Targeted silencing of TRPM7 ion channel induces replicative senescence and produces enhanced cytotoxicity with gemcitabine in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

B7-homolog 4 (B7-H4), a recently identified homolog of B7.1/2 (CD80/86), has been described to exert co-stimulatory and immune regulatory functions. We investigated the expression and the functional activity of B7-H4 in lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Although a lung cancer cell line constitutively expressed B7-H4 mRNA and protein in plasma, primary tumor cell isolated from the transplanted lung carcinoma model expressed B7-H4 on the surface. Interestingly, in transplanted lung carcinoma model, the expression of membrane-bound B7-H4 in tumor cells was increased as prolonging of tumor transformation. Exposure to tumor-associated macrophages strongly induced membrane-bound B7-H4 expression on the lung cancer cell line. To elucidate the functional significance of lung cancer-related B7-H4 expression, we performed co-culture experiments of lung cancer cell with allo-reactive T cells. Lung cancer-related B7-H4 was identified as a strong inhibitor of T-cell effect. Furthermore, B7-H4 mAb had an ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo. B7-H4 expression may thus significantly influence the outcome of T-cell tumor cell interactions and TAM induced membrane-bound B7-H4 on the lung cancer cell represents a novel mechanism by which lung cancer cells evade immune recognition and destruction.     

胶质瘤干细胞、肿瘤相关巨噬细胞和B7-H1在脑胶质瘤组织中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨胶质瘤干细胞（glioma stem cells,GSCs）、肿瘤相关巨噬细胞（tumor-associated macrophages,TAMs）和负性共刺激分子B7-H1(B7 homolog 1)在不同病理级别脑胶质瘤组织中的表达及其相关性。方法:对30例低级别脑胶质瘤（WHOⅠ级、Ⅱ级）和30例高级别脑胶质瘤（WHOⅢ级、Ⅳ级）标本做连续石蜡包埋切片,用免疫组化SP法检测各组标本中GSCs、TAMs和B7-H1的表达情况,采用CD133作为GSCs的标志物,以CD68作为TAMs的标志物。用Image-Pro Plus 6.0软件分析每个视野阳性染色的积分光密度（IOD）,每个组织切片在400倍镜下分析20个视野。结果:CD133、CD68和B7-H1在高级别脑胶质瘤组织中的表达水平明显高于低级别脑胶质瘤组织（P＜0.01、P＜0.01、P＜0.01）;脑胶质瘤组织中B7-H1的空间表达位置在CD68+TAMs的分布区域较强;CD133与CD68的表达呈正相关（P＜0.001）,CD133与B7-H1的表达呈正相关（P＜0.001）。结论:随着病理级别的增高,脑胶质瘤组织中GSCs、TAMs和B7-H1的表达均增高,并且CD133与CD68和B7-H1的表达呈显著正相关。     

Expression of functional B7-H2 and B7.2 costimulatory molecules and their prognostic implications in de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

PURPOSE: The B7 family molecules have been shown to regulate immune responses in both positive and negative fashions. Their roles in the progression of human cancers, however, are not well established. The aim of this study was to examine whether leukemic cells of acute myeloid leukemia express functional B7 family molecules and, if so, whether such expression has any clinical significance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The expression of four B7 family molecules, B7.1, B7.2, B7-H1, and B7-H2, on leukemic cells from acute myeloid leukemia patients was analyzed by flow cytometry. The function of the expressed molecules was examined by the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte-leukemic cell reaction, and their relationship to the clinical data and survival was analyzed. RESULTS: Although B7.1 and B7-H1 expressions were rare, the cells from a substantial number of acute myeloid leukemia cases expressed B7.2 and B7-H2 molecules [mean percentages of B7.2- and B7-H2-positive cells were 28.9% (n = 58) and 15.3% (n = 59), respectively]. Patients in whom >25% of leukemic cells expressed B7-H2 had significantly shorter survival, and this B7-H2 positivity had the strongest prognostic value when B7-H2 and other prognostic factors were analyzed together by multivariate analysis (P = 0.0108). Furthermore, B7.2 expression was associated with hyperleukocytosis (P = 0.026). Consistent with this finding, acute myeloid leukemia cells expressing B7.2 and B7-H2 induced allogeneic CD4+ T cells to proliferate and secrete interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 in vitro, effects that were partially blocked by antibodies against B7.2 and B7-H2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the expression of functional B7.2 and B7-H2 molecules, and these molecules may facilitate progression of acute myeloid leukemia.     

