in HNSCC. B7-H3 expression is enhanced in HNSCC compared to normal sample and is stably expressed in HNSCC cell line. Besides, high B7-H3 expression is correlated with a dismal prognosis and resistance to immunotherapy and contributes to an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis shows that B7-H3 is mainly expressed in the stromal as well as malignant cells. In conclusion, the study provides insight in understanding the prognostic value of B7-H3 in HNSCC and highlights its involvement in promoting the immunosuppressive microenvironment, which presents an attractive strategy for antibody-based immunotherapy.

CXCL11 Correlates with Anti-tumor Immune Microenvironment and Improved Prognosis in Colon Cancer

Background: CXCL11 has been considered to be responsible for tumor development, but the specific effect of CXCL11 in colon cancer was still obscure. Therefore, the prognostic value and immunological regulation effect of CXCL11 in colon cancer were evaluated in this study.Methods: Three independent datasets were used for mRNA-related analysis: one dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, n=451) and two single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO): GSE146771 and GSE132465. In addition, the patient cohort (the Yijishan Hospital cohort, YJSHC, n=108) was utilized for cell infiltration-related analysis, accordingly. Both CXCL11 mRNA expression and CXCL11+ (CXCL11-producing) cells were assessed in colon cancer, whose effect on prognosis and immunological regulation was also studied. Results: High CXCL11 expression were associated with better prognosis in colon cancer, which was still significant even if clinicopathological factors were adjusted. Furthermore, CXCL11 positively correlated with anti-tumor cells infiltration, such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells. Meanwhile, CXCL11 correlated positively with several genes associated with DC, NK and T recruitment，and a gene set of cytotoxic genes. Notably, CXCL11 correlated positively with several immune checkpoint related genes including of PD-L1. Conclusions: CXCL11 contributed to anti-tumor immune microenvironment and could improve prognosis in patients with colon cancer. Especially, it’s a potential approach that inducible expression of CXCL11 by genetic and pharmacological interventions is able to improve prognosis and response to anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death protein-1) antibody treatment in colon cancer. However, it requires to be verified by further prospective investigations.

Morphofunctional characteristics and immunological regulation of the orbital fibroblasts function in endocrine ophthalmopathy

Endocrine ophthalmopathy (EOP) is a chronic disease characterized by progressive autoimmune inflammation of the soft retrobulbar tissues in thyroid dysfunction. The orbital fibroblasts with their unique morphofunctional properties are very important in the pathogenesis of the infiltrative process and fibrosis of the extraocular muscles and/or retrobulbar tissue. They, unlike other localization fibroblasts, have not mesodermal, but neuro-ectodermal origin. The review acquaints with the immunological aspects of the regulation of these cells in different activity phases of disease. Intercellular interaction with T-lymphocytes (CD40-CD154) leads to orbital fibroblasts activation with increased expression of pathological receptors for thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as production of intercellular matrix components, adhesion molecules, growth factors, cytokines and prostaglandins. Detailed morphofunctional characteristics of the orbit fibroblast subpopulations and mechanisms regulating their transdifferentiation into adipocytes and myofibroblasts are given. The analysis of literature data on the effect of T-helper type 17 on the functional activity of Thy1+/Thy1- (CD90+/CD90-) orbital fibroblasts is presented. The importance of the further study of the orbital fibroblasts characteristics in EOP and their intercellular interaction with various immune cells was noted, which may be able to uncover new pathogenetic mechanisms of this pathology.