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Del Pino Herrera A, Ferrall-Fairbanks MC. A war on many fronts: cross disciplinary approaches for novel cancer treatment strategies. Front Genet 2024; 15:1383676. [PMID: 38873108 PMCID: PMC11169904 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1383676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth where cancer cells take advantage of surrounding cellular populations to obtain resources and promote invasion. Carcinomas are the most common type of cancer accounting for almost 90% of cancer cases. One of the major subtypes of carcinomas are adenocarcinomas, which originate from glandular cells that line certain internal organs. Cancers such as breast, prostate, lung, pancreas, colon, esophageal, kidney are often adenocarcinomas. Current treatment strategies include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and more recently immunotherapy. However, patients with adenocarcinomas often develop resistance or recur after the first line of treatment. Understanding how networks of tumor cells interact with each other and the tumor microenvironment is crucial to avoid recurrence, resistance, and high-dose therapy toxicities. In this review, we explore how mathematical modeling tools from different disciplines can aid in the development of effective and personalized cancer treatment strategies. Here, we describe how concepts from the disciplines of ecology and evolution, economics, and control engineering have been applied to mathematically model cancer dynamics and enhance treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Del Pino Herrera
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Meghan C. Ferrall-Fairbanks
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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2
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Sieler M, Dörnen J, Dittmar T. How Much Do You Fuse? A Comparison of Cell Fusion Assays in a Breast Cancer Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5668. [PMID: 38891857 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is a biological process that is crucial for the development and homeostasis of different tissues, but it is also pathophysiologically associated with tumor progression and malignancy. The investigation of cell fusion processes is difficult because there is no standardized marker. Many studies therefore use different systems to observe and quantify cell fusion in vitro and in vivo. The comparability of the results must be critically questioned, because both the experimental procedure and the assays differ between studies. The comparability of the fluorescence-based fluorescence double reporter (FDR) and dual split protein (DSP) assay was investigated as part of this study, in which general conditions were kept largely constant. In order to be able to induce both a high and a low cell fusion rate, M13SV1 breast epithelial cells were modified with regard to the expression level of the fusogenic protein Syncytin-1 and its receptor ASCT2 and were co-cultivated for 72 h with different breast cancer cell lines. A high number of fused cells was found in co-cultures with Syncytin-1-overexpressing M13SV1 cells, but differences between the assays were also observed. This shows that the quantification of cell fusion events in particular is highly dependent on the assay selected, but the influence of fusogenic proteins can be visualized very well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Sieler
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Jessica Dörnen
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
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3
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Karras P, Black JRM, McGranahan N, Marine JC. Decoding the interplay between genetic and non-genetic drivers of metastasis. Nature 2024; 629:543-554. [PMID: 38750233 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07302-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis is a multistep process by which cancer cells break away from their original location and spread to distant organs, and is responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. Preventing early metastatic dissemination would revolutionize the ability to fight cancer. Unfortunately, the relatively poor understanding of the molecular underpinnings of metastasis has hampered the development of effective anti-metastatic drugs. Although it is now accepted that disseminating tumour cells need to acquire multiple competencies to face the many obstacles they encounter before reaching their metastatic site(s), whether these competencies are acquired through an accumulation of metastasis-specific genetic alterations and/or non-genetic events is often debated. Here we review a growing body of literature highlighting the importance of both genetic and non-genetic reprogramming events during the metastatic cascade, and discuss how genetic and non-genetic processes act in concert to confer metastatic competencies. We also describe how recent technological advances, and in particular the advent of single-cell multi-omics and barcoding approaches, will help to better elucidate the cross-talk between genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of metastasis and ultimately inform innovative paths for the early detection and interception of this lethal process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - James R M Black
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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4
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Sieler M, Dittmar T. Cell Fusion and Syncytia Formation in Cancer. Results Probl Cell Differ 2024; 71:433-465. [PMID: 37996689 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-37936-9_20] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The natural phenomenon of cell-cell fusion does not only take place in physiological processes, such as placentation, myogenesis, or osteoclastogenesis, but also in pathophysiological processes, such as cancer. More than a century ago postulated, today the hypothesis that the fusion of cancer cells with normal cells leads to the formation of cancer hybrid cells with altered properties is in scientific consensus. Some studies that have investigated the mechanisms and conditions for the fusion of cancer cells with other cells, as well as studies that have characterized the resulting cancer hybrid cells, are presented in this review. Hypoxia and the cytokine TNFα, for example, have been found to promote cell fusion. In addition, it has been found that both the protein Syncytin-1, which normally plays a role in placentation, and phosphatidylserine signaling on the cell membrane are involved in the fusion of cancer cells with other cells. In human cancer, cancer hybrid cells were detected not only in the primary tumor, but also in the circulation of patients as so-called circulating hybrid cells, where they often correlated with a worse outcome. Although some data are available, the questions of how and especially why cancer cells fuse with other cells are still not fully answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Sieler
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.
| | - Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
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5
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Merckens A, Sieler M, Keil S, Dittmar T. Altered Phenotypes of Breast Epithelial × Breast Cancer Hybrids after ZEB1 Knock-Out. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17310. [PMID: 38139138 PMCID: PMC10744253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417310] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
ZEB1 plays a pivotal role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), (cancer) cell stemness and cancer therapy resistance. The M13HS tumor hybrids, which were derived from spontaneous fusion events between the M13SV1-EGFP-Neo breast epithelial cells and HS578T-Hyg breast cancer cells, express ZEB1 and exhibit prospective cancer stem cell properties. To explore a possible correlation between the ZEB1 and stemness/ EMT-related properties in M13HS tumor hybrids, ZEB1 was knocked-out by CRISPR/Cas9. Colony formation, mammosphere formation, cell migration, invasion assays, flow cytometry and Western blot analyses were performed for the characterization of ZEB1 knock-out cells. The ZEB1 knock-out in M13HS tumor cells was not correlated with the down-regulation of the EMT-related markers N-CADHERIN (CDH2) and VIMENTIN and up-regulation of miR-200c-3p. Nonetheless, both the colony formation and mammosphere formation capacities of the M13HS ZEB1 knock-out cells were markedly reduced. Interestingly, the M13HS-2 ZEB1-KO cells harbored a markedly higher fraction of ALDH1-positive cells. The Transwell/ Boyden chamber migration assay data indicated a reduced migratory activity of the M13HS ZEB1-knock-out tumor hybrids, whereas in scratch/ wound-healing assays only the M13SH-8 ZEB1-knock-out cells possessed a reduced locomotory activity. Similarly, only the M13HS-8 ZEB1-knock-out tumor hybrids showed a reduced invasion capacity. Although the ZEB1 knock-out resulted in only moderate phenotypic changes, our data support the role of ZEB1 in EMT and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58448 Witten, Germany; (A.M.); (M.S.); (S.K.)