Predominant expression of B7-H1 and its immunoregulatory roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma

We examined cell surface expression of five B7 costimulatory molecules (B7-H1, B7-DC, B7h, CD80 and CD86) in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines. Most human SCC cell lines expressed various levels of B7-H1 and B7-DC. Their expression was further upregulated by interferon (IFN)-gamma stimulation. Immunohistochemical staining revealed substantial and predominant expression of B7-H1 on human primary oral SCC. A murine SCC line, NR-S1, neither expressed B7-H1 nor B7-DC, but induced B7-H1 by IFN-gamma stimulation in culture and the inoculation in vivo. Although NR-S1 tumors grew progressively in immunocompetent syngeneic mice, the administration of blocking anti-B7-Hl or anti-PD-1 mAb significantly inhibited the tumor growth, suggesting the negative regulation of host immune responses by the PD-1:B7-H1 pathway. Our results demonstrate that B7-H1 is predominantly induced on oral SCC within the B7 family molecules. A successful inhibition of tumor growth by blockade of the PD-1:B7-H1 pathway may implicate a new approach for immunotherapy of oral SCC.     

B7-H1 and B7-H3 are independent predictors of poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

B7-H1 and B7-H3, two members of the B7 family that are thought to regulate T-cell activation, are expressed in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, their prognostic significance is poorly understood. In the present study we reported that B7-H1 and B7-H3 were expressed in 96/128 (72.7%) and 89/128 (69.5%) samples, respectively. B7-H1 and B7-H3 expression and the number of infiltrating T-cell intracellular antigen-1+ and interferon-γ+ cells in NSCLC tissues were significantly higher than those in the adjacent tissues (p<0.01). High B7-H1 or B7-H3 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (p<0.05, respectively). Sex, TNM stage, B7-H1, B7-H3, and T-cell intracellular antigen-1 expression remained significant prognostic factors after adjusting for other prognostic factors in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. In vitro studies revealed that knockdown of B7-H3 on tumor cells enhanced T-cell growth and interferon-γ secretion when stimulated by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies. Interferon-γ reduced CXCR4 expression on cancer cells and inhibited the CXCL12-induced cell migration. B7-H1 and B7-H3 are independent predictors of poorer survival in patients with NSCLC. Interference of the signal pathways of these negative regulatory molecules might be a new strategy for treating NSCLC.     

The role of human glioma-infiltrating microglia/macrophages in mediating antitumor immune responses

Little is known about the immune performance and interactions of CNS microglia/macrophages in glioma patients. We found that microglia/macrophages were the predominant immune cell infiltrating gliomas ( approximately 1% of total cells); others identified were myeloid dendritic cells (DCs), plasmacytoid DCs, and T cells. We isolated and analyzed the immune functions of CD11b/c+CD45+ glioma-infiltrating microglia/macrophages (GIMs) from postoperative tissue specimens of glioma patients. Although GIMs expressed substantial levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), they did not appear stimulated to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1, or interleukin 6), and in vitro, lipopolysaccharides could bind TLR-4 but could not induce GIM-mediated T-cell proliferation. Despite surface major histocompatibility complex class II expression, they lacked expression of the costimulatory molecules CD86, CD80, and CD40 critical for T-cell activation. Ex vivo, we demonstrate a corresponding lack of effector/activated T cells, as glioma-infiltrating CD8+ T cells were phenotypically CD8+CD25-. By contrast, there was a prominent population of regulatory CD4 T cells (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+) infiltrating the tumor. We conclude that while GIMs may have a few intact innate immune functions, their capacity to be stimulated via TLRs, secrete cytokines, upregulate costimulatory molecules, and in turn activate antitumor effector T cells is not sufficient to initiate immune responses. Furthermore, the presence of regulatory T cells may also contribute to the lack of effective immune activation against malignant human gliomas.     

B7-H1 up-regulation on dendritic-like leukemia cells suppresses T cell immune function through modulation of IL-10/IL-12 production and generation of Treg cells

Dendritic-like leukemia cells (DLLC) originating from leukemic cells could potentially induce a T cell-mediated anti-leukemia immune response. It has been demonstrated that B7-H1, a newly identified homologue of CD80/CD86, is abundant in human carcinomas and dendritic cells (DC), can exert co-stimulatory and immune regulatory functions. We demonstrated that B7-H1 was significantly expressed on AML cells and was strongly enhanced after differentiation to DLLC. Blockade of B7-H1 expressed on DLLC results in increased T cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine production, and decreased Th2 cytokine production. Importantly, autologous CTLs induced by DLLC treated with B7-H1 mAb showed significantly increased specific cytotoxcity against AML blasts. We further demonstrated that a significant decrease in IL-12 production, increase in IL-10 production by DLLC, and an increased CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T regulatory population lead to the defective T cell immune response that is induced by B7-H1 up-regulation on DLLC. Our data suggest that up-regulated B7-H1 on DLLC acts as a strong inhibitor of anti-leukemia T cell response, and that blockade of B7-H1 can improve DLLC-mediated anti-leukemia immunity.     

