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International audience; Luminal breast cancers represent 70% of newly diagnosed breast cancers per annum and have a relatively good prognosis compared with triple-negative breast cancers. Luminal tumors that are responsive to hormonal therapy are particularly associated with a favorable prognosis. Nonetheless, the absolute number of metastatic relapses in luminal cancers is larger than in triple-negative breast cancers. A better understanding of the biology of luminal cancers, control of metastases formation, and identification of predictive markers of their evolution are therefore still necessary. In this context, we previously disclosed the key role of NFAT3 in regulating luminal breast cancer invasion. We have now identified a specific inhibitory region, in the C-terminal part of NFAT3, required for the inhibition of invasion of the human luminal breast cancer cell line T-47D. Indeed, we showed that this 85 amino acid C-terminal region acts as a dominant negative form of NFAT3 and that its overexpression in the T-47D cell line led to increased cell invasion. Mechanistically, we have revealed that this region of NFAT3 interacts with the small Ras GTPase RERG (RAS like estrogen regulated growth inhibitor) and shown that RERG expression is required for NFAT3 to impede T-47D cell invasion. We have validated the association of NFAT3 with RERG in human luminal breast cancer tissues. We have shown an increase of the quantity of the NFAT3/RERG complexes in patients without axillary lymph node colonization and therefore proposed that the detection of this complex may be a non-invasive marker of axillary lymph node colonization.

International audience; Sézary syndrome is an aggressive form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of a malignant CD4+ T-cell clone in both blood and skin. Its pathophysiology is still poorly understood, and the development of targeted therapies is hampered by the absence of specific target proteins. AAC-11 plays important roles in cancer cell progression and survival and thus has been considered as an anticancer therapeutic target. In this study, we show that a peptide called RT39, comprising a portion of AAC-11‒binding site to its protein partners coupled to the penetratin sequence, induces the specific elimination of the malignant T-cell clone both ex vivo on the circulating cells of patients with Sézary syndrome and in vivo in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. RT39 acts by direct binding to PAK1 that is overexpressed, located in the plasma membrane, and constitutively activated in Sézary cells, resulting in their selective depletion by membranolysis. Along with the absence of toxicity, our preclinical efficacy evidence suggests that RT39 might represent a promising alternative therapeutic tool for Sézary syndrome because it spares the nonmalignant immune cells and, contrary to antibody-based immunotherapies, does not require the mobilization of the cellular immunity that shows heavy deficiencies at advanced stages of the disease.

Amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) is a subtype of DM defined by the presence of cutaneous signs of DM with no evidence of muscle weakness or abnormal muscle enzymes for ≥ 6 months.1 Classical DM (CDM) is characterized by modification of circulating lymphocytes 4, type I interferon (IFN) signature 2, elevation of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines 3. Pathophysiology of ADM is less studied. We analysed circulating T cells by flowcytometry (using specific monoclonal antibodies), peripheral blood mononuclear cells type I IFN signature by PCR and serum cytokine levels by ELISA in a series of 17 ADM and 15 CDM patients. [...]

Un des enjeux majeurs de ce XXIesiècle est la lutte contre le vieillissement, défini comme un ensemble de mécanismes physiologiques altérant les capacités physiques et intellectuelles de l’organisme. Le vieillissement de la peau n’est qu’un trait visible de ce processus. Il est associé à des défauts de cicatrisation majeurs liés à l’altération des propriétés biomécaniques des cellules cutanées, essentiellement des fibroblastes dermiques. Le système immunitaire, autre composante clé du maintien de l’homéostasie cutanée et du bon déroulement de la cicatrisation des plaies, subit aussi les effets du temps : l’immunosénescence cutanée consécutive limiterait la réponse anti-infectieuse et vaccinale, tout en favorisant un environnement pro-tumoral. Les principales atteintes cutanées dues au vieillissement, que celui-ci soit intrinsèque ou extrinsèque, seront détaillées avant d’énumérer les stratégies anti-âges efficaces pour lutter contre les stigmates dermiques et épidermiques liées à l’âge.