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6
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Vittoria MA, Quinton RJ, Ganem NJ. Whole-genome doubling in tissues and tumors. Trends Genet 2023; 39:954-967. [PMID: 37714734 PMCID: PMC10840902 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
The overwhelming majority of proliferating somatic human cells are diploid, and this genomic state is typically maintained across successive cell divisions. However, failures in cell division can induce a whole-genome doubling (WGD) event, in which diploid cells transition to a tetraploid state. While some WGDs are developmentally programmed to produce nonproliferative tetraploid cells with specific cellular functions, unscheduled WGDs can be catastrophic: erroneously arising tetraploid cells are ill-equipped to cope with their doubled cellular and chromosomal content and quickly become genomically unstable and tumorigenic. Deciphering the genetics that underlie the genesis, physiology, and evolution of whole-genome doubled (WGD+) cells may therefore reveal therapeutic avenues to selectively eliminate pathological WGD+ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Vittoria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Ryan J Quinton
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Neil J Ganem
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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7
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Miroshnychenko D, Miti T, Kumar P, Miller A, Laurie M, Giraldo N, Bui MM, Altrock PM, Basanta D, Marusyk A. Stroma-Mediated Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation Indirectly Drives Chemoresistance by Accelerating Tumor Recovery between Chemotherapy Cycles. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3681-3692. [PMID: 37791818 PMCID: PMC10646478 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The ability of tumors to survive therapy reflects both cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental mechanisms. Across many cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a high stroma/tumor ratio correlates with poor survival. In many contexts, this correlation can be explained by the direct reduction of therapy sensitivity induced by stroma-produced paracrine factors. We sought to explore whether this direct effect contributes to the link between stroma and poor responses to chemotherapies. In vitro studies with panels of TNBC cell line models and stromal isolates failed to detect a direct modulation of chemoresistance. At the same time, consistent with prior studies, fibroblast-produced secreted factors stimulated treatment-independent enhancement of tumor cell proliferation. Spatial analyses indicated that proximity to stroma is often associated with enhanced tumor cell proliferation in vivo. These observations suggested an indirect link between stroma and chemoresistance, where stroma-augmented proliferation potentiates the recovery of residual tumors between chemotherapy cycles. To evaluate this hypothesis, a spatial agent-based model of stroma impact on proliferation/death dynamics was developed that was quantitatively parameterized using inferences from histologic analyses and experimental studies. The model demonstrated that the observed enhancement of tumor cell proliferation within stroma-proximal niches could enable tumors to avoid elimination over multiple chemotherapy cycles. Therefore, this study supports the existence of an indirect mechanism of environment-mediated chemoresistance that might contribute to the negative correlation between stromal content and poor therapy outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE Integration of experimental research with mathematical modeling reveals an indirect microenvironmental chemoresistance mechanism by which stromal cells stimulate breast cancer cell proliferation and highlights the importance of consideration of proliferation/death dynamics. See related commentary by Wall and Echeverria, p. 3667.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Miroshnychenko
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Tatiana Miti
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Pragya Kumar
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Anna Miller
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Mark Laurie
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Nathalia Giraldo
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Marilyn M. Bui
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Philipp M. Altrock
- Department of Theoretical Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Ploen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - David Basanta
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Andriy Marusyk
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
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8
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Nowicka Z, Rentzeperis F, Beck R, Tagal V, Pinto AF, Scanu E, Veith T, Cole J, Ilter D, Viqueira WD, Teer JK, Maksin K, Pasetto S, Abdalah MA, Fiandaca G, Prabhakaran S, Schultz A, Ojwang M, Barnholtz-Sloan JS, Farinhas JM, Gomes AP, Katira P, Andor N. Interactions between ploidy and resource availability shape clonal interference at initiation and recurrence of glioblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.17.562670. [PMID: 37905142 PMCID: PMC10614845 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.17.562670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor. Complete surgical resection of GBM is almost impossible due to the infiltrative nature of the cancer. While no evidence for recent selection events have been found after diagnosis, the selective forces that govern gliomagenesis are strong, shaping the tumor's cell composition during the initial progression to malignancy with late consequences for invasiveness and therapy response. We present a mathematical model that simulates the growth and invasion of a glioma, given its ploidy level and the nature of its brain tissue micro-environment (TME), and use it to make inferences about GBM initiation and response to standard-of-care treatment. We approximate the spatial distribution of resource access in the TME through integration of in-silico modelling, multi-omics data and image analysis of primary and recurrent GBM. In the pre-malignant setting, our in-silico results suggest that low ploidy cancer cells are more resistant to starvation-induced cell death. In the malignant setting, between first and second surgery, simulated tumors with different ploidy compositions progressed at different rates. Whether higher ploidy predicted fast recurrence, however, depended on the TME. Historical data supports this dependence on TME resources, as shown by a significant correlation between the median glucose uptake rates in human tissues and the median ploidy of cancer types that arise in the respective tissues (Spearman r = -0.70; P = 0.026). Taken together our findings suggest that availability of metabolic substrates in the TME drives different cell fate decisions for cancer cells with different ploidy and shapes GBM disease initiation and relapse characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Nowicka
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Richard Beck
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Vural Tagal
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ana Forero Pinto
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elisa Scanu
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Veith
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jackson Cole
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Didem Ilter
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Jamie K. Teer
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Stefano Pasetto
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Giada Fiandaca
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Tento, Italy
| | - Sandhya Prabhakaran
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Andrew Schultz
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Maureiq Ojwang
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jill S. Barnholtz-Sloan
- Center for Biomedical Informatics & Information Technology and Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Ana P. Gomes
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Parag Katira
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Noemi Andor
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
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9
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Pradeu T, Daignan-Fornier B, Ewald A, Germain PL, Okasha S, Plutynski A, Benzekry S, Bertolaso M, Bissell M, Brown JS, Chin-Yee B, Chin-Yee I, Clevers H, Cognet L, Darrason M, Farge E, Feunteun J, Galon J, Giroux E, Green S, Gross F, Jaulin F, Knight R, Laconi E, Larmonier N, Maley C, Mantovani A, Moreau V, Nassoy P, Rondeau E, Santamaria D, Sawai CM, Seluanov A, Sepich-Poore GD, Sisirak V, Solary E, Yvonnet S, Laplane L. Reuniting philosophy and science to advance cancer research. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1668-1686. [PMID: 37157910 PMCID: PMC10869205 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancers rely on multiple, heterogeneous processes at different scales, pertaining to many biomedical fields. Therefore, understanding cancer is necessarily an interdisciplinary task that requires placing specialised experimental and clinical research into a broader conceptual, theoretical, and methodological framework. Without such a framework, oncology will collect piecemeal results, with scant dialogue between the different scientific communities studying cancer. We argue that one important way forward in service of a more successful dialogue is through greater integration of applied sciences (experimental and clinical) with conceptual and theoretical approaches, informed by philosophical methods. By way of illustration, we explore six central themes: (i) the role of mutations in cancer; (ii) the clonal evolution of cancer cells; (iii) the relationship between cancer and multicellularity; (iv) the tumour microenvironment; (v) the immune system; and (vi) stem cells. In each case, we examine open questions in the scientific literature through a philosophical methodology and show the benefit of such a synergy for the scientific and medical understanding of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pradeu
