CD47: role in the immune system and application to cancer therapy

  • Cell Oncol (Dordr). 2020 Feb;43(1):19-30. doi: 10.1007/s13402-019-00469-5.
Seyed Mohammad Gheibi Hayat  1 ,  Vanessa Bianconi  2 ,  Matteo Pirro  2 ,  Mahmoud R Jaafari  3  4 ,  Mahdi Hatamipour  3 ,  Amirhossein Sahebkar  5  6  7  8
Affiliations
  • 1. Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
  • 2. Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
  • 3. Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
  • 4. Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
  • 5. Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. [email protected].
  • 6. Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. [email protected].
  • 7. School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. [email protected].
  • 8. Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 91779-48564, Mashhad, Iran. [email protected].
PMID: 31485984 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-019-00469-5
Abstract

Background: CD47 is a widely expressed cellular receptor well known for its immunoregulatory functions. By interacting with its ligands, including thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), integrins, and SH2-domain bearing protein tyrosine Phosphatase substrate-1 (SHPS-1), it modulates cellular phagocytosis by Macrophages, transmigration of neutrophils and activation of dendritic cells, T cells and B cells. Ample studies have shown that various types of Cancer express high levels of CD47 to escape from the immune system. Based on this observation, CD47 is currently considered as a prominent target in Cancer therapy.

Conclusions: Here, we review the role of CD47 in the maintenance of immune system homeostasis. We also depict three emerging CD47-targeting strategies for Cancer therapy, including the use of mimicry Peptides, antibodies, and gene silencing strategies. Among these approaches, the most advanced one is the use of anti-CD47 antibodies, which enhances Cancer cell phagocytosis via inhibition of the CD47-SIRPα axis. These antibodies can also achieve higher anti-cancer efficacies when combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy and hold promise for improving the survival of patients with Cancer.

Keywords
CD47; Efferocytosis; Macrophage; Tumor.
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