Construction and self-activation detection of yeast two-hybrid bait plasmid of human programmed cell death ligand 1 immunoglobulin variable region domain gene / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To construct a yeast two-hybrid recombinant bait plasmid of human programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)immunoglobulin variable region(IgV)domain gene,detect its expression in yeast and detect the cytotoxicity and self-activation of PD-L1 IgV protein as well as the interaction between PD-L1 IgV and human thioredoxin(hTrx).Methods Human PD-L1 was analyzed by bioinformatics method,and primers were designed to amplify PD-L1 IgV domain based on the coding region of PD-L1 gene registered in NCBI GenBank database. PCR amplification was carried out with pENTERPD-L1 plasmid as template,and then cloned into yeast two-hybrid bait vector pGBKT7. The recombinant bait plasmid and pGBKT7 empty vector were transformed into Y2HGold yeast cells respectively,and the PD-L1 IgV gene and its expression were detected by PCR and Western blot;Meanwhile,the protein toxicity and self-activation of PD-L1 IgV were detected,and the interaction between PD-L1 IgV and hTrx was detected by drip plate method.Results The bioinformatics analysis results of PD-L1 were consistent with related reports. The recombinant bait plasmid pGBKT7-PD-L1 IgV was correctly constructed,and Y2HGold positive clone was obtained,in which PD-L1 IgV was stably expressed. The empty vector pGBKT7 and recombinant bait plasmid pGBKT7-PD-L1 IgV grew well on SD/-Trp and SD/-Trp/X-α-Gal plates with the same colony size and number and white colony,but they did not grow on SD/-Trp/X-α-Gal/AbA plates,which indicated that PD-L1 IgV protein had no toxicity and no self-activation effect on yeast. The results of drip plates test showed that all experimental groups grew well on SD/-Trp/-Leu plate,while only positive control group grew on SD/-Trp/-Leu/X-α-Gal/AbA plate and showed blue color,which indicated that bait protein PD-L1 IgV and hTrx did not self-activate,and there was no interaction between them.Conclusion Recombinant human PD-L1 IgV bait plasmid was successfully constructed. PD-L1 IgV protein showed no toxicity and self-activation effect on yeast cells,and there was no interaction between PD-L1 IgV and hTrx. Subsequently,hTrx can be used to construct a peptide aptamer library,from which peptide aptamers that specifically bind to PD-L1 IgV can be screened.

PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in colorectal cancer

Context: The programmed death-1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that suppresses T-cell response. The binding of PD-1 to PD-L1/PD-L2 results cytokine production, and T-cell proliferation are reduced. Tumors expressing PD-L1 and PD-L2 escape from cytotoxic T-cells and are exposed to tumor progression. For this reason, immunotherapy has become a new option in the treatment of cancer. Aims: In this study, we examined the PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and evaluated the relationship between clinicopathological parameters and CD8+ T cells. Methods and Material: We evaluated CD8 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and surrounding tumor lymphocytes with PD-L1, PD-L2 staining in tumor cells and immune cells formalin-fixed paraffin embedded samples of 124 patient diagnosed with CRC. Statistical Analysis Used: Pearson Chi-Square, Fisher Exact Chi-Square, and Pearson Exact Chi-Square analyses were used in the analysis of the cross tables. Survival distributions predicted Kaplan--Meier method and it was evaluated using log-rank statistics. Results: In our study, a significant correlation was found between PD-L1 expression and female sex and tumors with medullary morphology. No expression of PD-L2 was observed in tumors containing medullary morphology, and a statistically inverse relationship was observed between PD-L2 and the medullary component. PD-L1 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were determined to be an important predictor for recurrence-free survival. Conclusions: We believe that the evaluation of these parameters may be useful in the selection of patients who will benefit from immunotherapy in CRC cases.

Expert consensus on PD-L1 expression testing in esophageal carcinoma in China / 中华肿瘤杂志

In recent years, immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors programmed death 1 (PD-1) has made great progress in the treatment of esophageal cancer and is rewriting the global paradigm for the treatment of esophageal cancer. According to current data, only a small number of patients with esophageal cancer could benefit from immunotherapy. Therefore, it is a challenge to screen the potential beneficiaries of PD-1 inhibitors. Studies have shown that the expression level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in esophageal cancer is closely associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors, and PD-L1 is the most important predictive biomarker of the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors. With the clinical application of different PD-1 inhibitors and PD-L1 protein expression detection platforms, clarifying the clinical significance and timing of detection of PD-L1 protein expression in esophageal cancer, and establishing a standardized PD-L1 testing procedure, are of great significance to improve the accuracy of detection and reduce the difference between laboratories, so as to maximize the therapeutic benefits for patients. This consensus was finally reached, based on the combination of literature, expert experience, and internal discussion and voting of committee members, to provide an accurate and reliable evidence for clinicians to make decisions.

