Biology subjects

Kortylewski, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Kortylewski, M..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Discrete cytokine signaling networks instruct distinctsynovial pathotypes in inflammatory arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) display distinct patterns of synovitis. To define the inflammatory mechanisms driving this heterogeneity, we analyzed the inflamed synovium of wild-type (WT), Il6ra-/-, and Il27ra-/- mice with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). Remarkably, each strain developed a joint pathology mirroring a major RA synovial pathotype: myeloid-rich (WT), fibroblast-rich/pauci-immune (Il6ra-/-), and lymphoid-rich (Il27ra-/-) synovitis. Histology confirmed minimal immune infiltration in Il6ra-/- joints, while WT and Il27ra-/- mice exhibited prominent immune involvement, including organized synovial lymphoid-like aggregates in Il27ra-/- mice. Transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling revealed both shared and distinct regulatory programs among genotypes. Il6ra-/- mice showed increased WNT, DKK, and AMPK signaling associated with fibroblast, chondrocyte, and osteoclast activation (e.g., Adamts19, Dkk1, Ecm1). Consistent with synovial ectopic lymphoid-like structures, Il27ra-/- mice showed enrichment of lymphocyte activation (e.g., Il17a, Il22, Bhlhe40). WT mice exhibited hallmarks of MAP kinase activation. These molecular signatures parallel those of fibroblast-, lymphoid-, and myeloid-rich synovitis in RA. Defining a STAT1-STAT3 regulatory interplay influencing transcriptional decisions in WT and Il27ra-/- mice, our findings offer insights into cytokine-driven disease heterogeneity. Together, these results establish a framework for mechanism-based classification of synovitis and introduce new mouse models to study the molecular drivers of synovial pathotypes and treatment response.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2025

EGFR-targeted antisense oligonucleotides modified with boron clusters offer an innovative approach to cancer chemo-radiotherapy

Suppression of cancer-associated EGFR expression by antisense oligonucleotides is an attractive strategy to augment the efficacy of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. Boron clusters act as selective ligands for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and provide an innovative platform for the delivery of naked boron cluster-conjugated therapeutic nucleic acids to cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that the novel inhibitor B-ASOLNA-CHOL can also enhance efficient and cancer cell-selective uptake via the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). This conjugate exhibit strong cytotoxic effects on skin and liver cancer cells in combination with BNCT or XRT. We confirmed that intratumoral injections of B-ASOLNA-CHOL combined with local XRT significantly reduced tumor size and EGFR expression in human A431 xenografts implanted in immunodeficient mice. Our findings suggest that B-ASO-CHOL containing a CpG ODN motif exhibits immune adjuvant properties. The results underscore the potential of B-ASOLNA-CHOL technology for therapeutic applications in radiation immuno-oncology. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=119 SRC="FIGDIR/small/668562v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (30K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a275edorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ec2c5eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@54fc6aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@187bd60_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGraphical abstractC_FLOATNO C_FIG

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Targeted Irradiation and STAT3 Inhibition Reprogram the AML Microenvironment and Extend Survival: Toward Translational Immunoradiotherapy

PurposeDespite advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy, relapses remain challenging. While AML is radiation-sensitive, total body irradiation (TBI) causes organ toxicities and activates tolerogenic/proangiogenic STAT3 signaling. CSI-2, a myeloid cell-targeted STAT3 inhibitor, promotes anti-leukemic immune responses but has limited efficacy against high disease burden. We investigated whether image-guided targeted marrow irradiation (TMI), which focuses radiation on leukemia sites while sparing critical organs, could synergize with CSI-2 to improve leukemia clearance and establish durable immunity. MethodsMice were intravenously engrafted with CMM-AML cells reaching 20-30% in bone marrow (BM) infiltration (moderate-to-high disease burden) before receiving IV-injections of CSI-2 (5mg/kg) with or without TMI. Fluorescently labeled CSI-2 biodistribution was assessed using flow cytometry and quantitative multiphoton microscopy. Survival was monitored for 3-4 months before evaluating BM composition using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. ResultsTMI significantly improved vascular permeability and scavenger receptor/TLR9-dependent uptake of CSI-2 by AML cells and leukemia-associated myeloid cells. Combined TMI/CSI-2 treatment more effectively reduced high leukemia burden than CSI-2 alone, achieving >80% survival at 120 days with increased CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ helper T cell infiltration. TMI/CSI-2-treated mice were protected from AML rechallenge suggesting that they developed protective immune memory. In an aggressive MLL-AF9 AML model, TMI/CSI-2 combination significantly extended survival compared to either monotherapy. ConclusionTMI/CSI-2 strategy represents a novel organ-sparing immunoradiotherapy that synergistically enhances leukemia clearance while promoting long-term protective immunity. These findings warrant further investigation of this strategy for high-burden or relapsed AML and provide the foundation for clinical translation.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Endothelial AGO1 Drives Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis via a Non-Canonical Nuclear Mechanism

BACKGROUNDEndothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a cause and consequence of vascular inflammation and lipid dysregulation in atherosclerosis, yet the molecular drivers linking EC dysfunction to systemic metabolic derangements remain incompletely understood. Moreover, whether inhibiting an endogenous gene in ECs can impact liver function, lipid profile, and the vascular inflammation in the context of atherosclerosis has not been demonstrated. We previously identified Argonaute 1 (AGO1), a component of the RNA-induced silencing complex, as a regulator of EC function in angiogenesis and obesity. However, the role of endothelial AGO1 in vascular inflammation and liver function in the context of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis is unknown. METHODSEC-conditional AGO1 knockout (EC-AGO1-KO) and wildtype mice were subjected to pro-atherosclerotic models induced by AAV9-PCSK9 coupled with a Western diet or partial carotid ligation. Metabolic and vascular phenotype and gene expression were analyzed. In human liver sinusoidal and aortic ECs, AGO1 was knocked down using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), followed by assessment of inflammatory responses (qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISA, and monocyte adhesion assays). To identify the molecular mechanisms linking AGO1 and EC inflammation, Cut&Tag sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, proximal ligation assay, and co-immunoprecipitation were performed. The therapeutic effect of AGO1 inhibition was assessed using ASO-delivered via lipid nanoparticle (LNP) for systemic distribution and monocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles (MoNP) to target the inflamed endothelium. RESULTSEC-AGO1-KO mice exhibited improved plasma lipid profiles, reduced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and decreased aortic atherosclerotic burden. AGO1 knockdown in ECs attenuated inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, AGO1 interacted with NF-{kappa}B p65 and promoted p65 nuclear translocation and the transcriptional activation of pro-inflammatory genes, including ICAM1 and THBS1. AGO1-ASO delivered through LNP or MoNP achieved the anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-atherosclerotic effects, recapitulating the phenotypes observed with EC-AGO1-KO. CONCLUSIONSEndothelial AGO1 promotes vascular inflammation and liver dysfunction in the context of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, in part through a non-canonical nuclear action of AGO1 as an NF-{kappa}B coactivator. Inhibition of endothelial AGO1 provides the dual benefits of ameliorating lipid dysregulation and suppressing vascular inflammation. These results highlight EC-AGO1 as a possible therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic diseases.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2023

Local CpG-Stat3 siRNA treatment improves antitumor effects of checkpoint inhibitors

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has significantly benefited patients with several types of solid tumors and some lymphomas. However, many of the treated patients do not have durable clinical response. It has been demonstrated that rescuing exhausted CD8+ T cells is required for ICB-mediated antitumor effects. We recently developed an immunostimulatory strategy based on silencing STAT3 while stimulating immune responses by CpG, ligand for Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). The CpG-small interfering RNA (siRNA) conjugates efficiently enter immune cells, silencing STAT3 and activating innate immunity to enhance T-cell mediated antitumor immune responses. In the present study, we demonstrate that blocking STAT3 through locally delivered CpG-Stat3 siRNA enhances the efficacies of the systemic PD-1 and CTLA4 blockade against mouse A20 B cell lymphoma. In addition, locally delivered CpG-Stat3 siRNA combined with systemic administration of PD-1 antibody significantly augmented both local and systemic antitumor effects against mouse B16 melanoma tumors, with enhanced tumor-associated T cell activation. Overall, our studies in both B cell lymphoma and melanoma mouse models demonstrate the potential of combinatory immunotherapy with CpG-Stat3 siRNA and checkpoint inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for B cell lymphoma and melanoma.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Oligo-PROTAC strategy for cell-selective and targeted degradation of activated STAT3