- CNRS UMR5164 ImmunoConcEpT, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
- CNRS UMR8590, Institut d’Histoire et Philosophie des Sciences et des Technique, University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, 13 rue du Four, Paris 75006, France
| | - Bertrand Daignan-Fornier
- CNRS UMR 5095 Institut de Biochimie et Génétique Cellulaires, University of Bordeaux, 1 rue Camille St Saens, Bordeaux 33077, France
| | - Andrew Ewald
- Departments of Cell Biology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neurosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Laboratory of Statistical Bioinformatics, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Samir Okasha
- Department of Philosophy, University of Bristol, Cotham House, Bristol, BS6 6JL, UK
| | - Anya Plutynski
- Department of Philosophy, Washington University in St. Louis, and Associate with Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, St. Louis, MO 63105, USA
| | - Sébastien Benzekry
- Computational Pharmacology and Clinical Oncology (COMPO) Unit, Inria Sophia Antipolis-Méditerranée, Cancer Research Center of Marseille, Inserm UMR1068, CNRS UMR7258, Aix Marseille University UM105, 27, bd Jean Moulin, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Marta Bertolaso
- Research Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Àlvaro del Portillo, 21-00128, Rome, Italy
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen 5007, Norway
| | - Mina Bissell
- Biological Systems & Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joel S. Brown
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Benjamin Chin-Yee
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 800 Commissioners Rd E, London, ON, Canada
- Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Chin-Yee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 800 Commissioners Rd E, London, ON, Canada
| | - Hans Clevers
- Pharma, Research and Early Development (pRED) of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, Basel 4070, Switzerland
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Laurent Cognet
- CNRS UMR 5298, Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, University of Bordeaux, Rue François Mitterrand, Talence 33400, France
| | - Marie Darrason
- Department of Pneumology and Thoracic Oncology, University Hospital of Lyon, 165 Chem. du Grand Revoyet, 69310 Pierre Bénite, Lyon, France
- Lyon Institute of Philosophical Research, Lyon 3 Jean Moulin University, 1 Av. des Frères Lumière, Lyon 69007, France
| | - Emmanuel Farge
- Mechanics and Genetics of Embryonic and Tumor Development group, Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR168, Inserm, Centre Origines et conditions d’apparition de la vie (OCAV) Paris Sciences Lettres Research University, Sorbonne University, Institut Curie, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 75005, France
| | - Jean Feunteun
- INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Jérôme Galon
- INSERM UMRS1138, Integrative Cancer Immunology, Cordelier Research Center, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, 15 rue de l’École de Médecine, Paris 75006, France
| | - Elodie Giroux
- Lyon Institute of Philosophical Research, Lyon 3 Jean Moulin University, 1 Av. des Frères Lumière, Lyon 69007, France
| | - Sara Green
- Section for History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen, Rådmandsgade 64, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Fridolin Gross
- CNRS UMR5164 ImmunoConcEpT, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Fanny Jaulin
- INSERM U1279, Gustave Roussy, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94800, France
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 3223 Voigt Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ezio Laconi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, Via Università 40, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - Nicolas Larmonier
- CNRS UMR5164 ImmunoConcEpT, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Carlo Maley
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 4 Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Istituto Clinico Humanitas Humanitas Cancer Center (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan 20089, Italy
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Violaine Moreau
- INSERM UMR1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Pierre Nassoy
- CNRS UMR 5298, Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, University of Bordeaux, Rue François Mitterrand, Talence 33400, France
| | - Elena Rondeau
- INSERM U1111, ENS Lyon and Centre International de Recherche en Infectionlogie (CIRI), 46 Allée d’Italie, Lyon 69007, France
| | - David Santamaria
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - Catherine M. Sawai
- INSERM UMR1312, Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC), University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology and Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | | | - Vanja Sisirak
- CNRS UMR5164 ImmunoConcEpT, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Leo Saignat, Bordeaux 33076, France
| | - Eric Solary
- INSERM U1287, Gustave Roussy, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94800, France
- Département d’hématologie, Gustave Roussy, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94800, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, 63 Rue Gabriel Péri, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Sarah Yvonnet
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Lucie Laplane
- CNRS UMR8590, Institut d’Histoire et Philosophie des Sciences et des Technique, University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, 13 rue du Four, Paris 75006, France
- INSERM U1287, Gustave Roussy, 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94800, France
- Center for Biology and Society, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, 1100 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
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10
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Erenpreisa J, Giuliani A, Cragg MS. Special Issue "Advances in Genome Regulation in Cancer". Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14567. [PMID: 37834014 PMCID: PMC10572122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is globally increasing [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jekaterina Erenpreisa
- Cancer Research Division, Latvian Biomedicine Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Alessandro Giuliani
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mark Steven Cragg
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK;
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11
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Dittmar T, Sieler M, Hass R. Why do certain cancer cells alter functionality and fuse? Biol Chem 2023; 404:951-960. [PMID: 37246410 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0162] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell fusion represents a rare event. However, the surviving cancer hybrid cells after a post-hybrid selection process (PHSP) can overgrow other cancer cells by exhibiting a proliferation advantage and/or expression of cancer stem-like properties. Addition of new tumor properties during hetero-fusion of cancer cells e.g. with mesenchymal stroma-/stem-like cells (MSC) contribute to enhanced tumor plasticity via acquisition of new/altered functionalities. This provides new avenues for tumor development and metastatic behavior. Consequently, the present review article will also address the question as to whether cancer cell fusion represents a general and possibly evolutionary-conserved program or rather a random process?
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, D-58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Mareike Sieler
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, D-58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Ralf Hass
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
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12
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Bukkuri A, Pienta KJ, Austin RH, Hammarlund EU, Amend SR, Brown JS. A mathematical investigation of polyaneuploid cancer cell memory and cross-resistance in state-structured cancer populations. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15027. [PMID: 37700000 PMCID: PMC10497555 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42368-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The polyaneuploid cancer cell (PACC) state promotes cancer lethality by contributing to survival in extreme conditions and metastasis. Recent experimental evidence suggests that post-therapy PACC-derived recurrent populations display cross-resistance to classes of therapies with independent mechanisms of action. We hypothesize that this can occur through PACC memory, whereby cancer cells that have undergone a polyaneuploid transition (PAT) reenter the PACC state more quickly or have higher levels of innate resistance. In this paper, we build on our prior mathematical models of the eco-evolutionary dynamics of cells in the 2N+ and PACC states to investigate these two hypotheses. We show that although an increase in innate resistance is more effective at promoting cross-resistance, this trend can also be produced via PACC memory. We also find that resensitization of cells that acquire increased innate resistance through the PAT have a considerable impact on eco-evolutionary dynamics and extinction probabilities. This study, though theoretical in nature, can help inspire future experimentation to tease apart hypotheses surrounding how cross-resistance in structured cancer populations arises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuraag Bukkuri
- Cancer Biology and Evolution Program and Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA.