Effects and translatomics characteristics of a small-molecule inhibitor of METTL3 against non-small cell lung cancer / 药物分析学报

In non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),the heterogeneity promotes drug resistance,and the restricted expression of programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)limits the immunotherapy benefits.Based on the mechanisms related to translation regulation and the association with PD-L1 of methyltransferase-like 3(METTL3),the novel small-molecule inhibitor STM2457 is assumed to be useful for the treat-ment of NSCLC.We evaluated the efficacy of STM2457 in vivo and in vitro and confirmed the effects of its inhibition on disease progression.Next,we explored the effect of STM2457 on METTL3 and revealed its effects on the inhibition of catalytic activity and upregulation of METTL3 protein expression.Importantly,we described the genome-wide characteristics of multiple omics data ac-quired from RNA sequencing,ribosome profiling,and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing data under STM2457 treatment or METTL3 knockout.We also constructed a model for the regulation of the translation of METTL3 and PD-L1.Finally,we found PD-Ll upregulation by STM2457 in vivo and in vitro.In conclusion,STM2457 is a potential novel suppressor based on its inhibitory effect on tumor progression and may be able to overcome the heterogeneity based on its impact on the translatome.Furthermore,it can improve the immunotherapy outcomes based on PD-L1 upregulation in NSCLC.

Efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors-based immunocombination therapy versus sunitinib in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma: a Meta-analysis / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：系统评价基于PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂的免疫联合治疗（以下称“免疫联合治疗”）对比舒尼替尼治疗晚期肾细胞癌（RCC）的安全性和有效性。方法：检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane Library及中国知网（CNKI）数据库，收集国内外公开发表的免疫联合治疗对比舒尼替尼应用于晚期RCC的随机对照试验（RCT），检索时间均为自建库时间至2022年10月。由两名研究者独立评价纳入研究的质量、提取资料并交叉核对，采用StataMP16.0软件进行Meta分析。结果：共纳入6项RCT，Meta分析结果显示，（1）有效性：与舒尼替尼相比，免疫联合治疗显著提高了晚期RCC患者的总生存期[OS，HR=0.74，95% CI （0.67，0.80），P<0.01]和无进展生存期[PFS，HR=0.66，95% CI （0.51，0.81），P<0.01]；（2）安全性：两治疗组均有较高的不良反应（AE）发生率，差异无统计学意义。但免疫联合治疗组发生皮肤及内分泌系统AE显著高于舒尼替尼治疗组，而血液系统相关AE则明显低于舒尼替尼治疗组；（3）以1%为临界点，免疫联合治疗组的RCC患者，无论是PD-L1阳性或阴性的，其OS和PFS均高于舒尼替尼组。结论：免疫联合治疗可显著延长晚期RCC患者的OS和PFS，但不同系统发生AE有差异，且RCC患者PD-L1表达状态（1%为临界点）并不影响免疫联合治疗的获益。

Research progress on active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine as inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 of cancer immune checkpoint / 药学实践杂志

Tumor immunotherapy has become a new cancer treatment which has been expected to eliminate tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies, have achieved significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors. But biologics possess disadvantages such as strong immunogenicity and high cost. Therefore, the discovery of small molecule drugs as immune checkpoint inhibitors may overcome the shortcomings of biologics and become a new challenge for future tumor immunotherapy. The active small molecules from traditional Chinese medicine that inhibit the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 and their regulatory effects on the tumor immune microenvironment were reviewed in this paper.

Design and antitumor activity of programmed cell death ligand 1 epitope peptide vaccine / 中国药科大学学报

@#Several programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1) immune checkpoint blocking antibodies are available for clinical treatment, but only some patients show clinical response, so an alternative strategy for tumor immunotherapy is needed.A therapeutic tumor vaccine targeting PD-L1 is a meaningful attempt.In this study, we designed an epitope peptide vaccine targeting PD-L1, and then screened the immunogenic PD-L1 epitope peptide based on the humanized immune system (HIS) mouse model and further investigated its anti-tumor activity.The results show that the designed and screened PD-L1-B1 epitope peptide vaccine not only successfully induced PD-L1-specific humoral and cellular immunity, but also exhibit anti-tumor activity.In addition, immunotherapy increased T-lymphocyte infiltration of tumors and reshaped the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment.In conclusion, PD-L1-B1 epitope peptide vaccine exhibits potent anti-tumor activity and may be an effective alternative immunotherapeutic strategy for patients insensitive to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.

