Correlation between gut microbiota and tumor immune microenvironment:A bibliometric and visualized study

BACKGROUND In recent years,numerous reports have been published regarding the relationship between the gut microbiota and the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME).However,to date,no systematic study has been conducted on the relationship between gut microbiota and the TIME using bibliometric methods.AIM To describe the current global research status on the correlation between gut microbiota and the TIME,and to identify the most influential countries,research institutions,researchers,and research hotspots related to this topic.METHODS We searched for all literature related to gut microbiota and TIME published from January 1,2014,to May 28,2024,in the Web of Science Core Collection database.We then conducted a bibliometric analysis and created visual maps of the published literature on countries,institutions,authors,keywords,references,etc.,using CiteSpace(6.2R6),VOSviewer(1.6.20),and bibliometrics(based on R 4.3.2).RESULTS In total,491 documents were included,with a rapid increase in the number of publications starting in 2019.The country with the highest number of publications was China,followed by the United States.Germany has the highest number of citations in literature.From a centrality perspective,the United States has the highest influence in this field.The institutions with the highest number of publications were Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang University.However,the institution with the most citations was the United States National Cancer Institute.Among authors,Professor Giorgio Trinchieri from the National Institutes of Health has the most local impact in this field.The most cited author was Fan XZ.The results of journal publications showed that the top three journals with the highest number of published papers were Frontiers in Immunology,Cancers,and Frontiers in Oncology.The three most frequently used keywords were gut microbiota,tumor microenvironment,and immunotherapy.CONCLUSION This study systematically elaborates on the research progress related to gut microbiota and TIME over the past decade.Research results indicate that the number of publications has rapidly increased since 2019,with research hotspots including“gut microbiota”,“tumor microenvironment”and“immunotherapy”.Exploring the effects of specific gut microbiota or derived metabolites on the behavior of immune cells in the TIME,regulating the secretion of immune molecules,and influencing immunotherapy are research hotspots and future research directions.

Prognositic value of anoikis and tumor immune microenvironment-related gene in the treatment of osteosarcoma

Objective:Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive primary malignant bone tumor commonly seen in children and adolescents,with a poor prognosis.Anchorage-dependent cell death(anoikis)has been proven to be indispensable in tumor metastasis,regulating the migration and adhesion of tumor cells at the primary site.However,as a type of programmed cell death,anoikis is rarely studied in osteosarcoma,especially in the tumor immune microenvironment.This study aims to clarify prognostic value of anoikis and tumor immune microenvironment-related gene in the treatment of osteosarcoma.Methods:Anoikis-related genes(ANRGs)were obtained from GeneCards.Clinical information and ANRGs expression profiles of osteosarcoma patients were sourced from the therapeutically applicable research to generate effective therapies and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.ANRGs highly associated with tumor immune microenvironment were identified by the estimate package and the weighted gene coexpression network analysis(WGCNA)algorithm.Machine learning algorithms were performed to construct long-term survival predictive strategy,each sample was divided into high-risk and low-risk subgroups,which was further verified in the GEO cohort.Finally,based on single-cell RNA-seq from the GEO database,analysis was done on the function of signature genes in the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment.Results:A total of 51 hub ANRGs closely associated with the tumor microenvironment were identified,from which 3 genes(MERTK,BNIP3,S100A8)were selected to construct the prognostic model.Significant differences in immune cell activation and immune-related signaling pathways were observed between the high-risk and low-risk groups based on tumor microenvironment analysis(all P<0.05).Additionally,characteristic genes within the osteosarcoma microenvironment were identified in regulation of intercellular crosstalk through the GAS6-MERTK signaling pathway.Conclusion:The prognostic model based on ANRGs and tumor microenvironment demonstrate good predictive power and provide more personalized treatment options for patients with osteosarcoma.

DNA Damage-driven Inflammatory Cytokines:Reprogramming of Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Application of Oncotherapy

DNA damage occurs across tumorigenesis and tumor development.Tumor intrinsic DNA damage can not only increase the risk of mutations responsible for tumor generation but also initiate a cellular stress response to orchestrate the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME)and dominate tumor progression.Accumulating evidence documents that multiple signaling pathways,including cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes(cGAS-STING)and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated protein/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein(ATM/ATR),are activated downstream of DNA damage and they are associated with the secretion of diverse cytokines.These cytokines possess multifaced functions in the anti-tumor immune response.Thus,it is necessary to deeply interpret the complex TIME reshaped by damaged DNA and tumor-derived cytokines,critical for the development of effective tumor therapies.This manuscript comprehensively reviews the relationship between the DNA damage response and related cytokines in tumors and depicts the dual immunoregulatory roles of these cytokines.We also summarize clinical trials targeting signaling pathways and cytokines associated with DNA damage and provide future perspectives on emerging technologies.

