1
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Zhang L, Chen W, Li X, Wang G, Xing F, Zhu X. Galectin-1 overexpression induces normal fibroblasts translate into cancer-associated fibroblasts and attenuates the sensitivity of anlotinib in lung cancer. Cell Adh Migr 2024; 18:1-11. [PMID: 38557441 PMCID: PMC10986763 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2024.2335881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
We aimed to investigate galectin-1 overexpression induces normal fibroblasts (NFs) translates into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Galectin-1 overexpression was conducted in Human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HFL1) cell. The motilities of H1299 and A549 cells were measured. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and tube formation ability were assessed. Tumor volume and tumor weight was recorded. Cells motilities were increased, while apoptosis rates were decreased after CMs co-cultured. B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression level was increased, while Bcl2-associatedX (Bax) and cleaved-caspase3 decreased. CMs treatment enhanced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. Tumor volume and weight in CMs treated mice were increased, and the sensitivity of anlotinib in co-cultured cells was decreased. Our results revealed that galectin-1 overexpression induced NFs translated into CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- 0Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Wenbang Chen
- 0Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaojun Li
- 0Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Gengming Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Fubao Xing
- 0Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Zhu
- 0Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
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2
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Qin S, Guo Q, Liu Y, Zhang X, Huang P, Yu H, Xia L, Leng W, Li D. A novel TGFbeta/TGILR axis mediates crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor cells to drive gastric cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:368. [PMID: 38806480 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, little is known about the biological function of TGFbeta-induced lncRNA in cancer. In this study, we discovered a novel TGFbeta-induced lncRNA, termed TGILR, whose function in cancer remains unknown to date. TGILR expression was directly activated by the canonical TGFbeta/SMAD3 signaling axis, and this activation is highly conserved in cancer. Clinical analysis showed that TGILR overexpression showed a significant correlation with lymph node metastasis and poor survival and was an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC). Depletion of TGILR caused an obvious inhibitory effect on GC cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, we demonstrated that TGFbeta signaling in GC was overactivated due to cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) infiltration. Mechanistically, increased level of CAF-secreted TGFbeta activates TGFbeta signaling, leading to TGILR overexpression in GC cells. Meanwhile, TGILR overexpression inhibited the microRNA biogenesis of miR-1306 and miR-33a by interacting with TARBP2 and reducing its protein stability, thereby promoting GC progression via TCF4-mediated EMT signaling. In conclusion, CAF infiltration drives GC metastasis and EMT signaling through activating TGFbeta/TGILR axis. Targeted blocking of CAF-derived TGFbeta should be a promising anticancer strategy in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Qin
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
- Laboratory of Tumor biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Shiyan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Nanoformulation Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China.
| | - Qiwei Guo
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
- Laboratory of Tumor biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
- Laboratory of Tumor biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Xiangang Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
- Laboratory of Tumor biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Pan Huang
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
- Laboratory of Tumor biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Hedong Yu
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Lingyun Xia
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Weidong Leng
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Dandan Li
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
- Laboratory of Tumor biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, P.R. China.
- Shiyan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Nanoformulation Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China.
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3
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Li D, Huang P, Xia L, Leng W, Qin S. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote gastric cancer cell proliferation by paracrine FGF2-driven ribosome biogenesis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111836. [PMID: 38479160 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-derived secretome plays critical roles in tumor progression by remodelling tumor microenvironment. Tumorigenesis is accompanied by the transformation of normal fibroblasts (NF) into CAF, leading to significant changes in their secretome. This work aims to identify the differential components of secretome between NFs and CAFs and reveal their functions in gastric cancer (GC). Firstly, our molecular typing studies and immune infiltration analysis showed that CAF infiltration level was increased and showed a significant association with clinical characteristics and poor prognosis of GC patients. Secondly, RNA-seq analysis revealed that a total of 1531 genes showed significant expression changes between NF and CAF. According to the annotation of the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database, 147 genes encode secreted proteins, including FGF2. Particularly, the cell co-culture and RNA sequencing studies confirmed that exogenous recombinant FGF2 protein treatment promoted GC cell proliferation by enhancing ribosome biogenesis. The rescue assay showed that CAF-secreted FGF2 protein promotes GC cell growth and proliferation in a FGFR1-dependent manner. Our finding provides evidence that targeting blockade of CAF-derived FGF2 protein might be a promising treatment for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China; Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China; Shiyan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Nanoformulation Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China
| | - Pan Huang
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China; Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China
| | - Lingyun Xia
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China
| | - Weidong Leng
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China.
| | - Shanshan Qin
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China; Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China; Shiyan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Nanoformulation Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China.
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4
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Wang L, Ma L, Song Z, Zhou L, Chen K, Wang X, Liu Z, Wang B, Shen C, Guo X, Jia X. Single-cell transcriptome analysis profiling lymphatic invasion-related TME in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8911. [PMID: 38632387 PMCID: PMC11024122 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59656-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic invasion (LI) is extremely aggressive and induces worse prognosis among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, it is critical to characterize the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying LI in order to establish novel and efficacious therapeutic targets that enhance the prognosis of CRC patients. RNA-seq data, clinical and survival information of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients were obtained from the TCGA database. In addition, three scRNA-seq datasets of CRC patients were acquired from the GEO database. Data analyses were conducted with the R packages. We assessed the tumor microenvironment (TME) differences between LI+ and LI- based scRNA-seq data, LI+ cells exhibited augmented abundance of immunosuppression and invasive subset. Marked extracellular matrix network activation was also observed in LI+ cells within SPP1+ macrophages. We revealed that an immunosuppressive and pro-angiogenic TME strongly enhanced LI, as was evidenced by the CD4+ Tregs, CD8+ GZMK+, SPP1+ macrophages, e-myCAFs, and w-myCAFs subcluster infiltrations. Furthermore, we identified potential LI targets that influenced tumor development, metastasis, and immunotherapeutic response. Finally, a novel LIRS model was established based on the expression of 14 LI-related signatures, and in the two testing cohorts, LIRS was also proved to have accurate prognostic predictive ability. In this report, we provided a valuable resource and extensive insights into the LI of CRC. Our conclusions can potentially benefit the establishment of highly efficacious therapeutic targets as well as diagnostic biomarkers that improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Liming Ma
- Harbin Inji Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin, 150060, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zhaona Song
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Medicine Research, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Beijing Easyresearch Technology Limited, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Medicine Research, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Xizi Wang
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Medicine Research, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Harbin Inji Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin, 150060, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Baozhong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Chen Shen
- Department of Data and Information, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310052, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianchao Guo
- Harbin Inji Technology Co., Ltd., Harbin, 150060, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Xiaodong Jia
- Joint Laboratory for Translational Medicine Research, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China.