The application value of p53 and PD-L1 detection in ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy specimens in breast cancer / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of p53 and PD-L1 in ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy specimens of breast cancer, and to analyze their application value.Methods:Ninety-eight patients who underwent ultrasound-guided coarse needle puncture biopsy and radical operation admitted to our hospital from Aug. 2021 to Sep. 2022 were selected as the study objects. The clinical data of patients were collected, the expression of p53 and PD-L1 in puncture biopsy specimens and radical surgical excision specimens were detected by immunohistochemical experiment, and the consistency was analyzed. Statistical test was used to analyze the relationship between the expression of p53 and PD-L1 and the pathological parameters of patients.Results:In 98 patients, the positive rate of p53 and PD-L1 in core needle biopsy specimens was 48.0% and 55.1%, respectively. The positive rate of p53 and PD-L1 in radical operative specimens was 62.2% and 61.2%, respectively. The concordance rates of p53 and PD-L1 were 63.6% ( κ=0.441, P<0.001) and 65.3% ( κ=0.505, P<0.001) between core needle biopsy specimens and radical operative specimens. Taking the results of radical operative specimens as the standard, the cases with positive expression of p53 and PD-L1 in core needle biopsy specimens were all positive in radical operative specimens, and the specificity was 100%. p53 was determined negative in 25 coarse needle biopsy specimens, however, p53 was positive in radical surgical specimens, and the false negative rate of coarse needle puncture was 49.0 %. PD-L1 was determined negative in 20 coarse needle biopsy specimens, but it was determined positive in radical operative specimens, and the false negative rate of coarse needle puncture was 41.7 %. There was no significant correlation between the consistency rate of p53 and PD-L1 expression and the number of puncture cores, the length of puncture cores, the length of invasive carcinoma and the proportion of invasive carcinoma (all P>0.05). The expressions of p53 and PD-L1 in core needle biopsy specimens were significantly correlated with tumor size, pTNM stage and Ki67 (all P<0.05), but not with age, BMI, family history, histological type or Nottingham histological grade (all P>0.05) . Conclusion:The concordance rates of p53 and PD-L1 expression between ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy specimens and radical resection specimens of breast cancer were 63.6% and 65.3%, respectively, and the specificity of positive detection results were both 100%, which has certain guiding significance for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Progress of Research on Programmed Death-1/Programmed Death Ligand-1 Inhibitors for HIV/AIDS with Cancer / 肿瘤防治研究

Immunotherapy has become a common means of cancer treatment. In immunotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have significant efficacy. Cancer and various opportunistic infections are common complications in patients with AIDS. Owing to the special immune situation of these patients, AIDS is regarded as an exclusion standard in most clinical trials for cancer immunotherapy, conferring immunotherapy difficulty in treating patients with AIDS. The popularity of effective antiretroviral drugs has prolonged the lifetime of people with AIDS. Therefore, exploiting the opportunity of using immunotherapy in AIDS with cancer is urgent.

Prospect of Tumor Treatment in the Post-PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor Era / 肿瘤防治研究

Immune checkpoint inhibitors restart and maintain cancer-immunity circulation to normalize the anti-tumor immunity. Currently, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, as new milestone in immunotherapy, have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with various malignant tumors. However, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody alone exhibited a low response rate, and the combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody with traditional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy have shown great potential. As new immune checkpoint inhibitors or in combination therapy are on the way, tumor immunotherapy is entering the era of post-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody. The methodology of combination therapy and biomarker screening remain the focus. This paper reviews the current status of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and makes a perspective for the future of post-anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody era.