The treatment of advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) remains an unmet medical need. Mogamulizumab, anti-KIR3DL2, and brentuximab vedotin (BV), an anti-CD30 antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) coupled with monomethyl-auristatin-E (MMAE), provided encouraging results, but new targeted therapies are needed. Inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), a T-cell costimulatory receptor, is a promising therapeutic target, not only because it is expressed by malignant T cells in CTCL but also because of its connection with the suppressive activity of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ICOS was widely expressed by malignant cells in skin biopsy specimens from 52 patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome (SS), as well as in involved node biopsy specimens from patients with SS. Furthermore, flow cytometry demonstrated its strong expression by circulating tumor cells in all our patients with SS. Percentages of ICOS+ Treg cells were significantly higher in patients with SS than in healthy donors. We then investigated the preclinical efficacy of anti-ICOS ADCs generated by coupling murine anti-ICOS monoclonal antibodies with MMAE and pyrrolobenzodiazepine. In 3 CTCL cell lines (Myla, MJ, and HUT78), we observed a significant dose-dependent decrease in cell viability in the presence of anti-ICOS ADCs. In addition, anti-ICOS-MMAE ADCs had an in vitro and in vivo efficacy superior to BV in a mouse xenograft model (MyLa). Finally, we assessed the efficacy of anti-ICOS ADCs in ICOS+ patient-derived xenografts from patients with SS and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Collectively, our findings provide the preliminary basis for a therapeutic trial.

TO THE EDITOR, Dermatomyositis (DM) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorder belonging to the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies affecting primarily skin and muscle with variable extent. Disease mechanism comprehension is growing, with a pivotal role of both the innate and adaptive immune system and involvement of both cellular and humoral actors (Nagaraju and Lundberg, 2011). [...]

International audience; No abstract available

Background The early diagnosis of Sezary syndrome (SS) is challenging. Loss of CD7 and CD26 expression on CD4+ T cells is the currently used criterion in the initial diagnosis and staging of patients with SS. Objectives Our aim was to evaluate the respective value of CD26, CD7 and KIR3DL2 expression on CD4+ T cells and total lymphocytes at initial diagnosis of SS. Methods This prospective study included 254 patients with clinical features consistent with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma seen at our institution between March 2014 and February 2019. Peripheral blood analysis by flow cytometry was performed for each patient at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. The diagnosis of SS was based on ISCL/EORTC criteria. Results The presence of KIR3DL2+ Sezary cells (SCs) ≥ 200 μL-1 correlated with the diagnosis of SS, with sensitivity of 88·6% and specificity of 96·3%. All 154 patients with either inflammatory skin disease or other haematological disease had KIR3DL2+ cells Conclusions KIR3DL2 expression on T cells is highly specific and helps the early diagnosis of SS, especially in those patients with lymphopenia. What's already known about this topic? In the ISCL/EORTC cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) categorization of blood involvement (B0-B2), B2 is defined as a T-cell receptor clonal rearrangement in blood, associated with high blood-smear Sezary cell (SC) count. Flow cytometry was developed to circumvent interobserver variability of SC manual counts; however, it mostly relies on detection of cells lacking CD7 and/or CD26 expression. We previously reported the reliability of KIR3DL2 as the first positive SC marker. What does this study add? Based on our analysis of 254 patients, we propose that KIR3DL2 be added to the ISCL/EORTC criteria for initial diagnosis of Sezary syndrome (SS) and B2 staging. This marker improved sensitivity of SS B2-stage CTCL diagnosis with a specificity > 95%, especially for patients with lymphopenia. We found KIR3DL2 helped early diagnosis of SS and was more reliable than CD26 in assessing blood tumour burden during therapy. What is the translational message? SC quantification is the major means of staging at initial diagnosis and monitoring blood tumour burden in a clinical trials setting. We recommend using a threshold value of KIR3DL2+ SCs ≥ 200 μL-1 or KIR3DL2+ SCs/lymphocytes ≥ 10% in the diagnostic criteria of SS and propose a novel algorithm for CTCL B2 blood staging.

International audience; Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide and remains a major cause of mortality with an expected 137,000 death this year in Europe. Standard management of metastatic BC comprises hormonotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have recently proved their efficiency in hormonal receptor expressing BC. Checkpoint proteins inhibition is being evaluated in phase 3 studies. Since inflammation is constantly present in cancers, research teams have focused their attention on the interleukin-17 (IL-17) family of proinflammatory cytokines. Preclinical experiments have reported both pro and antitumor effects depending on the conditions. In the present article, we review the accumulating evidences about the roles of IL-17 in BC and discuss whether this family of cytokines could be a new target in anticancer treatments.

