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Zhao Y, Ye Z, Liu Y, Zhang J, Kuermanbayi S, Zhou Y, Guo H, Xu F, Li F. Investigating the Role of Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Modulating the Ferroptosis Process in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy. Anal Chem 2024; 96:1102-1111. [PMID: 38179931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness modulates a variety of cellular processes, including ferroptosis, a process with significant potential implications for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, the exact relationship between ECM stiffness and HCC ferroptosis is yet unclarified, partially due to the lack of in situ information on key parameters of the ferroptosis process of living HCC cells. This study pioneers the use of in vitro mechanical microenvironment models of HCC and the scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) technique for understanding this interplay. We first cultured HuH7 cells on 4.0, 18.0, and 44.0 kPa polyacrylamide (PA) gels to simulate early, intermediate, and advanced HCC ECM stiffness, respectively. Then, we used SECM to in situ monitor changes in cell membrane permeability, respiratory activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of erastin-induced HuH7 cells on PA gels, finding that increasing ECM stiffness potentiates ferroptosis, including increased membrane permeabilization and H2O2 release as well as reduced respiratory activity. Through further transcriptome sequencing and molecular biology measurements, we identified a critical role for focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-mediated yes-associated protein (YAP) in regulating the ferroptosis process dependent on ECM stiffness, which provides novel insights into the mechanical regulation of ferroptosis in HCC cells and may pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoyang Ye
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yulin Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Shuake Kuermanbayi
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, P. R. China
| | - Feng Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
| | - Fei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
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2
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Galindo-Vega A, Maldonado-Lagunas V, Mitre-Aguilar IB, Melendez-Zajgla J. Tumor Microenvironment Role in Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2023; 12:1560. [PMID: 37371030 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a majority of patients presenting with unresectable or metastatic disease, resulting in a poor 5-year survival rate. This, in turn, is due to a highly complex tumor microenvironment and the presence of cancer stem cells, both of which induce therapy resistance and tumor relapse. Therefore, understanding and targeting the tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells may be key strategies for designing effective PDAC therapies. In the present review, we summarized recent advances in the role of tumor microenvironment in pancreatic neoplastic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Galindo-Vega
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 04710, Mexico
| | | | - Irma B Mitre-Aguilar
- Biochemistry Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 04710, Mexico
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3
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Tan S, Yang Y, Yang W, Han Y, Huang L, Yang R, Hu Z, Tao Y, Liu L, Li Y, Oyang L, Lin J, Peng Q, Jiang X, Xu X, Xia L, Peng M, Wu N, Tang Y, Cao D, Liao Q, Zhou Y. Exosomal cargos-mediated metabolic reprogramming in tumor microenvironment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:59. [PMID: 36899389 PMCID: PMC9999652 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02634-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is one of the hallmarks of cancer. As nutrients are scarce in the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor cells adopt multiple metabolic adaptations to meet their growth requirements. Metabolic reprogramming is not only present in tumor cells, but exosomal cargos mediates intercellular communication between tumor cells and non-tumor cells in the TME, inducing metabolic remodeling to create an outpost of microvascular enrichment and immune escape. Here, we highlight the composition and characteristics of TME, meanwhile summarize the components of exosomal cargos and their corresponding sorting mode. Functionally, these exosomal cargos-mediated metabolic reprogramming improves the "soil" for tumor growth and metastasis. Moreover, we discuss the abnormal tumor metabolism targeted by exosomal cargos and its potential antitumor therapy. In conclusion, this review updates the current role of exosomal cargos in TME metabolic reprogramming and enriches the future application scenarios of exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming Tan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yiqing Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjuan Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yaqian Han
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Lisheng Huang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Ruiqian Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zifan Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yi Tao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.,University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yun Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Linda Oyang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jinguan Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qiu Peng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xianjie Jiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xuemeng Xu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Longzheng Xia
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Mingjing Peng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Nayiyuan Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyan Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Deliang Cao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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Nguyen LTS, Jacob MAC, Parajón E, Robinson DN. Cancer as a biophysical disease: Targeting the mechanical-adaptability program. Biophys J 2022; 121:3573-3585. [PMID: 35505610 PMCID: PMC9617128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
With the number of cancer cases projected to significantly increase over time, researchers are currently exploring "nontraditional" research fields in the pursuit of novel therapeutics. One emerging area that is steadily gathering interest revolves around cellular mechanical machinery. When looking broadly at the physical properties of cancer, it has been debated whether a cancer could be defined as either stiffer or softer across cancer types. With numerous articles supporting both sides, the evidence instead suggests that cancer is not particularly regimented. Instead, cancer is highly adaptable, allowing it to endure the constantly changing microenvironments cancer cells encounter, such as tumor compression and the shear forces in the vascular system and body. What allows cancer cells to achieve this adaptability are the particular proteins that make up the mechanical network, leading to a particular mechanical program of the cancer cell. Coincidentally, some of these proteins, such as myosin II, α-actinins, filamins, and actin, have either altered expression in cancer and/or some type of direct involvement in cancer progression. For this reason, targeting the mechanical system as a therapeutic strategy may lead to more efficacious treatments in the future. However, targeting the mechanical program is far from trivial. As involved as the mechanical program is in cancer development and metastasis, it also helps drive many other key cellular processes, such as cell division, cell adhesion, metabolism, and motility. Therefore, anti-cancer treatments targeting the mechanical program must take great care to avoid potential side effects. Here, we introduce the potential of targeting the mechanical program while also providing its challenges and shortcomings as a strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly T S Nguyen
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Allan C Jacob
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eleana Parajón
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Douglas N Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Natural killer cell awakening: unleash cancer-immunity cycle against glioblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:588. [PMID: 35803912 PMCID: PMC9270460 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Due to the negligence of the complex tumor immune microenvironment, traditional treatment for glioblastoma has reached its limitation and cannot achieve a satisfying outcome in the past decade. The emergence of immunotherapy based on the theory of cancer-immunity cycle has brought a new dawn to glioblastoma patients. However, the results of most phase II and phase III clinical trials are not optimistic due to the simple focus on T cells activation rather than other immune cells involved in anti-tumor immunity. NK cells play a critical role in both innate and adaptive immunity, having the ability to coordinate immune response in inflammation, autoimmune disease and cancer. They are expected to cooperate with T cells to maximize the anti-tumor immune effect and have great potential in treating glioblastoma. Here, we describe the traditional treatment methods and current immunotherapy strategies for glioblastoma. Then, we list a microenvironment map and discuss the reasons for glioblastoma inhibitory immunity from multiple perspectives. More importantly, we focus on the advantages of NK cells as potential immune regulatory cells and the ways to maximize their anti-tumor immune effect. Finally, our outlook on the directions and potential applications of NK cell-based therapy combining with the advance technologies is presented. This review depicts NK cell awakening as the precondition to unleash the cancer-immunity cycle against glioblastoma and elaborate this idea from biology to clinical treatment.
