The PD-L1 overexpression is an important event of immune escape and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but the molecular mechanism remains to be determined. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) represents a major driving force behind PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment, and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) is required for IFN signaling. Here, we investigated the regulation of HDAC2 on the IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression in TNBC cells. We found the HDAC2 and PD-L1 expression in TNBC was significantly higher than that in non-TNBC, and HDAC2 was positively correlated with PD-L1 expression. HDAC2 promoted PD-L1 induction by upregulating the phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK2, and STAT1, as well as the translocation of STAT1 to the nucleus and the recruitment of STAT1 to the PD-L1 promoter. Meanwhile, HDAC2 was recruited to the PD-L1 promoter by STAT1, and HDAC2 knockout compromised IFNγ-induced upregulation of H3K27, H3K9 acetylation, and the BRD4 recruitment in PD-L1 promoter. In addition, significant inhibition of proliferation, colony formation, migration, and cell cycle of TNBC cells were observed following knockout of HDAC2 in vitro. Furthermore, HDAC2 knockout reduced IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression, lymphocyte infiltration, and retarded tumor growth and metastasis in the breast cancer mouse models. This study may provide evidence that HDAC2 promotes IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression, suggesting a way for enhanced antitumor immunity when targeting the HDAC2 in TNBC.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Initially, it is androgen-dependent, but it eventually develops into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is incurable with current androgen receptor signaling target therapy and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, specifically with immune checkpoint inhibitors, has brought hope for the treatment of this type of prostate cancer. Approaches such as vaccines, adoptive chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been employed to activate innate and adaptive immune responses to treat prostate cancer, but with limited success. Only Sipuleucel-T and the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab are approved by the US FDA for the treatment of limited prostate cancer patients. Prostate cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) in which various immunosuppressive molecules and mechanisms coexist and interact. Additionally, prostate cancer is considered a "cold" tumor with low levels of tumor mutational burden, low amounts of antigen-presenting and cytotoxic T-cell activation, and high levels of immunosuppressive molecules including cytokines/chemokines. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of immunosuppressive signaling activation and immune evasion will help develop more effective treatments for prostate cancer. The purpose of this review is to summarize emerging advances in prostate cancer immunotherapy, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms that lead to immune evasion in prostate cancer. At the same time, we also highlight some potential therapeutic targets to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Cranial sutures separate neighboring skull bones and are sites of bone growth. A key question is how osteogenic activity is controlled to promote bone growth while preventing aberrant bone fusions during skull expansion. Using single-cell transcriptomics, lineage tracing, and mutant analysis in zebrafish, we uncover key developmental transitions regulating bone formation at sutures during skull expansion. In particular, we identify a subpopulation of mesenchyme cells in the mid-suture region that upregulate a suite of genes including BMP antagonists (e.g. grem1a) and pro-angiogenic factors. Lineage tracing with grem1a:nlsEOS reveals that this mid-suture subpopulation is largely non-osteogenic. Moreover, combinatorial mutation of BMP antagonists enriched in this mid-suture subpopulation results in increased BMP signaling in the suture, misregulated bone formation, and abnormal suture morphology. These data reveal establishment of a non-osteogenic mesenchyme population in the mid-suture region that restricts bone formation through local BMP antagonism, thus ensuring proper suture morphology.

Objective

To investigate the effect of the chemoprotectant tempol on the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin (DDP).

Methods

The cellular toxicity of tempol in human colon cancer SW480 cells and mouse colon cancer CT26 cells were evaluated using MTT and cell counting kit-8 assays. CalcuSyn software analysis was used to determine the interaction between tempol and DDP in inhibition of the cell viability. A subcutaneous homograft mouse model of colon cancer was established. The mice were randomly divided into control group, tempol group, cisplatin group and tempol + DDP treatment group with intraperitoneal injections of the indicated agents. The tumor size, body weight and lifespan of the mice were measured, and HE staining was used to analyze the cytotoxic effect of the agents on the kidney and liver. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of Bax and Bcl2 in the tumor tissue, and TUNEL staining was used to analyze the tumor cell apoptosis. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor tissue was determined using flow cytometry.

Results

Tempol showed inhibitory effects on the viability of SW480 and CT26 cells. CalcuSyn software analysis showed that tempol had a synergistic anti-tumor effect with DDP (CI < 1). In the homograft mouse model, tempol treatment alone did not produce obvious anti-tumor effect. HE staining showed that the combined use of tempol and DDP alleviated DDP-induced fibrogenesis in the kidneys, but tempol also reduced the anti-tumor activity of DDP. Compared with the mice treated with DDP alone, the mice treated with both tempol and DDP had a significantly larger tumor size (P < 0.01) and a shorter lifespan (P < 0.05). Tempol significantly reversed DDP-induced expression of Bax and Bcl2 in the tumor tissue and tumor cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), and obviously reduced the elevation of ROS level in the tumor tissue induced by DDP treatment (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Tempol can attenuate the anti-tumor effect of DDP while reducing the side effects of DDP. Caution must be taken and the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed when considering the use of tempol as an anti-oxidant to reduce the toxicities of DDP.