International audience; No abstract available

International audience; Interleukin 17B (IL-17B) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that belongs to the IL-17 cytokines family and binds to IL-17 receptor B (IL-17RB). Here we found that high expression of IL-17B and IL-17RB is associated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer and that IL-17B expression upregulation is specifically associated with poorer survival in patients with basal-like breast cancer. We thus focused on IL-17B role in breast cancer by using luminal and triple negative (TN)/basal-like tumor cell lines. We found that IL-17B induces resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In vivo, IL-17B induced resistance to paclitaxel and treatment with an anti-IL-17RB neutralizing antibody completely restored breast tumor chemosensitivity, leading to tumor shrinkage. We next focused on the signaling pathways activated in human breast cancer cell lines upon incubation with IL-17B. We observed that IL-17B induces ERK1/2 pathway activation, leading to upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins of the BCL-2 family. IL-17B-induced chemoresistance was completely abolished by incubation with PD98059, an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK pathway, indicating that the ERK pathway plays a crucial role. Altogether our results emphasize the role of the IL-17B/IL-17RB signaling pathway in breast tumors and identify IL-17B and its receptor as attractive therapeutic targets for potentiating breast cancer chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss in men and is characterized by a distinct pattern of progressive hair loss starting from the frontal area and the vertex of the scalp. Although several genetic risk loci have been identified, relevant genes for AGA remain to be defined. OBJECTIVES: Herein, molecular biomarkers associated with premature AGA were identified through gene expression analysis using cDNA generated from scalp vertex biopsies of hairless/bald men with premature AGA and healthy volunteers. RESULTS: This monocentric study reveals that genes encoding mast cell granule enzymes, inflammatory and immunoglobulin-associated immune mediators were significantly over-expressed in AGA. In contrast, under-expressed genes appear to be associated with the Wnt/β-catenin and BMP/TGF-β signaling pathways. Although involvement of these pathways in hair follicle regeneration is well-described, functional interpretation of the transcriptomic data highlights different events that account for their inhibition. In particular, one of these events depends on the dysregulated expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), as confirmed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. In addition, lower expression of CYP27B1 in AGA subjects supports the notion that changes in vitamin D metabolism contributes to hair loss. CONCLUSION: This study provides compelling evidence for distinct molecular events contributing to alopecia that may pave way for new therapeutic approaches. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

International audience; The mechanism of telomerase re-activation in cancer had remained elusive until the discovery of frequent mutations in the promoter of the TERT gene that encodes the catalytic reverse transcriptase subunit of telomerase. We investigated the regulation of TERT expression in melanoma cell lines and our results show that promoter mutations render TERT expression dependent on MAPK activation due to oncogenic BRAF or NRAS mutations. Mutations in the TERT promoter create binding sites for ETS transcription factors. ETS1, expressed in melanoma cell lines, undergoes activating phosphorylation by ERK at Thr38 residue as a consequence of constitutively activated MAPK pathway. We demonstrate that ETS1 binds on the mutated TERT promoter leading to the re-expression of the gene. The inhibition of ETS1 resulted in reduced TERT expression. We provide evidence that the TERT promoter mutations provide a direct link between TERT expression and MAPK pathway activation due to BRAF or NRAS mutations via the transcription factor ETS1.

International audience; We report that CD39-expressing-melanoma cells inhibited both T-cell proliferation and the generation of cytotoxic effectors in an adenosine-dependent manner, and that treatment with a CD39-blocking antibody alleviated tumor-mediated immunosuppression. Thus, blocking CD39 ectonucleotidase may represent a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to restore antitumor immunity.

International audience; We have previously reported that a subset of breast tumors are infiltrated with IL-17A-producing tumor-associated lymphocytes and that IL-17A cytokine is principally associated with estrogen receptor negative (ER-) and triple negative, basal-like tumors. We established that IL-17A producing lymphocytes induced cancer cell proliferation, chemoresistance, and invasion, indicating that IL-17A is a potential therapeutic target for breast malignancies.