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Zhang J, Fu L, Wang H, Yonemura A, Semba T, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Nishimura A, Tajiri T, Tong Y, Yasuda T, Uchihara T, Yamazaki M, Okamoto Y, Yamasaki J, Nagano O, Baba H, Ishimoto T. RAC1-mediated integrin alpha-6 expression in E-cadherin-deficient gastric cancer cells promotes interactions with the stroma and peritoneal dissemination. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216901. [PMID: 38641311 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) is a subtype of gastric cancer that is prone to peritoneal dissemination, with poor patient prognosis. Although intercellular adhesion loss between cancer cells is a major characteristic of DGCs, the mechanism underlying the alteration in cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion is unclear. We investigated how DGCs progress and cause peritoneal dissemination through interactions between DGC cells and the tumour microenvironment (TME). P53 knockout and KRASG12V-expressing (GAN-KP) cells and Cdh1-deleted GAN-KP (GAN-KPC) cells were orthotopically transplanted into the gastric wall to mimic peritoneal dissemination. The GAN-KPC tumour morphology was similar to that of human DGCs containing abundant stroma. RNA sequencing revealed that pathways related to Rho GTPases and integrin-ECM interactions were specifically increased in GAN-KPC cells compared with GAN-KP cells. Notably, we found that Rac Family Small GTPase 1 (RAC1) induces Integrin Subunit Alpha 6 (ITGA6) trafficking, leading to its enrichment on the GC cell membrane. Fibroblasts activate the FAK/AKT pathway in GC cells by mediating extracellular matrix (ECM)-Itga6 interactions, exacerbating the malignant phenotype. In turn, GC cells induce abnormal expression of fibroblast collagen and its transformation into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), resulting in DGC-like subtypes. These findings indicate that Cdh1 gene loss leads to abnormal expression and changes in the subcellular localization of ITGA6 through RAC1 signalling. The latter, through interactions with CAFs, allows for peritoneal dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Lingfeng Fu
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Huaitao Wang
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsuko Yonemura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Semba
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akiho Nishimura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Tajiri
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yilin Tong
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tadahito Yasuda
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Uchihara
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masaya Yamazaki
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuya Okamoto
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Juntaro Yamasaki
- Division of Gene Regulation, Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Osamu Nagano
- Division of Gene Regulation, Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Ageing, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Yasuda T, Wang YA. Gastric cancer immunosuppressive microenvironment heterogeneity: implications for therapy development. Trends Cancer 2024:S2405-8033(24)00057-8. [PMID: 38600020 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Although immunotherapy has revolutionized solid tumor treatment, durable responses in gastric cancer (GC) remain limited. The heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) facilitates immune evasion, contributing to resistance to conventional and immune therapies. Recent studies have highlighted how specific TME components in GC acquire immune escape capabilities through cancer-specific factors. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms and targeting the immunosuppressive TME will enhance immunotherapy efficacy and patient outcomes. This review summarizes recent advances in GC TME research and explores the role of the immune-suppressive system as a context-specific determinant. We also provide insights into potential treatments beyond checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadahito Yasuda
- Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine, Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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7
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Zhang Z, Chen X, Gao S, Fang X, Ren S. 3D bioprinted tumor model: a prompt and convenient platform for overcoming immunotherapy resistance by recapitulating the tumor microenvironment. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00935-9. [PMID: 38520648 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00935-9] [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] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer immunotherapy is receiving worldwide attention for its induction of an anti-tumor response. However, it has had limited efficacy in some patients who acquired resistance. The dynamic and sophisticated complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is the leading contributor to this clinical dilemma. Through recapitulating the physiological features of the TME, 3D bioprinting is a promising research tool for cancer immunotherapy, which preserves in vivo malignant aggressiveness, heterogeneity, and the cell-cell/matrix interactions. It has been reported that application of 3D bioprinting holds potential to address the challenges of immunotherapy resistance and facilitate personalized medication. CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES In this review, we briefly summarize the contributions of cellular and noncellular components of the TME in the development of immunotherapy resistance, and introduce recent advances in 3D bioprinted tumor models that served as platforms to study the interactions between tumor cells and the TME. By constructing multicellular 3D bioprinted tumor models, cellular and noncellular crosstalk is reproduced between tumor cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the TME. In the future, by quickly preparing 3D bioprinted tumor models with patient-derived components, information on tumor immunotherapy resistance can be obtained timely for clinical reference. The combined application with tumoroid or other 3D culture technologies will also help to better simulate the complexity and dynamics of tumor microenvironment in vitro. We aim to provide new perspectives for overcoming cancer immunotherapy resistance and inspire multidisciplinary research to improve the clinical application of 3D bioprinting technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanyi Zhang
- Bethune Third Clinical Medical College, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xuebo Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, NO. 126, Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Sujie Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, China
| | - Xuedong Fang
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, NO. 126, Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130033, China.
| | - Shengnan Ren
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital Yunnan, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, NO. 519, Kunzhou Street, Kunming, 650118, China.
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8
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Ozmen E, Demir TD, Ozcan G. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: protagonists of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1340124. [PMID: 38562556 PMCID: PMC10982390 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1340124] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhanced knowledge of the interaction of cancer cells with their environment elucidated the critical role of tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts act as the protagonists of the tumor microenvironment, fostering the metastasis, stemness, and chemoresistance of cancer cells and attenuating the anti-cancer immune responses. Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers in the clinic, refractory to anti-cancer therapies. Growing evidence indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts are the most prominent risk factors for a poor tumor immune microenvironment and dismal prognosis in gastric cancer. Therefore, targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts may be central to surpassing resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics, molecular-targeted agents, and immunotherapies, improving survival in gastric cancer. However, the heterogeneity in cancer-associated fibroblasts may complicate the development of cancer-associated fibroblast targeting approaches. Although single-cell sequencing studies started dissecting the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts, the research community should still answer these questions: "What makes a cancer-associated fibroblast protumorigenic?"; "How do the intracellular signaling and the secretome of different cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations differ from each other?"; and "Which cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes predominate specific cancer types?". Unveiling these questions can pave the way for discovering efficient cancer-associated fibroblast targeting strategies. Here, we review current knowledge and perspectives on these questions, focusing on how CAFs induce aggressiveness and therapy resistance in gastric cancer. We also review potential therapeutic approaches to prevent the development and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts via inhibition of CAF inducers and CAF markers in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Ozmen
- Koç University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Tevriz Dilan Demir
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gulnihal Ozcan
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Li Y, Lin K, Ren X, Xu J, Yuan H, Bian L, He Y. Activated fibroblasts induce immune escape of TSCC through CCL25/AKT pathway. Oral Dis 2024; 30:448-461. [PMID: 36437627 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14455] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accumulating evidence suggests that activated fibroblasts are the key cells in the T-cell response to tumor immunosuppression. We attempted to investigate the effect of activated fibroblasts on PD-L1 expression and the related immune escape mechanism in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS Western blotting, qPCR, and other techniques were used to study the expression of PD-L1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells and the nude mouse model of transplanted tumors in vivo; clinical tissue samples were verified. In addition, we established a direct coculture model of T cells and tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells explore the mechanisms of immune escape. RESULTS We found that PDGF-BB induces fibroblast activation by facilitating the oversecretion of chemokine CCL25. Further analysis showed that CCL25 derived from activated fibroblasts activated the Akt signaling pathway to promote PD-L1 expression. The activated fibroblasts inhibited T-cell IFN-γ secretion through the CCL25/Akt/PD-L1 pathway, which indirectly inhibited T-cell proliferation. CONCLUSION Activated fibroblasts can induce the high expression of PD-L1 in the oral and tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line Cal-27 via the CCL25/CCR9/p-Akt axis, to significantly inhibit the proliferation and IFN-γ secretion of T cells and promote the immune escape of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Li
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Ken Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaobin Ren
- Department of Periodontology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Haiming Yuan
- Department of Oral Prevention, Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Bian
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongwen He
- Department of Dental Research, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Zhang X, Wu L, Jia L, Hu X, Yao Y, Liu H, Ma J, Wang W, Li L, Chen K, Liu B. The implication of integrative multiple RNA modification-based subtypes in gastric cancer immunotherapy and prognosis. iScience 2024; 27:108897. [PMID: 38318382 PMCID: PMC10839690 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have focused on the impact of individual RNA modifications on tumor development. This study comprehensively investigated the effects of multiple RNA modifications, including m6A, alternative polyadenylation, pseudouridine, adenosine-to-inosine editing, and uridylation, on gastric cancer (GC). By analyzing 1,946 GC samples from eleven independent cohorts, we identified distinct clusters of RNA modification genes with varying survival rates and immunological characteristics. We assessed the chromatin activity of these RNA modification clusters through regulon enrichment analysis. A prognostic model was developed using Stepwise Regression and Random Survival Forest algorithms and validated in ten independent datasets. Notably, the low-risk group showed a more favorable prognosis and positive response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed the abundant expression of signature genes in B cells and plasma cells. Overall, our findings shed light on the potential significance of multiple RNA modifications in GC prognosis, stemness development, and chemotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangnan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Liuxing Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Liqing Jia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yanxin Yao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Huahuan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Junfu Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Lian Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Ben Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Human Major Diseases, Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
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11
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Zhang G, Ji P, Xia P, Song H, Guo Z, Hu X, Guo Y, Yuan X, Song Y, Shen R, Wang D. Identification and targeting of cancer-associated fibroblast signature genes for prognosis and therapy in Cutaneous melanoma. Comput Biol Med 2023; 167:107597. [PMID: 37875042 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play pivotal roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. However, studies on CAF biomarkers in Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) are still scarce. This study aimed to explore the potential CAF biomarkers in CM, propose the potential therapeutic targets, and provide new insights for targeted therapy of CAFs in CM. METHODS We utilized weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify CAF signature genes in CM, and conducted comprehensive bioinformatics analysis on the CAF risk score established by these genes. Moreover, single-cell sequencing analysis, spatial transcriptome analysis, and cell experiments were utilized for verifying the expression and distribution pattern of signature genes. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed to screen potential target drugs. RESULTS FBLN1 and COL5A1, two crucial CAF signature genes, were screened to establish the CAF risk score. Subsequently, a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the CAF risk score revealed that high-risk score group was significantly enriched in pathways associated with tumor progression. Besides, CAF risk score was significantly negatively correlated with clinical prognosis, immunotherapy response, and tumor mutational burden in CM patients. In addition, FBLN1 and COL5A1 were further identified as CAF-specific biomarkers in CM by multi-omics analysis and experimental validation. Eventually, based on these two targets, Mifepristone and Dexamethasone were screened as potential anti-CAFs drugs. CONCLUSION The findings indicated that FBLN1 and COL5A1 were the CAF signature genes in CM, which were associated with the progression, treatment, and prognosis of CM. The comprehensive exploration of CAF signature genes is expected to provide new insight for clinical CM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guokun Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Pengfei Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Peng Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Haoyun Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Zhao Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Xiaohui Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Yanan Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Xinyi Yuan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Yanfeng Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Rong Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China.