Histological differentiation impacts the tumor immune microenvironment in gastric carcinoma:Relation to the immune cycle

BACKGROUND Various histological types of gastric carcinomas(GCs)differ in terms of their pathogenesis and their preexisting background,both of which could impact the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME).However,the current understanding of the immune contexture of GC is far from complete.AIM To clarify the tumor-host immune interplay through histopathological features and the tumor immune cycle concept.METHODS In total,50 GC cases were examined(15 cases of diffuse GC,31 patients with intestinal-type GC and 4 cases of mucinous GC).The immunophenotype of GC was assessed and classified as immune desert(ID),immune excluded(IE)or inflamed(Inf)according to CD8+cell count and spatial pattern.In addition,CD68+and CD163+macrophages and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression were estimated.RESULTS We found that GCs with different histological differentiation demonstrated distinct immune contexture.Most intestinal-type GCs had inflamed TIMEs rich in both CD8+cells and macrophages.In contrast,more aggressive diffuse-type GC more often possessed ID characteristics with few CD8+lymphocytes but abundant CD68+macrophages,while mucinous GC had an IE-TIME with a prevalence of CD68+macrophages and CD8+lymphocytes in the peritumor stroma.PD-L1 expression prevailed mostly in intestinal-type Inf-GC,with numerous CD163+cells observed.Therefore,GCs of different histological patterns have specific mechanisms of immune escape.While intestinal-type GC was more often related to PD-L1 expression,diffuse and mucinous GCs possessing more aggressive behavior demonstrated low immunogenicity and a lack of tumor antigen recognition or immune cell recruitment into the tumor clusters.CONCLUSION These data help to clarify the links between tumor histogenesis and immunogenicity for a better understanding of GC biology and more tailored patient management.

Unveiling clinical significance and tumor immune landscape of CXCL12 in bladder cancer: Insights from multiple omics analysis

Objective: The interplay between chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12(CXCL12) and its specific receptors is known to trigger various signaling pathways, contributing to tumor proliferation and metastasis. Consequently,targeting this signaling axis has emerged as a potential strategy in cancer therapy. However, the precise role of CXCL12 in clinical therapy, especially in immunotherapy for bladder cancer(BCa), remains poorly elucidated.Methods: We gathered multiple omics data from public databases to unveil the clinical relevance and tumor immune landscape associated with CXCL12 in BCa patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to assess the independent prognostic significance of CXCL12 expression and formulate a nomogram. The expression of CXCL12 in BCa cell lines and clinical tissue samples was validated using enzymelinked immunosorbent assays(ELISA) and immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results: While transcriptional expression of CXCL12 exhibited a decrease in nearly all tumor tissues, CXCL12 methylation expression was notably increased in BCa tissues. Single-cell RNA analysis highlighted tissue stem cells and endothelial cells as the primary sources expressing CXCL12. Abnormal CXCL12 expression, based on transcriptional and methylation levels, correlated with various clinical characteristics in BCa patients. Functional analysis indicated enrichment of CXCL12 and its co-expression genes in immune regulation and cell adhesion. The immune landscape analysis unveiled a significant association between CXCL12 expression and M2 macrophages(CD163~+ cells) in BCa tissues. Notably, CXCL12 expression emerged as a potential predictor of immunotherapy response and chemotherapy drug sensitivity in BCa patients.Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest aberrant production of CXCL12 in BCa tissues,potentially influencing the treatment responses of affected individuals.