Nouvelle therapie antiangiogenique independante du VEGF qui cible le recepteur CD160 Philippe Le Bouteiller1, Julie Tabiasco1, Jerome Giustiniani2, Armand Bensussan3 1 Inserm UMR 1043, CNRS UMR 5282, universite de Toulouse, centre de physiopathologie de Toulouse-Purpan, hopital Purpan, Bât. A, BP 3028, 31024 Toulouse Cedex 3, France ; 2 Institut Jean Godinot, BP171, 51056 Reims Cedex, France ; 3 Inserm UMR 976, pavillon Bazin, hopital Saint-Louis, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France philippe.le-bouteiller@inserm.fr armand.bensussan@inserm.fr

It has been shown that HIV-1 infects activated but not resting CD4+ T cells [1] and that CPE induced by viral replication together with the immunosuppressive effect triggered by extracellular Tat protein [2] account for the decrease of CD4+ T cell count in infected patients. In lymphoid foci, dependent on the level of viral infection, the stromal microenvironment surrounding immune cells could include, together with extracellular Tat [3] and circulating antiviral IFN-α, inflammatory innate factors such as ATP and derivatives released by CPE-derived dead cells. We show that, according to its concentration and the presence of inflammatory factors (IFN-α, ATP and ATP-derivatives), Tat protein may exert either an activation with enhanced production of IL2 or an immune suppression of stimulated CD4+ T cells subpopulations. The double-edged sword of Tat activity on CD4+ T cells could account for its immunopathogenic effects both at the early stage of infection (by allowing CD4+ T cells activation and viral replication) and at late stages (by inducing immuosuppression, source of opportunistic infections). Indications for targeting Tat protein by therapeutic vaccines in subgroups of HIV-1 infected patients will be discussed.

HIV-1 infection is characterized by a chronic activation of the immune system and suppressed function of T lymphocytes. Regulatory CD4+ CD25high FoxP3+CD127low T cells (Treg) play a key role in both conditions. Here, we show that HIV-1 positive patients have a significant increase of Treg-associated expression of CD39/ENTPD1, an ectoenzyme which in concert with CD73 generates adenosine. We show in vitro that the CD39/adenosine axis is involved in Treg suppression in HIV infection. Treg inhibitory effects are relieved by CD39 down modulation and are reproduced by an adenosine-agonist in accordance with a higher expression of the adenosine A2A receptor on patients' T cells. Notably, the expansion of the Treg CD39+ correlates with the level of immune activation and lower CD4+ counts in HIV-1 infected patients. Finally, in a genetic association study performed in three different cohorts, we identified a CD39 gene polymorphism that was associated with down-modulated CD39 expression and a slower progression to AIDS., Author Summary HIV-1 infection is characterized by a chronic activation of the immune system. Regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a population of lymphocytes that controls inappropriate or exaggerated immune activation induced by pathogens, thereby influencing the outcome of various infections. Several studies have shown that Treg are expanded in HIV infected patients. However, the mechanisms of Treg immune-modulator functions are not clearly known. CD39 is an ectonucleotidase which converts the proinflammatory ATP signal into AMP and the immunosuppressive adenosine in concert with CD73. A critical role of CD39 has been described for Treg in general but few studies have analyzed its role in HIV infection. We report here an expansion of Treg expressing CD39 in a cohort of HIV-infected patients. In vitro these cells exerted a strong suppressive effect on the effector CD8 T cells. Treg inhibitory effects were relieved by CD39 down-modulation using an anti-CD39 monoclonal antibody. Treg suppressive effects were reproduced by an adenosine agonist in accordance with a higher expression of the adenosine A2A receptor on patients' T cells. From a clinical stand point, we show also a correlation between Treg CD39+ expansion and both immune activation and CD4+ T cell depletion in patients. Finally, by genetic analysis of three different cohorts of patients, we found that a CD39 gene polymorphism associated with a lower CD39 expression correlated with a slower progression to AIDS. Thus, our results contribute to elucidate the mechanisms by which Treg suppression occurs during HIV infection.