| | - Degui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Gansu, 730000, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu, 730000, China.
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12
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Waki Y, Morine Y, Noma T, Takasu C, Teraoku H, Yamada S, Saito Y, Ikemoto T, Shimada M. Association between high expression of intratumoral fibroblast activation protein and survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:415. [PMID: 38017374 PMCID: PMC10683315 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-03012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been reported to exhibit protumorigenic effects. Among the well-known CAF markers such as smooth muscle actin (SMA) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP), high expression of SMA in the peritumoral stroma has been reported to be a prognostic factor in various cancers. However, the effect of high FAP expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) has not been fully clarified. We evaluated the expression of CAF markers, focusing on FAP expression in the peripheral and intratumoral regions, to clarify the association with survival in patients with IHCC. METHODS The study cohort comprised 37 patients who underwent curative resection for IHCC. The FAP expressions were evaluated in the peripheral and intratumoral regions of the resected tissues. Clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes were investigated between patients with high versus low FAP expression. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for overall survival and relapse-free survival. RESULTS The median area percentages of FAP expression in the peripheral and intratumoral regions were 15.5% and 17.8%, respectively. High FAP expression in the intratumoral region was significantly associated with worse overall survival and disease-free survival than low FAP expression in the intratumoral region. Multivariate analysis identified high intratumoral FAP expression as a risk factor for worse overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.450; p = 0.049) and relapse-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.743; p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS High intratumoral FAP expression was associated with worse survival, suggesting that intratumoral FAP expression represents malignant progression in patients with IHCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Waki
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Noma
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Chie Takasu
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroki Teraoku
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Yamada
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yu Saito
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikemoto
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Digestive and Transplant Surgery, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
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13
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Chen C, Zhai E, Liu Y, Qian Y, Zhao R, Ma Y, Liu J, Huang Z, Chen J, Cai S. ALKBH5-mediated CHAC1 depletion promotes malignant progression and decreases cisplatin-induced oxidative stress in gastric cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:293. [PMID: 38007439 PMCID: PMC10676604 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03129-9] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The m6a demethyltransferase ALKBH5 dynamically modulates gene expression and intracellular metabolic molecules by modifying RNA m6a in cancer cells. However, ALKBH5's function in gastric cancer (GC) has remained controversial. This study demonstrates that ALKBH5 is highly expressed in GC. Silencing ALKBH5 hampers proliferation, and metastatic potential, and induces cell death in GC cells. Through a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and m6A sequencing, alterations in certain ALKBH5 target genes, including CHAC1, were identified. ALKBH5's demethylation effect regulates CHAC1 RNA stability, leading to reduced CHAC1 expression. Moreover, CHAC1 modulates intracellular ROS levels, influencing the chemotherapy sensitivity of gastric cancer. In summary, our study unveils the pivotal role of the ALKBH5-CHAC1-ROS axis and highlights the significance of m6A methylation in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunting Chen
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.58, Zhong Shan Er Lu, 510080, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ertao Zhai
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yinan Liu
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.58, Zhong Shan Er Lu, 510080, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yan Qian
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Risheng Zhao
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yan Ma
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jianqiu Liu
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Zhixin Huang
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China.
| | - Shirong Cai
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- Gastric Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, P. R. China.
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14
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Gao D, Fang L, Liu C, Yang M, Yu X, Wang L, Zhang W, Sun C, Zhuang J. Microenvironmental regulation in tumor progression: Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115622. [PMID: 37783155 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), the "soil" on which tumor cells grow, has an important role in regulating the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells as well as their response to treatment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as the most abundant stromal cells of the TME, can not only directly alter the immunosuppressive effect of the TME through their own metabolism, but also influence the aggregation and function of immune cells by secreting a large number of cytokines and chemokines, reducing the body's immune surveillance of tumor cells and making them more prone to immune escape. Our study provides a comprehensive review of fibroblast chemotaxis, malignant transformation, metabolic characteristics, and interactions with immune cells. In addition, the current small molecule drugs targeting CAFs have been summarized, including both natural small molecules and targeted drugs for current clinical therapeutic applications. A complete review of the role of fibroblasts in TME from an immune perspective is presented, which has important implications in improving the efficiency of immunotherapy by targeting fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Liguang Fang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Mengrui Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Longyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China; Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
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15
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Kitamura F, Semba T, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Yamada K, Nishimura A, Yamasaki J, Nagano O, Yasuda T, Yonemura A, Tong Y, Wang H, Akiyama T, Matsumura K, Uemura N, Itoyama R, Bu L, Fu L, Hu X, Wei F, Mima K, Imai K, Hayashi H, Yamashita YI, Miyamoto Y, Baba H, Ishimoto T. Cancer-associated fibroblasts reuse cancer-derived lactate to maintain a fibrotic and immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e163022. [PMID: 37733442 PMCID: PMC10619496 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.163022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycolysis is highly enhanced in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells; thus, glucose restrictions are imposed on nontumor cells in the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). However, little is known about how such glucose competition alters metabolism and confers phenotypic changes in stromal cells in the TME. Here, we report that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) with restricted glucose availability utilize lactate from glycolysis-enhanced cancer cells as a fuel and exert immunosuppressive activity in the PDAC TME. The expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which regulates lactate production, was a poor prognostic factor for patients with PDAC, and LDHA depletion suppressed tumor growth in a CAF-rich murine PDAC model. Coculture of CAFs with PDAC cells revealed that most of the glucose was taken up by the tumor cells and that CAFs consumed lactate via monocarboxylate transporter 1 to enhance proliferation through the TCA cycle. Moreover, lactate-stimulated CAFs upregulated IL-6 expression and suppressed cytotoxic immune cell activity synergistically with lactate. Finally, the LDHA inhibitor FX11 reduced tumor growth and improved antitumor immunity in CAF-rich PDAC tumors. Our study provides insight regarding the crosstalk among tumor cells, CAFs, and immune cells mediated by lactate and offers therapeutic strategies for targeting LDHA enzymatic activity in PDAC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumimasa Kitamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Semba
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akiho Nishimura
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Juntaro Yamasaki
- Cancer Center, Promotion Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Osamu Nagano
- Cancer Center, Promotion Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tadahito Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsuko Yonemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yilin Tong
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Huaitao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiko Akiyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazuki Matsumura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Norio Uemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Rumi Itoyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Luke Bu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Lingfeng Fu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xichen Hu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Mima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Katsunori Imai
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Hiromitsu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Yo-ichi Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Zhang H, Yue X, Chen Z, Liu C, Wu W, Zhang N, Liu Z, Yang L, Jiang Q, Cheng Q, Luo P, Liu G. Define cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment: new opportunities in cancer immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:159. [PMID: 37784082 PMCID: PMC10544417 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01860-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite centuries since the discovery and study of cancer, cancer is still a lethal and intractable health issue worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained much attention as a pivotal component of the tumor microenvironment. The versatility and sophisticated mechanisms of CAFs in facilitating cancer progression have been elucidated extensively, including promoting cancer angiogenesis and metastasis, inducing drug resistance, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and developing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Owing to their robust tumor-promoting function, CAFs are considered a promising target for oncotherapy. However, CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells. Some subpopulations exert an inhibitory role in tumor growth, which implies that CAF-targeting approaches must be more precise and individualized. This review comprehensively summarize the origin, phenotypical, and functional heterogeneity of CAFs. More importantly, we underscore advances in strategies and clinical trials to target CAF in various cancers, and we also summarize progressions of CAF in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinghai Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Zhao Y, Shen M, Wu L, Yang H, Yao Y, Yang Q, Du J, Liu L, Li Y, Bai Y. