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Recent breakthroughs in discovering novel immune signaling pathways have revolutionized different disease treatments. SERPINB9 (Sb9), also known as Proteinase Inhibitor 9 (PI-9), is a well-known endogenous inhibitor of Granzyme B (GzmB). GzmB is a potent cytotoxic molecule secreted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, which plays a crucial role in inducing apoptosis in target cells during immune responses. Sb9 acts as a protective mechanism against the potentially harmful effects of GzmB within the cells of the immune system itself. On the other hand, overexpression of Sb9 is an important mechanism of immune evasion in diseases like cancers and viral infections. The intricate functions of Sb9 in different cell types represent a finetuned regulatory mechanism for preventing immunopathology, protection against autoimmune diseases, and the regulation of cell death, all of which are essential for maintaining health and responding effectively to disease challenges. Dysregulation of the Sb9 will disrupt human normal physiological condition, potentially leading to a range of diseases, including cancers, inflammatory conditions, viral infections or other pathological disorders. Deepening our understanding of the role of Sb9 will aid in the discovery of innovative and effective treatments for various medical conditions. Therefore, the objective of this review is to consolidate current knowledge regarding the biological role of Sb9. It aims to offer insights into its discovery, structure, functions, distribution, its association with various diseases, and the potential of nanoparticle-based therapies targeting Sb9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serpinb9 is an inhibitor of granzyme B and is potentially involved in the immune escape of tumor cells. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis using open databases suggested that SerpinB9 is overexpressed in testicular embryonal carcinoma. Immunohistological analysis was performed on 28 cases of testicular germ cell tumors to investigate the relationship between SerpinB9 expression in testicular germ cell tumors and the tumor immune environment. SerpinB9 was significantly upregulated in the non-seminoma group and inversely correlated with the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8-positive cells. In addition, yolk sac tumors were characterized by the loss of human leukocyte antigen-class I expression. These findings suggest that SerpinB9 contributes to the immune escape of testicular germ cell tumors. Targeting therapy for SerpinB9 might therefore be useful in immunotherapy for testicular germ cell tumors resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease with multiple biological subtypes, offering poor clinical outcomes. No targeted therapy was approved for TNBC due to lack of tumor-specific targets. Here, we identify SerpinB9 as a vulnerability target for immunomodulatory TNBC tumors, suggesting that gene editing of SerpinB9 via the CRISPR/Cas9 system may be a viable approach to immunomodulatory TNBC-targeted therapy. To increase bioavailability and improve the delivery efficiency of gene editing, we designed glutathione-responsive nanoparticles to deliver Cas9 ribonucleoprotein targeting SerpinB9 (TiO2–x@Cas9-RNP@HA). Under near-infrared light irradiation, TiO2–x can produce both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) effects. PTT can induce tumor cell ablation and immunogenic cell death. PDT can produce ROS to induce cell killing and downregulation of SerpinB9. Inhibition of SerpinB9 expression with nanoparticles (TiO2–x@Cas9-RNP@HA) combined with near-infrared titania phototherapy can synergistically inhibit tumor growth. These results demonstrate the potential of near-infrared titania nanoparticle-based phototherapy and precise SerpinB9-targeted therapies in immunomodulatory TNBCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this research, we analyzed the expression of serpinB9 in hepatoblastoma and investigated the factors which enhance its expression. Method: SerpinB9 expression in hepatoblastoma cell lines and macrophages co-cultured with each other or stimulated by anticancer agents was examined using RT-qPCR and western blotting. Immunohistochemistry for SerpinB9 in hepatoblastoma specimens was performed. Single-cell RNA-sequence data for hepatoblastoma from an online database were analyzed to investigate which types of cells express SerpinB9. Result: HepG2, a hepatoblastoma cell line, exhibited increased expression of SerpinB9 when indirectly co-cultured with macrophages. Immunohistochemistry for the specimens demonstrated that serpinB9 is positive not in hepatoblastoma cells but in macrophages. Single-cell RNA sequence analysis in tissues from hepatoblastoma patients showed that macrophages expressed SerpinB9 