Expression of PD-L1 in Primary Colorectal Cancer and Its Predictive Value for Recurrence After Microwave Ablation of Liver Metastases / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the expression of programmed death ligand 1(PD-L1) in primary tumor cells(TCs) and tumor-infiltrating immune cells(TICs) in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer(CRC) and determine its predictive value for recurrence after microwave ablation(MWA) of liver metastases. Methods The paraffin-embedded specimens of 28 patients with CRC liver metastasis were collected retrospectively. The expression of PD-L1 in the primary lesions was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between PD-L1 and clinical features was analyzed. Recurrence-free survival(RFS) was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing recurrence. Results The positive rates of PD-L1 in TCs and TICs in primary CRC were 14.3%(4/28) and 46.4%(13/28), respectively. PD-L1 expression in primary TICs of CRC patients with liver metastases was significantly correlated with the largest hepatic tumor diameter (P < 0.05). PD-L1 expression in primary TICs of CRC patients with liver metastasis was correlated with poor RFS after MWA (P < 0.05). PD-L1 expression in primary TICs and the largest hepatic tumor diameter > 3 cm in CRC patients with liver metastases were the risk factors for recurrence after MWA (P < 0.05). Conclusion PD-L1 expression in primary TICs of CRC patients with liver metastasis may increase the risk of recurrence after MWA for liver metastasis.

TumorFisher CTC detection technology for the treatment decision of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and its efficacy evaluation：a case report and literature review / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 肝细胞癌（HCC）的发病率和病死率正在逐年增长，严重威胁人类的健康和生命。近年来，以PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂为代表的免疫治疗迅速发展，但对晚期HCC疗效有限。治疗中实时监测循环肿瘤细胞（CTC）PD-L1表达，是评估免疫治疗有效性的重要指标之一。本案例通过TumorFisher检测技术实时监测1例HCC患者免疫治疗前后总CTC数及PD-L1+ CTC个数，结合影像学和血清学检查结果进一步评估患者免疫治疗疗效。患者治疗前总CTC数为5个/2 mL，PD-L1+ CTC为5个/2 mL，PD-L1+ CTC/总CTC为100%。用PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂行3周期免疫治疗后，PD-L1+ CTC/总CTC逐渐降低，肿瘤缩小，血清AFP及PIVKA-Ⅱ逐渐下降，PD-L1+ CTC/总CTC变化与肿瘤标志物、MRI检查结果一致。PD-L1+ CTC/总CTC可作为HCC免疫治疗疗效评估的辅助指标。

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for breast cancer: current status, problems and countermeasures / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂在乳腺癌免疫治疗中的应用已逐渐成为一种重要的治疗手段，然而对乳腺癌，尤其是三阴性乳腺癌（TNBC）的免疫治疗仍存在某些亟待解决的科学问题，包括PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂单药治疗的有效率欠佳，目前尚无明确的生物标志物来有效筛查治疗敏感人群，免疫相关不良反应（irAE）的发生率高。为了提高疗效和减少irAE的发生，采取以下措施是非常重要的：探讨PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂与其他药物的联合应用方案；采用纳米技术开发选择性靶向肿瘤细胞的纳米载体，降低抗肿瘤药物毒性并提高疗效；探寻开发可预测免疫治疗反应潜力的生物标志物；早期识别和诊疗irAE并建设多学科诊疗协作组（MDT）模式。随着这些措施的积极推进和问题的不断解决，PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂在乳腺癌的治疗中必将呈现出更为广阔的应用前景。

Progress on application of PD⁃1／PD⁃L1 monoclonal antibodies in oncotherapy / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Abstract：Programmed death receptor⁃ 1（PD⁃1）belongs to the family of immunoglobulin B7⁃CD28，which plays an important role in regulating immune response in human body. Since the first PD⁃1／PD⁃ligand 1（PD⁃L1）monoclonal antibody was approved for marketing in China in 2018，the value of PD⁃1／PD⁃L1 immunotherapy in oncotherapy has attracted wide attention. Based on the introduction of the action mechanism of PD⁃1／PD⁃L1 mAbs，this paper reviews the application progress of 8 on ⁃ market PD ⁃ 1／PD ⁃ L1 mAbs in China in oncotherapy from the perspectives of approved indications，clinical trials，usage and dosage，and adverse reactions，in order to provide reference for the rational appli⁃ cation of PD⁃1／PD⁃L1 monoclonal antibodies in clinic.