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment: accomplices of tumor progression? Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:587. [PMID: 37666813 PMCID: PMC10477351 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is made up of cells and extracellular matrix (non-cellular component), and cellular components include cancer cells and non-malignant cells such as immune cells and stromal cells. These three types of cells establish complex signals in the body and further influence tumor genesis, development, metastasis and participate in resistance to anti-tumor therapy. It has attracted scholars to study immune cells in TME due to the significant efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) in solid tumors and hematologic tumors. After more than 10 years of efforts, the role of immune cells in TME and the strategy of treating tumors based on immune cells have developed rapidly. Moreover, ICI have been recommended by guidelines as first- or second-line treatment strategies in a variety of tumors. At the same time, stromal cells is another major class of cellular components in TME, which also play a very important role in tumor metabolism, growth, metastasis, immune evasion and treatment resistance. Stromal cells can be recruited from neighboring non-cancerous host stromal cells and can also be formed by transdifferentiation from stromal cells to stromal cells or from tumor cells to stromal cells. Moreover, they participate in tumor genesis, development and drug resistance by secreting various factors and exosomes, participating in tumor angiogenesis and tumor metabolism, regulating the immune response in TME and extracellular matrix. However, with the deepening understanding of stromal cells, people found that stromal cells not only have the effect of promoting tumor but also can inhibit tumor in some cases. In this review, we will introduce the origin of stromal cells in TME as well as the role and specific mechanism of stromal cells in tumorigenesis and tumor development and strategies for treatment of tumors based on stromal cells. We will focus on tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), tumor-associated adipocytes (CAAs), tumor endothelial cells (TECs) and pericytes (PCs) in stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Meili Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Liangqiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Haiqin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yixuan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qingbiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianshi Du
- Key Laboratory of Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yapeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Yuansong Bai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Yang S, Li G, Yin X, Wang Y, Jiang X, Bian X, Fang T, Yin S, Zhang L, Xue Y. Cancer-associated fibroblast expression of glutamine fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase 2 (GFPT2) is a prognostic marker in gastric cancer. J Pathol Clin Res 2023; 9:391-408. [PMID: 37395335 PMCID: PMC10397376 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.333] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Glutamine fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase 2 (GFPT2) is a rate-limiting enzyme in hexosamine biosynthesis involved in the occurrence and progress of many cancers. What role it plays in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. In this study, transcriptome sequencing data from the Harbin Medical University (HMU)-GC cohort and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were combined with the HMU-TCGA training cohort to analyze the biological function and clinical significance of GFPT2. The correlation of GFPT2 with immune cells and stromal cells was analyzed in the GC immune microenvironment through transcriptome sequencing data and a public single-cell sequencing database. In cell lines, GC tissues, and the tissue microarray, GFPT2 protein expression was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA of GFPT2 was highly expressed in the tumor (p < 0.001), and GC cells and tumors expressed high levels of GFPT2 protein. Compared to low expression, high GFPT2 mRNA expression was associated with higher levels of tumor invasion, higher pathological stages, and poor prognosis (p = 0.02) in GC patients. In a drug susceptibility analysis, GFPT2 mRNA expression was associated with multiple chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity, including docetaxel, paclitaxel, and cisplatin. Gene enrichment analysis found that GFPT2 was mainly primarily involved in the extracellular matrix receptor interaction pathway. The ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA algorithms showed that GFPT2 was associated with immune cell infiltration. In addition, GFPT2 was more likely to be expressed within cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and high levels of GFPT2 expression were highly correlated with four CAFs scores (all p < 0.05). Finally, a prognostic model to assess the risk of death in GC patients was constructed based on GFPT2 protein expression and lymph node metastasis rate. In conclusion, GFPT2 plays an essential role in the function of CAFs in GC. It can be used as a biomarker to assess GC prognosis and immune infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science CollegeHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Guoli Li
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Chifeng Municipal HospitalChifeng Clinical Medical School of Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityChifengPR China
| | - Xin Yin
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHarbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHarbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Xinju Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science CollegeHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Xiulan Bian
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science CollegeHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Tianyi Fang
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHarbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Shengjie Yin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Municipal Hospital of ChifengInner Mongolia Autonomous RegionChifengPR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical Science CollegeHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
| | - Yingwei Xue
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryHarbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical UniversityHarbinPR China
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19
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Zhang S, Fang W, Zhou S, Zhu D, Chen R, Gao X, Li Z, Fu Y, Zhang Y, Yang F, Zhao J, Wu H, Wang P, Shen Y, Shen S, Xu G, Wang L, Yan C, Zou X, Chen D, Lv Y. Single cell transcriptomic analyses implicate an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5123. [PMID: 37612267 PMCID: PMC10447466 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40727-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic disease refractory to all targeted and immune therapies. However, our understanding of PDAC microenvironment especially the metastatic microenvironment is very limited partly due to the inaccessibility to metastatic tumor tissues. Here, we present the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of synchronously resected PDAC primary tumors and matched liver metastases. We perform comparative analysis on both cellular composition and functional phenotype between primary and metastatic tumors. Tumor cells exhibit distinct transcriptomic profile in liver metastasis with clearly defined evolutionary routes from cancer cells in primary tumor. We also identify specific subtypes of stromal and immune cells critical to the formation of the pro-tumor microenvironment in metastatic lesions, including RGS5+ cancer-associated fibroblasts, CCL18+ lipid-associated macrophages, S100A8+ neutrophils and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. Cellular interactome analysis further reveals that the lack of tumor-immune cell interaction in metastatic tissues contributes to the formation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Our study provides a comprehensive characterization of the transcriptional landscape of PDAC liver metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Wen Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Siqi Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Dongming Zhu
- Department of General Surgery and Pancreatic Disease Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Ruidong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of General Surgery and Pancreatic Disease Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Zhuojin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yixuan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Fa Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Pin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yonghua Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Shanshan Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Guifang Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Dijun Chen
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Ying Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Nanjing University Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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Hong Z, Xie W, Zhuo H, Wei X, Wang K, Cheng J, Lin L, Hou J, Chen X, Cai J. Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Mediated by TGF-β1-IGFBP7 Signaling Promotes the Progression of Infiltrative Gastric Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3965. [PMID: 37568781 PMCID: PMC10417438 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153965] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with infiltrative-type gastric cancer (GC) (Ming's classification) have a poor prognosis due to more metastasis and recurrence. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in infiltrative-type extracellular matrix (ECM) have specific characteristics compared with those of expansive types with respect to metastasis, but the mechanism is still unclear. Based on our proteomics data, TCGA data analysis, and immunohistochemical staining results, significantly higher expression of IGFBP7 was observed in GC, especially in the infiltrative type, and was associated with a poor prognosis. Combining single-cell transcriptome data from GEO and multiple immunofluorescence staining on tissue showed that the differential expression of IGFBP7 mainly originated from myofibroblastic CAFs, the subgroup with higher expression of PDGFRB and α-SMA. After treating primary normal fibroblasts (NFs) with conditional medium or recombined protein, it was demonstrated that XGC-1-derived TGF-β1 upregulated the expression of IGFBP7 in the cells and its secretion via the P-Smad2/3 pathway and mediated its activation with higher FAP, PDGFRB, and α-SMA expression. Then, either conditional medium from CAFs with IGFBP7 overexpression or recombined IGFBP7 protein promoted the migration, invasion, colony formation, and sphere growth ability of XGC-1 and MGC-803, respectively. Moreover, IGFBP7 induced EMT in XGC-1. Therefore, our study clarified that in the tumor microenvironment, tumor-cell-derived TGF-β1 induces the appearance of the IGFBP7+ CAF subgroup, and its higher IGFBP7 extracellular secretion level accelerates the progression of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Hong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Wen Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Huiqin Zhuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Xujin Wei
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
- The Graduate School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Jia Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Lingyun Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Jingjing Hou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
- The Graduate School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
| | - Jianchun Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; (Z.H.); (W.X.); (H.Z.); (K.W.); (J.C.); (L.L.); (J.H.)