BACKGROUND: Tumors affecting the head, neck, and brain account for significant morbidity and mortality. The curative efficacy of radiotherapy for these tumors is well established, but radiation carries a significant risk of neurologic injury. So far, neuroprotective therapies for radiation-induced brain injury are still limited. In this study we demonstrate that Stichodactyla helianthus (ShK)-170, a specific inhibitor of the voltage-gated potassium (Kv)1.3 channel, protected mice from radiation-induced brain injury. METHODS: Mice were treated with ShK-170 for 3 days immediately after brain irradiation. Radiation-induced brain injury was assessed by MRI scans and a Morris water maze. Pathophysiological change of the brain was measured by immunofluorescence. Gene and protein expressions of Kv1.3 and inflammatory factors were measured by quantitative real-time PCR, reverse transcription PCR, ELISA assay, and western blot analyses. Kv currents were recorded in the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: Radiation increased Kv1.3 mRNA and protein expression in microglia. Genetic silencing of Kv1.3 by specific short interference RNAs or pharmacological blockade with ShK-170 suppressed radiation-induced production of the proinflammatory factors interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α by microglia. ShK-170 also inhibited neurotoxicity mediated by radiation-activated microglia and promoted neurogenesis by increasing the proliferation of neural progenitor cells. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic effect of ShK-170 is mediated by suppression of microglial activation and microglia-mediated neurotoxicity and enhanced neurorestoration by promoting proliferation of neural progenitor cells.

Background

Emerging data suggest that patients with enzalutamide-treated prostate cancer with increased programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression may benefit from anti-PD-L1 treatment. Unfortunately, the Phase III IMbassador250 clinical trial revealed that the combination of atezolizumab (a PD-L1 inhibitor) and enzalutamide failed to extend overall survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the mechanisms underlying treatment failure remain unknown.

Methods

Human CRPC C4-2B cells and murine Myc-CaP cells were chronically exposed to increasing concentrations of enzalutamide and the cells resistant to enzalutamide were referred to as C4-2B MDVR and Myc-CaP MDVR, respectively. The mechanisms of action in drug-resistant prostate cancer cells were determined using RNA sequencing analyses, RNA interference, real-time PCR, western blotting, and co-culturing technologies. Myc-CaP and Myc-CaP MDVR tumors were established in syngeneic FVB mice, and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were isolated after enzalutamide treatment. The stained immune cells were determined by flow cytometry, and the data were analyzed using FlowJo.

Results

Immune-related signaling pathways (interferon alpha/gamma response, inflammatory response, and cell chemotaxis) were suppressed in human enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells. PD-L1 was overexpressed and negatively regulated by androgen receptor signaling in resistant cells and patient with CRPC cohorts. Enzalutamide treatment decreased CD8⁺ T-cell numbers but increased monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (M-MDSC) populations and PD-L1 expression within murine Myc-CaP tumors. Similarly, chemotaxis and immune response-regulating signaling pathways were suppressed, and PD-L1 expression was also increased using enzalutamide-resistant Myc-CaP MDVR cells. Notably, MDSC populations were significantly increased in Myc-CaP MDVR orthotopic tumors compared with those in Myc-CaP parental tumors. Co-culturing bone marrow cells with Myc-CaP MDVR cells significantly promoted MDSC differentiation and shifted towards M2 macrophage skewing.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that immunosuppressive signaling can be promoted directly by enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells and may be a potential means by which the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer is diminished.

Background

NOS1 expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with melanoma. However, the molecular function of NOS1 in the type I IFN response and immune escape of melanoma is still unknown.

Methods

The CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to generate NOS1-knockout melanoma cells and the biological characteristics of NOS1-knockout cells were evaluated by MTT assay, clonogenic assay, EdU assay, and flow cytometric assay. The effect on tumor growth was tested in BALB/c-nu and C57BL/6 mouse models. The gene expression profiles were detected with Affymetrix microarray and RNA-seq and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) and CLUE GO analysis was done. The clinical data and transcriptional profiles of melanoma patients from the public database TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus, GSE32611) were analyzed by Qlucore Omics Explorer.

Results

NOS1 deletion suppressed the proliferation of melanoma A375 cells in culture, blocked cell cycling at the G0/G1 phase, and decreased the tumor growth in lung metastasis nodes in a B16 melanoma xenograft mouse model. Moreover, NOS1 knockout increased the infiltration of CD3+ immune cells in tumors. The transcriptomics analysis identified 2203 differential expression genes (DEGs) after NOS1 deletion. These DEGs indicated that NOS1 deletion downregulated mostly metabolic functions but upregulated immune response pathways. After inhibiting with NOS1 inhibitor N-PLA, melanoma cells significantly increased the response to IFN[Formula: see text] by upregulation expression of IFN[Formula: see text] simulation genes (ISGs), especially the components in innate immune signaling, JAK-STAT, and TOLL-LIKE pathway. Furthermore, these NOS1-regulating immune genes (NOS1-ISGs) worked as a signature to predict poor overall survival and lower response to chemotherapy in melanoma patients.

