IL23-Producing Human Lung Cancer Cells Promote Tumor Growth via Conversion of Innate Lymphoid Cell 1 (ILC1) into ILC3
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
Authors: Koh, Jaemoon; Kim, Hye Young; Lee, Youngha; Park, In Kyu; Kang, Chang Hyun; Kim, Young Tae; Kim, Ji-Eun; Choi, Murim; Lee, Won-Woo; Jeon, Yoon Kyung; Chung, Doo Hyun
Abstract
Purpose: The plasticity of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has been reported in vitro and in the microenvironment of the intestine. However, whether ILC plasticity contributes to regulation of the tumor microenvironment remains unknown. In this study, we explored plasticity of ILCs in human lung cancer. Experimental Design: We analyzed immune subsets and cytokine expression in lung cancers freshly obtained from 80 patients and explored conversion of ILC1 into ILC3 in coculture with lung cancer cells. Prognostic effects of converted ILC3 and related pathway were evaluated by retrospective cohort composed of 875 patients with lung cancer. Results: Low percentages of ILC1, and high percentages of ILC3 were found in pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC) but not adenocarcinomas (ADC). In non-small-cell lung cancers, the percentage of ILC3 was associated with IL23 expression in tumor cells but not immune cells. In cocultures, tumor cells of SqCCs converted ILC1 into ILC3 by producing IL23, thus promoting IL17-mediated tumor cell proliferation. Consistently, among IL17(+) immune cells, the percentages of ILCs were higher in SqCCs than ADCs. Furthermore, the numbers of CD3(+) ROR gamma t(+) ILC3, IL17 expression level, and IL23-or IL17RA-expressing tumor cells were associated with short survival of patients with SqCC but not ADC. Conclusions: Conversion from ILC1 into ILC3 by IL23-producing SqCCs promotes IL17-mediated tumor progression, resulting in a poor prognosis.
hsa_circ_0003738 Inhibits the Suppressive Function of Tregs by Targeting miR-562/IL-17A and miR-490-5p/IFN-y Signaling Pathway
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
Authors: Yang, Luting; Zhang, Chen; Bai, Xiaocui; Xiao, Chunying; Dang, Erle; Wang, Gang
Abstract
Dysfunction in the suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been related to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the importance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating various biological process, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, etc. However, the role of circRNAs in modulating the suppressive functions of psoriatic Tregs and the underlying mechanisms have not been investigated. Here, by using circRNA microarray analysis, we discovered four upregulated and four downregulated circRNAs in psoriatic Tregs. Quantitative real-time PCR further confirmed a significant increase of circ_0003738 in psoriatic Tregs. Importantly, knockdown of circ_0003738 by lentivirus in psoriatic Tregs could restore their suppressive functions via inhibiting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Moreover, we found that circ_0003738 could bind to miR-562 to release the inhibition of target gene IL-17RA (IL-17 receptor A), thus promoting IL-17A signaling in psoriatic Tregs. In parallel, circ_0003738 acted also as a sponge for miR-490-5p and relieved inhibition for the target gene IFNGR2, which promoted IFN-gamma signaling in psoriatic Tregs. Our study demonstrated that upregulated circ_0003738 decreased the suppressive function of psoriatic Tregs via the miR-562/IL17RA and miR-490-5p/IFNGR2 (IFN-gamma receptor 2) axis, which indicated the involvement of circRNAs in the pathogenesis of dysfunctional Tregs. These findings will provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of psoriasis.