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Emma U Hammarlund
- Tissue Development and Evolution Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sarah R Amend
- The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Joel S Brown
- Cancer Biology and Evolution Program and Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA
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13
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Druzhkova I, Ignatova N, Shirmanova M. Cell-in-Cell Structures in Gastrointestinal Tumors: Biological Relevance and Clinical Applications. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1149. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3390/jpm13071149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes information about cell-in-cell (CIC) structures with a focus on gastrointestinal tumors. The phenomenon when one cell lives in another one has attracted an attention of researchers over the past decades. We briefly discuss types of CIC structures and mechanisms of its formation, as well as the biological basis and consequences of the cell-engulfing process. Numerous clinico-histopathological studies demonstrate the significance of these structures as prognostic factors, mainly correlated with negative prognosis. The presence of CIC structures has been identified in all gastrointestinal tumors. However, the majority of studies concern pancreatic cancer. In this field, in addition to the assessment of the prognostic markers, the attempts to manipulate the ability of cells to form CISs have been done in order to stimulate the death of the inner cell. Number of CIC structures also correlates with genetic features for some gastrointestinal tu-mors. The role of CIC structures in the responses of tumors to therapies, both chemotherapy and immunotherapy, seems to be the most poorly studied. However, there is some evidence of involvement of CIC structures in treatment failure. Here, we summarized the current literature on CIC structures in cancer with a focus on gastrointestinal tumors and specified future perspectives for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Druzhkova
- Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Nadezhda Ignatova
- Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Marina Shirmanova
- Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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14
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Druzhkova I, Ignatova N, Shirmanova M. Cell-in-Cell Structures in Gastrointestinal Tumors: Biological Relevance and Clinical Applications. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1149. [PMID: 37511762 PMCID: PMC10381133 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071149] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes information about cell-in-cell (CIC) structures with a focus on gastrointestinal tumors. The phenomenon when one cell lives in another one has attracted an attention of researchers over the past decades. We briefly discuss types of CIC structures and mechanisms of its formation, as well as the biological basis and consequences of the cell-engulfing process. Numerous clinico-histopathological studies demonstrate the significance of these structures as prognostic factors, mainly correlated with negative prognosis. The presence of CIC structures has been identified in all gastrointestinal tumors. However, the majority of studies concern pancreatic cancer. In this field, in addition to the assessment of the prognostic markers, the attempts to manipulate the ability of cells to form CISs have been done in order to stimulate the death of the inner cell. Number of CIC structures also correlates with genetic features for some gastrointestinal tu-mors. The role of CIC structures in the responses of tumors to therapies, both chemotherapy and immunotherapy, seems to be the most poorly studied. However, there is some evidence of involvement of CIC structures in treatment failure. Here, we summarized the current literature on CIC structures in cancer with a focus on gastrointestinal tumors and specified future perspectives for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Druzhkova
- Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Nadezhda Ignatova
- Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Marina Shirmanova
- Research Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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15
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Ye X, Huang X, Fu X, Zhang X, Lin R, Zhang W, Zhang J, Lu Y. Myeloid-like tumor hybrid cells in bone marrow promote progression of prostate cancer bone metastasis. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:46. [PMID: 37138326 PMCID: PMC10155318 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01442-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and currently has no effective treatment. Disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow often obtain new characteristics to cause therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. Thus, understanding the status of disseminated prostate cancer cells in bone marrow is crucial for developing a new treatment. METHODS We analyzed the transcriptome of disseminated tumor cells from a single cell RNA-sequencing data of PCa bone metastases. We built a bone metastasis model through caudal artery injection of tumor cells, and sorted the tumor hybrid cells by flow cytometry. We performed multi-omics analysis, including transcriptomic, proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis, to compare the difference between the tumor hybrid cells and parental cells. In vivo experiments were performed to analyze the tumor growth rate, metastatic and tumorigenic potential, drug and radiation sensitivity in hybrid cells. Single cell RNA-sequencing and CyTOF were performed to analyze the impact of hybrid cells on tumor microenvironment. RESULTS Here, we identified a unique cluster of cancer cells in PCa bone metastases, which expressed myeloid cell markers and showed a significant change in pathways related to immune regulation and tumor progression. We found that cell fusion between disseminated tumor cells and bone marrow cells can be source of these myeloid-like tumor cells. Multi-omics showed the pathways related to cell adhesion and proliferation, such as focal adhesion, tight junction, DNA replication, and cell cycle, were most significantly changed in these hybrid cells. In vivo experiment showed hybrid cells had a significantly increased proliferative rate, and metastatic potential. Single cell RNA-sequencing and CyTOF showed tumor-associated neutrophils/monocytes/macrophages were highly enriched in hybrid cells-induced tumor microenvironment with a higher immunosuppressive capacity. Otherwise, the hybrid cells showed an enhanced EMT phenotype with higher tumorigenicity, and were resistant to docetaxel and ferroptosis, but sensitive to radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Taken together, our data demonstrate that spontaneous cell fusion in bone marrow can generate myeloid-like tumor hybrid cells that promote the progression of bone metastasis, and these unique population of disseminated tumor cells can provide a potential therapeutic target for PCa bone metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Ye
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Huang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xing Fu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Risheng Lin
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xue Yuan Blvd, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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16
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Dittmar T, Hass R. Intrinsic signalling factors associated with cancer cell-cell fusion. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:68. [PMID: 37016404 PMCID: PMC10071245 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01085-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular fusion e.g. between cancer cells and normal cells represents a stepwise process that is tightly regulated. During a pre-hybrid preparation program somatic cells and/or cancer cells are promoted to a pro-fusogenic state as a prerequisite to prepare a fusion process. A pro-fusogenic state requires significant changes including restructure of the cytoskeleton, e.g., by the formation of F-actin. Moreover, distinct plasma membrane lipids such as phosphatidylserine play an important role during cell fusion. In addition, the expression of distinct fusogenic factors such as syncytins and corresponding receptors are of fundamental importance to enable cellular mergers. Subsequent hybrid formation and fusion are followed by a post-hybrid selection process. Fusion among normal cells is important and often required during organismal development. Cancer cells fusion appears more rarely and is associated with the generation of new cancer hybrid cell populations. These cancer hybrid cells contribute to an elevated tumour plasticity by altered metastatic behaviour, changes in therapeutic and apoptotic responses, and even in the formation of cancer stem/ initiating cells. While many parts within this multi-step cascade are still poorly understood, this review article predominantly focusses on the intracellular necessities for fusion among cancer cells or with other cell populations of the tumour microenvironment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Centre for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58448, Witten, Germany.
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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17
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West J, Robertson-Tessi M, Anderson ARA. Agent-based methods facilitate integrative science in cancer. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:300-311. [PMID: 36404257 PMCID: PMC10918696 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this opinion, we highlight agent-based modeling as a key tool for exploration of cell-cell and cell-environment interactions that drive cancer progression, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. These biological phenomena are particularly suited to be captured at the cell-scale resolution possible only within agent-based or individual-based mathematical models. These modeling approaches complement experimental work (in vitro and in vivo systems) through parameterization and data extrapolation but also feed forward to drive new experiments that test model-generated predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey West
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mark Robertson-Tessi
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alexander R A Anderson
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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18
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Bates M, Mohamed BM, Ward MP, Kelly TE, O'Connor R, Malone V, Brooks R, Brooks D, Selemidis S, Martin C, O'Toole S, O'Leary JJ. Circulating tumour cells: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188863. [PMID: 36796527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This review is an overview of the current knowledge regarding circulating tumour cells (CTCs), which are potentially the most lethal type of cancer cell, and may be a key component of the metastatic cascade. The clinical utility of CTCs (the "Good"), includes their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. Conversely, their complex biology (the "Bad"), including the existence of CD45+/EpCAM+ CTCs, adds insult to injury regarding their isolation and identification, which in turn hampers their clinical translation. CTCs are capable of forming microemboli composed of both non-discrete phenotypic populations such as mesenchymal CTCs and homotypic and heterotypic clusters which are poised to interact with other cells in the circulation, including immune cells and platelets, which may increase their malignant potential. These microemboli (the "Ugly") represent a prognostically important CTC subset, however, phenotypic EMT/MET gradients bring additional complexities to an already challenging situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Bates
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland.