more than tumor cells did. Co-culture of macrophages with hepatoblastoma cell lines led to the enhanced expression of SerpinB9 in both macrophages and cell lines. Anticancer agents induced an elevation of SerpinB9 in hepatoblastomas cell lines. Conclusion: In hepatoblastoma, SerpinB9 is thought to be more highly expressed in macrophages and enhanced by interaction with hepatoblastoma cell. Highlights: The expression of SerpinB9 is enhanced in hepatoblastoma cells through indirect interaction with TAM. SerpinB9 expression is also upregulated in TAM through intercellular communication with hepatoblastoma cells. SerpinB9 potentially plays an important role in the immune escape of hepatoblastoma cells through unknown mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy remains one of the irreplaceable treatments for cancer therapy. The use of immunogenic cell death (ICD)-inducing chemotherapeutic drugs offers a practical strategy for killing cancer cells, simultaneously eliciting an antitumor immune response by promoting the recruitment of cytotoxic immune cells and production of granzyme B (GrB). However, numerous malignant cancers adaptively acquired the capacity of secreting serpinb9 (Sb9), a physiological inhibitor of GrB, which can reversibly inhibit the biological activity of GrB. To circumvent this dilemma, in this study, an integrated tailor-made nanomedicine composed of tumor-targeting peptide (Arg-Gly-Asp, RGD) decorated liposome, doxorubicin (DOX, an effective ICD inducer), and the compound 3034 (an inhibitor of Sb9), is developed (termed as D3RL) for breast cancer chemo-immunotherapy. In vitro and in vivo studies show that D3RL can directly kill tumor cells and trigger the host immune response by inducing ICD. Meanwhile, D3RL can competitively relieve the inhibition of Sb9 to GrB. The restored GrB can not only effectively induce tumor immunotherapy, but also degrade matrix components in the tumor microenvironment, consequently improving the infiltration of immune cells and the penetration of nanomedicines, which in return enhance the combined antitumor effect. Taken together, this work develops an integrated therapeutic solution for targeted production and restoration of GrB to achieve a combined chemoimmunotherapy for breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death receptor pathway and perforin/granzyme pathway are the main mechanisms for immune system to kill tumor cells. SerpinB9 is the only known human protein that is able to inhibit the proteolytic activity of granzyme B (GrB). Expression of SerpinB9 has been observed in various human tumors, such as lung cancer and prostate cancer, and SerpinB9 can protect tumor cells from cytotoxic lymphocytes-mediated killing through the perforin/GrB pathway. In skin tumors, SerpinB9 expression has been detected in cells of malignant melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphomas, in which SerpinB9 contributes to tumor progression by mediating immune escape, resistance to immunotherapy and interference of the tumor microenvironment. In addition, researches have shown that inhibitor of SerpinB9 could retard the growth of melanoma, indicating the potential anti-tumor therapeutic application of SerpinB9 inhibition. The research status of SerpinB9 in skin tumors is reviewed in this paper.

Immunotherapies, in particular immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), have improved the clinical outcome of cancer patients, although many fail to mount a durable response. Several resistance mechanisms have been identified, but our understanding of the requirements for a robust ICB response is incomplete. We have engineered an MHC I/antigen: TCR-matched panel of human NSCLC cancer and T cells to identify tumor cell-intrinsic T cell resistance mechanisms. The top differentially expressed gene in resistant tumor cells was SERPINB9. This serine protease inhibitor of the effector T cell-derived molecule granzyme B prevents caspase-mediated tumor apoptosis. Concordantly, we show that genetic ablation of SERPINB9 reverts T cell resistance of NSCLC cell lines, whereas its overexpression reduces T cell sensitivity. SERPINB9 expression in NSCLC strongly correlates with a mesenchymal phenotype. We also find that SERPINB9 is commonly amplified in cancer, particularly melanoma in which it is indicative of poor prognosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of ICB-treated melanomas revealed that SERPINB9 expression is elevated not only in cells from post- versus pre-treatment cancers, but also in ICB-refractory cancers. In NSCLC we commonly observed rare SERPINB9-positive cancer cells, possibly accounting for reservoirs of ICB-resistant cells. While underscoring SERPINB9 as a potential target to combat immunotherapy resistance, these results suggest its potential to serve as a prognostic and predictive biomarker.

