Tumor-associated fibrosis: a unique mechanism promoting ovarian cancer metastasis and peritoneal dissemination

Stabilising indocyanine green J-aggregate theranostics in biological milieu via liposomal envelopment

Indocyanine green (ICG) J-aggregate (IJA) is a self-assembled ICG with a red-shift absorption band, enabling better tissue penetration than the monomeric ICG. Despite its superior photoacoustic imaging capabilities and heating stability to ICG, IJA suffers from low optical stability in aqueous and biological media, jeopardising their biomedical applications. The present work focused on loading p-IJA into liposomes to enhance their promising therapeutic and imaging applications. To optimise IJA loading into liposomes, we investigated the effect of lipid bilayer composition (lipid melting points, cholesterol, DSPE-PEG2000, and lipid charge) on the encapsulation of pre-formed IJA (p-IJA) into liposomes. Our findings showed the significance of high melting point lipids, high cholesterol, and DSPE-PEG2000 contents for persevering p-IJA following loading into liposomes. Moreover, low percentages (∼5 mol %) of positively charged (DOTAP) or negatively charged (DSPG) lipids could still be incorporated into our liposomes without affecting p-IJA loading. Promisingly, p-IJA-liposomes enhanced p-IJA optical stability in a range of biological media, such as serum proteins, blood and collagen. Finally, lyophilised p-IJA-liposomes for long-term storage were successfully prepared. The present study solely focused on evaluating the enhanced photothermal stability of p-IJA following liposome envelopment. Nevertheless, our lipid-enveloped p-IJA could offer a biodegradable and stable platform for multimodal applications, including photoacoustic imaging, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic (PDT), nanobubble-mediated ablation, and combination therapy with chemotherapeutics agents.

LncPrep + 96kb inhibits ovarian fibrosis by upregulating prolyl oligopeptidase expression

LncPrep + 96kb is a long non‑coding RNA expressed in murine granulosa cells. The 2.2-kb fragment of lncPrep + 96kb inhibits aromatase expression and estrogen secretion in ovarian granulosa cells. In the present study, lncPrep + 96kb‑knockout (KO) mice were generated, and significant ovarian fibrosis and reduced female fertility through fertility monitoring and superovulation. The augmentation of ovarian fibrosis was observed by Sirius red staining and western blot and RT‑qPCR. Notably, lncPrep + 96kb was identified in conserved non‑coding sequences adjacent to the prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) gene. Furthermore, POP expression was shown to be reduced in lncPrep + 96kb‑KO mice, whereas overexpression of lncPrep + 96kb increased POP expression. Further studies revealed that POP regulated the expression levels of factors related to fibrosis, including matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR‑γ). In conclusion, ovarian fibrosis was elevated in lncPrep + 96kb‑KO mice, and POP may act as a target of lncPrep + 96kb, which mediates ovarian fibrosis through the regulation of PPAR‑γ, MMP2 and TGF‑β1 expression.

Cell Biology of Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Multiclonal Seeding and Peritoneal Tumor Microenvironment

Peritoneal metastasis, also known as peritoneal dissemination or carcinomatosis, refers to the spread of cancer to the peritoneum that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities and covers the abdominal organs. Peritoneal metastasis typically occurs in advanced cancers of abdominal origin, most commonly gastrointestinal and gynecological cancers. Conventional chemotherapy has limited efficacy, and no effective molecular-targeted therapy is currently available for peritoneal metastasis. As a result, peritoneal metastasis is associated with poor outcomes and significantly reduced quality of life in patients with advanced cancers. This is largely due to a limited understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying peritoneal metastasis. However, recent studies employing innovative approaches have provided novel insights into the mechanisms of peritoneal metastasis, contributing to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the cell biological aspects of peritoneal metastasis and potential therapeutic target molecules. In particular, we emphasize the importance of cancer cell clustering within the abdominal cavity, which drives multiclonal peritoneal seeding. We also focus on the interactions of cancer cells with mesothelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts within the peritoneal tumor microenvironment.

