Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a post-translational modification of proteins catalysed by Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP). A wealth of recent advances in the biochemical and functional ...characterization of the DNA-dependent PARP family members have highlighted their key contribution in the DNA damage response network, the best characterized being the role of PARP1 and PARP2 in the resolution of single-strand breaks as part of the BER/SSBR process. How PARylation contributes to the repair of double-strand breaks is less well defined but has become recently the subject of significant research in the field. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge concerning the role of the DNA-activated PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 in cellular response to double-strand breaks (DSB). In addition, we outline the biological significance of these properties in response to programmed DNA lesions formed during physiological processes such as antibody repertoire assembly and diversification.
•PARP1 is a key modulator of HR-mediated repair of DSB at collapsed forks.•PARP1 participates in A-EJ.•PARP3 prevents from extensive end resection to promote DSB repair by C-NHEJ.•PARP1 and PARP2 protect from illegitimate recombinations in the context of high genomic instability.
We have developed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) against the six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate-1 (STEAP1), which is expressed in prostate cancer, Ewing sarcoma, and other ...malignancies. In the present study, we investigated the effect of substituting costimulatory domains and spacers in this STEAP1 CAR. We cloned four CAR constructs with either CD28 or 4-1BB costimulatory domains, combined with a CD8a-spacer (sp) or a mutated IgG-spacer. The CAR T-cells were evaluated in short- and long-term in vitro T-cell assays, measuring cytokine production, tumor cell killing, and CAR T-cell expansion and phenotype. A xenograft mouse model of prostate cancer was used for in vivo comparison. All four CAR constructs conferred CD4
and CD8
T cells with STEAP1-specific functionality. A CD8sp_41BBz construct and an IgGsp_CD28z construct were selected for a more extensive comparison. The IgGsp_CD28z CAR gave stronger cytokine responses and killing in overnight caspase assays. However, the 41BB-containing CAR mediated more killing (IncuCyte) over one week. Upon six repeated stimulations, the CD8sp_41BBz CAR T cells showed superior expansion and lower expression of exhaustion markers (PD1, LAG3, TIGIT, TIM3, and CD25). In vivo, both the CAR T variants had comparable anti-tumor activity, but persisting CAR T-cells in tumors were only detected for the 41BBz variant. In conclusion, the CD8sp_41BBz STEAP1 CAR T cells had superior expansion and survival in vitro and in vivo, compared to the IgGsp_CD28z counterpart, and a less exhausted phenotype upon repeated antigen exposure. Such persistence may be important for clinical efficacy.
The repair of toxic double-strand breaks (DSB) is critical for the maintenance of genome integrity. The major mechanisms that cope with DSB are: homologous recombination (HR) and classical or ...alternative nonhomologous end joining (C-NHEJ versus A-EJ). Because these pathways compete for the repair of DSB, the choice of the appropriate repair pathway is pivotal. Among the mechanisms that influence this choice, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) end resection plays a critical role by driving cells to HR, while accurate C-NHEJ is suppressed. Furthermore, end resection promotes error-prone A-EJ. Increasing evidence define Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 3 (PARP3, also known as ARTD3) as an important player in cellular response to DSB. In this work, we reveal a specific feature of PARP3 that together with Ku80 limits DNA end resection and thereby helps in making the choice between HR and NHEJ pathways. PARP3 interacts with and PARylates Ku70/Ku80. The depletion of PARP3 impairs the recruitment of YFP-Ku80 to laser-induced DNA damage sites and induces an imbalance between BRCA1 and 53BP1. Both events result in compromised accurate C-NHEJ and a concomitant increase in DNA end resection. Nevertheless, HR is significantly reduced upon PARP3 silencing while the enhanced end resection causes mutagenic deletions during A-EJ. As a result, the absence of PARP3 confers hypersensitivity to anti-tumoral drugs generating DSB.