Immunotherapies, in particular immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), have improved the clinical outcome of cancer patients, although many fail to mount a durable response. Several resistance mechanisms have been identified, but our understanding of the requirements for a robust ICB response is incomplete. We have engineered an MHC I/antigen: TCR-matched panel of human NSCLC cancer and T cells to identify tumor cell-intrinsic T cell resistance mechanisms. The top differentially expressed gene in resistant tumor cells was SERPINB9. This serine protease inhibitor of the effector T cell-derived molecule granzyme B prevents caspase-mediated tumor apoptosis. Concordantly, we show that genetic ablation of SERPINB9 reverts T cell resistance of NSCLC cell lines, whereas its overexpression reduces T cell sensitivity. SERPINB9 expression in NSCLC strongly correlates with a mesenchymal phenotype. We also find that SERPINB9 is commonly amplified in cancer, particularly melanoma in which it is indicative of poor prognosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of ICB-treated melanomas revealed that SERPINB9 expression is elevated not only in cells from post-versus pre-treatment cancers, but also in ICB-refractory cancers. In NSCLC we commonly observed rare SERPINB9-positive cancer cells, possibly accounting for reservoirs of ICB-resistant cells. While underscoring SERPINB9 as a potential target to combat immunotherapy resistance, these results suggest its potential to serve as a prognostic and predictive biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serpinb9 (Sb9, also called Spi6) is an intracellular inhibitor of granzyme B (grB) that protects cytotoxic lymphocytes from grB-mediated death. In addition, Sb9 is also expressed in accessory immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs), although its role is debated. Recently, we have demonstrated that Sb9 plays a grB-independent role in cross-presentation of antigens by CD8 + DCs. Here, using a mouse line expressing green fluorescent protein knocked in under the control of the Sb9 promoter, we demonstrate that Sb9 expression is highest in those tissue-resident and migratory DC subsets capable of cross-presentation. Further, we show that CD8 + DCs can be divided into two subsets based on Sb9 expression, and that only the subset expressing higher levels of Sb9 is capable of cross-presentation. These findings add support for role for Sb9 cross-presentation, and indicate that high Sb9 expression is a novel marker of cross-presentation capable DCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disorder that has a significant impact on the aging population. While both genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in AAA formation, the precise genetic markers involved and the factors influencing their expression remain an area of ongoing investigation. DNA methylation has been previously used to study gene silencing in other inflammatory disorders and since AAA has an extensive inflammatory component, we sought to examine the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in mononuclear blood cells of AAA cases and matched non-AAA controls. To this end, we collected blood samples and isolated mononuclear cells for DNA and RNA extraction from four all male groups: AAA smokers (n = 11), AAA non-smokers (n = 9), control smokers (n = 10) and control non-smokers (n = 11). Methylation data were obtained using the Illumina 450k Human Methylation Bead Chip and analyzed using the R language and multiple Bioconductor packages. Principal component analysis and linear analysis of CpG island subsets identified four regions with significant differences in methylation with respect to AAA: kelch-like family member 35 (KLHL35), calponin 2 (CNN2), serpin peptidase inhibitor clade B (ovalbumin) member 9 (SERPINB9), and adenylate cyclase 10 pseudogene 1 (ADCY10P1). Follow-up studies included RT-PCR and immunostaining for CNN2 and SERPINB9. These findings are novel and suggest DNA methylation may play a role in AAA pathobiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granzyme B (GrB) is a pivotal killer factor in immunotherapy whose application is limited by hyposensitivity and unsatisfactory cellular uptake by tumor cells. In this study, it was proved that SerpinB9 (Sb9) downregulation can enhance the GrB susceptibility of tumor cells. Moreover, a nanocarrier fused with M1 macrophage exosomes (M1 Exo) and photothermal sensitive liposomes was constructed to efficiently transport GrB and siRNA of Sb9 to the cells. The nanocarrier is characterized by cascade tumor targeting acquired by photothermal effect-triggered increased expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in tumor tissue. Furthermore, the innate cytokines in M1 Exo are capable of regulating the tumor microenvironment by repolarizing M2 macrophages to the M1 type. Collectively, the multifunctional nanoplatform (S+G@ELP) enhances the lethality of GrB to tumor cells, activates a widespread immune response uniting with photothermal therapy (PTT), restrains the tumor progression and metastasis effectively, which is expected to provide new insights into GrB-based combinational tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serine proteases are important components of the immune system, playing a role in many processes including migration, phagocytosis and elimination of virally infected and cancerous cells. Members of the serpin superfamily regulate the activity of these proteases to limit tissue damage and unwarranted cell death. This review focuses on the role of intracellular (clade B) serpins in maintaining viability of both innate and adaptive immune cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mast