Integrating single-cell sequencing and clinical insights to explore malignant transformation in odontogenic keratocyst

The malignant transformation of odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) into cancerous odontogenic keratocysts (COKC) is exceedingly rare, and its mechanisms remain poorly understood. Studies exploring the cellular heterogeneity, molecular pathways, and clinical features of COKC are limited. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on three COKC samples and integrated the data with a public OKC dataset, identifying 22,509 single cells. Two COKC-specific epithelial subpopulations, Basal-C0-EXT1 and Basal-C3-HIST1H3B, were identified. These subpopulations exhibited enhanced stemness and invasive potential, respectively, suggesting their roles as key drivers of OKC carcinogenesis. Fibroblasts underwent phenotypic transitions, particularly from inflammation-associated fibroblasts (IFBs) to myofibroblasts (MFBs). Similarly, macrophage phenotypic transformation may also play a role in OKC carcinogenesis. Clinical observations of severe lesion-area pain in COKC patients suggest potential neuroinvasiveness, Supported by single-cell transcriptomic data, imaging findings, and histopathological evidence. A review of clinical data revealed that none of the COKC patients exhibited cervical lymph node metastasis. Single-cell transcriptomics suggests that this phenomenon may be associated with an active immune microenvironment in COKC, reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activity, lower VEGFC expression, and upregulated MAST4 expression as a potential regulator of lymphatic metastasis. In conclusion, COKC exhibits distinct molecular, cellular, and clinical characteristics compared to OKC, featuring potent neuroinvasiveness and low lymph node metastatic potential. These findings provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying COKC development and may guide novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Systemic low-dose anti-fibrotic treatment attenuates ovarian aging in the mouse

The female reproductive system is one of the first to age in humans, resulting in infertility and endocrine disruptions. The aging ovary assumes a fibro-inflammatory milieu which negatively impacts gamete quantity and quality as well as ovulation. Here, we tested whether the systemic delivery of anti-inflammatory (Etanercept) or anti-fibrotic (Pirfenidone) drugs attenuates ovarian aging in mice. We first evaluated the ability of these drugs to decrease the expression of fibro-inflammatory genes in primary ovarian stromal cells treated with a pro-fibrotic or a pro-inflammatory stimulus. Whereas Etanercept did not block Tnf expression in ovarian stromal cells, Pirfenidone significantly reduced Col1a1 expression. We then tested Pirfenidone in vivo where the drug was delivered systemically via mini-osmotic pumps for 6 weeks. Pirfenidone mitigated the age-dependent increase in ovarian fibrosis without impacting overall health parameters. Ovarian function was improved in Pirfenidone-treated mice as evidenced by increased follicle and corpora lutea number, AMH levels, and improved estrous cyclicity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Pirfenidone treatment resulted in an upregulation of reproductive function-related genes at 8.5 months and a downregulation of inflammatory genes at 12 months of age. These findings demonstrate that reducing the fibroinflammatory ovarian microenvironment improves ovarian function, thereby supporting modulating the ovarian environment as a therapeutic avenue to extend reproductive longevity.

Systemic low-dose anti-fibrotic treatment attenuates ovarian aging in the mouse

The female reproductive system is one of the first to age in humans, resulting in infertility and endocrine disruptions. The aging ovary assumes a fibro-inflammatory milieu which negatively impacts gamete quantity and quality as well as ovulation. Here we tested whether the systemic delivery of anti-inflammatory (Etanercept) or anti-fibrotic (Pirfenidone) drugs attenuates ovarian aging in mice. We first evaluated the ability of these drugs to decrease the expression of fibro-inflammatory genes in primary ovarian stromal cells. Whereas Etanercept did not block Tnf expression in ovarian stromal cells, Pirfenidone significantly reduced Col1a1 expression. We then tested Pirfenidone in vivo where the drug was delivered systemically via mini-osmotic pumps for 6-weeks. Pirfenidone mitigated the age-dependent increase in ovarian fibrosis without impacting overall health parameters. Ovarian function was improved in Pirfenidone-treated mice as evidenced by increased follicle and corpora lutea number, AMH levels, and improved estrous cyclicity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Pirfenidone treatment resulted in an upregulation of reproductive function-related genes at 8.5 months and a downregulation of inflammatory genes at 12 months of age. These findings demonstrate that reducing the fibroinflammatory ovarian microenvironment improves ovarian function, thereby supporting modulating the ovarian environment as a therapeutic avenue to extend reproductive longevity.