Therapy employing T cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is effective in hematological malignancies but not yet in solid cancers. CAR T cell activity in solid tumors is limited by ...immunosuppressive factors, including transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). Here, we describe the development of a switch receptor (SwR), in which the extracellular domains of the TGFβ receptor are fused to the intracellular domains from the IL-2/15 receptor. We evaluated the SwR in tandem with two variants of a CAR that we have developed against STEAP1, a protein highly expressed in prostate cancer. The SwR-CAR T cell activity was assessed against a panel of STEAP1
prostate cancer cell lines with or without over-expression of TGFβ, or with added TGFβ, by use of flow cytometry cytokine and killing assays, Luminex cytokine profiling, cell counts, and flow cytometry phenotyping. The results showed that the SwR-CAR constructs improved the functionality of CAR T cells in TGFβ-rich environments, as measured by T cell proliferation and survival, cytokine response, and cytotoxicity. In assays with four repeated target-cell stimulations, the SwR-CAR T cells developed an activated effector memory phenotype with retained STEAP1-specific activity. In conclusion, the SwR confers CAR T cells with potent and durable in vitro functionality in TGFβ-rich environments. The SwR may be used as an add-on construct for CAR T cells or other forms of adoptive cell therapy.
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that retarget T cells against CD19 show clinical efficacy against B cell malignancies. Here, we describe the development of a CAR against the six-transmembrane ...epithelial antigen of prostate-1 (STEAP1), which is expressed in ∼90% of prostate cancers, and subgroups of other malignancies. STEAP1 is an attractive target, as it is associated with tumor invasiveness and progression and only expressed at low levels in normal tissues, apart from the non-vital prostate gland. We identified the antibody coding sequences from a hybridoma and designed a CAR that is efficiently expressed in primary T cells. The T cells acquired the desired anti-STEAP1 specificity, with a polyfunctional response including production of multiple cytokines, proliferation, and the killing of cancer cells. The response was observed for both CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells, and against all STEAP1
+
target cell lines tested. We evaluated the
in vivo
CAR T activity in both subcutaneous and metastatic xenograft mouse models of prostate cancer. Here, the CAR T cells infiltrated tumors and significantly inhibited tumor growth and extended survival in a STEAP1-dependent manner. We conclude that the STEAP1 CAR exhibits potent
in vitro
and
in vivo
functionality and can be further developed toward potential clinical use.
Jin et al. have developed a CAR targeting STEAP1 for use in cell therapy against cancer. They demonstrate that the CAR confers T cells with potent and specific anti-tumor activity
in vitro
and in two mouse models of prostate cancer. The CAR may be applied against different cancers expressing STEAP1.
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) trigger the Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent DNA damage response (DDR), which consists of histone H2AX, MDC1, RNF168, 53BP1, PTIP, RIF1, Rev7, and ...Shieldin. Early stages of B and T lymphocyte development are dependent on recombination activating gene (RAG)-induced DSBs that form the basis for further V(D)J recombination. Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway factors recognize, process, and ligate DSBs. Based on numerous loss-of-function studies, DDR factors were thought to be dispensable for the V(D)J recombination. In particular, mice lacking Mediator of DNA Damage Checkpoint Protein 1 (MDC1) possessed nearly wild-type levels of mature B and T lymphocytes in the spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. NHEJ factor XRCC4-like factor (XLF)/Cernunnos is functionally redundant with ATM, histone H2AX, and p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) during the lymphocyte development in mice. Here, we genetically inactivated
,
, or both
and
in murine vAbl pro-B cell lines and, using chromosomally integrated substrates, demonstrated that MDC1 stimulates the V(D)J recombination in cells lacking XLF. Moreover, combined inactivation of
and
in mice resulted in synthetic lethality. Together, these findings suggest that MDC1 and XLF are functionally redundant during the mouse development, in general, and the V(D)J recombination, in particular.