A monoclonal anti-CD160 antibody inhibits the growth of new vessels in pathological ocular and tumor neoangiogenesis but not in healthy tissues., Angiogenesis plays an essential role in several diseases of the eye and in the growth of solid tumors, but existing antiangiogenic therapies have limited benefits in several cases. We report the antiangiogenic effects of a monoclonal antibody, CL1-R2, in several animal models of neovascularization. CL1-R2 recognizes human CD160, a membrane receptor which is conserved in various mammal species. We show that CD160 is expressed on the endothelial cells of newly formed blood vessels in human colon carcinoma and mouse B16 melanoma but not in vessels of healthy tissues. CL1-R2 reduced fibroblast growth factor 2–induced neovascularization in the rabbit cornea, in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy, and in a mouse Matrigel plug assay. Treatment of B16 melanoma-bearing mice with CL1-R2 combined with cyclophosphamide chemotherapy caused regression of the tumor vasculature and normalization of the remaining vessels as shown by Doppler ultrasonography, intravital microscopy, and histology. These studies validate CD160 as a potential new target in cases of human pathological ocular and tumor neoangiogenesis that do not respond or become resistant to existing antiangiogenic drugs.

Organ transplantation represents a unique therapeutic option for irreparable organ dysfunction and rejection of transplants results from a breakdown in operational tolerance. Although endothelial cells (ECs) are the first target in graft rejection following kidney transplantation, their capacity to alloactivate and generate particular T lymphocyte subsets that could intervene in this process remains unknown. By using an experimental model of microvascular endothelium, we demonstrate that, under inflammatory conditions, human ECs induced proliferation of memory CD4 + CD45RA − T cells and selectively amplified proinflammatory Th17 and suppressive CD45RA − HLA-DR + FoxP3 bright regulatory CD4 + T lymphocytes (Tregs). Although HLA-DR expression on resting microvascular ECs was sufficient to induce proliferation of memory CD4 + T cells, Treg amplification was dependent on the interaction with CD54, highly expressed only under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, expansion of Th17 cells was dependent on IL-6 and STAT-3, and inhibition of either specifically impaired Th17, without altering Treg expansion. Collectively these data reveal that the HLA-DR + ECs regulate the local inflammatory allogeneic response, promoting either an IL-6/STAT-3–dependent Th17 response or a contact-CD54–dependent regulatory response according to the cytokine environment. Finally, these data open therapeutic perspectives in human organ transplantation based on targeting the IL-6/STAT-3 pathway and/or promoting CD54 dependent Treg proliferation.

International audience; Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is characterized by an acute detachment and destruction of keratinocytes, affecting large areas of the skin. It is often related to adverse drug reactions. Previous studies have shown that effector CD8+ T cells, which accumulate in the blister fluid, are functionally cytotoxic and act through a classical perforin/granzyme B pathway. It has recently been shown that these cytotoxic T cells also secrete granulysin peptide, which is lethal to keratinocytes. These cytotoxic T cells exert their killer activity against autologous keratinocytes in the presence of the drug. However, they are unlikely to be the only effectors of TEN. We therefore searched for soluble death factors in the blister fluids that might kill keratinocytes. We found that the amounts of interferon-γ, TRAIL and TNF-α proteins were significantly greater in TEN blister fluids than in all controls (normal sera, TEN sera, burns and Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis blister fluids) and TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) amounts are also greater in all controls except burns. We showed that these proteins acted in synergy to induce the death of keratinocytes in vitro. We also found that TRAIL and TWEAK were secreted by CD1a+ and CD14+ cells present in the blister fluids. Thus, in addition to MHC class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which lyse keratinocytes, ligands secreted by non-lymphoid cells capable of inducing keratinocyte death in an MHC class I-independent manner, also seem to be present in the blister fluids of patients with TEN.

International audience; Background : Tyrosinase (TYR) is a key pigmentation gene that is highly polymorphic and responsible for the most common form of autosomal recessive albinism, OCA1. Objective : To assess the role of frequent and rare TYR variants in predisposition to skin cancer (SK) in the French population. Methods : We genotyped a frequent TYR variant (p.R402Q) in 1273 patients {1047 cutaneous melanoma (CM) and 226 basal cell carcinoma (BCC)} and 925 controls, and the full coding region of TYR was sequenced in 287 patients suspected of genetic predisposition to SK (familial and/or multiple SK and/or onset before 40 years) and 187 controls. Results : The homozygous p.R402Q variant was significantly associated with SK risk (P value = 0.008; OR = 1.57), and was mostly associated with multiple CM risk (P value = 0.021; OR = 2.50) and familial CM risk (P value = 0.022; OR = 2.16). In addition, 19 rare TYR variants, mainly albinism mutations, were identified in 15 patients and 8 controls. Among these, 3 clearly deleterious mutations (1 non-sense and 2 affecting mRNA splicing) were identified in 3 patients, one of which was homozygous. Conclusion : Our data confirmed the association of TYR p.R402Q with SK risk in the French population, and support that rare deleterious TYR variants may also play a role in multi-factorial genetic predisposition to SK. These results should be confirmed by replications studies.