| | - Bashir M Mohamed
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Mark P Ward
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Tanya E Kelly
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Roisin O'Connor
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Victoria Malone
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Robert Brooks
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Doug Brooks
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Stavros Selemidis
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Cara Martin
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - Sharon O'Toole
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland; Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Dublin 8, Ireland; Department of Pathology, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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19
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Miroshnychenko D, Miti T, Miller A, Kumar P, Laurie M, Bui MM, Altrock PM, Basanta D, Marusyk A. Paracrine enhancement of tumor cell proliferation provides indirect stroma-mediated chemoresistance via acceleration of tumor recovery between chemotherapy cycles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.527543. [PMID: 36798328 PMCID: PMC9934626 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability of tumors to survive therapy is mediated not only by cell-intrinsic but also cell-extrinsic, microenvironmental mechanisms. Across many cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a high stroma/tumor ratio correlates with poor survival. In many contexts, this correlation can be explained by the direct reduction of therapy sensitivity by stroma-produced paracrine factors through activating pro-survival signaling and stemness. We sought to explore whether this direct effect contributes to the link between stroma and poor responses to chemotherapies in TNBC. Our in vitro studies with panels of TNBC cell line models and stromal isolates failed to detect a direct modulation of chemoresistance. However, we found that fibroblasts often enhance baseline tumor cell proliferation. Consistent with this in vitro observation, we found evidence of stroma-enhanced TNBC cell proliferation in vivo , in xenograft models and patient samples. Based on these observations, we hypothesized an indirect link between stroma and chemoresistance, where stroma-augmented proliferation potentiates the recovery of residual tumors between chemotherapy cycles. To test this hypothesis, we developed a spatial agent-based model of tumor response to repeated dosing of chemotherapy. The model was quantitatively parameterized from histological analyses and experimental studies. We found that even a slight enhancement of tumor cell proliferation within stroma-proximal niches can strongly enhance the ability of tumors to survive multiple cycles of chemotherapy under biologically and clinically feasible parameters. In summary, our study uncovered a novel, indirect mechanism of chemoresistance. Further, our study highlights the limitations of short-term cytotoxicity assays in understanding chemotherapy responses and supports the integration of experimental and in silico modeling.
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20
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Cotner M, Meng S, Jost T, Gardner A, De Santiago C, Brock A. Integration of quantitative methods and mathematical approaches for the modeling of cancer cell proliferation dynamics. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C247-C262. [PMID: 36503241 PMCID: PMC9886359 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00185.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Physiological processes rely on the control of cell proliferation, and the dysregulation of these processes underlies various pathological conditions, including cancer. Mathematical modeling can provide new insights into the complex regulation of cell proliferation dynamics. In this review, we first examine quantitative experimental approaches for measuring cell proliferation dynamics in vitro and compare the various types of data that can be obtained in these settings. We then explore the toolbox of common mathematical modeling frameworks that can describe cell behavior, dynamics, and interactions of proliferation. We discuss how these wet-laboratory studies may be integrated with different mathematical modeling approaches to aid the interpretation of the results and to enable the prediction of cell behaviors, specifically in the context of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Cotner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Sarah Meng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Tyler Jost
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Andrea Gardner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Carolina De Santiago
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Amy Brock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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21
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Dai X, Shao Y, Tian X, Cao X, Ye L, Gao P, Cheng H, Wang X. Fusion between Glioma Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Malignant Progression in 3D-Bioprinted Models. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:35344-35356. [PMID: 35881920 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c06658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between glioma stem cells (GSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the glioma microenvironment is considered to be an important factor in promoting tumor progression, but the mechanism is still not fully elucidated. To further elucidate the interaction between GSCs and MSCs, two 3D-bioprinted tumor models (low-temperature molding and coaxial bioprinting) were used to simulate the tumor growth microenvironment. Cell fusion between GSCs and MSCs was found by the method of Cre-LoxP switch gene and RFP/GFP dual-color fluorescence tracing. The fused cells coexpressed biomarkers of GSCs and MSCs, showing stronger proliferation, cloning, and invasion abilities than GSCs and MSCs. In addition, the fused cells have stronger tumorigenic properties in nude mice, showing the pathological features of malignant tumors. In conclusion, GSCs and MSCs undergo cell fusion in 3D-bioprinted models, and the fused cells have a higher degree of malignancy than parental cells, which promotes the progression of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingliang Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, P. R. China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Research and Engineering Center of Biomedical Materials, Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P. R. China
| | - Yuxuan Shao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, the First Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Cao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, the First Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P. R. China
| | - Lei Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, P. R. China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, P. R. China
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, P. R. China
| | - Xianwen Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Research and Engineering Center of Biomedical Materials, Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P. R. China
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22
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Polyploidy as an Adaptation against Loss of Heterozygosity in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158528. [PMID: 35955663 PMCID: PMC9369199 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyploidy is common in cancer cells and has implications for tumor progression and resistance to therapies, but it is unclear whether it is an adaptation of the tumor or the non-adaptive effect of genomic instability. I discuss the possibility that polyploidy reduces the deleterious effects of loss of heterozygosity, which arises as a consequence of mitotic recombination, and which in diploid cells leads instead to the rapid loss of complementation of recessive deleterious mutations. I use computational predictions of loss of heterozygosity to show that a population of diploid cells dividing by mitosis with recombination can be easily invaded by mutant polyploid cells or cells that divide by endomitosis, which reduces loss of complementation, or by mutant cells that occasionally fuse, which restores heterozygosity. A similar selective advantage of polyploidy has been shown for the evolution of different types of asexual reproduction in nature. This provides an adaptive explanation for cyclical ploidy, mitotic slippage and cell fusion in cancer cells.