共刺激分子B7-H3在人食管鳞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 分析人食管鳞癌组织中B7-H3分子的表达与患者临床病理因素以及术后生存时间之间的关系。方法 采用免疫组织化学法检测82例人食管癌组织、对应癌旁正常食管组织及食管鳞状上皮不典型增生组织中B7-H3分子的表达以及CD8+T淋巴细胞的浸润程度。结果 食管癌组织中B7-H3蛋白的阳性表达率为98.8%(81/82),而B7-H3在癌旁及鳞状上皮不典型增生组织中几乎不表达。B7-H3的表达与患者年龄、肿瘤浸润深度及TNM分期相关,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,与肿瘤组织中CD8+T淋巴细胞浸润程度呈负相关(P<0.05),与患者预后呈负相关（P<0.05）。结论 B7-H3在食管癌中过表达,和肿瘤的进展密切相关。食管癌中B7-H3分子的表达可能参与了抑制食管癌组织内CD8+T细胞功能,促使肿瘤细胞逃避免疫监视,提示B7-H3在食管癌诊断、判断预后及靶向治疗中具有潜在的临床应用价值。     

弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤中B7-H1临床表达水平分析

目的 对弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)中B7-H1的表达水平进行分析.方法 收集DLBCL患者病理活检或手术切除的肿瘤组织标本50例,另收集瘤周正常淋巴组织标本50例作为对照.采用Western Blot法检测B7-H1在瘤周正常淋巴组织与DLBCL肿瘤组织中的表达水平;采用流式细胞仪检测瘤周正常淋巴组织与DLBCL肿瘤组织中B7-H1和调节性T细胞(Treg)的表达水平.结果 Western Blot检测结果显示,B7-H1在DLBCL肿瘤组织与瘤周正常淋巴组织中均有表达,与瘤周正常淋巴组织比较,DLBCL肿瘤组织中B7-H1的表达水平较高.HLA-DR+CD14+巨噬细胞在DLBCL肿瘤组织中表达B7-H1的比例较瘤周正常淋巴组织高(P﹤0.05).与瘤周正常淋巴组织相比较,DLBCL肿瘤组织中(包括IPI值≥2分与IPI值﹤2分)pDC、Treg、mDC与调节性T细胞(CD4+/CD8+)的比例较高(P﹤0.05).结论 B7-H1在DLBCL患者的淋巴组织中呈高表达,提示B7-H1与淋巴瘤细胞的免疫逃逸有关,从而造成了DLBCL细胞免疫平衡的失调.     

Immunogene therapy against mouse leukemia using B7 molecules

B7 costimulatory molecules play an important role in T-cell activation. It is well known that tumor cells that express B7 molecules can elicit antitumor immunity, but little is known regarding which B7 molecule, B7-1 (CD80) or B7-2 (CD86), can do so more efficiently. To address this issue, we have introduced B7-1 or B7-2 into 8709 cells, a radiation-induced mouse myelocytic leukemic cell line, and have compared their potentials regarding the induction of antitumor immunity. Either B7-1- or B7-2-transduced monoclonal sublines, 8709/B7-1 or 8709/B7-2, respectively, diminished tumorigenicity in syngeneic C3H mice. Some reports have indicated that B7-1 is superior to B7-2 in the induction of antitumor immunity. Contrary to these results, the 8709/B7-2 lines are superior to the 8709/B7-1 lines in their capacity to induce antitumor immunity. In vivo depletion of lymphocyte subsets demonstrated that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were indispensable for B7-1- or B7-2-dependent antitumor immunity, whereas natural killer cells were not. These results suggest that in some circumstances, B7-2 molecule is more effective than B7-1 molecule in eliciting antitumor immunity.     