DNA repair consists of several cellular pathways which recognize and repair damaged DNA. The classical nonhomologous DNA end‐joining (NHEJ) pathway repairs double‐strand breaks in DNA. It is required ...for maturation of both B and T lymphocytes by supporting V(D)J recombination as well as B‐cell differentiation during class switch recombination (CSR). Inactivation of NHEJ factors Ku70, Ku80, XRCC4, DNA ligase 4, DNA‐PKcs, and Artemis impairs V(D)J recombination and blocks lymphocyte development. Paralogue of XRCC4 and XLF (PAXX) is an accessory NHEJ factor that has a significant impact on the repair of DNA lesions induced by ionizing radiation in human, murine, and chicken cells. However, the role of PAXX during development is poorly understood. To determine the physiological role of PAXX, we deleted part of the Paxx promoter and the first two exons in mice. Further, we compared Paxx‐knockout mice with wild‐type (WT) and NHEJ‐deficient controls including Ku80‐ and Dna‐pkcs‐null and severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Surprisingly, Paxx‐deficient mice were not distinguishable from the WT littermates; they were the same weight and size, fertility status, had normal spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. Paxx‐deficient mice had the same number of chromosomal and chromatid breaks as WT mice. Moreover, Paxx‐deficient primary B lymphocytes had the same level of CSR as lymphocytes isolated from WT mice. We concluded that PAXX is dispensable for normal mouse development.
We generated a mouse model lacking nonhomologous DNA end‐joining (NHEJ) protein PAXX. Paxx‐deficient mice developed normally and maintained normal levels of genomic stability comparable to wild‐type littermates. This phenotype is strikingly different from the NHEJ‐deficient control mice lacking Ku80 that possessed reduced body size, affected development of spleen and thymus, and increased levels of genomic instability.
La poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation est une modification post-traductionnelle des protéines par les poly(ADP-ribose) polymérases (PARPs). PARP3 a été identifiée comme un nouvel acteur de la réparation des ...cassures double-brin (DSBs). Nous avons évalué la contribution de PARP3 dans les différentes voies de réparation (HR, C-NHEJ ou A-EJ). Les résultats obtenus définissent PARP3 comme un modulateur de l’étape de résection d’ADN simple-brin permettant d’engager le choix de la voie de réparation. Nous avons montré que PARP3 favorise le recrutement du complexe Ku70/Ku80 aux sites de cassures et module la balance BRCA1/53BP1. Ces deux événements limitent l’étape de réparation de la voie HR et A-EJ et oriente la réparation vers la voie du C-NHEJ. Par immunoprécipitation de la chromatine, nous avons étudié les conséquences de l’absence de PARP3 sur les modifications d’histones, connues pour moduler la décision entre les différentes voies de réparation. Nos résultats actuels ne nous ont pas permis d’établir de lien entre PARP3 et les modifications d’histones en réponse aux DSBs. Nous avons toutefois observé qu’en absence de dommages, l’absence de PARP3 induit un enrichissement de H3K36me2 une marque d’histone connue pour réguler les gènes transcriptionnellement actifs. Dans un second projet, nous avons étudié l’impact de l’absence de PARP3 sur la viabilité cellulaire et la progression tumorale de cellules cancéreuses mutées en BRCA1. Nous avons montré par des approches in vitro et in vivo que l’absence de PARP3 induit une diminution de la survie et de la prolifération cellulaire plus marquée, une amplification exacerbée des centrosomes, ainsi qu’un ralentissement plus important de la progression tumorale, faisant de PARP3 une cible prometteuse en thérapie du cancer.
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational modification of proteins catalyzed by poly(ADPribose) polymerases (PARPs). PARP3 was identified as a novel actor of the double-strand break (DSBs) repair pathway. We evaluated the contribution of PARP3 in these repair pathways(HR, C-NHEJ ou A-EJ). Our results defined PARP3 as a modulator of the single strand DNA resection process which plays a role in driving the repair pathway choice. We showed that PARP3 enhances the recruitement of the Ku70/Ku80 complexe to damaged sites and modulates the BRCA1/53BP1 balance. These two events prevent the DNA end resection step initiating HR and A-EJ and drives the repair towards the C-NHEJ. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, we studied the consequences of the absence of PARP3 on histone modifications, known to modulate the decision of the DSBs repair pathways. Our current results didn’t allow us to establish a link between PARP3 and histone modifications in response to DSBs. However, in absence of DNA damage and PARP3, we observed an accumulation of H3K36me2, a histone mark known to regulate transcriptionally active genes. In a second project, we studied the impact of the absence of PARP3 on cell viability and tumor progression in breast cancer cell lines mutated in BRCA1. By in vitro and in vivo approaches, we showed that the absence of PARP3 induces an important decrease in cell survival and proliferation, an increase in centrosomal amplification and a strong delay in tumor progression. The roles of PARP3 in both cellular response to DNA damage and mitotic progression introduce PARP3 as a possible promising therapeutic target in cancer therapy.