SR-BI expression regulates the gastric cancer tumor immune microenvironment and is associated with poor prognosis

Aim:Scavenger receptor class B,type I(SR-BI)is an integral plasma membrane protein that has been reported to be overexpressed in various malignancies,such as renal cancer,breast cancer,and prostate cancer,and is an independent prognostic factor.However,the clinical value and expression of SR-BI in GC are unknown.Our research aimed to explore the role of SR-BI in combination with immune markers as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for gastric cancer(GC).Methods:GC tissues,paracancerous tissues,and clinicopathological data of 149 patients were collected.The expression level of SR-BI,Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs),and PD-L1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry(IHC).The associations of the SR-BI staining intensity with clinicopathological features and immune markers were determined by the chi-square test.Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were used to evaluate independent prognostic factors.Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to plot the survival curve.Results:Our results indicated that SR-BI was expressed at higher levels in tumor tissues than in adjacent paracancerous tissues(p<0.001),and patients with high levels of SR-BI expression had a worse prognosis.Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that high SR-BI expression was an independent factor for poor prognosis.The chi-square test determined that the expression of SR-BI was negatively correlated with CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells(CD4+T cells,p=0.013;CD8+T cells,p=0.021),and positively correlated with PD-L1(p=0.022).Finally,survival analysis revealed that CD4+T cells were associated with the prognosis of GC patients(p=0.019),and the combined survival analysis of SR-BI and CD4+T cells was also statistically significant(p=0.030).Conclusion:SR-BI is highly expressed in GC tissue and associated with poor prognosis.Moreover,SR-BI can also regulate the GC tumor immune microenvironment.

Apoptotic B16-F1 Cells Coated with Recombinant Calreticulin Mediated Anti-tumor Immune Response in Mice

Objective： To investigate the recombinant calreticulin （rCRT） mediated antitumor immune response. Methods： Cell proliferation was determined by MTT method, apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation and CRT expression and cell localization were assayed by western blotting, QT-RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays. The mouse melanoma cell line B16-F1 was treated with polyamine analogue BENS to induce apoptosis and incubated with rCRT to get rCRT coated on the membrane, and then the cells were used to immune BALB/c mice as a cell-antigen. Immunized animals were rechallenged by live B16-F1 cells and then tumor generation ratio and the lactate dehydrogenase release assay were used to evaluate antitumor effects of rCRT-mediated immunity. Results： BENS induced apoptosis of B16-F1 cells without the redistribution of CRT within the cells. When B16-F1 cells coated with rCRT were used as cell-antigen to inoculate the animals, the mice obtained the ability in inhibiting proliferation of homologous tumor cells in vivo. Comparing with the positive control group, the splenocytes from those inoculated mice have an obvious enhancement on their cytolytic effects specifically against B16-F1 cells. Conclusion： rCRT coated on the cell surface can enhance immunogenicity of apoptotic tumor cells and mediated effective anti-tumor immunoresponse in mice.

HNRNPC as a pan-cancer biomarker and therapeutic target involved in tumor progression and immune regulation

Background:Aberrant expression of RNA-binding proteins(RBPs)has been linked to a variety of diseases,including hematological disorders,cardiovascular diseases,and multiple types of cancer.Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C(HNRNPC),a member belonging to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein(hnRNP)family,plays a pivotal role in nucleic acid metabolism.Previous studies have underscored the significance of HNRNPC in tumorigenesis;however,its specific role in malignant tumor progression remains inadequately characterized.Methods:We leveraged publicly available databases,including The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA),to explore the potential involvement of HNRNPC across various cancers.Additionally,we performed experimental validation studies focused on liver cancer.Results:Our analysis revealed that HNRNPC is overexpressed in a wide range of common malignancies,including liver and lung cancers,and is strongly linked to unfavorable outcomes.Furthermore,HNRNPC was observed to be closely linked to tumor immunity.Through immune checkpoint analysis and immune cell infiltration assessment,HNRNPC emerged as a potential target for modulating tumor immunotherapy.Notably,silencing of HNRNPC markedly inhibited the proliferation,metastasis,and infiltration of liver cancer cells.Conclusion:In summary,our findings highlight HNRNPC as a prognostic marker in various cancers,including liver cancer,and suggest its involvement in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment.These insights offer potential avenues for improving clinical outcomes in tumors with elevated HNRNPC expression,particularly through immunotherapeutic strategies.