Isotoosendanin exerts inhibition on triple-negative breast cancer through abrogating TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via directly targeting TGFβR1

As the most aggressive breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still incurable and very prone to metastasis. The transform growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucially involved in the growth and metastasis of TNBC. This study reported that a natural compound isotoosendanin (ITSN) reduced TNBC metastasis by inhibiting TGF-β-induced EMT and the formation of invadopodia. ITSN can directly interact with TGF-β receptor type-1 (TGFβR1) and abrogated the kinase activity of TGFβR1, thereby blocking the TGF-β-initiated downstream signaling pathway. Moreover, the ITSN-provided inhibition on metastasis obviously disappeared in TGFβR1-overexpressed TNBC cells in vitro as well as in mice bearing TNBC cells overexpressed TGFβR1. Furthermore, Lys232 and Asp351 residues in the kinase domain of TGFβR1 were found to be crucial for the interaction of ITSN with TGFβR1. Additionally, ITSN also improved the inhibitory efficacy of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody for TNBC in vivo via inhibiting the TGF-β-mediated EMT in the tumor microenvironment. Our findings not only highlight the key role of TGFβR1 in TNBC metastasis, but also provide a leading compound targeting TGFβR1 for the treatment of TNBC metastasis. Moreover, this study also points out a potential strategy for TNBC treatment by using the combined application of anti-PD-L1 with a TGFβR1 inhibitor.

Activation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) promotes growth of colorectal cancer through triggering the MEX3A-mediated degradation of RIG-I

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) has been made an attractive anticancer target due to its overexpression in cancers. However, targeting it has often produced the disappointing results as the role played by cross talk with numerous downstream signalings. Here, we report a disobliging IGF-1R signaling which promotes growth of cancer through triggering the E3 ubiquitin ligase MEX3A-mediated degradation of RIG-I. The active β-arrestin-2 scaffolds this disobliging signaling to talk with MEX3A. In response to ligands, IGF-1Rβ activated the basal βarr2 into its active state by phosphorylating the interdomain domain on Tyr64 and Tyr250, opening the middle loop (Leu130‒Cys141) to the RING domain of MEX3A through the conformational changes of βarr2. The models of βarr2/IGF-1Rβ and βarr2/MEX3A could interpret the mechanism of the activated-IGF-1R in triggering degradation of RIG-I. The assay of the mutants βarr2Y64A and βarr2Y250A further confirmed the role of these two Tyr residues of the interlobe in mediating the talk between IGF-1Rβ and the RING domain of MEX3A. The truncated-βarr2 and the peptide ATQAIRIF, which mimicked the RING domain of MEX3A could prevent the formation of βarr2/IGF-1Rβ and βarr2/MEX3A complexes, thus blocking the IGF-1R-triggered RIG-I degradation. Degradation of RIG-I resulted in the suppression of the IFN-I-associated immune cells in the TME due to the blockade of the RIG-I-MAVS-IFN-I pathway. Poly(I:C) could reverse anti-PD-L1 insensitivity by recovery of RIG-I. In summary, we revealed a disobliging IGF-1R signaling by which IGF-1Rβ promoted cancer growth through triggering the MEX3A-mediated degradation of RIG-I.

Mevalonate improves anti-PD-1/PD-L1 efficacy by stabilizing CD274 mRNA

Mevalonate metabolism plays an important role in regulating tumor growth and progression; however, its role in immune evasion and immune checkpoint modulation remains unclear. Here, we found that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with higher plasma mevalonate response better to anti-PD-(L)1 therapy, as indicated by prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival. Plasma mevalonate levels were positively correlated with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor tissues. In NSCLC cell lines and patient-derived cells, supplementation of mevalonate significantly up-regulated the expression of PD-L1, whereas deprivation of mevalonate reduced PD-L1 expression. Mevalonate increased CD274 mRNA level but did not affect CD274 transcription. Further, we confirmed that mevalonate improved CD274 mRNA stability. Mevalonate promoted the affinity of the AU-rich element-binding protein HuR to the 3'-UTR regions of CD274 mRNA and thereby stabilized CD274 mRNA. By in vivo study, we further confirmed that mevalonate addition enhanced the anti-tumor effect of anti-PD-L1, increased the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and improved cytotoxic function of T cells. Collectively, our findings discovered plasma mevalonate levels positively correlated with the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-(L)1 antibody, and provided the evidence that mevalonate supplementation could be an immunosensitizer in NSCLC.