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23
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Ní Leathlobhair M, Lenski RE. Population genetics of clonally transmissible cancers. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1077-1089. [PMID: 35879542 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01790-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Populations of cancer cells are subject to the same core evolutionary processes as asexually reproducing, unicellular organisms. Transmissible cancers are particularly striking examples of these processes. These unusual cancers are clonal lineages that can spread through populations via physical transfer of living cancer cells from one host individual to another, and they have achieved long-term success in the colonization of at least eight different host species. Population genetic theory provides a useful framework for understanding the shift from a multicellular sexual animal into a unicellular asexual clone and its long-term effects on the genomes of these cancers. In this Review, we consider recent findings from transmissible cancer research with the goals of developing an evolutionarily informed perspective on transmissible cancers, examining possible implications for their long-term fate and identifying areas for future research on these exceptional lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máire Ní Leathlobhair
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, School of Genetics and Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Richard E Lenski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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24
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Yart L, Bastida-Ruiz D, Allard M, Dietrich PY, Petignat P, Cohen M. Linking unfolded protein response to ovarian cancer cell fusion. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:622. [PMID: 35672715 PMCID: PMC9172076 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09648-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) have been observed in epithelial ovarian tumors. They can resist antimitotic drugs, thus participating in tumor maintenance and recurrence. Although their origin remains unclear, PGCC formation seems to be enhanced by conditions that trigger the unfolded protein response (UPR) such as hypoxia or chemotherapeutic drugs like paclitaxel. Hypoxia has been shown to promote the formation of ovarian PGCCs by cell fusion. We thus hypothesized that the UPR could be involved in EOC cell fusion, possibly explaining the occurrence of PGCCs and the aggressiveness of EOC. Methods The UPR was induced in two ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and COV318). The UPR activation was assessed by Western blot and polyploidy indexes were calculated. Then, to confirm the implication of cell fusion in PGCC formation, two populations of SKOV3 cells were transfected with plasmids encoding for two distinct nuclear fluorescent proteins (GFP and mCherry) associated with different antibiotic resistance genes, and the two cell populations were mixed in co-culture. The co-culture was submitted to a double-antibiotic selection. The resulting cell population was characterized for its morphology, cyclicity, and proliferative and tumorigenic capacities, in addition to transcriptomic characterization. Results We demonstrated that cell fusion could be involved in the generation of ovarian PGCCs and this process was promoted by paclitaxel and the UPR activation. Double-antibiotic treatment of PGCCs led to the selection of a pure population of cells containing both GFP- and mCherry-positive nuclei. Interestingly, after 3 weeks of selection, we observed that these cells were no longer polynucleated but displayed a single nucleus positive for both fluorescent proteins, suggesting that genetic material mixing had occurred. These cells had reinitiated their normal cell cycles, acquired an increased invasive capacity, and could form ovarian tumors in ovo. Conclusions The UPR activation increased the in vitro formation of PGCCs by cell fusion, with the newly generated cells further acquiring new properties. The UPR modulation in ovarian cancer patients could represent an interesting therapeutic strategy to avoid the formation of PGCCs and therefore limit cancer relapse and drug resistance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09648-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Yart
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Bastida-Ruiz
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathilde Allard
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland.,Present address: Research Center of Cancerology and Immunology Nantes-Angers, Department of Biology, University of Nantes, FR-44035, Nantes, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Dietrich
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Petignat
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marie Cohen
- Center for Translational Research in Onco-Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel Servet 1, CH-1206, Geneva, Switzerland.
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25
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Generation of Cancer Stem/Initiating Cells by Cell-Cell Fusion. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094514. [PMID: 35562905 PMCID: PMC9101717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CS/ICs have raised great expectations in cancer research and therapy, as eradication of this key cancer cell type is expected to lead to a complete cure. Unfortunately, the biology of CS/ICs is rather complex, since no common CS/IC marker has yet been identified. Certain surface markers or ALDH1 expression can be used for detection, but some studies indicated that cancer cells exhibit a certain plasticity, so CS/ICs can also arise from non-CS/ICs. Another problem is intratumoral heterogeneity, from which it can be inferred that different CS/IC subclones must be present in the tumor. Cell–cell fusion between cancer cells and normal cells, such as macrophages and stem cells, has been associated with the generation of tumor hybrids that can exhibit novel properties, such as an enhanced metastatic capacity and even CS/IC properties. Moreover, cell–cell fusion is a complex process in which parental chromosomes are mixed and randomly distributed among daughter cells, resulting in multiple, unique tumor hybrids. These, if they have CS/IC properties, may contribute to the heterogeneity of the CS/IC pool. In this review, we will discuss whether cell–cell fusion could also lead to the origin of different CS/ICs that may expand the overall CS/IC pool in a primary tumor.
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26
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Tretyakova MS, Subbalakshmi AR, Menyailo ME, Jolly MK, Denisov EV. Tumor Hybrid Cells: Nature and Biological Significance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:814714. [PMID: 35242760 PMCID: PMC8886020 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.814714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer death and can be realized through the phenomenon of tumor cell fusion. The fusion of tumor cells with other tumor or normal cells leads to the appearance of tumor hybrid cells (THCs) exhibiting novel properties such as increased proliferation and migration, drug resistance, decreased apoptosis rate, and avoiding immune surveillance. Experimental studies showed the association of THCs with a high frequency of cancer metastasis; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Many other questions also remain to be answered: the role of genetic alterations in tumor cell fusion, the molecular landscape of cells after fusion, the lifetime and fate of different THCs, and the specific markers of THCs, and their correlation with various cancers and clinicopathological parameters. In this review, we discuss the factors and potential mechanisms involved in the occurrence of THCs, the types of THCs, and their role in cancer drug resistance and metastasis, as well as potential therapeutic approaches for the prevention, and targeting of tumor cell fusion. In conclusion, we emphasize the current knowledge gaps in the biology of THCs that should be addressed to develop highly effective therapeutics and strategies for metastasis suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Tretyakova
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Ayalur R Subbalakshmi
- Cancer Systems Biology Laboratory, Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Maxim E Menyailo
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Cancer Systems Biology Laboratory, Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Evgeny V Denisov
- Laboratory of Cancer Progression Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
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27
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Hammel M, Simon A, Arbiol C, Villalba A, Burioli EAV, Pépin JF, Lamy JB, Benabdelmouna A, Bernard I, Houssin M, Charrière G, Destoumieux-Garzon D, Welch J, Metzger MJ, Bierne N. Prevalence and polymorphism of a mussel transmissible cancer in Europe. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:736-751. [PMID: 34192383 PMCID: PMC8716645 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Transmissible cancers are parasitic malignant cell lineages that have acquired the ability to infect new hosts from the same species, or sometimes related species. First described in dogs and Tasmanian devils, transmissible cancers were later discovered in some marine bivalves affected by a leukaemia-like disease. In Mytilus mussels, two lineages of bivalve transmissible neoplasia (BTN) have been described to date (MtrBTN1 and MtrBTN2), both of which emerged in a Mytilus trossulus founder individual. Here, we performed extensive screening of genetic chimerism, a hallmark of transmissible cancer, by genotyping 106 single nucleotide polymorphisms of 5,907 European Mytilus mussels. Genetic analysis allowed us to simultaneously obtain the genotype of hosts - Mytilus edulis, M. galloprovincialis or hybrids - and the genotype of tumours of heavily infected individuals. In addition, a subset of 222 individuals were systematically genotyped and analysed by histology to screen for possible nontransmissible cancers. We detected MtrBTN2 at low prevalence in M. edulis, and also in M. galloprovincialis and hybrids although at a much lower prevalence. No MtrBTN1 or new BTN were found, but eight individuals with nontransmissible neoplasia were observed at a single polluted site on the same sampling date. We observed a diversity of MtrBTN2 genotypes that appeared more introgressed or more ancestral than MtrBTN1 and reference healthy M. trossulus individuals. The observed polymorphism is probably due to somatic null alleles caused by structural variations or point mutations in primer-binding sites leading to enhanced detection of the host alleles. Despite low prevalence, two sublineages divergent by 10% fixed somatic null alleles and one nonsynonymous mtCOI (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I) substitution are cospreading in the same geographical area, suggesting a complex diversification of MtrBTN2 since its emergence and host species shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurine Hammel
- ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier,
France,IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Perpignan,
Via Domitia, France
| | - Alexis Simon
- ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier,
France
| | | | - Antonio Villalba
- Centro de Investigacións Mariñas,
Consellería do Mar, Xunta de Galicia, Vilanova de Arousa, Spain,Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de
Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and
Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque
Country, Spain
| | - Erika AV Burioli
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ Perpignan,
Via Domitia, France,LABÉO, Caen, France
| | - Jean-François Pépin
- Laboratoire Environnement ressources des Pertuis
Charentais, IFREMER, La Tremblade, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Lamy
- Santé, Génétique, Microbiologie des
Mollusques, IFREMER, La Tremblade, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - John Welch
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge,
Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Nicolas Bierne
- ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier,
France
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28
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Ferrall-Fairbanks MC, Chakiryan N, Chobrutskiy BI, Kim Y, Teer JK, Berglund A, Mulé JJ, Fournier M, Siegel EM, Dhillon J, Falasiri SSA, Arturo JF, Katende EN, Blanck G, Manley BJ, Altrock PM. Quantification of T- and B-cell immune receptor distribution diversity characterizes immune cell infiltration and lymphocyte heterogeneity in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:929-942. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-1747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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29
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Lazebnik Y. Cell fusion as a link between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, COVID-19 complications, and vaccine side effects. Oncotarget 2021; 12:2476-2488. [PMID: 34917266 PMCID: PMC8664391 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A distinctive feature of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is its ability to efficiently fuse cells, thus producing syncytia found in COVID-19 patients. This commentary proposes how this ability enables spike to cause COVID-19 complications as well as side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, and suggests how these effects can be prevented.