A pH/ROS dual-responsive system for effective chemoimmunotherapy against melanoma via remodeling tumor immune microenvironment

Chemotherapeutics can induce immunogenic cell death(ICD)in tumor cells,offering new possibilities for cancer therapy.However,the efficiency of the immune response generated is insufficient due to the inhibitory nature of the tumor microenvironment(TME).Here,we developed a pH/reactive oxygen species(ROS)dual-response system to enhance chemoimmunotherapy for melanoma.The system productively accumulated in tumors by specific binding of phenylboronic acid(PBA)to sialic acids(SA).The nanoparticles(NPs)rapidly swelled and released quercetin(QUE)and doxorubicin(DOX)upon the stimulation of tumor microenvironment(TME).The in vitro and in vivo results consistently demonstrated that the NPs improved anti-tumor efficacy and prolonged survival of mice,significantly enhancing the effects of the combination.Our study revealed DOX was an ICD inducer,stimulating immune responses and promoting maturation of dendritic cells(DCs).Additionally,QUE served as a TME regulator by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2(COX2)-prostaglandin E2(PGE2)axis,which influenced various immune cells,including increasing cytotoxic T cells(CLTs)infiltration,promoting M1 macrophage polarization,and reducing regulatory T cells(Tregs)infiltration.The combination synergistically facilitated chemoimmunotherapy efficacy by remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment.This work presents a promising strategy to increase anti-tumor efficiency of chemotherapeutic agents.

Diagnostic Value of GDF10 for the Tumorigenesis and Immune Infiltration in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:Lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC)is associated with a low survival rate.Evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs)and their receptors(BMPRs)play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and progression.However,a comprehensive analysis of their role in LUSC is lacking.Our study aimed to explore the relationship between BMPs/BMPRs expression levels and the tumorigenesis and prognosis of LUSC.Methods:The“R/Limma”package was utilized to analyze the differential expression characteristics of BMPs/BMPRs in LUSC,using data from TCGA,GTEx,and GEO databases.Concurrently,the“survminer”packages were employed to investigate their prognostic value and correlation with clinical features in LUSC.The core gene associated with LUSC progression was further explored through weighted gene correlation network analysis(WGCNA).LASSO analysis was conducted to construct a prognostic risk model for LUSC.Clinical specimens were examined by immunohistochemical analysis to confirm the diagnostic value in LUSC.Furthermore,based on the tumor immune estimation resource database and tumor-immune system interaction database,the role of the core gene in the tumor microenvironment of LUSC was explored.Results:GDF10 had a significant correlation only with the pathological T stage of LUSC,and the protein expression level of GDF10 decreased with the tumorigenesis of LUSC.A prognostic risk model was constructed with GDF10 as the core gene and 5 hub genes(HRASLS,HIST1H2BH,FLRT3,CHEK2,and ALPL)for LUSC.GDF10 showed a significant positive correlation with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression.Conclusion:GDF10 might serve as a diagnostic biomarker reflecting the tumorigenesis of LUSC and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment to guide more effective treatment for LUSC.

Causal genetic regulation of DNA replication on immune microenvironment in colorectal tumorigenesis: Evidenced by an integrated approach of trans-omics and GWAS

The interplay between DNA replication stress and immune microenvironment alterations is known to play a crucial role in colorectal tumorigenesis,but a comprehensive understanding of their association with and relevant biomarkers involved in colorectal tumorigenesis is lacking.To address this gap,we conducted a study aiming to investigate this association and identify relevant biomarkers.We analyzed transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of 904 colorectal tumor tissues and 342 normal tissues to examine pathway enrichment,biological activity,and the immune microenvironment.Additionally,we evaluated genetic effects of single variants and genes on colorectal cancer susceptibility using data from genome-wide association studies(GWASs)involving both East Asian(7062 cases and 195745 controls)and European(24476 cases and 23073 controls)populations.We employed mediation analysis to infer the causal pathway,and applied multiplex immunofluorescence to visualize colocalized biomarkers in colorectal tumors and immune cells.Our findings revealed that both DNA replication activity and the flap structure-specific endonuclease 1(FEN1)gene were significantly enriched in colorectal tumor tissues,compared with normal tissues.Moreover,a genetic variant rs4246215 G>T in FEN1 was associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer(odds ratio=0.94,95%confidence interval:0.90–0.97,P_(meta)=4.70×10^(-9)).Importantly,we identified basophils and eosinophils that both exhibited a significantly decreased infiltration in colorectal tumors,and were regulated by rs4246215 through causal pathways involving both FEN1 and DNA replication.In conclusion,this trans-omics incorporating GWAS data provides insights into a plausible pathway connecting DNA replication and immunity,expanding biological knowledge of colorectal tumorigenesis and therapeutic targets.