- Xiamen Municipal Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Xiamen 361004, China
- Institute of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Medical College of Xiamen University, No. 201-209, Hubin South Road, Xiamen 361004, China; (X.W.); (X.C.)
- The Graduate School, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, China
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21
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Lucarini V, Nardozi D, Angiolini V, Benvenuto M, Focaccetti C, Carrano R, Besharat ZM, Bei R, Masuelli L. Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Role of miRNAs as Biomarkers of Tumor Invasion. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1761. [PMID: 37371856 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061761] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the most frequent neoplasm, responsible for half of all cancer-related deaths. Metastasis is the leading cause of death from GI cancer; thus, studying the processes that regulate cancer cell migration is of paramount importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms adopted by cancer cells to promote cell migration and the subsequent metastasis formation by highlighting the key role that tumor microenvironment components play in deregulating cellular pathways involved in these processes. We, therefore, provide an overview of the role of different microRNAs in promoting tumor metastasis and their role as potential biomarkers for the prognosis, monitoring, and diagnosis of GI cancer patients. Finally, we relate the possible use of nutraceuticals as a new strategy for targeting numerous microRNAs and different pathways involved in GI tumor invasiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lucarini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Nardozi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Angiolini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Carrano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Zein Mersini Besharat
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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22
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Gu L, Ding D, Wei C, Zhou D. Cancer-associated fibroblasts refine the classifications of gastric cancer with distinct prognosis and tumor microenvironment characteristics. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1158863. [PMID: 37404754 PMCID: PMC10316023 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1158863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential tumoral components of gastric cancer (GC), contributing to the development, therapeutic resistance and immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of GC. This study aimed to explore the factors related to matrix CAFs and establish a CAF model to evaluate the prognosis and therapeutic effect of GC. Methods Sample information from the multiply public databases were retrieved. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify CAF-related genes. EPIC algorithm was used to construct and verify the model. Machine-learning methods characterized CAF risk. Gene set enrichment analysis was employed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of CAF in the development of GC. Results A three-gene (GLT8D2, SPARC and VCAN) prognostic CAF model was established, and patients were markedly divided according to the riskscore of CAF model. The high-risk CAF clusters had significantly worse prognoses and less significant responses to immunotherapy than the low-risk group. Additionally, the CAF risk score was positively associated with CAF infiltration in GC. Moreover, the expression of the three model biomarkers were significantly associated with the CAF infiltration. GSEA revealed significant enrichment of cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix receptors and focal adhesions in patients at a high risk of CAF. Conclusion The CAF signature refines the classifications of GC with distinct prognosis and clinicopathological indicators. The three-gene model could effectively aid in determining the prognosis, drug resistance and immunotherapy efficacy of GC. Thus, this model has promising clinical significance for guiding precise GC anti-CAF therapy combined with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Navy/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuicui Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Donglei Zhou
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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23
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Yi B, Fu Q, Zheng Z, Zhang M, Liu D, Liang Z, Xu S, Zhang Z. Pan-cancer analysis reveals the prognostic and immunotherapeutic value of cytoskeleton-associated protein 2-like. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8368. [PMID: 37225919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeleton-associated protein 2-like (CKAP2L), a cell cycle-related protein, is correlated to tumor progression in some tumors. But there were no pan-cancer studies on CKAP2L, and its role in cancer immunotherapy is also unclear. The expression levels, expression activity, genomic alterations, DNA methylation and functions of CKAP2L in various tumors, as well as the associations between CKAP2L expression and patient prognosis, chemotherapy sensitivity, and tumor immune microenvironment, were all analyzed in a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of CKAP2L by various databases, analysis websites, and R software. The experiments were also conducted to verify the analysis results. In the majority of cancers, CKAP2L expression and activity were markedly elevated. Elevated CKAP2L expression led to poor prognostic outcomes in patients, and is an independent risk factor for most tumors. Elevated CKAP2L causes decreased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Knockdown of CKAP2L significantly inhibited the proliferation and metastasis capacity of the KIRC cell lines and resulted in cell cycle G2/M arrest. In addition, CKAP2L was closely related to immune subtypes, immune cell infiltration, immunomodulators and immunotherapy markers (TMB, MSI), patients with high CKAP2L expression were more sensitive to immunotherapy in the IMvigor210 cohort. The results indicate that CKAP2L is a pro-cancer gene that serves as a potential biomarker for predicting patient outcomes. By inducing cells to transition from the G2 phase to the M phase, CKAP2L may promote cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, CKAP2L is closely related to the tumor immune microenvironment and can be used as a biomarker to predict tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bocun Yi
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingfeng Fu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiwen Zheng
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongze Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhengxin Liang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengxian Xu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhihong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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24
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Jang E, Shin MK, Kim H, Lim JY, Lee JE, Park J, Kim J, Kim H, Shin Y, Son HY, Choi YY, Hyung WJ, Noh SH, Suh JS, Sung JY, Huh YM, Cheong JH. Clinical molecular subtyping reveals intrinsic mesenchymal reprogramming in gastric cancer cells. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-00989-z. [PMID: 37121972 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00989-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The mesenchymal cancer phenotype is known to be clinically related to treatment resistance and a poor prognosis. We identified gene signature-based molecular subtypes of gastric cancer (GC, n = 547) based on transcriptome data and validated their prognostic and predictive utility in multiple external cohorts. We subsequently examined their associations with tumor microenvironment (TME) features by employing cellular deconvolution methods and sequencing isolated GC populations. We further performed spatial transcriptomics analysis and immunohistochemistry, demonstrating the presence of GC cells in a partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition state. We performed network and pharmacogenomic database analyses to identify TGF-β signaling as a driver pathway and, thus, a therapeutic target. We further validated its expression in tumor cells in preclinical models and a single-cell dataset. Finally, we demonstrated that inhibition of TGF-β signaling negated mesenchymal/stem-like behavior and therapy resistance in GC cell lines and mouse xenograft models. In summary, we show that the mesenchymal GC phenotype could be driven by epithelial cancer cell-intrinsic TGF-β signaling and propose therapeutic strategies based on targeting the tumor-intrinsic mesenchymal reprogramming of medically intractable GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Jang
- MediBio-Informatics Research Center, Novomics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyue Shin
- College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunki Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Lim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungmin Park
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungeun Kim
- MediBio-Informatics Research Center, Novomics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeseon Kim
- MediBio-Informatics Research Center, Novomics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmin Shin
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Young Son
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Young Choi
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jin Hyung
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hoon Noh
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Suck Suh
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yong Sung
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Min Huh
- College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- YUHS-KRIBB Medical Convergence Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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25
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Hanson I, Pitman KE, Edin NFJ. The Role of TGF-β3 in Radiation Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087614. [PMID: 37108775 PMCID: PMC10141893 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-β3) is a ubiquitously expressed multifunctional cytokine involved in a range of physiological and pathological conditions, including embryogenesis, cell cycle regulation, immunoregulation, and fibrogenesis. The cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation are employed in cancer radiotherapy, but its actions also influence cellular signaling pathways, including that of TGF-β3. Furthermore, the cell cycle regulating and anti-fibrotic effects of TGF-β3 have identified it as a potential mitigator of radiation- and chemotherapy-induced toxicity in healthy tissue. This review discusses the radiobiology of TGF-β3, its induction in tissue by ionizing radiation, and its potential radioprotective and anti-fibrotic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingunn Hanson
- Department of Physics, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Nina F J Edin