Blockade of B7-H1 with sPD-1 improves immunity against murine hepatocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: The B7-H1/PD-1 pathway has been demonstrated to be involved in tumor evasion. In a previous study, we constructed a eukaryotic expression plasmid (pPD-1A), which expresses soluble PD-1 (sPD-1). In this study, the question of whether or not the blockade of B7-H1 with sPD-1 in vivo and vitro can improve antitumor immunity was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The proliferation of lymphocytes activated by dendritic cells (DCs), which were treated with sPD-1 in vitro, was detected with MTT colorimetry. Mice inoculated with H22 cells were treated by intramuscular injection with pPD-1A. The mRNA expression was analyzed with RT-PCR. RESULTS: The early activation of lymphocytes in vitro was partly improved by sPD-1 blockade. The growth of H22 cells was inhibited significantly after pPD-1A administration. The mRNA expression of 4-1BB, B7.1, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha of lymphocytes was up-regulated and that of OX40 and IL-10 was down-regulated after pPD-1A administration. CONCLUSION: Blockade of the PD-1/B7-H1 pathway with sPD-1 may be a promising strategy for immunotherapy for hepatocarcinoma. Both cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules of lymphocytes could be regulated by sPD-1 blockade.     

Relationship between B7-H4, regulatory T cells, and patient outcome in human ovarian carcinoma

B7-H4 is a recently identified B7 family member. We previously showed that ovarian tumor and associated macrophages expressed B7-H4; tumor B7-H4+ macrophages and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppressed tumor-associated antigen-specific T-cell immunity. To determine the pathologic relationship between B7-H4, macrophages, and Treg cells in the tumor environment, in addition to Treg cell numbers, we quantified B7-H4 expression in the tumor and tumor-associated macrophages in 103 patients with ovarian carcinoma. We observed that the intensity of B7-H4 expression in macrophages was significantly correlated with Treg cell numbers in the tumor. Further, both Treg cells and macrophage B7-H4, but not tumor B7-H4, were negatively associated with patient outcome. Tumor Treg cells enabled macrophages to spontaneously produce interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6. Tumor macrophages stimulated B7-H4 expression in an autocrine manner through IL-10 and IL-6. Our previous work showed that tumor-associated macrophages spontaneously produced chemokine CCL22 to mediate Treg cell trafficking into tumor, and Treg cells induced B7-H4 on antigen-presenting cells (APC) including macrophages. Altogether, our data support the concept that there is a mechanistic interaction between Treg cells and macrophage, and that Treg cells may convey the suppressive activity to APCs through B7-H4 induction in human ovarian cancer.     

共刺激分子B7-H3在骨肉瘤组织中的表达及临床意义

背景与目的：B7-H3是近年来新发现的协同刺激分子B7家族成员,但目前其在骨肿瘤中的表达及作用机制尚不明确。该研究旨在通过检测人骨肉瘤中B7-H3分子的表达,分析其与患者临床病理因素以及术后生存时间之间的关系。方法：采用免疫组织化学法检测61例人骨肉瘤组织、对应癌旁组织及良性骨肿瘤组织中B7-H3分子的表达以及肿瘤浸润T淋巴细胞的浸润程度。结果：骨肉瘤组织中B7-H3分子表达的阳性率为91.8(56/61),而B7-H3在癌旁及骨纤维结构发育不良组织中几乎不表达。B7-H3分子在骨软骨瘤中表达率为56.8%,但染色强度明显弱于骨肉瘤组织。B7-H3的表达与患者的Ennecking分期、是否发生肺转移之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),与肿瘤组织中CD8⁺T淋巴细胞浸润程度呈负相关(P<0.05),与患者预后呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论：B7-H3在人骨肉瘤中组织异常高表达,并与肿瘤的进展、患者的预后密切相关;B7-H3可能参与了骨肉瘤微环境中的CD8⁺T细胞功能的调节,促使肿瘤细胞逃避免疫监视。     

B7-H1 expression on non-small cell lung cancer cells and its relationship with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and their PD-1 expression.

