Kwangmo Yang

Synergistic enhancement of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor and ionizing radiation

BackgroundThe overexpression of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and a subsequent decrease in the acetylation levels of nuclear histones are frequently observed in cancer cells. Generally it was accepted that the deacetylation of histones suppressed expression of the attached genes. Therefore, it has been suggested that HDAC might contribute to the survival of cancer cells by altering the NKG2D ligands transcripts. By the way, the translational regulation of NKG2D ligands remaines unclear in cancer cells. It appears the modulation of this unclear mechanism could enhance NKG2D ligand expressions and the susceptibility of cancer cells to NK cells. Previously, it was reported that irradiation can increase the surface expressions of NKG2D ligands on several cancer cell types without increasing the levels of NKG2D ligand transcripts via ataxia telangiectasia mutated and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATM-ATR) pathway, and suggested that radiation therapy might be used to increase the translation of NKG2D ligands.MethodsTwo NSCLC cell lines, that is, A549 and NCI-H23 cells, were used to investigate the combined effects of ionizing radiation and HDAC inhibitors on the expressions of five NKG2D ligands. The mRNA expressions of the NKG2D ligands were quantitated by multiplex reverse transcription-PCR. Surface protein expressions were measured by flow cytometry, and the susceptibilities of cancer cells to NK cells were assayed by time-resolved fluorometry using the DELFIA® EuTDA cytotoxicity kit and by flow cytometry.ResultsThe expressions of NKG2D ligands were found to be regulated at the transcription and translation levels. Ionizing radiation and HDAC inhibitors in combination synergistically increased the expressions of NKG2D ligands. Furthermore, treatment with ATM-ATR inhibitors efficiently blocked the increased translations of NKG2D ligands induced by ionizing radiation but did not block the increased ligand translations induced by HDAC inhibitors. The study confirms that increased NKG2D ligand levels by ionizing radiation and HDAC inhibitors could synergistically enhance the susceptibilities of cancer cells to NK-92 cells.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the expressions of NKG2D ligands are regulated in a complex manner at the multilevel of gene expression, and that their expressions can be induced by combinatorial treatments in lung cancer cells.

Interferon gamma induced by resveratrol analog, HS-1793, reverses the properties of tumor associated macrophages

Macrophages are capable of both inhibiting and promoting the growth and spread of cancers, depending on their activation state. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are a kind of alternatively activated M2 macrophage, which may contribute to tumor progression. Following our previous study to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of a synthetic resveratrol analog HS-1793, the current study demonstrated that HS-1793 treatment significantly increased IFN-γ secreting cells in splenocytes and decreased CD206+ macrophage infiltration compared to CD68+ cells in the tumor site with a higher expression of IFN-γ. As these results suggested that IFN-γ increased locally at the tumor sites could modulate the status of TAM, we designed an in vitro model to study macrophage morphology and functions in relation to the tumor microenvironment. Human monocytic cell line THP-1 cells stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) differentiated to macrophages with M2-like phenotypes. TAM-like properties of CD206(high), CD204(high), IL-10(high), TGF-β(high), IL-6(low), IL-12(low), VEGF(high), and MMP-9(high) and promotion of tumor cell invasion were more pronounced in M-2-polarized THP-1 macrophages generated by differentiating THP-1 cells with PMA and subsequently polarizing them with Th2 cytokines (IL-4/IL-13). Upon IFN-γ exposure, THP-1-derived TAM changed their phenotypes to the M-1-like morphology and intracellular granular pattern with an expression of an increased level of proinflammatory and immunostimulatory cytokines and a reduced level of immunosuppressive and tumor progressive mediators. These results explain the underlying mechanism of the anti-tumor activity of HS-1793. The elevated level of IFN-γ production after HS-1793 treatment evoked reprogramming of M-2 phenotype TAM, which efficiently countered the immunosuppressive and tumor progressive influences of TAM.

Combination Effect of Regulatory T-Cell Depletion and Ionizing Radiation in Mouse Models of Lung and Colon Cancer

PURPOSE To investigate the potential of low-dose cyclophosphamide (LD-CTX) and anti-CD25 antibody to prevent activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) during radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS We used LD-CTX and anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody as a means to inhibit Tregs and improve the therapeutic effect of radiation in a mouse model of lung and colon cancer. Mice were irradiated on the tumor mass of the right leg and treated with LD-CTX and anti-CD25 antibody once per week for 3 weeks. RESULTS Combined treatment of LD-CTX or anti-CD25 antibody with radiation significantly decreased Tregs in the spleen and tumor compared with control and irradiation only in both lung and colon cancer. Combinatorial treatments resulted in a significant increase in the effector T cells, longer survival rate, and suppressed irradiated and distal nonirradiated tumor growth. Specifically, the combinatorial treatment of LD-CTX with radiation resulted in outstanding regression of local and distant tumors in colon cancer, and almost all mice in this group survived until the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that Treg depletion strategies may enhance radiation-mediated antitumor immunity and further improve outcomes after radiation therapy.