Decoy-oligodeoxynucleotides (D-ODNs) can target undruggable transcription factors, such as STAT3. However, challenges in D-ODN delivery and potency hampered their translation. To overcome these limitations, we conjugated STAT3-specific D-ODN to thalidomide (Tha), a known ligand to cereblon (CRBN, a component of E3 ubiquitin ligase) to generate a proteolysis-targeting chimera (STAT3DPROTAC). STAT3DPROTAC downregulated STAT3, but not STAT1 or STAT5, in target cells. Computational modeling of the STAT3DPROTAC ternary complex predicted two surface lysines on STAT3, K601 and K626 as potential ubiquitination sites for the PROTAC bound E3 ligase. Accordingly, K601/K626 point mutations in STAT3, as well as proteasome inhibitors, and CRBN deletion alleviated STAT3DPROTAC effect. Next, we conjugated STAT3DPROTAC to a CpG ligand targeting Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) to generate myeloid/B-cell-selective C-STAT3DPROTAC conjugate. Naked C-STAT3DPROTAC was spontaneously internalized by TLR9+ myeloid cells, B cells as well as human Ly18 and mouse A20 lymphoma cells, but not by T cells. C-STAT3DPROTAC decreased STAT3 levels to 50% at 250 nM and over 85% at 2 {micro}M dosing in myeloid cells. We also observed significantly improved downregulation of STAT3 target genes involved in lymphoma cell proliferation and/or survival (BCL2L1, CCND2, MYC). Finally, we assessed the antitumor efficacy of C-STAT3DPROTAC compared to C-STAT3D or scrambled control (C-SCR) against human lymphoma xenotransplants. Local C-STAT3DPROTAC administration triggered lymphoma regression while control treatments had limited effects. Our results underscore feasibility of using PROTAC strategy for cell-selective, decoy oligonucleotide-based targeting of STAT3 and potentially other tumorigenic transcription factors for cancer therapy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Longitudinal preclinical imaging characterization of drug delivery potential after radiotherapy in the healthy and leukemic bone marrow vascular microenvironment

ObjectivesRadiotherapy improves blood perfusion and cellular chemotherapy uptake in mice with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, its ability to influence drug delivery and permeation through the bone marrow vasculature (BMV) is unknown, due in part to a lack of methodology. This study developed longitudinal quantitative multiphoton (L-QMPM) imaging and used it to characterize drug delivery potential and the BMV before and after radiotherapy in mice bearing leukemia. MethodsWe developed a longitudinal window implant for L-QMPM imaging of the calvarium BMV before, 2 days after, and 5 days after radiotherapy. Live time-lapsed images of a fluorescent drug surrogate were used to obtain measurements including tissue wash-in slope (WIStissue) to measure drug delivery potential. We performed L-QMPM imaging using 2 Gy and 10 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) on C57/B6 (WT) mice, mice bearing ALL, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ResultsImplants had no effects on calvarium dose, and parameters for WT untreated mice were stable during imaging. We observed increased angiogenesis, decreased single-vessel blood flow, and decreased WIStissue with the onset of AML and ALL. 2Gy and 10Gy TBI increased WIStissue 2 days after radiotherapy in all 3 groups of mice and increased single-vessel blood flow in mice bearing ALL and AML. Significant increases in WIStissue were observed 2 days after 2Gy TBI compared to 5 days. Morphological and functional alterations in the BMV were sustained for a significantly longer time period after 10Gy TBI (5 days post-treatment) compared to 2Gy TBI (2 days post-treatment). ConclusionL-QMPM provides stable functional assessments of the BMV. TBI increases the drug delivery potential of the leukemic BMV 2-5 days post-treatment, likely through improved blood perfusion and drug exchange from the BMV to the extravascular tissue. Our data show that neo-adjuvant 2Gy and 10Gy TBI condition the BMV for increased drug delivery.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Development of Kinetic Modeling to Assess Multi-functional Vascular Response to Low Dose Radiation in Leukemia

Vascular permeability, tissue transfer rate (Ktrans), fractional extracellular tissue space ({nu}ec) and blood perfusion are crucial parameters to assess bone marrow vasculature (BMV) function. However, quantitative measurements of these parameters in a mouse model are difficult because of limited resolution of standard macroscopic imaging modalities. Using intravital multiphoton microscopy (MPM), live imaging of dextran transfer from BMV to calvarium tissue of mice bearing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was performed to obtain BMV parameters. Mice bearing ALL had increased BMV permeability, altered Ktrans, increased {nu}ec, decreased blood perfusion, and increased BMV permeability resulting in reduced drug uptake. Targeted 2 Gy radiation therapy (RT) to mice bearing ALL increased local BMV perfusion and ALL chemotherapy uptake (P<0.0001 and P=0.0036, respectively), suggesting RT prior to chemotherapy treatment may increase treatment efficacy. Developed MPM techniques allow for a quantitative assessment of BMV functional parameters not previously performed with microscopic or macroscopic imaging.

cancer biology↗