Application of StrucGP in medical immunology: site-specific N-glycoproteomic analysis of macrophages / 医学前沿

The structure of N-glycans on specific proteins can regulate innate and adaptive immunity via sensing environmental signals. Meanwhile, the structural diversity of N-glycans poses analytical challenges that limit the exploration of specific glycosylation functions. In this work, we used THP-1-derived macrophages as examples to show the vast potential of a N-glycan structural interpretation tool StrucGP in N-glycoproteomic analysis. The intact glycopeptides of macrophages were enriched and analyzed using mass spectrometry (MS)-based glycoproteomic approaches, followed by the large-scale mapping of site-specific glycan structures via StrucGP. Results revealed that bisected GlcNAc, core fucosylated, and sialylated glycans (e.g., HexNAc4Hex5Fuc1Neu5Ac1, N4H5F1S1) were increased in M1 and M2 macrophages, especially in the latter. The findings indicated that these structures may be closely related to macrophage polarization. In addition, a high level of glycosylated PD-L1 was observed in M1 macrophages, and the LacNAc moiety was detected at Asn-192 and Asn-200 of PD-L1, and Asn-200 contained Lewis epitopes. The precision structural interpretation of site-specific glycans and subsequent intervention of target glycoproteins and related glycosyltransferases are of great value for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for different diseases.

Immunotherapy in the treatment of chemoresistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia - systematic review with a presentation of the first 4 Brazilian cases

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy for GTN treatment after methotrexate-resistance or in cases of multiresistant disease, through a systematic review, as well as to present the first 4 Brazilian cases of immunotherapy for GTN treatment. Methods Three independent researchers searched five electronic databases (EMBASE, LILACS, Medline, CENTRAL and Web of Science), for relevant articles up to February/2023 (PROSPERO CRD42023401453). The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale for case series and case reports. The primary outcome of this study was the occurrence of complete remission. The presentation of the case reports was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Results Of the 4 cases presented, the first was a low-risk GTN with methotrexate resistance unsuccessfully treated with avelumab, which achieved remission with sequential multiagent chemotherapy. The remaining 3 cases were high-risk multiagent-resistant GTN that were successfully treated with pembrolizumab, among which there were two subsequent gestations, one of them with normal pregnancy and healthy conceptus. Regarding the systematic review, 12 studies were included, only one of them on avelumab, showing a 46.7% complete remission rate. The remaining 11 studies were on pembrolizumab, showing an 86.7% complete remission rate, regardless of tumor histology. Both immunotherapies showed good tolerability, with two healthy pregnancies being recorded: one after avelumb and another after pembrolizumab. Conclusion Immunotherapy showed effectiveness for GTN treatment and may be especially useful in cases of high-risk disease, where pembrolizumab achieves a high therapeutic response, regardless of the histological type, and despite prior chemoresistance to multiple lines of treatment.

The effect of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis on the interaction between CD19+B cells and CD4+T cells in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Background The defect of B cell self-tolerance and the continuous antigen presentation by T cells (TCs) mediated by autoreactive B cells (BCs) play a key role in the occurrence and development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis negatively regulates the immune response of TCs after activation and maintains immune tolerance. However, the effect of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis on the interaction between CD19+B/CD4+TCs in the peripheral blood of patients with SLE has not been studied in detail. Methods PD-1/PD-L1 and Ki-67 levels in peripheral blood (PB) of 50 SLE patients and 41 healthy controls (HCs) were detected through flow cytometry, and then the expression of PD-1+/−cells and PD-L1+/−cells Ki-67 was further analyzed. CD19+B/CD4+TCs were separated for cell culture and the supernatant was collected to determine proliferation and differentiation of TCs. IL-10 and IFN-γ secretion in the supernatant was also determined using ELISA. Results The PD-1, PD-L1, and Ki-67 levels on CD19+B/CD4+TCs in patients with SLE were higher than HCs. In CD19+B/CD4+TCs of SLE patients, the proliferative activity of PD-L1+ cells was higher than that of PD-L1− cells, and the proliferative activity of PD-1+ cells was higher than that of PD-1− cells. In the system co-culturing CD19+B/CD4+TCs from HCs/SLE patients, activated BCs promoted TCs proliferation and PD-L1 expression among TCs. Addition of anti-PD-L1 to co-culture system restored the proliferation of TCs, and inhibited IL-10/IFN-γ level. The addition of anti-PD-L1 to co-culture system also restored Tfh and downregulated Treg in HCs. Conclusions Axis of PD-1/PD-L1 on CD19+B/CD4+TCs in PB of SLE patients is abnormal, and cell proliferation is abnormal. In CD19+B/CD4+TCs of SLE patients, the proliferative activity of PD-L1+ and PD-1+ cells compared with PD-L1− and PD-1− cells in SLE patients, respectively. CD19+B/CD4+TCs in SLE patients can interact through PD-1/PD-L1.