- Department of Physics, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
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26
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Raskov H, Gaggar S, Tajik A, Orhan A, Gögenur I. The Matrix Reloaded—The Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072057. [PMID: 37046716 PMCID: PMC10093330 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
As the core component of all organs, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an interlocking macromolecular meshwork of proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that provides mechanical support to cells and tissues. In cancer, the ECM can be remodelled in response to environmental cues, and it controls a plethora of cellular functions, including metabolism, cell polarity, migration, and proliferation, to sustain and support oncogenesis. The biophysical and biochemical properties of the ECM, such as its structural arrangement and being a reservoir for bioactive molecules, control several intra- and intercellular signalling pathways and induce cytoskeletal changes that alter cell shapes, behaviour, and viability. Desmoplasia is a major component of solid tumours. The abnormal deposition and composition of the tumour matrix lead to biochemical and biomechanical alterations that determine disease development and resistance to treatment. This review summarises the complex roles of ECM in cancer and highlights the possible therapeutic targets and how to potentially remodel the dysregulated ECM in the future. Furthering our understanding of the ECM in cancer is important as the modification of the ECM will probably become an important tool in the characterisation of individual tumours and personalised treatment options.
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27
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Gong H, Zhang Y, Chen X, Cao X, Tang L, Wang Y. The prognostic value of RHBDF2 in Pan-Cancer, and its correlation with cell Adhesion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-25. [PMID: 36943153 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2191092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The impact of RHBDF2 on the expression and potential function in many cancers is still unknown. Therefore, the expression and methylation modification of RHBDF2 were evaluated across TCGA cancers in this study. Moreover, two methods, COX regression and Kaplan-Meier, were utilized for analyses of the prognoses of RHBDF2 in patients. Besides, the association between RHBDF2 and immune microenvironment, mutation, tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability was analyzed with Pearson correlation. We verified RHBDF2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with normal cell and tissue samples, detected the effects of RHBDF2 knockdown on biological functions in HCC cells, and detected CD4, CD8 and CD68 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and paired normal tissues. Given these results, the significant mRNA overexpression and promoter hypomethylation of RHBDF2 in various tumor types was showed, and a clear relationship between RHBDF2 overexpression and unfavourable overall survival and progression-free survival was observed, including liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), glioma (GBMLGG) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Additionally, hypomethylation of RHBDF2 can affect the overall survival in some tumors. Furthermore, a clear correlation between RHBDF2 and infiltration of immune cells, immune-related molecules, TMB and MSI was observed. Besides, RHBDF2 expression is upregulated in HCC cells and tissues, and RHBDF2 knockdown could decrease the cell adhesion ability of HCC cells. More importantly, the expression of CD4, CD8 and CD68 was higher in HCC tissues. Altogether, the research denoted that RHBDF2 can be a prognostic biomarker for cancers according to these results and participate in cell adhesion of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjuan Gong
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Basic Medicine College, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Department of pathophysiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaodan Chen
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Basic Medicine College, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xingliang Cao
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Basic Medicine College, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Tang
- Department of pathophysiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yalan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Basic Medicine College, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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28
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Chen Y, Zhu S, Liu T, Zhang S, Lu J, Fan W, Lin L, Xiang T, Yang J, Zhao X, Xi Y, Ma Y, Cheng G, Lin D, Wu C. Epithelial cells activate fibroblasts to promote esophageal cancer development. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:903-918.e8. [PMID: 36963399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) develops through multistage epithelial cancer formation, i.e., from normal epithelium, low- and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia to invasive carcinoma. However, how the precancerous lesions progress to carcinoma remains elusive. Here, we report a comprehensive single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic study of 79 multistage esophageal lesions from 29 patients with ESCC. We reveal a gradual and significant loss of ANXA1 expression in epithelial cells due to its transcription factor KLF4 suppression along the lesion progression. We demonstrate that ANXA1 is a ligand to formyl peptide receptor type 2 (FPR2) on fibroblasts that maintain fibroblast homeostasis. Loss of ANXA1 leads to uncontrolled transformation of normal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which can be enhanced by secreted TGF-β from malignant epithelial cells. Given the role of CAFs in cancer, our study underscores ANXA1/FPR2 signaling as an important crosstalk mechanism between epithelial cells and fibroblasts in promoting ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Chen
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shihao Zhu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Tianyuan Liu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shaosen Zhang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Junting Lu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wenyi Fan
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Tao Xiang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xuan Zhao
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yiyi Xi
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yuling Ma
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Guoyu Cheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Dongxin Lin
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Chen Wu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100006, China.
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29
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Yuan Z, Li Y, Zhang S, Wang X, Dou H, Yu X, Zhang Z, Yang S, Xiao M. Extracellular matrix remodeling in tumor progression and immune escape: from mechanisms to treatments. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:48. [PMID: 36906534 PMCID: PMC10007858 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01744-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The malignant tumor is a multi-etiological, systemic and complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and distant metastasis. Anticancer treatments including adjuvant therapies and targeted therapies are effective in eliminating cancer cells but in a limited number of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in tumor development through changes in macromolecule components, degradation enzymes and stiffness. These variations are under the control of cellular components in tumor tissue via the aberrant activation of signaling pathways, the interaction of the ECM components to multiple surface receptors, and mechanical impact. Additionally, the ECM shaped by cancer regulates immune cells which results in an immune suppressive microenvironment and hinders the efficacy of immunotherapies. Thus, the ECM acts as a barrier to protect cancer from treatments and supports tumor progression. Nevertheless, the profound regulatory network of the ECM remodeling hampers the design of individualized antitumor treatment. Here, we elaborate on the composition of the malignant ECM, and discuss the specific mechanisms of the ECM remodeling. Precisely, we highlight the impact of the ECM remodeling on tumor development, including proliferation, anoikis, metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and immune escape. Finally, we emphasize ECM "normalization" as a potential strategy for anti-malignant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhennan Yuan
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yingpu Li
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Sifan Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - He Dou
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China.,Institute of Metabolic Disease, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Science, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Metabolic Disorder and Cancer Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150000, China.
| | - Min Xiao
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China.
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30
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Liu S, Deng Z, Zhu J, Ma Z, Tuo B, Li T, Liu X. Gastric immune homeostasis imbalance: An important factor in the development of gastric mucosal diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114338. [PMID: 36905807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114338] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The gastric mucosal immune system is a unique immune organ independent of systemic immunity that not only maintains nutrient absorption but also plays a role in resisting the external environment. Gastric mucosal immune disorder leads to a series of gastric mucosal diseases, including autoimmune gastritis (AIG)-related diseases, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced diseases, and various types of gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, understanding the role of gastric mucosal immune homeostasis in gastric mucosal protection and the relationship between mucosal immunity and gastric mucosal diseases is very important. This review focuses on the protective effect of gastric mucosal immune homeostasis on the gastric mucosa, as well as multiple gastric mucosal diseases caused by gastric immune disorders. We hope to offer new prospects for the prevention and treatment of gastric mucosal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhui Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Zilin Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Zhiyuan Ma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Biguang Tuo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Taolang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
| | - Xuemei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China.