Tumor-derived DEFB1 induces immune tolerance by inhibiting maturation of dendritic cell and impairing CD8+T cell function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective:CD8+T cells are the key effector cells in the anti-tumor immune response.The mechanism underlying the infiltration of CD8+T cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)has not been clearly elucidated.Methods:Fresh ESCC tissues were collected and grouped according to the infiltration density of CD8+T cells.After the transcriptome sequencing on these samples and the combined analyses with The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)ESCC data,a secreted protein DEFB1 was selected to explore its potential role in the infiltration of CD8+T cells.Bioinformatics analyses,histological verification and in vitro experiments were then performed.Results:DEFB1 was highly expressed in ESCC,and the high expression of DEFB1 was an independent risk factor for overall survival.Since the up-regulation or down-regulation of DEFB1 did not affect the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of ESCC cells,we speculated that the oncogenic effect of DEFB1 was achieved by regulating microenvironmental characteristics.Bioinformatics analyses suggested that DEFB1 might play a major role in the inflammatory response and anti-tumor immune response,and correlate to the infiltration of immature dendritic cell(imDC)in ESCC.Histological analyses further confirmed that there were less CD8+T cells infiltrated,less CD83+mature DC(mDC)infiltrated and more CD1a+imDC infiltrated in those ESCC samples with high expression of DEFB1.After the treatment with recombinant DEFB1 protein,the maturation of DC was hindered significantly,followed by the impairment of the killing effects of T cells in both 2D and 3D culture in vitro.Conclusions:Tumor-derived DEFB1 can inhibit the maturation of DC and weaken the function of CD8+T cells,accounting for the immune tolerance in ESCC.The role of DEFB1 in ESCC deserves further exploration.

Loss-of-function mutations of microRNA-142-3p promote ASH1L expression to induce immune evasion and hepatocellular carcinoma progression

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has been a pervasive malignancy throughout the world with elevated mortality.Efficient therapeutic targets are beneficial to treat and predict the disease.Currently,the exact molecular mechanisms leading to the progression of HCC are still unclear.Research has shown that the microRNA-142-3p level decreases in HCC,whereas bioinformatics analysis of the cancer genome atlas database shows the ASH1L expression increased among liver tumor tissues.In this paper,we will explore the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L affect the prognosis of HCC patients and HCC cell bioactivity,and the association between them.AIM To investigate the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L on the HCC cell bioactivity and prognosis of HCC patients.METHODS In this study,we grouped HCC patients according to their immunohistochemistry results of ASH1L with pathological tissues,and retrospectively analyzed the prognosis of HCC patients.Furthermore,explored the roles and mechanisms of microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L by cellular and animal experiments,which involved the following experimental methods:Immunohistochemical staining,western blot,quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction,flow cytometric analysis,tumor xenografts in nude mice,etc.The statistical methods involved in this study contained t-test,one-way analysis of variance,theχ^(2)test,the Kaplan-Meier approach and the log-rank test.RESULTS In this study,we found that HCC patients with high expression of ASH1L possess a more recurrence rate as well as a decreased overall survival rate.ASH1L promotes the tumorigenicity of HCC and microRNA-142-3p exhibits reduced expression in HCC tissues and interacts with ASH1L through targeting the ASH1L 3′untranslated region.Furthermore,microRNA-142-3p promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation,invasion,and migration of HCC cell lines in vitro via ASH1L.For the exploration mechanism,we found ASH1L may promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC and ASH1L affects the expression of the cell junction protein zonula occludens-1,which is potentially relevant to the immune system.CONCLUSION Loss function of microRNA-142-3p induces cancer progression and immune evasion through upregulation of ASH1L in HCC.Both microRNA-142-3p and ASH1L can feature as new biomarker for HCC in the future.