CD160 has been initially identified as a GPI-anchored MHC-class I activating receptor mainly expressed on peripheral blood NK cells. Herein, we report the identification of three additional CD160-related mRNAs generated through alternative splicings of the CD160 gene, among which one encoded a putative CD160 transmembrane isoform (CD160-TM). We first establish that CD160-TM surface expression is highly restricted to NK cells and is activation-dependent. Additionally, we provide evidence that CD160-TM represents a novel activating receptor, as assessed by the increased CD107a NK cell surface mobilization observed upon its engagement. Finally, we demonstrate that the CD160-TM cytoplasmic tail is by itself sufficient to mediate the recruitment of Erk1/2 signaling pathway, and that the initiation of this activation process is dependent on the Src-family kinase p56lck. The identification of CD160-TM therefore provides new possibilities regarding the role of CD160 isoforms in the regulation of NK cell functions.

Apart from NK cells, TCRγδ and CD8+ T cells, killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) expression was described on a minor subset of CD4+ T cells. However, their functions remain to be elucidated in this latter lymphocyte population. We demonstrated that KIR2DL2/L3 (CD158b) and KIR2DS2 (CD158j) transcripts were synthesized by sorted CD4+CD158b/j+ T cells obtained from healthy individuals. In contrast, we observed that only the inhibitory or activating receptor was expressed at the cell surface according to the donor tested. In CD158b-expressing cells, KIR triggering leads to an inhibition of the CD3-induced cell proliferation and Erk activation, and the receptor exhibits an activation-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation and association with the Src homology 2-containing phosphatase 1. In CD158j-positive cells, KIR-engagement results in an enhanced CD3-mediated cell growth and Erk phosphorylation. Our results suggested that, in contrast to NK cells, the functions of KIR in CD4+ T lymphocytes might derive from a selective expression of their activating or inhibiting forms.

International audience; Tumor growth depends on blood supply, requiring the development of new vessels, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a central role in neoangiogenic processes. For this reason, VEGF represents a target for the development of new therapeutic antiangiogenic molecules. Clinical trials using anti-VEGF mAbs such as bevacizumab have validated the efficacy of this therapeutic approach but have also revealed adverse effects. Here we report that a VEGF-derived immunogen, consisting of a heterocomplex of a murine (m)VEGF and keyhole limpet hemocyanin, called "mVEGF kinoid," triggered a strong Ab immune response in mice. The anti-VEGF Abs inhibited both the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in the presence of mVEGF and the binding of mVEGF to its receptor-2 Flk-1. In mVEGF kinoid-immunized BALB/c mice challenged with syngeneic CT26 colorectal tumor cells, the number and size of lung metastases were significantly decreased. In human (h)VEGF kinoid-immunized BALB/c mice, high levels of serum Abs to hVEGF were present, and purified IgG from these mice decreased by > or =50% the tumor growth of human A673 rhabdomyosarcoma cells and HT29 colon carcinoma xenografted in Swiss nude and NOD/SCID mice, respectively. Tumor cell growth inhibition was similar to that observed in mice receiving therapeutic doses of bevacizumab. These experiments suggest that a therapeutic vaccine containing VEGF kinoid may represent a strategy for safely combating VEGF-dependent neovascularization and metastases occurring in malignant tumors.

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com; International audience; The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma, tumors arising from melanocytes, has increased markedly over the past few years in many countries. Although early melanoma is curable through surgical excision, the prognosis of advanced melanoma is very poor, this tumor being resistant to current therapies. Thus there is a need for new therapies to improve the treatment of advanced melanoma. This review provides an overview of recent discoveries in the genetics of melanoma which could offer new therapeutic opportunities.