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31
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Sun D, Dai T, Ji Y, Shen W, Bian W. COL11A1-driven positive feedback loop modulates fibroblast transformation and activates pancreatic cancer progression. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:1081-1091. [PMID: 36861686 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common leading causes of cancer death. The cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) aggravate the malignant behavior of PDAC. However, it is still unknown how PDAC induces normal fibroblasts (NFs) to CAFs. In present research, we found that PDAC-derived collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1) promoted the conversion of NFs to CAF-like cells. It included morphological and corresponding molecular marker changes. Activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway was involved in this process. Corresponding, CAFs cells could secrete interleukin 6 (IL-6), which promoted the invasion and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of PDAC cells. Furthermore, IL-6 promoted the expression of transcription factor Activating Transcription Factor 4 by activating the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase pathway. The latter directly promotes the expression of COL11A1. This way, a feedback loop of mutual influence was constructed between PDAC and CAFs. Our research proposed a novel concept for PDAC-educated NFs. PDAC-COL11A1-fibroblast-IL-6-PDAC axis might contribute to the cascade between PDAC and TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defeng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi 2 People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary, Wuxi Clinical College, Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tu Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi 2 People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary, Wuxi Clinical College, Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi 2 People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary, Wuxi Clinical College, Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Weibo Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi 2 People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary, Wuxi Clinical College, Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wuyang Bian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi 2 People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary, Wuxi Clinical College, Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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32
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Akiyama T, Yasuda T, Uchihara T, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Tan BJY, Yonemura A, Semba T, Yamasaki J, Komohara Y, Ohnishi K, Wei F, Fu L, Zhang J, Kitamura F, Yamashita K, Eto K, Iwagami S, Tsukamoto H, Umemoto T, Masuda M, Nagano O, Satou Y, Saya H, Tan P, Baba H, Ishimoto T. Stromal Reprogramming through Dual PDGFRα/β Blockade Boosts the Efficacy of Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy in Fibrotic Tumors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:753-770. [PMID: 36543251 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Excess stroma and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) enhance cancer progression and facilitate immune evasion. Insights into the mechanisms by which the stroma manipulates the immune microenvironment could help improve cancer treatment. Here, we aimed to elucidate potential approaches for stromal reprogramming and improved cancer immunotherapy. Platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGFC) and D expression were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer, and PDGF receptor beta (PDGFRβ) was predominantly expressed in diffuse-type gastric cancer stroma. CAFs stimulated with PDGFs exhibited markedly increased expression of CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5, and CXCL8, which are involved in polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell (PMN-MDSC) recruitment. Fibrotic gastric cancer xenograft tumors exhibited increased PMN-MDSC accumulation and decreased lymphocyte infiltration, as well as resistance to anti-PD-1. Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics revealed that PDGFRα/β blockade reversed the immunosuppressive microenvironment through stromal modification. Finally, combining PDGFRα/β blockade and anti-PD-1 treatment synergistically suppressed the growth of fibrotic tumors. These findings highlight the impact of stromal reprogramming on immune reactivation and the potential for combined immunotherapy for patients with fibrotic cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Stromal targeting with PDGFRα/β dual blockade reverses the immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in fibrotic cancer. See related commentary by Tauriello, p. 655.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiko Akiyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tadahito Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Uchihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Benjy J Y Tan
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsuko Yonemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Semba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Juntaro Yamasaki
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Koji Ohnishi
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Lingfeng Fu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Fumimasa Kitamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kojiro Eto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hirotake Tsukamoto
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Terumasa Umemoto
- Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engineering, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Mari Masuda
- Department of Proteomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Nagano
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Gene Regulation, Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Patrick Tan
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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33
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Yasuda T, Baba H, Ishimoto T. Cellular senescence in the tumor microenvironment and context-specific cancer treatment strategies. FEBS J 2023; 290:1290-1302. [PMID: 34653317 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cellular senescence in cancer development is known to have tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting roles. Recent studies have revealed numerous molecular mechanisms of senescence followed by senescence-associated secretory phenotype induction and showed the significance of senescence on both sides. Cellular senescence in stromal cells is one of the reasons for therapeutic resistance in advanced cancer; thus, it is an inevitable phenomenon to address while seeking an effective cancer treatment strategy. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms regarding cellular senescence, focusing on the dual roles played by senescence, and offers some direction toward successful treatments targeting harmful senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadahito Yasuda
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan
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34
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Tao Z, Huang C, Wang D, Wang Q, Gao Q, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Wang M, Xu J, Shen B, Zhou C, Zhu W. Lactate induced mesenchymal stem cells activation promotes gastric cancer cells migration and proliferation. Exp Cell Res 2023; 424:113492. [PMID: 36702194 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Lactate extensively involves in gastric cancer (GC) progression, such as suppressing immune cells function and facilitating tumor angiogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether lactate promotes tumor progression by interacting with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), one of the major stroma components in GC. Here, we investigated the influence of lactate on the phenotype and function of MSCs. The migration of MSCs and the expression of several CAF markers in MSCs after lactate treatment were detected. We also evaluated the effect of lactate-primed MSCs on GC cells migration, proliferation, and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. It was found that lactate significantly activated MSCs, and increased fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression via monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1)/transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling. In addition, lactate-primed MSCs promoted GC cells migration and proliferation via PD-L1. Inhibiting MCT1 by AZD3965 abrogated lactate induced FAP expression and tumor-promoting potential of MSCs. Therefore, targeting MCT1/TGF-β1/FAP axis in MSCs may serve as a potential strategy to restrain GC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Tao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Chao Huang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Deqiang Wang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University; Institute of Digestive Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212001, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Qiuzhi Gao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Mei Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Chenglin Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China.
