1
|
Taheri M, Tehrani HA, Dehghani S, Rajabzadeh A, Alibolandi M, Zamani N, Arefian E, Ramezani M. Signaling crosstalk between mesenchymal stem cells and tumor cells: Implications for tumor suppression or progression. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 76:30-47. [PMID: 38341337 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been extensively used in various therapeutic applications over the last two decades, particularly in regenerative medicine and cancer treatment. MSCs have the ability to differentiate into mesodermal and non-mesodermal lineages, which makes them a popular choice in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Studies have shown that MSCs have inherent tumor-suppressive properties and can affect the behavior of multiple cells contributing to tumor development. Additionally, MSCs possess a tumor tropism property and have a hypoimmune nature. The intrinsic features of MSCs along with their potential to undergo genetic manipulation and be loaded with various anticancer therapeutics have motivated researchers to use them in different cancer therapy approaches without considering their complex dynamic biological aspects. However, despite their desirable features, several reports have shown that MSCs possess tumor-supportive properties. These contradictory results signify the sophisticated nature of MSCs and warn against the potential therapeutic applications of MSCs. Therefore, researchers should meticulously consider the biological properties of MSCs in preclinical and clinical studies to avoid any undesirable outcomes. This manuscript reviews preclinical studies on MSCs and cancer from the last two decades, discusses how MSC properties affect tumor progression and explains the mechanisms behind tumor suppressive and supportive functions. It also highlights critical cellular pathways that could be targeted in future studies to improve the safety and effectiveness of MSC-based therapies for cancer treatment. The insights obtained from this study will pave the way for further clinical research on MSCs and development of more effective cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Taheri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Abdul Tehrani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sadegh Dehghani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Rajabzadeh
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nina Zamani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Ehsan Arefian
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Taheri M, Tehrani HA, Dehghani S, Alibolandi M, Arefian E, Ramezani M. Nanotechnology and bioengineering approaches to improve the potency of mesenchymal stem cell as an off-the-shelf versatile tumor delivery vehicle. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38299924 DOI: 10.1002/med.22023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Targeting actionable mutations in oncogene-driven cancers and the evolution of immuno-oncology are the two prominent revolutions that have influenced cancer treatment paradigms and caused the emergence of precision oncology. However, intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity are the main challenges in both fields of precision cancer treatment. In other words, finding a universal marker or pathway in patients suffering from a particular type of cancer is challenging. Therefore, targeting a single hallmark or pathway with a single targeted therapeutic will not be efficient for fighting against tumor heterogeneity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess favorable characteristics for cellular therapy, including their hypoimmune nature, inherent tumor-tropism property, straightforward isolation, and multilineage differentiation potential. MSCs can be loaded with various chemotherapeutics and oncolytic viruses. The combination of these intrinsic features with the possibility of genetic manipulation makes them a versatile tumor delivery vehicle that can be used for in vivo selective tumor delivery of various chemotherapeutic and biological therapeutics. MSCs can be used as biofactory for the local production of chemical or biological anticancer agents at the tumor site. MSC-mediated immunotherapy could facilitate the sustained release of immunotherapeutic agents specifically at the tumor site, and allow for the achievement of therapeutic concentrations without the need for repetitive systemic administration of high therapeutic doses. Despite the enthusiasm evoked by preclinical studies that used MSC in various cancer therapy approaches, the translation of MSCs into clinical applications has faced serious challenges. This manuscript, with a critical viewpoint, reviewed the preclinical and clinical studies that have evaluated MSCs as a selective tumor delivery tool in various cancer therapy approaches, including gene therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Then, the novel nanotechnology and bioengineering approaches that can improve the potency of MSC for tumor targeting and overcoming challenges related to their low localization at the tumor sites are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Taheri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Abdul Tehrani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Dehghani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Arefian
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dolatshahi M, Bahrami AR, Sheikh QI, Ghanbari M, Matin MM. Gastric cancer and mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: from pro-tumorigenic effects to anti-cancer vehicles. Arch Pharm Res 2024; 47:1-19. [PMID: 38151649 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-023-01477-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world, with a high mortality rate in both women and men. Conventional treatments, like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, are facing some drawbacks like acquired drug resistance and various side effects, leading to cancer recurrence and increased morbidity; thus, development of novel approaches in targeted therapy would be very beneficial. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles with a size distribution of sub-150 nm, interplay in physiological and pathophysiological cell-cell communications and can pave the way for targeted cancer therapy. Accumulating pieces of evidence have indicated that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EXs) can act as a double-edged sword in some cancers. The purpose of this review is to assess the differences between stem cell therapy and exosome therapy. Moreover, our aim is to demonstrate how naïve MSCs transform into GC-MSCs in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the tumorigenic and anti-proliferation effects of MSC-EXs derived from different origins were investigated. Finally, we suggest potential modifications and combination options that involve utilizing MSC-EXs from the foreskin and umbilical cord as promising sources to enhance the efficacy of gastric cancer treatment. This approach is presented in contrast to bone marrow cells, which are more heterogeneous, age-related, and are also easily affected by the patient's circulation system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dolatshahi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bahrami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Qaiser Iftikhar Sheikh
- School of Biosciences, Western Bank, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, England, UK
| | - Mohsen Ghanbari
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maryam M Matin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu X, Zhu Y, Guo Y, Zhao Z, Li Z. Grb2-related adaptor protein GRAP is a novel regulator of liver fibrosis. Life Sci 2023; 327:121861. [PMID: 37343720 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Excessive liver fibrosis is frequently observed in chronic liver diseases and associated with decline of liver functions. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered the principal mediator of liver fibrosis by trans-differentiating into myofibroblasts. In the present study we investigated the role of Grb2-related adaptor protein (GRAP) in HSC activation and liver fibrosis. METHODS AND MATERIALS Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection. Gene expression was examined by quantitative PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated by EdU incorporation. DNA-protein interaction was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). KEY FINDINGS GRAP expression was up-regulated during HSC-myofibroblast transition both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, serum response factor (SRF) and myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) formed a complex to bind to the GRAP promoter and activate GRAP transcription. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated GRAP silencing blocked HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro. Importantly, adeno-associated virus 6 (AAV6) mediated GRAP knockdown in myofibroblasts attenuated liver fibrosis in mice. Of note, inhibition of ERK signaling abrogated enhancement of HSC-myofibroblast transition by GRAP over-expression. SIGNIFICANCE Our data suggest that GRAP, possibly via ERK activation, regulates HSC-myofibroblast transition and contributes to liver fibrosis. Screening for small-molecule GRAP inhibitors may yield novel therapeutic solutions against liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Zhigang Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|