Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition promotes immune escape by inducing CD70 in non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumor aggressiveness, drug resistance, and poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers. The identification of immune-checkpoint ligands (ICPLs) associated with NSCLCs that display a mesenchymal phenotype (mNSCLC) could help to define subgroups of patients who may benefit from treatment strategies using immunotherapy. METHODS: We evaluated ICPL expression in silico in 130 NSCLC cell lines. In vitro, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown and lentiviral expression were used to assess the impact of ZEB1 expression on CD70. Gene expression profiles of lung cancer samples from the TCGA (n = 1018) and a dataset from MD Anderson Cancer Center (n = 275) were analyzed. Independent validation was performed by immunohistochemistry and targeted-RNA sequencing in 154 NSCLC whole sections, including a large cohort of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinomas (SC, n = 55). RESULTS: We uncover that the expression of CD70, a regulatory ligand from the tumor necrosis factor ligand family, is enriched in mNSCLC in vitro models. Mechanistically, the EMT-inducer ZEB1 impacted CD70 expression and fostered increased activity of the CD70 promoter. CD70 overexpression was also evidenced in mNSCLC patient tumor samples and was particularly enriched in SC, a lung cancer subtype associated with poor prognosis. In these tumors, CD70 expression was associated with decreased CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltration and increased T-cell exhaustion markers. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence on the pivotal roles of CD70 and ZEB1 in immune escape in mNSCLC, suggesting that EMT might promote cancer progression and metastasis by not only increasing cancer cell plasticity but also reprogramming the immune response in the local tumor microenvironment.

Toll-like receptor 3 downregulation is an escape mechanism from apoptosis during hepatocarcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Low levels of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with poor prognosis, primarily owing to the loss of inflammatory signaling and subsequent lack of immune cell recruitment to the liver. Herein, we explore the role of TLR3-triggered apoptosis in HCC cells. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and comparative genomic hybridization were used to analyze human and mouse HCC cell lines, as well as surgically resected primary human HCCs, and to study the impact of TLR3 expression on patient outcomes. Functional analyses were performed in HCC cells, following the restoration of TLR3 by lentiviral transduction. The role of TLR3-triggered apoptosis in HCC was analyzed in vivo in a transgenic mouse model of HCC. RESULTS: Lower expression of TLR3 in tumor compared to non-tumor matched tissue was observed at both mRNA and protein levels in primary HCC, and was predictive of shorter recurrence-free survival after surgical resection in both univariate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.79; 95% CI 1.04-3.06; p = 0.03) and multivariate analyses (HR 1.73; CI 1.01-2.97; p = 0.04). Immunohistochemistry confirmed frequent downregulation of TLR3 in human and mouse primary HCC cells. None of the 6 human HCC cell lines analyzed expressed TLR3, and ectopic expression of TLR3 following lentiviral transduction not only restored the inflammatory response but also sensitized cells to TLR3-triggered apoptosis. Lastly, in the transgenic mouse model of HCC, absence of TLR3 expression was accompanied by a lower rate of preneoplastic hepatocyte apoptosis and accelerated hepatocarcinogenesis without altering the tumor immune infiltrate. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of TLR3 protects transforming hepatocytes from direct TLR3-triggered apoptosis, thereby contributing to hepatocarcinogenesis and poor patient outcome. LAY SUMMARY: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous disease associated with a poor prognosis. In patients with HCC, TLR3 downregulation is associated with reduced survival. Herein, we show that the absence of TLR3 is associated with a lower rate of apoptosis, and subsequently more rapid hepatocarcinogenesis, without any change to the immune infiltrate in the liver. Therefore, the poor prognosis associated with low TLR3 expression in HCC is likely linked to tumors ability to escape apoptosis. TLR3 may become a promising therapeutic target in TLR3-positive HCC.

Release of c-FLIP brake selectively sensitizes human cancer cells to TLR3-mediated apoptosis.

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) mediates innate immune responses by sensing viral dsRNA, but also induces apoptosis selectively in cancer cells. Our analysis by immunohistochemistry revealed that TLR3 is frequently overexpressed in 130 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients' samples compared with normal bronchial epithelium (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test), supporting the therapeutic potential of TLR3 ligand for this type of cancer. However, a proportion of TLR3-expressing cancer cell lines, including NSCLC, remain resistant to TLR3-mediated apoptosis, and the underlying mechanism of resistance remains unclear. We here investigated the molecular basis conferring resistance to non-transformed vs. transformed cells against TLR3-mediated cell death. In non-transformed epithelial cells cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) and cellular Inhibitor of APoptosis (cIAPs) ubiquitin ligases exerted an efficient double brake on apoptosis signaling. In contrast, releasing only one of these two brakes was sufficient to overcome the resistance of 8/8 cancer cell lines tested. Remarkably, the release of the c-FLIP, but not cIAPs, brake only results in the sensitization of all human cancer cells to TLR3-mediated apoptosis. Taking advantage of the difference between transformed and non-transformed cells, we developed a rational strategy by combining the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel, which decreases c-FLIP expression, with TLR3 ligand. This combination was highly synergistic for triggering apoptosis in cancer cells but not in non-transformed cells. In vivo, the combination of paclitaxel with dsRNA delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival in a mouse xenograft lung tumor model. In conclusion, combining the release of the c-FLIP brake with TLR3 ligand synergizes to selectively kill cancer cells, and could represent an efficient and safe therapy against TLR3-expressing cancers such as NSCLC.