Skin microbiota plays a fundamental role in host physiological immune responses. However, how immune responses to skin commensals can alter the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders remains unclear. Fungi are part of the normal microbiota of the skin and they induced strong interleukin-17 signatures, a cytokine that is also critical in psoriasis inflammation. Here we demonstrate that T cell responses to canonical fungal commensals increased the pathology of murine imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. Skin colonization with fungi prior to inflammation triggering with imiquimod further resumed the human phenotype, with increased in the commensal-induced Th17 responses and neutrophil extracellular traps. Notably, memory Th17 responses to commensal fungi were sufficient to induce disease flare after resolution of the initial inflammation. Together, our data demonstrate that a Th17 response to commensal skin fungi can worsen skin inflammation and that sensing of the commensals in an inflammatory manner induce a permanent inflammatory scar in the T cells leading to a pro-inflammatory transcription signature., Le microbiote cutané joue un rôle fondamental dans les réponses immunitaires physiologiques de l'hôte. Cependant, la façon dont les réponses immunitaires aux commensaux cutanés peuvent influencer la physiopathologie des maladies inflammatoires cutanées est encore mal comprise. Les champignons font partie du microbiote cutané normal et ils induisent de fortes signatures IL-17 (interleukine 17), une cytokine qui a également un rôle fondamental dans la promotion du psoriasis. Nous démontrons ici que les réponses cellulaires T aux champignons commensaux augmentent la dermatose psoriasiforme imiquimod-induite chez la souris. Lorsque la peau des souris était colonisée avec des champignons avant d’induire une inflammation cutanée avec de l'imiquimod, le phénotype de la maladie psoriasique humaine était reproduit, avec une augmentation des réponse TH17 induites par les commensaux, ainsi que de neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Les réponses mémoires TH17 aux champignons commensaux étaient suffisantes pour induire une nouvelle poussée de la maladie après la résolution de l'inflammation initiale. En conclusion, nos données démontrent qu'une réponse TH17 aux champignons cutanés commensaux peut aggraver l'inflammation cutanée et que la reconnaissance des commensaux cutanés dans un contexte inflammatoire peut induire une cicatrice inflammatoire permanente chez les lymphocytes T conduisant à de nouvelles poussées inflammatoires lors de la réexposition aux commensaux initiaux.

Skin microbiota plays a fundamental role in host physiological immune responses. However, how immune responses to skin commensals can alter the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders remains unclear. Fungi are part of the normal microbiota of the skin and they induced strong interleukin-17 signatures, a cytokine that is also critical in psoriasis inflammation. Here we demonstrate that T cell responses to canonical fungal commensals increased the pathology of murine imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. Skin colonization with fungi prior to inflammation triggering with imiquimod further resumed the human phenotype, with increased in the commensal-induced Th17 responses and neutrophil extracellular traps. Notably, memory Th17 responses to commensal fungi were sufficient to induce disease flare after resolution of the initial inflammation. Together, our data demonstrate that a Th17 response to commensal skin fungi can worsen skin inflammation and that sensing of the commensals in an inflammatory manner induce a permanent inflammatory scar in the T cells leading to a pro-inflammatory transcription signature., Le microbiote cutané joue un rôle fondamental dans les réponses immunitaires physiologiques de l'hôte. Cependant, la façon dont les réponses immunitaires aux commensaux cutanés peuvent influencer la physiopathologie des maladies inflammatoires cutanées est encore mal comprise. Les champignons font partie du microbiote cutané normal et ils induisent de fortes signatures IL-17 (interleukine 17), une cytokine qui a également un rôle fondamental dans la promotion du psoriasis. Nous démontrons ici que les réponses cellulaires T aux champignons commensaux augmentent la dermatose psoriasiforme imiquimod-induite chez la souris. Lorsque la peau des souris était colonisée avec des champignons avant d’induire une inflammation cutanée avec de l'imiquimod, le phénotype de la maladie psoriasique humaine était reproduit, avec une augmentation des réponse TH17 induites par les commensaux, ainsi que de neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Les réponses mémoires TH17 aux champignons commensaux étaient suffisantes pour induire une nouvelle poussée de la maladie après la résolution de l'inflammation initiale. En conclusion, nos données démontrent qu'une réponse TH17 aux champignons cutanés commensaux peut aggraver l'inflammation cutanée et que la reconnaissance des commensaux cutanés dans un contexte inflammatoire peut induire une cicatrice inflammatoire permanente chez les lymphocytes T conduisant à de nouvelles poussées inflammatoires lors de la réexposition aux commensaux initiaux.