To ensure genome stability, mammalian cells employ several DNA repair pathways. Nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) is the DNA repair process that fixes double‐strand breaks throughout the cell ...cycle. NHEJ is involved in the development of B and T lymphocytes through its function in V(D)J recombination and class switch recombination (CSR). NHEJ consists of several core and accessory factors, including Ku70, Ku80, XRCC4, DNA ligase 4, DNA‐PKcs, Artemis, and XLF. Paralog of XRCC4 and XLF (PAXX) is the recently described accessory NHEJ factor that structurally resembles XRCC4 and XLF and interacts with Ku70/Ku80. To determine the physiological role of PAXX in mammalian cells, we purchased and characterized a set of custom‐generated and commercially available NHEJ‐deficient human haploid HAP1 cells, PAXXΔ, XRCC4Δ, and XLFΔ. In our studies, HAP1 PAXXΔ cells demonstrated modest sensitivity to DNA damage, which was comparable to wild‐type controls. By contrast, XRCC4Δ and XLFΔ HAP1 cells possessed significant DNA repair defects measured as sensitivity to double‐strand break inducing agents and chromosomal breaks. To investigate the role of PAXX in CSR, we generated and characterized Paxx−/− and Aid−/− murine lymphoid CH12F3 cells. CSR to IgA was nearly at wild‐type levels in the Paxx−/− cells and completely ablated in the absence of activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID). In addition, Paxx−/− CH12F3 cells were hypersensitive to zeocin when compared to wild‐type controls. We concluded that Paxx‐deficient mammalian cells maintain robust NHEJ and CSR.
Human HAP1 cells lacking nonhomologous DNA end‐joining (NHEJ) factor PAXX possess robust DNA repair. Murine CH12F3 PAXX‐deficient cells maintain wild‐type levels of class switch recombination to IgA. By contrast, HAP1 cells lacking NHEJ factors XLF or XRCC4 are hypersensitive to DNA damage and possess increased levels of genomic instability compared to parental wild‐type or PAXX‐deficient cell lines.
DNA
repair consists of several cellular pathways which recognize and repair damaged
DNA
. The classical nonhomologous
DNA
end‐joining (
NHEJ
) pathway repairs double‐strand breaks in
DNA
. It is ...required for maturation of both B and T lymphocytes by supporting V(D)J recombination as well as B‐cell differentiation during class switch recombination (CSR). Inactivation of
NHEJ
factors Ku70, Ku80,
XRCC
4,
DNA
ligase 4,
DNA
‐
PK
cs, and Artemis impairs V(D)J recombination and blocks lymphocyte development. Paralogue of
XRCC
4 and
XLF
(
PAXX
) is an accessory
NHEJ
factor that has a significant impact on the repair of
DNA
lesions induced by ionizing radiation in human, murine, and chicken cells. However, the role of
PAXX
during development is poorly understood. To determine the physiological role of
PAXX
, we deleted part of the
Paxx
promoter and the first two exons in mice. Further, we compared
Paxx
‐knockout mice with wild‐type (WT) and
NHEJ
‐deficient controls including
Ku80‐
and
Dna‐pkcs
‐null and severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Surprisingly,
Paxx
‐deficient mice were not distinguishable from the WT littermates; they were the same weight and size, fertility status, had normal spleen, thymus, and bone marrow.
Paxx
‐deficient mice had the same number of chromosomal and chromatid breaks as WT mice. Moreover,
Paxx
‐deficient primary B lymphocytes had the same level of CSR as lymphocytes isolated from WT mice. We concluded that
PAXX
is dispensable for normal mouse development.