Exosomes as mediators of tumor immune escape and immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),a typical inflammatory-related cancer,mainly occurs in patients with chronic liver diseases.Moreover,the liver is an immunologically privileged apparatus with multiple immunosuppressive cell groups.The long process of inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis turns the HCC tumor microenvironment(TME)into one with strong immunosuppression,facilitating the immune escape of HCC cells.Accumulated data have manifested that tumor-associated cell-derived exosomes carry diverse molecular cargoes(e.g.,proteins and nucleic acids)for mediating cell-to-cell communication and are implicated in TME remodeling to promote tumor-infiltrating immune cell reprogramming,ultimately creating a tumor-friendly microenvironment.Characterized by several intrinsic attributes,such as good stability(bilayer-like structure)and high biocompatibility(cell secretion),exosomes can be modified or engineered as nanocarriers to deliver tumor-specific antigens or antitumor drugs to targeted cells or organs,thus effectively triggering the HCC cell elimination by the immune system.This review aimed to highlight the pivotal role of exosomes in regulating immune escape mechanisms in HCC and recent advances in exosome-mediated immunotherapy for HCC.

Emerging role of metabolic reprogramming in tumor immune evasion and immunotherapy

Mounting evidence has revealed that the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapies is restricted to a small portion of cancer patients.A deeper understanding of how metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment(TME)regulates immunity remains a major challenge to tumor eradication.It has been suggested that metabolic reprogramming in the TME may affect metabolism in immune cells and subsequently suppress immune function.Tumor cells compete with infiltrating immune cells for nutrients and metabolites.Notably,the immunosuppressive TME is characterized by catabolic and anabolic processes that are critical for immune cell function,and elevated inhibitory signals may favor cancer immune evasion.The major energy sources that supply different immune cell subtypes also undergo reprogramming.We herein summarize the metabolic remodeling in tumor cells and different immune cell subtypes and the latest advances underlying the use of metabolic checkpoints in antitumor immunotherapies.In this context,targeting both tumor and immune cell metabolic reprogramming may enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Mitoxantrone-Mediated Apoptotic B16-F1 Cells Induce Specific Anti-tumor Immune Response

In the process of cell apoptosis induced by specific reagents,calreticulin(CRT)in endoplasmic reticulum is transferred and coated onto the cell membrane.As a sort of specific ligand,the CRT on the surface of apoptotic cells could mediate recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytes.In this research we discovered that mitoxantrone could induce apoptosis of mouse melonoma B16-F1 tumor cells,accompanied by the membrane translocation and coating of CRT.When mitoxantrone-treated B16-F1 cells were used as antigen to inoculate mice,the mice acquired an ability to suppress proliferation of homologous tumor cells.Splenocytes from these mice showed an increased cytolytic effect on homologous B16-F1 cells but no such effect on non-homologous H22 tumor cells.All these results suggested that mitoxantrone-treated apoptotic B16-F1 cells could be used as a sort of cell vaccine to initiate effective anti-tumor immunoresponse in mice.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment on keloid tumor immune gene expression

Background:Hyperbaric oxygen treatment(HBOT)has been demonstrated to influence the keloid recurrence rate after surgery and to relieve keloid symptoms and other pathological processes in keloids.To explore the mechanism of the effect of HBOT on keloids,tumor immune gene expression and immune cell infiltration were studied in this work.Methods:From February 2021 to April 2021,HBOT was carried out on keloid patients four times before surgery.Keloid tissue samples were collected and divided into an HBOT group(keloid with HBOT before surgery[HK]group,n=6)and a non-HBOT group(K group,n=6).Tumor gene expression was analyzed with an Oncomine Immune Response Research Assay kit.Data were mined with R package.The differentially expressed genes between the groups were compared.Hub genes between the groups were determined and verified with Quantitative Real-time PCR.Immune cell infiltration was analyzed based on CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm analysis of gene expression and verified with immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results:Inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the HK group.There were 178 upregulated genes and 217 downregulated genes.Ten hub genes were identified,including Integrin Subunit Alpha M(ITGAM),interleukin(IL)-4,IL-6,IL-2,Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type C(PTPRC),CD86,transforming growth factor(TGF),CD80,CTLA4,and IL-10.CD80,ITGAM,IL-4,and PTPRC with significantly downregulated expression were identified.IL-10 and IL-2 were upregulated in the HK group but without a significant difference.Infiltration differences of CD8 lymphocyte T cells,CD4 lymphocyte T-activated memory cells,and dendritic resting cells were identified with gene CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm analysis.Infiltration levels of CD4 lymphocyte T cell in the HK group were significantly higher than those of the K group in IHC verification.Conclusion:HBOT affected tumor gene expression and immune cell infiltration in keloids.CD4 lymphocyte T cell,especially activated memory CD4+T,might be the key regulatory immune cell,and its related gene expression needs further study.