Conclusion

These findings provided a transcriptional evidence of NOS1 promotion on tumor growth, which is correlated with metabolic regulation and immune escape in melanoma cells.

BACKGROUND:The dysfunction of type I interferon (IFN) signaling is an important mechanism of immune escape and metastasis in tumors. Increased NOS1 expression has been detected in melanoma, which correlated with dysfunctional IFN signaling and poor response to immunotherapy, but the specific mechanism has not been determined. In this study, we investigated the regulation of NOS1 on the interferon response and clarified the relevant molecular mechanisms. METHODS:After stable transfection of A375 cells with NOS1 expression plasmids, the transcription and expression of IFNα-stimulated genes (ISGs) were assessed using pISRE luciferase reporter gene analysis, RT-PCR, and western blotting, respectively. The effect of NOS1 on lung metastasis was assessed in melanoma mouse models. A biotin-switch assay was performed to detect the S-nitrosylation of HDAC2 by NOS1. ChIP-qPCR was conducted to measure the binding of HDAC2, H4K16ac, H4K5ac, H3ac, and RNA polymerase II in the promoters of ISGs after IFNα stimulation. This effect was further evaluated by altering the expression level of HDAC2 or by transfecting the HDAC2-C262A/C274A site mutant plasmids into cells. The coimmunoprecipitation assay was performed to detect the interaction of HDAC2 with STAT1 and STAT2. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches were used to examine the effect of HDAC2-C262A/C274A on lung metastasis. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS:HDAC2 is recruited to the promoter of ISGs and deacetylates H4K16 for the optimal expression of ISGs in response to IFNα treatment. Overexpression of NOS1 in melanoma cells decreases IFNα-responsiveness and induces the S-nitrosylation of HDAC2-C262/C274. This modification decreases the binding of HDAC2 with STAT1, thereby reducing the recruitment of HDAC2 to the ISG promoter and the deacetylation of H4K16. Moreover, expression of a mutant form of HDAC2, which cannot be nitrosylated, reverses the inhibition of ISG expression by NOS1 in vitro and decreases NOS1-induced lung metastasis and inhibition of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in a melanoma mouse model. CONCLUSIONS:This study provides evidence that NOS1 induces dysfunctional IFN signaling to promote lung metastasis in melanoma, highlighting NOS1-induced S-nitrosylation of HDAC2 in the regulation of IFN signaling via histone modification.

Data regarding the association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) are limited. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in END, functional outcome and mortality at 3 months among IVT patients. We prospectively recruited 563 IVT patients from 5 stroke centers in China. Thyroid function status was classified as subclinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHyper) and euthyroidism. The primary outcome was END, defined as ≥ 4 point in the NIHSS score within 24 h after IVT. Secondary outcomes included 3-month functional outcome and mortality. Of the 563 participants, END occurred in 14.7%, poor outcome in 50.8%, and mortality in 9.4%. SHyper was an independent predictor of END [odd ratio (OR), 4.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86-9.68, P = 0.003], 3-month poor outcome (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.43-7.33, P = 0.005) and mortality [hazard ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.55-5.36, P = 0.003]. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between SHyper and clinical outcomes in IVT patients with endovascular therapy. In summary, SHyper is associated with increased risk of END, and poor outcome and mortality at 3 months in IVT patients without endovascular therapy.

Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) often arises from adenocarcinoma via lineage plasticity in response to androgen receptor signaling inhibitors, such as enzalutamide. However, the specific regulators and targets involved in the transition to NEPC are not well understood. Plexin D1 (PLXND1) is a cellular receptor of the semaphorin (SEMA) family that plays important roles in modulating the cytoskeleton and cell adhesion. Here, we found that PLXND1 was highly expressed and positively correlated with neuroendocrine markers in patients with NEPC. High PLXND1 expression was associated with poorer prognosis in prostate cancer patients. Additionally, PLXND1 was upregulated and negatively regulated by androgen receptor signaling in enzalutamide-resistant cells. Knockdown or knockout of PLXND1 inhibited neural lineage pathways, thereby suppressing NEPC cell proliferation, patient derived xenograft (PDX) tumor organoid viability, and xenograft tumor growth. Mechanistically, the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) regulated PLXND1 protein stability through degradation, and inhibition of HSP70 decreased PLXND1 expression and NEPC organoid growth. In summary, our findings indicate that PLXND1 could serve as a promising therapeutic target and molecular marker for NEPC.