Project description:Radiation therapy is a mainstay of cancer treatment but does not always lead to complete tumor regression. Here we combine radiotherapy with blockade of the 'don't-eat-me' cell-surface molecule CD47 in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a highly metastatic form of lung cancer. CD47 blockade potently enhances the local antitumor effects of radiotherapy in preclinical models of SCLC. Notably, CD47 blockade also stimulates off-target 'abscopal' effects inhibiting non-irradiated SCLC tumors in mice receiving radiation. These abscopal effects are independent of T cells but require macrophages that migrate into non-irradiated tumor sites in response to inflammatory signals produced by radiation and are locally activated by CD47 blockade to phagocytose cancer cells. Similar abscopal antitumor effects were observed in other cancer models treated with radiation and CD47 blockade. The systemic activation of antitumor macrophages following radiotherapy and CD47 blockade may be particularly important in patients with cancer who suffer from metastatic disease.
Project description:Cordycepin is widely considered a direct tumor-suppressive agent. However, few studies have investigated as the effect of cordycepin therapy on the tumor microenvironment (TME). In our present study, we demonstrated that cordycepin could weaken the function of M1-like macrophages in the TME and also contribute to macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. Herein, we established a combined therapeutic strategy combining cordycepin and an anti-CD47 antibody. By using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we showed that the combination treatment could significantly enhance the effect of cordycepin, which would reactivate macrophages and reverse macrophage polarization. In addition, the combination treatment could regulate the proportion of CD8+ T cells to prolong the progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with digestive tract malignancies. Finally, flow cytometry validated the changes in the proportions of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Collectively, our findings suggested that the combination treatment of cordycepin and the anti-CD47 antibody could significantly enhance tumor suppression, increase the proportion of M1 macrophages, and decrease the proportion of M2 macrophages. In addition, the PFS in patients with digestive tract malignancies would be prolonged by regulating CD8 + T cells.
Project description:During sepsis, acute lung injury (ALI) results from activation of innate immune cells and endothelial cells by endotoxins, leading to systemic inflammation through proinflammatory cytokine overproduction, oxidative stress, and intracellular Ca2+ overload. Despite considerable investigation, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) leading to LPS-induced ALI remain elusive. To determine whether stromal interaction molecule 1-dependent (STIM1-dependent) signaling drives endothelial dysfunction in response to LPS, we investigated oxidative and STIM1 signaling of EC-specific Stim1-knockout mice. Here we report that LPS-mediated Ca2+ oscillations are ablated in ECs deficient in Nox2, Stim1, and type II inositol triphosphate receptor (Itpr2). LPS-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) nuclear accumulation was abrogated by either antioxidant supplementation or Ca2+ chelation. Moreover, ECs lacking either Nox2 or Stim1 failed to trigger store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCe) and NFAT nuclear accumulation. LPS-induced vascular permeability changes were reduced in EC-specific Stim1-/- mice, despite elevation of systemic cytokine levels. Additionally, inhibition of STIM1 signaling prevented receptor-interacting protein 3-dependent (RIP3-dependent) EC death. Remarkably, BTP2, a small-molecule calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel blocker administered after insult, halted LPS-induced vascular leakage and pulmonary edema. These results indicate that ROS-driven Ca2+ signaling promotes vascular barrier dysfunction and that the SOCe machinery may provide crucial therapeutic targets to limit sepsis-induced ALI.
Project description:Immune checkpoint inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR TKIs) are mainstream treatments for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Both T cells and macrophages infiltrate the tumor microenvironment of RCC. CD47, an immune checkpoint of macrophages, transmits the "don't eat me" signal to macrophages. We propose a novel therapeutic strategy that activates the antitumor effect of macrophages. We found that CD47 was expressed in patients with RCC, and high CD47 expression was indicative of worse overall survival in datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We observed that CD47-blocking antibodies enhanced the antitumor effect of macrophages against human RCC cell lines. Trogocytosis, rather than phagocytosis, occurred and was promoted by increased cell-to-cell contact between macrophages and RCC cells. Trogocytosis induced by CD47 blockade occurred in the presence of CD11b integrin signaling in macrophages and was augmented when RCC cells were exposed to VEGFR TKIs, except for sunitinib. In conclusion, this study presents evidence that anti-CD47 blocking antibodies improve the antitumor effect of macrophages in RCC. In combination with VEGFR TKIs, CD47 blockade is a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with RCC.
Project description:Cordycepin was widely considered as a direct tumor-suppressive drug, however, and as of now few studies have been presented to investigate the effect of cordycepin therapy to the tumor microenvironment (TME). In our study, we demonstrated that cordycepin would decrease the function of M1-like macrophage in TME, and also contribute to macrophage polarization (M2-macrophage). Herein, we tried to establish a combined therapeutic strategy of cordycepin and anti-CD47 antibody. Using single cell RNA sequencing, we improved that the combined treatment would significantly increase the effect of cordycepin, which would reactivate macrophages and reverse macrophage polarization. And then, the combined treatment would regulate the proportion of CD8+T cells to increase the PFS for digestive tract malignancy patients. Finally, Flow cytometry was used to validate the change of percentage for TAM and TIL. Our finding suggests the combined treatment of cordycepin and anti-CD47 mAb could significantly increase tumor suppression, which could increase M1-macrophage and decrease M2-macrophage. The PFS for digestive tract malignancy patients would be increased though regulation of CD8+T cells.