Elevated nuclear PIGL disrupts the cMyc/BRD4 axis and improves PD-1 blockade therapy by dampening tumor immune evasion

To improve the efficacy of lenvatinib in combination with programmed death-1(PD-1)blockade therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),we screened the suppressive metabolic enzymes that sensitize HCC to lenvatinib and PD-1 blockade,thus impeding HCC progression.After analysis of the CRISPR‒Cas9 screen,phosphatidylinositol-glycan biosynthesis class L(PIGL)ranked first in the positive selection list.PIGL depletion had no effect on tumor cell growth in vitro but reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment(TME)in vivo to support tumor cell survival.Specifically,nuclear PIGL disrupted the interaction between cMyc/BRD4 on the distant promoter of target genes and thus decreased the expression of CCL2 and CCL20,which are involved in shaping the immunosuppressive TME by recruiting macrophages and regulatory T cells.PIGL phosphorylation at Y81 by FGFR2 abolished the interaction of PIGL with importinα/β1,thus retaining PIGL in the cytosol and facilitating tumor evasion by releasing CCL2 and CCL20.Clinically,elevated nuclear PIGL predicts a better prognosis for HCC patients and presents a positive correlation with CD8+T-cell enrichment in tumors.Clinically,our findings highlight that the nuclear PIGL intensity or the change in PIGL-Y81 phosphorylation should be used as a biomarker to guide lenvatinib with PD-1 blockade therapy.

Remodeling “cold” tumor immune microenvironment via epigenetic-based therapy using targeted liposomes with in situ formed albumin corona

There is a close connection between epigenetic regulation,cancer metabolism,and immunology.The combination of epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy provides a promising avenue for cancer management.As an epigenetic regulator of histone acetylation,panobinostat can induce histone acetylation and inhibit tumor cell proliferation,as well as regulate aerobic glycolysis and reprogram intratumoral immune cells.JQ1 is a BRD4 inhibitor that can suppress PD-L1 expression.Herein,we proposed a chemo-free,epigenetic-based combination therapy of panobinostat/JQ1 for metastatic colorectal cancer.A novel targeted binary-drug liposome was developed based on lactoferrin-mediated binding with the LRP-1 receptor.It was found that the tumor-targeted delivery was further enhanced by in situ formation of albumin corona.The lactoferrin modification and endogenous albumin adsorption contribute a dual-targeting effect on the receptors of both LRP-1 and SPARC that were overexpressed in tumor cells and immune cells(e.g.,tumor-associated macrophages).The targeted liposomal therapy was effective to suppress the crosstalk between tumor metabolism and immune evasion via glycolysis inhibition and immune normalization.Consequently,lactic acid production was reduced and angiogenesis inhibited;TAM switched to an anti-tumor phenotype,and the anti-tumor function of the effector CD8+T cells was reinforced.The strategy provides a potential method for remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME).

Self-assembling, pH-responsive nanoflowers for inhibiting PAD4 and neutrophil extracellular trap formation and improving the tumor immune microenvironment

Self-assembling carrier-free nanodrugs are attractive agents because they accumulate at tumor by an enhanced permeability and retention(EPR) effect without introduction of inactive substances,and some nanodrugs can alter the immune environment. We synthesized a peptidyl arginine deiminase 4(PAD4) molecular inhibitor, ZD-E-1 M. It could self-assembled into nanodrug ZD-E-1. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed its cellular colocalization, PAD4 activity and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) formation. The populations of immune cells and expression of immune-related proteins were determined by single-cell mass cytometry. ZD-E-1 formed nanoflowers in an acidic environment, whereas it formed nanospheres at pH 7.4. Accumulation of ZD-E-1 at tumor was pHresponsive because of its pH-dependent differences in the size and shape. It could enter the nucleus and bind to PAD4 to prolong the intracellular retention time. In mice, ZD-E-1 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting PAD4 activity and NETs formation. Besides, ZD-E-1 could regulate the ratio of immune cells in LLC tumor-bearing mice. Immunosuppressive proteins like LAG3 were suppressed,while IFN-γ and TNF-a as stimulators of tumor immune response were upregulated. Overall, ZD-E-1 is a self-assembling carrier-free nanodrug that responds to pH, inhibits PAD4 activity, blocks neutrophil extracellular traps formation, and improves the tumor immune microenvironment.