Nine µg intradermal influenza vaccine and 15 µg intramuscular influenza vaccine induce similar cellular and humoral immune responses in adults.

Intanza® 9 µg (Sanofi Pasteur), a trivalent split-virion vaccine administered by intradermal (ID) injection, was approved in Europe in 2009 for the prevention of seasonal influenza in adults 18 to 59 years. Here, we examined the immune responses induced in adults by the ID 9 µg vaccine and the standard trivalent intramuscular (IM) vaccine (Vaxigrip® 15 µg, Sanofi Pasteur). This trial was a randomized, controlled, single-center, open-label study in healthy adults 18 to 40 years of age during the 2007/8 influenza season. Subjects received a single vaccination with the ID 9 µg (n=38) or IM 15 µg (n=42) vaccine. Serum, saliva, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected up to 180 days post-vaccination. Geometric mean hemagglutination inhibition titers, seroprotection rates, seroconversion rates, and pre-vaccination-to-post-vaccination ratios of geometric mean hemagglutination inhibition titers did not differ between the two vaccines. Compared with pre-vaccination, the vaccines induced similar increases in vaccine-specific circulating B cells at day 7 but did not induce significant increases in vaccine-specific memory B cells at day 180. Cell-mediated immunity to all three vaccine strains, measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, was high at baseline and not increased by either vaccine. Neither vaccine induced a mucosal immune response. These results show that the humoral and cellular immune responses to the ID 9 µg vaccine are similar to those to the standard IM 15 µg vaccine.

Cleaved/associated TLR3 represents the primary form of the signaling receptor.

TLR3 belongs to the family of intracellular TLRs that recognize nucleic acids. Endolysosomal localization and cleavage of intracellular TLRs play pivotal roles in signaling and represent fail-safe mechanisms to prevent self-nucleic acid recognition. Indeed, cleavage by cathepsins is required for native TLR3 to signal in response to dsRNA. Using novel Abs generated against TLR3, we show that the conserved loop exposed in LRR12 is the single cleavage site that lies between the two dsRNA binding sites required for TLR3 dimerization and signaling. Accordingly, we found that the cleavage does not dissociate the C- and N-terminal fragments, but it generates a very stable "cleaved/associated" TLR3 present in endolysosomes that recognizes dsRNA and signals. Moreover, comparison of wild-type, noncleavable, and C-terminal-only mutants of TLR3 demonstrates that efficient signaling requires cleavage of the LRR12 loop but not dissociation of the fragments. Thus, the proteolytic cleavage of TLR3 appears to fulfill function(s) other than separating the two fragments to generate a functional receptor.

CCR6/CCR10-mediated plasmacytoid dendritic cell recruitment to inflamed epithelia after instruction in lymphoid tissues.

Absent in peripheral tissues during homeostasis, human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are described in inflamed skin or mucosa. Here, we report that, unlike blood pDCs, a subset of tonsil pDCs express functional CCR6 and CCR10, and their respective ligands CCL20 and CCL27are detected in inflamed epithelia contacting blood dendritic cell antigen 2(+) pDCs. Moreover, pDCs are recruited to imiquimod-treated skin tumors in WT but not CCR6-deficient mice, and competitive adoptive transfers reveal that CCR6-deficient pDCs are impaired in homing to inflamed skin tumors after intravenous transfer. On IL-3 culture, CCR6 and CCR10 expression is induced on human blood pDCs that become responsive to CCL20 and CCL27/CCL28, respectively. Interestingly, unlike myeloid DC, blood pDCs initially up-regulate CCR7 expression and CCL19 responsiveness on IL-3 ± CpG-B and then acquire functional CCR6 and CCR10. Finally, IL-3-differentiated CCR6(+) CCR10(+) pDCs secrete high levels of IFN-α in response to virus. Overall, we propose an unexpected pDCs migratory model that may best apply for mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues. After CCR7-mediated extravasation into lymphoid tissues draining inflamed epithelia, blood pDCs may be instructed to up-regulate CCR6 and/or CCR10 allowing their homing into inflamed epithelia (in mucosae or skin). At this site, pDCs can then produce IFN-α contributing to pathogen clearance and/or local inflammation.

