TLR9 signaling in the tumor microenvironment initiates cancer recurrence after radiation therapy
Cancer radiotherapy may be immunogenic, but it is unclear why its immunogenic effects are rarely sufficient to prevent tumor recurrence. Here, we report a novel Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-dependent mechanism that initiates tumor regrowth after local radiotherapy. Systemic inhibition of TLR9, but not TLR4, delayed tumor recurrence in mouse models of B16 melanoma, MB49 bladder […]
Intracellular processing of immunostimulatory CpG-siRNA: toll-like receptor 9 facilitates siRNA dicing and endosomal escape
Dicer-substrate siRNAs equipped with CpG oligodeoxyribonucleotides overcome the major hurdle in cell-specific siRNA delivery. The CpG–siRNA molecules are actively internalized by TLR9+ cells, without the need for transfection reagents, leading to RNA interference both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CpG–siRNA processing in target cells. We show that shortly after […]
STAT3-induced S1PR1 expression is crucial for persistent STAT3 activation in tumors
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-Janus kinase (JAK) signaling is viewed as crucial for persistent signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) activation in cancer. However, IL-6-induced STAT3 activation is normally transient. Here we identify a key mechanism for persistent STAT3 activation in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. We show that expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1), a G […]
Targeting STAT3 in the myeloid compartment drastically improves the in vivo antitumor functions of adoptively transferred T cells
Improving effector T-cell functions is highly desirable for preventive or therapeutic interventions of diverse diseases. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in the myeloid compartment constrains Th1-type immunity, dampening natural and induced antitumor immune responses. We have recently developed an in vivo small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery platform by conjugating a Toll-like receptor […]
STATs in cancer inflammation and immunity: a leading role for STAT3
Commensurate with their roles in regulating cytokine-dependent inflammation and immunity, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are central in determining whether immune responses in the tumour microenvironment promote or inhibit cancer. Persistently activated STAT3 and, to some extent, STAT5 increase tumour cell proliferation, survival and invasion while suppressing anti-tumour immunity. The persistent activation […]
TLR agonist-STAT3 siRNA conjugates: cell-specific gene silencing and enhanced antitumor immune responses
Efficient delivery of siRNA to specific cell populations in vivo remains a formidable challenge to its successful therapeutic application. We describe a novel siRNA-based approach – synthetically linking siRNA to an oligonucleotide TLR9 agonist – that targets and silences genes in TLR9+ myeloid cells and B cells, both of which are key components of the tumor microenvironment. Because […]