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30
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Dittmar T, Weiler J, Luo T, Hass R. Cell-Cell Fusion Mediated by Viruses and HERV-Derived Fusogens in Cancer Initiation and Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5363. [PMID: 34771528 PMCID: PMC8582398 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is a well-known, but still scarcely understood biological phenomenon, which might play a role in cancer initiation, progression and formation of metastases. Although the merging of two (cancer) cells appears simple, the entire process is highly complex, energy-dependent and tightly regulated. Among cell fusion-inducing and -regulating factors, so-called fusogens have been identified as a specific type of proteins that are indispensable for overcoming fusion-associated energetic barriers and final merging of plasma membranes. About 8% of the human genome is of retroviral origin and some well-known fusogens, such as syncytin-1, are expressed by human (cancer) cells. Likewise, enveloped viruses can enable and facilitate cell fusion due to evolutionarily optimized fusogens, and are also capable to induce bi- and multinucleation underlining their fusion capacity. Moreover, multinucleated giant cancer cells have been found in tumors derived from oncogenic viruses. Accordingly, a potential correlation between viruses and fusogens of human endogenous retroviral origin in cancer cell fusion will be summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58448 Witten, Germany;
| | - Julian Weiler
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58448 Witten, Germany;
| | - Tianjiao Luo
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
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31
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Hass R, von der Ohe J, Dittmar T. Cancer Cell Fusion and Post-Hybrid Selection Process (PHSP). Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184636. [PMID: 34572863 PMCID: PMC8470238 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion of cancer cells either with other cancer cells (homotypic fusion) in local vicinity of the tumor tissue or with other cell types (e.g., macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mesenchymal stromal-/stem-like cells (MSC)) (heterotypic fusion) represents a rare event. Accordingly, the clinical relevance of cancer-cell fusion events appears questionable. However, enhanced tumor growth and/or development of certain metastases can originate from cancer-cell fusion. Formation of hybrid cells after cancer-cell fusion requires a post-hybrid selection process (PHSP) to cope with genomic instability of the parental nuclei and reorganize survival and metabolic functionality. The present review dissects mechanisms that contribute to a PHSP and resulting functional alterations of the cancer hybrids. Based upon new properties of cancer hybrid cells, the arising clinical consequences of the subsequent tumor heterogeneity after cancer-cell fusion represent a major therapeutic challenge. However, cellular partners during cancer-cell fusion such as MSC within the tumor microenvironment or MSC-derived exosomes may provide a suitable vehicle to specifically address and deliver anti-tumor cargo to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (T.D.); Tel.: +49-511-5326070 (R.H.); +49-2302-926165 (T.D.)
| | - Juliane von der Ohe
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center of Biomedical Education and Research (ZABF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58448 Witten, Germany
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (T.D.); Tel.: +49-511-5326070 (R.H.); +49-2302-926165 (T.D.)
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32
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Hybrid Formation and Fusion of Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174496. [PMID: 34503305 PMCID: PMC8431460 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell fusion as a fundamental biological process is required for various physiological processes, including fertilization, placentation, myogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and wound healing/tissue regeneration. However, cell fusion is also observed during pathophysiological processes like tumor development. Mesenchymal stroma/stem-like cells (MSC) which play an important role within the tumor microenvironment like other cell types such as macrophages can closely interact and hybridize with cancer cells. The formation of cancer hybrid cells can involve various different mechanisms whereby the genomic parts of the hybrid cells require rearrangement to form a new functional hybrid cell. The fusion of cancer cells with neighboring cell types may represent an important mechanism during tumor development since cancer hybrid cells are detectable in various tumor tissues. During this rare event with resulting genomic instability the cancer hybrid cells undergo a post-hybrid selection process (PHSP) to reorganize chromosomes of the two parental nuclei whereby the majority of the hybrid population undergoes cell death. The remaining cancer hybrid cells survive by displaying altered properties within the tumor tissue. Abstract The generation of cancer hybrid cells by intra-tumoral cell fusion opens new avenues for tumor plasticity to develop cancer stem cells with altered properties, to escape from immune surveillance, to change metastatic behavior, and to broaden drug responsiveness/resistance. Genomic instability and chromosomal rearrangements in bi- or multinucleated aneuploid cancer hybrid cells contribute to these new functions. However, the significance of cell fusion in tumorigenesis is controversial with respect to the low frequency of cancer cell fusion events and a clonal advantage of surviving cancer hybrid cells following a post-hybrid selection process. This review highlights alternative processes of cancer hybrid cell development such as entosis, emperipolesis, cannibalism, therapy-induced polyploidization/endoreduplication, horizontal or lateral gene transfer, and focusses on the predominant mechanisms of cell fusion. Based upon new properties of cancer hybrid cells the arising clinical consequences of the subsequent tumor heterogeneity after cancer cell fusion represent a major therapeutic challenge.