Histamine receptor H1 signaling on dendritic cells plays a key role in the IFN-γ/IL-17 balance in T cell-mediated skin inflammation.

BACKGROUND: The diverse effects of histamine on immune regulation are a result of the differential expression and regulation of 4 histamine receptors. Many of the immediate allergic and inflammatory actions of histamine are mediated via the type 1 receptor (H1R). OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that H1R was involved in the fine-tuning of the initiation of T cell-mediated skin pathology-that is, dermatitis. METHODS: The impact of the H1R invalidation on the development of skin inflammation was analyzed in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: We show that H1r(-)/(-) mice developed reduced allergen-specific skin lesions. Lack of H1R expression on dendritic cells (DCs) led to diminished IL-12, upregulated IL-23, and IL-6 production upon allergen stimulation. H1R engagement on dendritic cells was necessary for DC activation and subsequent priming of effector IFN-γ(+)CD8(+) T cells. We demonstrate here that H1R blockade on DCs promotes generation of noneffector IL-17(+)CD8(+) T cells that are unable to initiate the skin inflammation. CONCLUSION: Our data identify that histamine signaling through the H1R on DCs is an important early event conditioning the quality of the skin effector immune response.

Th1 disabled function in response to TLR4 stimulation of monocyte-derived DC from patients chronically-infected by hepatitis C virus.

BACKGROUND: Lack of protective antibodies and inefficient cytotoxic responses are characteristics of chronic hepatitis C infection. A defect in dendritic cell (DC) function has thus been suspected, but this remains a controversial issue. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Here we show that monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) from chronically-infected patients can mature in response to TLR1/2, TLR2/6 or TLR3 ligands. In contrast, when stimulated with the TLR4 ligand LPS, MoDC from patients show a profound defect in inducing IFNgamma secretion by allogeneic T cells. This defect is not due to defective phenotypic maturation or to the presence of HCV-RNA in DC or monocytes but is correlated to reduced IL-12 secretion by DC. Restoration of DC ability to stimulate IFNgamma secretion can be obtained by blocking MEK activation in DC, indicating that MEK/ERK pathway is involved in the Th1 defect of MoDC. Monocytes from HCV patients present increased spontaneous secretion of cytokines and chemokines, especially MIP-1beta. Addition of MIP-1beta on healthy monocytes during differentiation results in DC that have Th1 defect characteristic of MoDC from HCV patients, suggesting that MIP-1beta secretion by HCV monocytes participates in the Th1 defect of DC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that monocytes from HCV patients are activated in vivo. This interferes with their differentiation into DC, leading to deficient TLR4 signaling in these cells that are enable to induce a Th1 response. This specific defect is linked to the activation of the MEK/ERK pathway.

In vivo manipulation of dendritic cell migration and activation to elicit antitumour immunity.

Two approaches have been pursued to elicit antitumour immunity: (i) induce recruitment of immature dendritic cells or their precursors at a site of antigen delivery, and (ii) induce activation of tumour-infiltrating dendritic cells (DCs). The recruitment of selected DC subtype conditions the class of the immune response. Each immature DC population displays a unique spectrum of chemokine responsiveness. For examples, Langerhans cells (LCs) migrate selectively in response to CCL20/MIP-3alpha (through CCR6), blood CD11c+ DC to MCP chemokines (through CCR2). All these chemokines are inducible in response to inflammatory stimuli. CCL20/MIP-3alpha in particular is only detected within inflamed epithelium, at the site of antigen entry, which is infiltrated by immature DCs. Furthermore, to reach the site of injury, sequential responsiveness might operate, blood DC precursors are recruited by a set of chemokines (MIP, MCP) while within the tissue other chemokines will direct their navigation (CCL20/MIP-3alpha). Of interest, when injected in vivo together with antigen, MCP-4/CCL13, but not CCL20/MIP-3alpha, recruits blood monocytes or blood DC precursors that promptly differentiate into typical DCs and that improve antitumour immune responses. After antigen uptake, DCs acquire, upon maturation, responsiveness to CCR7 ligands (CCL21/SLC/6Ckine, CCL19/ELC/MIP-3beta) due to receptor up-regulation. In particular, in the periphery, CCL21/SLC/6Ckine expressed by lymphatic vessels may direct into the lymph stream, antigen-loaded maturing DCs leaving the site of infection; while within lymph-node, CCL21/SLC/6Ckine plays a critical role in the entry of naïve T cells from the blood through HEV. In regard to its central role, we decided to investigate whether the expression of CCL21/SLC/6Ckine in tumour may lead to antitumour immune responses. C26 colon carcinoma tumour cell line transduced with CCL21/SLC/6Ckine showed reduced tumorigenicity when injected in vivo into immunocompetent mice. The protection was CD8 dependent and associated with an important intratumoral infiltration of DCs. Most tumour infiltrating DCs (TIDCs) had an immature phenotype, were able to present TAA in the context of MHC class I, but were refractory to stimulation with the combination of LPS, IFNgamma and anti-CD40 antibody. TIDC paralysis could be reverted, however, by in vitro or in vivo stimulation with the combination of a CpG immunostimulatory sequence and an anti-interleukin 10 receptor (IL10R) antibody. CpG or anti-IL10R alone were inactive in TIDC, while CpG triggered activation in normal DC. In particular, CpG plus anti-IL10R enhanced the TAA-specific immune response and triggered de novo IL-12 production. Subsequently, CpG plus anti-IL10R treatment showed robust antitumour therapeutic activity exceeding by far that of CpG alone, and elicited antitumour immune memory.