Radiation-induced matrix metalloproteinases limit natural killer cell-mediated anticancer immunity in NCI-H23 lung cancer cells

Radiotherapy has been used to treat cancer for >100 years and is required by numerous patients with cancer. Ionizing radiation effectively inhibits the growth of cancer cells by inducing cell death and increasing anticancer immunity, through the induction of natural killer group 2 member D ligands (NKG2DLs); however, adverse effects have also been reported, including the promotion of metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are induced by ionizing radiation and have an important role in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Previously, MMPs were demonstrated to increase the shedding of NKG2DLs, which may reduce the surface expression of NKG2DLs on cancer cells. As a consequence, the cancer cells may escape natural killer (NK)‑mediated anticancer immunity. In the present study, NCI‑H23 human non‑small cell lung cancer cells were used to investigate the combined effects of ionizing radiation and MMP inhibitors on the expression levels of NKG2DLs. Ionizing radiation increased the expression of MMP2 and ADAM metalloproteinase domain 10 protease, as well as NKG2DLs. The combined treatment of ionizing radiation and MMP inhibitors increased the surface expression levels of NKG2DLs and resulted in the increased susceptibility of the cancer cells to NK‑92 natural killer cells. Furthermore, soluble NKG2DLs were increased in the media by ionizing radiation and blocked by MMP inhibitors. The present study suggests that radiotherapy may result in the shedding of soluble NKG2DLs, through the induction of MMP2, and combined treatment with MMP inhibitors may minimize the adverse effects of radiotherapy.

Enhanced dendritic cell-based immunotherapy using low-dose cyclophosphamide and CD25-targeted antibody for transplanted Lewis lung carcinoma cells.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) is one of the main obstacles to the success of cancer immunotherapy. The effect of dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy can be attenuated by immune suppressive functions of Tregs. We used a CD25-targeted antibody and low-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) as immunomodulators to increase the antitumor effect of intratumoral injection of immature DCs into the irradiated tumor cells (IR/iDC). CTX or CD25-targeted antibody alone showed a significant reduction in the number of Tregs within the tumor microenvironment. When they are combined with IR/iDC, the number of Tregs was further reduced. Although IR/IDC showed strong antitumor effects such as reduction in tumor growth, increase in Th1 immune response, and improvement of survival, the therapeutic effect was further improved by combining treatments with immunomodulators. CTX and CD25-targeted antibody showed no significant difference in tumor growth when combined with IR/iDC, but CTX further increased the number of interferon (IFN)-&ggr;-secreting T cells, cytotoxicity, and survival rate. Although irradiation induced depletion of T lymphocytes, administration of DCs recovered this depletion. Particularly, the lymphocytes were more significantly increased when CTX and IR/iDC were combined. Low-dose CTX has already been used as an immunomodulator in clinical trials, and it offers several advantages, including convenience, low-cost, and familiarity to clinicians. However, CD25-targeted antibody cannot only deplete Tregs, but also may affect IL-2–dependent effector T lymphocytes. Therefore, CTX is an effective means to inhibit Tregs, and an effective immunomodulatory agent for multimodality therapy such as combination treatment of conventional cancer therapy and immunotherapy.

COX-2- and endoplasmic reticulum stress-independent induction of ULBP-1 and enhancement of sensitivity to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by celecoxib in colon cancer cells

In the present study, we investigated whether celecoxib could induce the expression of NKG2D ligands in clonogenic colon cancer cells, and increase their susceptibility to NK cell-mediated cell death. Celecoxib and its non-coxib analog, 2,5-dimethyl celecoxib, induced ULBP-1 and DR5 in both COX-2 negative HCT-15 cells and COX-2 positive HT-29 cells. Celecoxib increased their susceptibility to NK92 cells in both DELFIA assay and soft agar colony forming assay. The inducibility of ULBP-1 and DR5 by celecoxib was not different between CD44- and CD44+ HCT-15 cells, and CD133- and CD133+ HT-29 cells. Celecoxib increased the susceptibility of highly clonogenic CD44+ HCT-15 and CD133+ HT-29 cells to NK92 cells, at least comparable to less clonogenic CD44- HCT-15 and CD133- HT-29 cells, respectively. In addition, celecoxib induced CHOP, and thapsigargin, an inducer of ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress, induced DR5 but not ULBP1 in HCT-15. Taken together, these findings suggest that celecoxib induces the expression of ULBP-1 as well as DR5 in clonogenic colon cancer cells via COX-2 and ER stress-independent pathways, and increases their susceptibility to NK cells.

Treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor aggravates thrombocytopenia in irradiated mice

Ionizing radiation can damage the hematopoietic system, and treatment with cytokines, including granulocytecolony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), is used to enhance hematopoietic recovery. In the present study, mice were whole-body irradiated with a sublethal dose of 5 Gy to produce severe myelosuppression and to evaluate the hematologic consequences of G-CSF treatment following irradiation. G-CSF (100 μg/kg of body weight) was injected immediately after irradiation, and then every three days for 3 weeks. G-CSF significantly ameliorated the decrease in peripheral neutrophils typically observed after exposure to radiation, but it also aggravated the decrease in the number of peripheral platelets during days 3–14 following irradiation. In the histological analysis, while the number of megakaryocytes was significantly decreased in the bone marrow, a number of trapped megakaryocytes were observed in the spleen of G-CSF-treated and irradiated mice. These data suggest that radiation-induced thrombocytopenia is worsened by G-CSF administration, possibly due to a decrease in the number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and an increase in the trapping of megakaryocytes in the spleen.

In Vitro Genotoxicity Assessment of a Novel Resveratrol Analogue, HS-1793.

Resveratrol has received considerable attention as a polyphenol with various biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and cardioprotective properties. As part of the overall safety assessment of HS-1793, a novel resveratrol analogue free from the restriction of metabolic instability and the high dose requirement of resveratrol, we assessed genotoxicity in three in vitro assays: a bacterial mutation assay, a comet assay, and a chromosomal aberration assay. In the bacterial reverse mutation assay, HS-1793 did not increase revertant colony numbers in S. typhimurium strains (TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537) or an E. coli strain (WP2 uvrA) regardless of metabolic activation. HS-1793 showed no evidence of genotoxic activity such as DNA damage on L5178Y Tk+/− mouse lymphoma cells with or without the S9 mix in the in vitro comet assay. No statistically significant differences in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations following HS-1793 treatment was observed on Chinese hamster lung cells exposed with or without the S9 mix. These results provide additional evidence that HS-1793 is non-genotoxic at the dose tested in three standard tests and further supports the generally recognized as safe determination of HS-1793 during early drug development.

Downregulation of UHRF1 increases tumor malignancy by activating the CXCR4/AKT-JNK/IL-6/Snail signaling axis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like, with PHD and RING finger domains 1) plays a crucial role in DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and gene expression and is aberrantly upregulated in various types of human cancers. However, the precise role of UHRF1 in cancer remains controversial. In this study, we observed that hypoxia-induced downregulation of UHRF1 contributes to the induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. By negatively modulating UHRF1 expression, we further showed that UHRF1 deficiency in itself is sufficient to increase the migratory and invasive properties of cells via inducing EMT, increasing the tumorigenic capacity of cells and leading to the expansion of cancer stem-like cells. Epigenetic changes caused by UHRF1 deficiency triggered the upregulation of CXCR4, thereby activating AKT and JNK to increase the expression and secretion of IL-6. In addition, IL-6 readily activated the JAK/STAT3/Snail signaling axis, which subsequently contributed to UHRF1 deficiency-induced EMT. Our results collectively demonstrate that UHRF1 deficiency may play a pivotal role in the malignant alteration of cancer cells.

Expansion of cytotoxic natural killer cells using irradiated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells and anti-CD16 antibody

Natural killer (NK) cells are considered a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Various methods for large-scale NK cell expansion have been developed, but they should guarantee that no viable cells are mixed with the expanded NK cells because most methods involve cancer cells or genetically modified cells as feeder cells. We used an anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and irradiated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (IrAPs) to provide a suitable environment (activating receptor-ligand interactions) for the NK cell expansion. This method more potently expanded NK cells, and the final product was composed of highly purified NK cells with lesser T-cell contamination. The expanded NK cells showed greater upregulation of various activation receptors, CD107a, and secreted larger amounts of interferon gamma. IrAPs expressed NKG2D ligands and CD48, and coengagement of CD16 with NKG2D and 2B4 caused potent NK cell activation and proliferation. The expanded NK cells were cytotoxic toward various cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, irradiation or a chemotherapeutic drug further enhanced this antitumor effect. Therefore, we developed an effective in vitro culture method for large-scale expansion of highly purified cytotoxic NK cells with potent antitumor activity using IrAPs instead of cancer cell-based feeder cells.