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Vangalis V, Likhotkin I, Knop M, Typas MA, Papaioannou IA. Starvation-induced cell fusion and heterokaryosis frequently escape imperfect allorecognition systems in an asexual fungal pathogen. BMC Biol 2021; 19:169. [PMID: 34429100 PMCID: PMC8385987 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01101-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Asexual fungi include important pathogens of plants and other organisms, and their effective management requires understanding of their evolutionary dynamics. Genetic recombination is critical for adaptability and could be achieved via heterokaryosis — the co-existence of genetically different nuclei in a cell resulting from fusion of non-self spores or hyphae — and the parasexual cycle in the absence of sexual reproduction. Fusion between different strains and establishment of viable heterokaryons are believed to be rare due to non-self recognition systems. Here, we investigate the extent and mechanisms of cell fusion and heterokaryosis in the important asexual plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae. Results We used live-cell imaging and genetic complementation assays of tagged V. dahliae strains to analyze the extent of non-self vegetative fusion, heterokaryotic cell fate, and nuclear behavior. An efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated system was developed to investigate the involvement of autophagy in heterokaryosis. Under starvation, non-self fusion of germinating spores occurs frequently regardless of the previously assessed vegetative compatibility of the partners. Supposedly “incompatible” fusions often establish viable heterokaryotic cells and mosaic mycelia, where nuclei can engage in fusion or transfer of genetic material. The molecular machinery of autophagy has a protective function against the destruction of “incompatible” heterokaryons. Conclusions We demonstrate an imperfect function of somatic incompatibility systems in V. dahliae. These systems frequently tolerate the establishment of heterokaryons and potentially the initiation of the parasexual cycle even between strains that were previously regarded as “incompatible.” Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01101-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Vangalis
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilya Likhotkin
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Knop
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Milton A Typas
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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34
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Dietz MS, Sutton TL, Walker BS, Gast CE, Zarour L, Sengupta SK, Swain JR, Eng J, Parappilly M, Limbach K, Sattler A, Burlingame E, Chin Y, Gower A, Mira JLM, Sapre A, Chiu YJ, Clayburgh DR, Pommier SJ, Cetnar JP, Fischer JM, Jaboin JJ, Pommier RF, Sheppard BC, Tsikitis VL, Skalet AH, Mayo SC, Lopez CD, Gray JW, Mills GB, Mitri Z, Chang YH, Chin K, Wong MH. Relevance of circulating hybrid cells as a non-invasive biomarker for myriad solid tumors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13630. [PMID: 34211050 PMCID: PMC8249418 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression defines the final stages of tumor evolution and underlies the majority of cancer-related deaths. The heterogeneity in disseminated tumor cell populations capable of seeding and growing in distant organ sites contributes to the development of treatment resistant disease. We recently reported the identification of a novel tumor-derived cell population, circulating hybrid cells (CHCs), harboring attributes from both macrophages and neoplastic cells, including functional characteristics important to metastatic spread. These disseminated hybrids outnumber conventionally defined circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in cancer patients. It is unknown if CHCs represent a generalized cancer mechanism for cell dissemination, or if this population is relevant to the metastatic cascade. Herein, we detect CHCs in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer in myriad disease sites encompassing epithelial and non-epithelial malignancies. Further, we demonstrate that in vivo-derived hybrid cells harbor tumor-initiating capacity in murine cancer models and that CHCs from human breast cancer patients express stem cell antigens, features consistent with the potential to seed and grow at metastatic sites. Finally, we reveal heterogeneity of CHC phenotypes reflect key tumor features, including oncogenic mutations and functional protein expression. Importantly, this novel population of disseminated neoplastic cells opens a new area in cancer biology and renewed opportunity for battling metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Dietz
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84113, USA
| | | | | | - Charles E Gast
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Luai Zarour
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of General Surgery, Legacy Medical Group, Gresham, OR, 97030, USA
| | - Sidharth K Sengupta
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - John R Swain
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Jennifer Eng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Michael Parappilly
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | | | - Ariana Sattler
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Erik Burlingame
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Computational Biology Program, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Yuki Chin
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Austin Gower
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Jose L Montoya Mira
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Ajay Sapre
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Yu-Jui Chiu
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Daniel R Clayburgh
- Department of Otolaryngology, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Operative Care Division, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | | | - Jeremy P Cetnar
- The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Department of Medicine, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Jared M Fischer
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Department of Molecule and Medical Genetics, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Jerry J Jaboin
- The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Rodney F Pommier
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Brett C Sheppard
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | | | - Alison H Skalet
- The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Casey Eye Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Skye C Mayo
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Charles D Lopez
- The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Department of Medicine, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Joe W Gray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Zahi Mitri
- The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.,Department of Medicine, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Computational Biology Program, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Koei Chin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Melissa H Wong
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S. Moody Ave., Mailcode KC-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA. .,The Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
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35
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Sieler M, Weiler J, Dittmar T. Cell-Cell Fusion and the Roads to Novel Properties of Tumor Hybrid Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061465. [PMID: 34207991 PMCID: PMC8230653 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenomenon of cancer cell–cell fusion is commonly associated with the origin of more malignant tumor cells exhibiting novel properties, such as increased drug resistance or an enhanced metastatic capacity. However, the whole process of cell–cell fusion is still not well understood and seems to be rather inefficient since only a certain number of (cancer) cells are capable of fusing and only a rather small population of fused tumor hybrids will survive at all. The low survivability of tumor hybrids is attributed to post-fusion processes, which are characterized by the random segregation of mixed parental chromosomes, the induction of aneuploidy and further random chromosomal aberrations and genetic/epigenetic alterations in daughter cells. As post-fusion processes also run in a unique manner in surviving tumor hybrids, the occurrence of novel properties could thus also be a random event, whereby it might be speculated that the tumor microenvironment and its spatial habitats could direct evolving tumor hybrids towards a specific phenotype.
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36
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Chen T, Zeineldin M, Johnson BA, Dong Y, Narkar A, Li T, Zhu J, Li R, Larman TC. Colonic epithelial adaptation to EGFR-independent growth induces chromosomal instability and is accelerated by prior injury. Neoplasia 2021; 23:488-501. [PMID: 33906087 PMCID: PMC8099723 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although much is known about the gene mutations required to drive colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation, the tissue-specific selective microenvironments in which neoplasia arises remains less characterized. Here, we determined whether modulation of intestinal stem cell niche morphogens alone can exert a neoplasia-relevant selective pressure on normal colonic epithelium. Using adult stem cell-derived murine colonic epithelial organoids (colonoids), we employed a strategy of sustained withdrawal of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition to select for and expand survivors. EGFR-signaling-independent (iEGFR) colonoids emerged over rounds of selection and expansion. Colonoids derived from a mouse model of chronic mucosal injury showed an enhanced ability to adapt to EGFR inhibition. Whole-exome and transcriptomic analyses of iEGFR colonoids demonstrated acquisition of deleterious mutations and altered expression of genes implicated in EGF signaling, pyroptosis, and CRC. iEGFR colonoids acquired dysplasia-associated cytomorphologic changes, an increased proliferative rate, and the ability to survive independently of other required niche factors. These changes were accompanied by emergence of aneuploidy and chromosomal instability; further, the observed mitotic segregation errors were significantly associated with loss of interkinetic nuclear migration, a fundamental and dynamic process underlying intestinal epithelial homeostasis. This study provides key evidence that chromosomal instability and other phenotypes associated with neoplasia can be induced ex vivo via adaptation to EGF withdrawal in normal and stably euploid colonic epithelium, without introducing cancer-associated driver mutations. In addition, prior mucosal injury accelerates this evolutionary process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiane Chen
- Department of Pathology, Division of GI/Liver Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Maged Zeineldin
- Department of Pathology, Division of GI/Liver Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Blake A Johnson
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Yi Dong
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Akshay Narkar
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Taibo Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Jin Zhu
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Rong Li
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA; Mechanobiology Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tatianna C Larman
- Department of Pathology, Division of GI/Liver Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA.
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