The inducible CXCR3 ligands control plasmacytoid dendritic cell responsiveness to the constitutive chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)/CXCL12.

The recruitment of selected dendritic cell (DC) subtypes conditions the class of the immune response. Here we show that the migration of human plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), the blood natural interferon alpha-producing cells, is induced upon the collective action of inducible and constitutive chemokines. Despite expression of very high levels of CXCR3, pDCs do not respond efficiently to CXCR3 ligands. However, they migrate in response to the constitutive chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)/CXCL12 and CXCR3 ligands synergize with SDF-1/CXCL12 to induce pDC migration. This synergy reflects a sensitizing effect of CXCR3 ligands, which, independently of a gradient and chemoattraction, decrease by 20-50-fold the threshold of sensitivity to SDF-1/CXCL12. Thus, the ability of the constitutive chemokine SDF-1/CXCL12 to induce pDC recruitment might be controlled by CXCR3 ligands released during inflammation such as in virus infection. SDF-1/CXCL12 and the CXCR3 ligands Mig/CXCL9 and ITAC/CXCL1 display adjacent expression both in secondary lymphoid organs and in inflamed epithelium from virus-induced pathologic lesions. Because pDCs express both the lymph node homing molecule l-selectin and the cutaneous homing molecule cutaneous lymphocyte antigen, the cooperation between inducible CXCR3 ligands and constitutive SDF-1/CXCL12 may regulate recruitment of pDCs either in lymph nodes or at peripheral sites of inflammation.

Sequential involvement of CCR2 and CCR6 ligands for immature dendritic cell recruitment: possible role at inflamed epithelial surfaces.

To reach the site of antigen deposition at epithelial surfaces, dendritic cells (DC) have to traverse the endothelial barrier, progress through the tissue (i.e., dermis) and cross the dermo-epithelial junction (basal membrane). In the present study, we demonstrate that (1) circulating blood DC and monocytes express high levels of CCR2 and primarily respond to monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP) and not to macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3alpha/CCL20; (2) while the CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC)-derived CD1a(+) precursors committed to Langerhans cell differentiation primarily respond to MIP-3alpha/CCL20, the HPC-derived CD14(+) precursors respond to both MCP and MIP-3alpha/CCL20; (3) in concordance with the sequential expression of CCR2 and CCR6, the HPC-derived CD14(+) precursors initially acquire the ability to migrate in response to MCP-4/CCL13 and subsequently in response to MIP-3alpha/CCL20; and (4) in vivo, in inflamed epithelium, MCP-4/CCL13 and MIP-3alpha/CCL20 form complementary gradients, with MCP-4/CCL13 expressed in basal epithelial cells at the contact of blood vessels, while MIP-3alpha/CCL20 expression is restricted to epithelial cells bordering the external milieu. These observations suggest that the recruitment of DC to the site of infection is controlled by the sequential action of different chemokines: (i) CCR2(+) circulating DC or DC precursors are mobilized into the tissue via the expression of MCP by cells lining blood vessels, and (ii) these cells traffic from the tissue to the site of pathogen invasion via the production of MIP-3alpha/CL20 by epithelial cells and the up-regulation of CCR6 in response to the tissue environment.

Regulation of dendritic cell recruitment by chemokines.

Dendritic cells (DC) are a heterogeneous family of cells that function as sentinels of the immune system. This article summarizes observations suggesting that inflammatory chemokines secreted at the site of pathogen invasion determine the DC subset recruited and influence the class of the immune response initiated. Langerhans cells are selectively recruited by MIP-3alpha/CCL20. In contrast, CCR7 ligands have a key role in the accumulation of antigen-loaded mature DC in T cell-rich areas of the draining lymph node. Improved understanding of the regulation of DC trafficking might offer new opportunities for therapeutic interventions to control immune responses.