cells are widely distributed throughout the body and express effector functions in allergic reactions, inflammatory diseases, and host defense. Activation of mast cells results in exocytosis of preformed chemical mediators and leads to novel synthesis and secretion of lipid mediators and cytokines. Here, we show that human mast cells also express and release the cytotoxic lymphocyte-associated protease, granzyme B. Granzyme B was active and localized in cytoplasmic granules, morphologically resembling those present in cytotoxic lymphocytes. Expression and release of granzyme B by mast cell-lines HMC-1 and LAD 2 and by cord blood- and mature skin-derived human mast cells depended on the mode of activation of these cells. In mast cell lines and cord blood-derived mast cells, granzyme B expression was mainly induced by non-physiological stimuli (A23187/PMA, Compound 48/80) and substance P. In contrast, mature skin-derived mast cells only produced granzyme B upon IgE-dependent stimulation. We conclude that granzyme B is expressed and released by human mast cells upon physiologic stimulation. This suggests a role for granzyme B as a novel mediator in mast cell biology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9, SerpinB9) is the only known human intracellular granzyme B inhibitor. Whether expression of PI-9 is sufficient to block cytolysis induced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells remains controversial. To evaluate the roles of PI-9, we isolated and tested three lines of stably transfected HeLa cells expressing wild-type PI-9 and one line expressing an inactive mutant PI-9. Expressions of wild-type PI-9, but not the inactive mutant PI-9, inhibited cytolysis induced by human NK92 and NKL natural killer cells. Expression of high levels of PI-9 is therefore sufficient to protect human cells against NK cell-mediated cell death. Using two assays, we show that expressing wild-type PI-9, but not the inactive mutant PI-9, blocks Fas/Fas ligand (Fas/FasL)-mediated apoptosis. PI-9 expression has no effect on etoposide-induced apoptosis. HeLa cells exhibiting substantial resistance to Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis contain 2- to 3-fold higher PI-9 levels than HCT116 human colon cancer cells and 2- to 3-fold lower PI-9 levels than MCF7/ERHA breast cancer cells, in which PI-9 is strongly induced by estrogens, and by tamoxifen. Expression of increasing levels of PI-9 in target cells may progressively inhibit immune surveillance by blocking NK and CTL-induced cytotoxicity through the perforin/granzyme pathway and then through the Fas/FasL pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is a natural phenolic acid present in daily vegetables and fruits. Notably, PCA was demonstrated to inhibit the biological function of SerpinB9 (Sb9) and exhibit an excellent antitumor effect, showing great potential in cancer treatment. However, the short half-life time limits PCA's wide application against cancers. To overcome this shortage of PCA, we integrated PCA and another natural product with strong self-assembling properties, isoguanosine (isoG), to develop a novel multifunctional supramolecular hydrogel with good biocompatibility and injectability, which remarkably lengthens the releasing time of PCA and exerts considerable anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. Besides, we surprisingly found that PCA could not only target Sb9 but also restrain cancer development through activating the JNK/P38 pathway, decreasing the ROS level, and repairing cancer stemness. In all, our results demonstrate that this PCA-based hydrogel could act as a multifunctional hydrogel system equipped with considerable anticancer effects, providing potential local administration integrating with targeted therapy and chemotherapy in one simple modality.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematological malignancy with poorly understood recurrence and relapse mechanisms. Notably, bortezomib resistance leading to relapse makes MM treatment significantly challenging. To clarify the drug resistance mechanism, we employed a quantitative proteomics approach to identify differentially expressed protein candidates implicated in bortezomib-resistant recurrent and relapsed MM (RRMM). Bone marrow aspirates from five patients newly diagnosed with MM (NDMM) were compared with those from five patients diagnosed with bortezomib-resistant RRMM using tandem mass tag-mass spectrometry (TMT-MS). Subcellular localization and functional classification of the differentially expressed proteins were determined by gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, and hierarchical clustering analyses. The top candidates identified were validated with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis using tissue samples from 11 NDMM and 8 RRMM patients, followed by comparison with the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset of 10 MM patients and 10 healthy controls (accession no.: GSE80608). Thirty-four differentially expressed proteins in RRMM, including proteinase inhibitor 9 (SERPINB9), were identified by TMT-MS. Subsequent functional enrichment analyses of the identified protein candidates indicated their involvement in regulating cellular metabolism, apoptosis, programmed cell death, lymphocyte-mediated immunity, and defense response pathways in RRMM. The top protein candidate SERPINB9 was confirmed by PRM analysis and western blotting as well as by comparison with an NCBI GEO dataset. We elucidated the proteome landscape of bortezomib-resistant RRMM and identified SERPINB9 as a promising novel therapeutic target. Our results provide a resource for future studies on the mechanism of RRMM.