PURPOSE: B7-H1/PD-L1 (B7-H1) and B7-DC/PD-L2 (B7-DC) are ligands for the receptor PD-1, which is known to negatively regulate T-cell activation. In the present study, we investigated the expression of B7-H1 and B7-DC in tumor specimens of non-small cell lung cancer and their relationships with clinicopathological variables and postoperative survival. Furthermore, we examined the correlation between B7-H1 expression on tumor cells and the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) or PD-1 expression on TILs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The expression of B7-H1 and B7-DC in 52 surgically resected specimens of non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Expression of B7-H1 and B7-DC was focally observed in all non-small cell lung cancer tumor specimens. No relationship was found between the expression of B7-H1 or B7-DC and clinicopathological variables or postoperative survival. However, in the same sections evaluated, significantly fewer TILs were identified in B7-H1-positive tumor regions than in B7-H1-negative tumor regions in a subset of five patients (P = 0.01). Moreover, the percentage of TILs expressing PD-1 was significantly lower in B7-H1-positive tumor regions than in B7-H1-negative tumor regions (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of B7-H1 on tumor cells in local areas reciprocally correlated with the number of TILs, and this may contribute to negative regulation in antitumor immune responses in non-small cell lung cancer.     

B7+ T cells in myeloma: an acquired marker of prior chronic antigen presentation

Murine T cells do not endogenously upregulate CD80 expression but rather acquire CD80 from antigen presenting cells (APC) during CD28 ligation. Murine CD80+ memory T cells undergo apoptosis in the presence of high levels of antigen while naive CD80+ T cells are capable of acting as APC and T cell:T cell ligation induces anergy and unresponsiveness to antigen rechallenge. Reversing T cell unresponsiveness may be a key factor in the development of immunotherapy strategies for patients with myeloma. We have determined that B7+ T cells (CD80+ or CD86+) are common in patients with myeloma (n = 45), can be either CD4 or CD8, tend to be associated with stable disease and are polyclonal memory T cells (CD45RO). CD80 mRNA expression was present in CD80+ monocytes but not in CD3+ cells with a similar level of CD80 antigen expression. CD80 and CD86 antigen expression was upregulated on B cells but not T cells during incubation with trimeric human CD40 ligand (huCD40LT) + IL-2. Although there was a gradual loss of expression during in vitro culture, CD80+ T cells could be purified for further study. We conclude that B7 expression is common on T cells of patients with myeloma but that this is acquired rather than endogenously produced. B7+ CD45RO+ T cells constitute a population of memory T cells chronically exposed to antigen and warrant further study.     

Clinical significance and regulation of the costimulatory molecule B7-H1 in pancreatic cancer

We investigated the expression pattern and clinical significance of the costimulatory ligands B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, and B7-DC, and their counter-receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1 in pancreatic cancer. Gene expression of all examined costimulatory molecules was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues. B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, and B7-DC protein was detectable in pancreatic cancer cells. Only the expression of B7-H1 significantly correlated with postoperative survival (p<0.0001). B7-H1 was inducible in cultured pancreatic cancer cells by IFN-gamma and significantly correlated with the level of IFN-gamma expression in human pancreatic cancer tissues (Spearman rho=0.4536,p=0.0029). B7-H1 positive tumors showed an increased prevalence of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (T(regs)) compared to B7-H1 negative tumors. Among the investigated costimulatory molecules only tumor-associated B7-H1 seems to be of prognostic relevance in pancreatic cancer. B7-H1 might, therefore, be involved in the downregulation of antitumor responses through regulation of T(regs) in pancreatic cancer. Our findings also suggest a dual role of IFN-gamma in antitumor response. Through induction of B7-H1 in pancreatic cancer cells IFN-gamma might contribute to the evasion of antitumor immunity.     

基于生物信息学分析METTL7B在胶质瘤组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨甲基转移酶样蛋白7B(METTL7B)在胶质瘤组织中的表达及其与患者临床病理特征和预后的相关性。方法：基于CGGA数据库胶质瘤数据和GTEx数据库正常脑组织数据,分析METTL7B基因在胶质瘤与正常脑组织中的表达差异,并用GEPIA数据库数据和免疫组织化学染色法进行验证。用Kaplan-Meier生存分析、单因素Cox分析、多因素Cox分析及ROC曲线分析等评估METTL7B在胶质瘤患者预后中的价值,用CGGA数据库数据分析METTL7B表达与胶质瘤患者临床病理特征的相关性,用CIBERSORT及TIMER数据库进行肿瘤免疫细胞浸润分析,进行KEGG通路富集分析及GO功能富集分析,通过基因共表达分析确定与METTL7B相关的基因。结果：METTL7B在胶质瘤组织中明显上调（均P<0.05）,METTL7B表达是胶质瘤患者独立的不良预后因素。METTL7B高表达与高龄（>41岁）、肿瘤分级增加、肿瘤复发或继发性肿瘤、IDH野生型、1p19q非共缺失以及肿瘤的恶性病理学有关联（均P<0.01）;METTL7B表达与B细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、单核细胞...