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Zhu PF, Wang MX, Chen ZL, Yang L. Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment: A Literature Review of the Novel Anti-Tumor Mechanism of Statins. Front Oncol 2021; 11:761107. [PMID: 34858839 PMCID: PMC8632059 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.761107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins is widely used in clinical practice as lipid-lowering drugs and has been proven to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic syndrome and other diseases. The latest preclinical evidence shows that statins have anti-proliferation, pro-apoptotic, anti-invasion and radiotherapy sensitization effects on tumor cells, suggesting that statins may become a new type of anti-tumor drugs. For a long time, mevalonate pathway has been proved to play a supporting role in the development of tumor cells. As an effective inhibitor of mevalonate pathway, statins have been proved to have a direct auxiliary anti-tumor effect in a large number of studies. In addition, anti-tumor effects of statins through ferroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy and tumor microenvironment (TME) have also been gradually discovered. However, the specific mechanism of the antitumor effect of statins in the tumor microenvironment has not been clearly elucidated. Herein, we reviewed the antitumor effects of statins in tumor microenvironment, focusing on hypoxia microenvironment, immune microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, acid microenvironment and mechanical microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Zhu
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Graduate School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Ming-Xing Wang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Graduate School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Zhe-Ling Chen
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Graduate School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
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Jin MZ, Jin WL. The updated landscape of tumor microenvironment and drug repurposing. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:166. [PMID: 32843638 PMCID: PMC7447642 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 566] [Impact Index Per Article: 141.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows that cellular and acellular components in tumor microenvironment (TME) can reprogram tumor initiation, growth, invasion, metastasis, and response to therapies. Cancer research and treatment have switched from a cancer-centric model to a TME-centric one, considering the increasing significance of TME in cancer biology. Nonetheless, the clinical efficacy of therapeutic strategies targeting TME, especially the specific cells or pathways of TME, remains unsatisfactory. Classifying the chemopathological characteristics of TME and crosstalk among one another can greatly benefit further studies exploring effective treating methods. Herein, we present an updated image of TME with emphasis on hypoxic niche, immune microenvironment, metabolism microenvironment, acidic niche, innervated niche, and mechanical microenvironment. We then summarize conventional drugs including aspirin, celecoxib, β-adrenergic antagonist, metformin, and statin in new antitumor application. These drugs are considered as viable candidates for combination therapy due to their antitumor activity and extensive use in clinical practice. We also provide our outlook on directions and potential applications of TME theory. This review depicts a comprehensive and vivid landscape of TME from biology to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Zhu Jin
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Information and Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China.,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Lin Jin
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Electronic Information and Electronic Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China.
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Metabolic Alterations in Spheroid-Cultured Hepatic Stellate Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103451. [PMID: 32414151 PMCID: PMC7279360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a vital role in liver fibrosis, and a greater understanding of their regulation is required. Recent studies have focused on relationships between extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and gene expression or cellular metabolism, but none have provided a detailed metabolic analysis of HSC changes in spheroid cultures. Accordingly, in the present study, we created an HSC spheroid culture and analyzed changes in gene expression and metabolism. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) decreased in the spheroids, suppressing proliferation. Gene expression analysis revealed the cell cycle, sirtuin signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the Hippo pathway to be canonical pathways, believed to result from decreased proliferative ability or mitochondrial suppression. In the Hippo pathway, nuclear translocation of the yes-associated protein (YAP) was decreased in the spheroid, which was associated with the stiffness of the ECM. Metabolome analysis showed glucose metabolism changes in the spheroid, including glutathione pathway upregulation and increased lipid synthesis. Addition of the glycolytic product phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) led to increased spheroid size, with increased expression of proteins such as α-SMA and S6 ribosomal protein (RPS6) phosphorylation, which was attributed to decreased suppression of translation. The results of our study contribute to the understanding of metabolic changes in HSCs and the progression of hepatic fibrosis.
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