Project description:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in working age adults. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) blockade on the complications of DR. Experimental models of diabetes were induced with streptozotocin (STZ) treatment or Insulin2 gene mutation (Akita) in mice. Protein expression and localization were examined by western blots (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF). mRNA expression was quantified by PCR array and real-time PCR. The activity of VEGFR1 signaling was blocked by a neutralizing antibody called MF1. Vascular leakage was evaluated by measuring the leakage of [(3)H]-mannitol tracer into the retina and the IF staining of albumin. VEGFR1 blockade significantly inhibited diabetes-related vascular leakage, leukocytes-endothelial cell (EC) adhesion (or retinal leukostasis), expression of intercellular adhesion molecule- (ICAM-) 1 protein, abnormal localization and degeneration of the tight junction protein zonula occludens- (ZO-) 1, and the cell adhesion protein vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin. In addition, VEGFR1 blockade interfered with the gene expression of 10 new cytokines and chemokines: cxcl10, il10, ccl8, il1f6, cxcl15, ccl4, il13, ccl6, casp1, and ccr5. These results suggest that VEGFR1 mediates complications of DR and targeting this signaling pathway represents a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of DR.
Project description:Autoimmune uveitis is a sight-threatening ocular inflammatory condition in which the retina and uveal tissues become a target of autoreactive immune cells. The CD47 is a ubiquitously expressed transmembrane protein which plays multiple roles in fundamental cellular functions including phagocytosis, proliferation, and adhesion. Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), one of the CD47 ligands, is predominantly expressed in myeloid lineage cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) or macrophages, and CD47-SIRPα signaling pathway is implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. Our current study demonstrates how CD47 depletion is effective in the prevention of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), an animal model of human autoimmune uveitis, in animals deficient of CD47 (CD47-/- ). Systemic suppression of SIRPα+ DCs in animals deficient in CD47 resulted in the inability of autoreactive CD4+ T cells to develop, which is crucial to induction of EAU. Of interest, retinal microglia, the resident immune cell of the retina, express SIRPα, however these cells were not operative in EAU suppression in response to CD47 depletion. These results identify CD47 as a significant regulator in the development of SIRPα+ DCs that is vital to disease induction in EAU.
Project description:BackgroundThe complement and kallikrein-kinin systems (KKS) are activated during vascular inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate if blockade of the KKS can affect complement activation on the endothelium during inflammation.MethodsComplement deposition on endothelial microvesicles was assayed in vasculitis patient plasma samples and controls. Plasma was perfused over glomerular endothelial cells and complement deposition assayed by flow cytometry. The effect of the kinin system was assessed using kinin receptor antagonists and C1-inhibitor. The in vivo effect was assessed in kidney sections from mice with nephrotoxic serum-induced glomerulonephritis treated with a kinin receptor antagonist.FindingsVasculitis patient plasma had significantly more C3- and C9-positive endothelial microvesicles than controls. Perfusion of patient acute-phase plasma samples over glomerular endothelial cells induced the release of significantly more complement-positive microvesicles, in comparison to remission or control plasma. Complement activation on endothelial microvesicles was reduced by kinin B1- and B2-receptor antagonists or by C1-inhibitor (the main inhibitor of the classical pathway and the KKS). Likewise, perfusion of glomerular endothelial cells with C1-inhibitor-depleted plasma induced the release of complement-positive microvesicles, which was significantly reduced by kinin-receptor antagonists or C1-inhibitor. Mice with nephrotoxic serum-induced glomerulonephritis exhibited significantly reduced glomerular C3 deposition when treated with a B1-receptor antagonist.InterpretationExcessive complement deposition on the endothelium will promote endothelial injury and the release of endothelial microvesicles. This study demonstrates that blockade of the KKS can reduce complement activation and thereby the inflammatory response on the endothelium.FundingFull details are provided in the Acknowledgements/Funding section.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with WHO grade III meningioma have a poor prognosis with a median survival of less than two years and a high risk of recurrence. However, traditional treatment options have failed to improve prognosis. Therefore, development of novel immunotherapy targets is urgently needed. CD47 acting as a "don't eat me" signal to macrophages can trigger tumor immune escape. However, the role of CD47 in malignant meningioma is not well understood.MethodsWe collected 190 clinical meningioma samples and detected the expression of CD47 and immune infiltration in WHO grade I-III by immunohistochemistry, western blot, qPCR. We also examined the functional effects of anti-CD47 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, macrophagemediated phagocytosis and tumorigenicity both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsWe found that the expression of CD47 was increased in malignant meningioma along with a decreased number of T cells and an increase in CD68+ macrophages. Blocking CD47 with anti-CD47 antibody (B6H12) suppressed tumor cell growth, motility and promoted macrophage-mediated phagocytosis in IOMM-Lee cells in vitro. In vivo experiments showed that anti-CD47 antibody (B6H12 or MIAP301) significantly inhibited the tumor growth and this effect was partly blocked by the depletion of macrophages. Finally, p-ERK and EGFR showed higher expression in malignant meningioma with high expression of CD47, which was verified by western blot.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that CD47 maybe involved in the meningioma progression and prognosis and offered a novel therapeutic option by targeting CD47 in malignant meningioma.