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35
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Zhang J, Fu L, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Yonemura A, Wei F, Bu L, Hu X, Akiyama T, Kitamura F, Yasuda T, Semba T, Uchihara T, Itoyama R, Yamashita K, Eto K, Iwagami S, Yashiro M, Komohara Y, Baba H, Ishimoto T. IL-1β derived from mixed-polarized macrophages activates fibroblasts and synergistically forms a cancer-promoting microenvironment. Gastric Cancer 2023; 26:187-202. [PMID: 36513910 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-022-01352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME) to benefit cancer cells is crucial for tumor progression. Although diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) preferentially interacts with the TME, the precise mechanism of the complicated network remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the mutual activation mechanism underlying DGC progression. METHODS Mass cytometry analysis of co-cultured macrophages, noncancerous fibroblasts (NFs), and DGC cells was performed. RNA sequencing was applied to examine gene expression in fibroblasts. DGC cells were treated with cytokines to examine their effect on characteristic changes. The TCGA and Kumamoto University cohorts were used to evaluate the clinical relevance of the in vitro findings. RESULTS Cohort analysis revealed that DGC patients had a poor prognosis. The fibroblasts and macrophages interacted with DGC cells to form a cell cluster in the invasive front of DGC tissue. The original 3D triple co-culture system determined the promotional effects of nonmalignant cells on DGC invasive growth. We notably identified a mixed-polarized macrophage cell type with M1/M2 cell surface markers in a triple co-culture system. IL-1β from mixed-polarized macrophages induced the conversion of NFs to cancer-associated fibroblast-like (CAF-like) cells, promoting the malignant phenotype of DGC cells by inducing the secretion of IL-6, IL-24, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Moreover, IL-6 and colony stimulating factor 2 (GM-CSF) cooperated to maintain the stable state of mixed-polarized macrophages. Finally, we found that mixed-polarized macrophages were frequently detected in DGC tissues. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrated that mixed-polarized macrophages exist as a novel subtype through the reciprocal interaction between DGC cells and nonmalignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Lingfeng Fu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsuko Yonemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Luke Bu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Xichen Hu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takahiko Akiyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Fumimasa Kitamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tadahito Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Semba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Uchihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Rumi Itoyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kojiro Eto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Masakazu Yashiro
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan. .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan. .,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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Ishibashi Y, Mochizuki S, Horiuchi K, Tsujimoto H, Kouzu K, Kishi Y, Okada Y, Ueno H. Periostin derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via ADAM17 activation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166669. [PMID: 36813090 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Periostin (POSTN) is a matricellular protein that was originally identified in osteoblasts. Past studies have shown that POSTN is also preferentially expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in various types of cancer. We previously demonstrated that the increased expression of POSTN in stromal tissues is associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of POSNT in ESCC progression and its underlying molecular mechanism. We found that POSTN is predominantly produced by CAFs in ESCC tissues, and that CAFs-cultured media significantly promoted the migration, invasion, proliferation, and colony formation of ESCC cell lines in a POSTN-dependent manner. In ESCC cells, POSTN increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and stimulated the expression and activity of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), which is critically involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The effects of POSTN on ESCC cells were suppressed by interfering with the binding of POSTN to integrin αvβ3 or αvβ5 using neutralizing antibody against POSTN. Taken together, our data show that CAFs-derived POSTN stimulates ADAM17 activity through activation of the integrin αvβ3 or αvβ5-ERK1/2 pathway and thereby contributes to the progression of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ishibashi
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Satsuki Mochizuki
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Horiuchi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hironori Tsujimoto
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Keita Kouzu
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yoji Kishi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yasunori Okada
- Department of Pathophysiology for Locomotive and Neoplastic Diseases, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Ueno
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
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37
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Zhao L, Ma X, Li G, Zhao P, Lin H, Ma Y, Li H, Yu J. Downregulation of ITGβ3 in colon adenocarcinoma reveals poor prognosis by affecting genome stability, cell cycle, and the tumor immune microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1047648. [PMID: 36741730 PMCID: PMC9895777 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1047648] [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: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Abnormal expression of integrin subunit beta 3 (ITGβ3), a gene-encoding protein, is related to the occurrence and development of cancers; however, the biological role of ITGβ3 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains unclear. Methods We used the Cancer Genome Atlas database to obtain the clinical data of patients with COAD, analyzed the mRNA gene clusters related to ITGβ3, and analyzed the interaction signal pathway and interaction protein network of the differentially expressed gene clusters. The results showed that ITGβ3 expression in COAD tumor tissues was significantly downregulated compared with that in paracancerous tissues. Low ITGβ3 expression in tumor tissues is associated with poor overall survival of patients with COAD. In multivariate analysis, stage IV and ITGβ3 low expression were independent prognostic factors. Gene Ontology analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in leukocyte migration, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in ECM-receptor interactions, focal adhesion, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed the hub and seed genes of the key modules related to ITGβ3. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between TGβ3 and immune-related genes and found that ITGβ3 expression was significantly correlated with tumor purity and infiltration level of dominant immune cells. Discussion These findings indicate that ITGβ3 downregulation in COAD may profoundly affect genome stability and multiple steps of the cell cycle, alter the tumor immune microenvironment, and be related to the prognosis of patients with COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoting Ma
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxin Li
- Radiation Oncology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haishan Lin
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Ma
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jing Yu, ; Huihui Li,
| | - Jing Yu
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jing Yu, ; Huihui Li,
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Epigenetic Regulation of MAP3K8 in EBV-Associated Gastric Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031964. [PMID: 36768307 PMCID: PMC9916342 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Super-enhancers (SEs) regulate gene expressions, which are critical for cell type-identity and tumorigenesis. Although genome wide H3K27ac profiling have revealed the presence of SE-associated genes in gastric cancer (GC), their roles remain unclear. In this study, ChIP-seq and HiChIP-seq experiments revealed mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAP3K8) to be an SE-associated gene with chromosome interactions in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) cells. CRISPRi mediated repression of the MAP3K8 SEs attenuated MAP3K8 expression and EBVaGC cell proliferation. The results were validated by treating EBVaGC cells with bromodomain and the extra-terminal motif (BET) inhibitor, OTX015. Further, functional analysis of MAP3K8 in EBVaGC revealed that silencing MAP3K8 could inhibit the cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration of EBVaGC cells. RNA-seq and pathway analysis indicated that knocking down MAP3K8 obstructed the notch signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in EBVaGC cells. Further, analysis of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and GSE51575 databases exhibited augmented MAP3K8 expression in gastric cancer and it was found to be inversely correlated with the disease-free progression of GC. Moreover, Spearman's correlation revealed that MAP3K8 expression was positively correlated with the expressions of notch pathway and EMT related genes, such as, Notch1, Notch2, C-terminal binding protein 2 (CTBP2), alpha smooth muscle actin isotype 2 (ACTA2), transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβR1), and snail family transcriptional repressors 1/2 (SNAI1/SNAI2) in GC. Taken together, we are the first to functionally interrogate the mechanism of SE-mediated regulation of MAP3K8 in EBVaGC cell lines.
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Renal clear cell carcinoma-derived CXCL5 drives tumor-associated fibroblast formation and facilitates cancer progression. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 244:154319. [PMID: 36889175 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC, ccRCC) is one of the most common and aggressive subtypes of urinary system cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) exacerbate the malignant phenotype of KIRC. It is necessary to explore further how KIRC induces normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs. METHODS The transcriptome data of KIRC was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the hub-genes and their corresponding functions in the co-expression module were obtained through differential analysis, enrichment analysis, and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) analysis. RT-PCR, western-blot, and Elisa assays were used to detect the expression of CXCL5 (C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 5) in KIRC cells and medium. Western-blot and immunofluorescence were used to demonstrate the transformation of NFs to CAF-like cells and relevant pathways. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (huvec) were seeded within collagen gel to represent the neo-vascular network. Transwell, scrape, colony formation, and CCK-8 assays were performed to reveal the feedback effect of KIRC cells. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis showed that CXCL5 was a core gene in differential expression genes (DEGs) and was associated with extracellular matrix (ECM), which was associated with CAFs. KIRC-derived CXCL5 promoted the conversion of NFs to CAF-like cells. It included morphological and corresponding molecular marker changes. Activation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway was involved in this process. Corresponding, CAFs cells could secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which induced angiogenesis. CXCL5 promoted KIRC invasion and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Our research suggested that KIRC-derived CXCL5 could induce NFs to become CAFs-like cells that promote angiogenesis in the TME. The positive feedback of CXCL5 promoted its own invasive growth. The intercellular communication with CXCL5 as the core might be the critical node in the occurrence and development of KIRC.
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40
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Mi Y, Li Q, Liu B, Wang D, Liu Z, Wang T, Wang Y, Zang Y, Zhou Y, Wen Y, Ding Y. Ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase promotes the progression of gastric cancer through a JNK-MAPK/JUN/HK2 axis regulated glycolysis. Gastric Cancer 2023; 26:69-81. [PMID: 36114400 PMCID: PMC9813075 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-022-01340-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK) transfers high-energy phosphates from mitochondrially generated ATP to creatine to generate phosphocreatine. uMtCK overexpression has been reported in several malignant tumors, however, the clinical significance and impact of uMtCK in gastric cancer (GC) has not been comprehensively studied. METHODS We first examined uMtCK expression in GC by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot assays. Then the clinicopathological significance of aberrant uMtCK expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining in a GC tissue microarray. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival analysis. The biological functions of uMtCK in GC cells were explored by wound-healing, transwell assays and glucose metabolism assays in vitro as well as a liver metastasis model by spleen injection in nude mice in vivo. RESULTS We verified that the expression of uMtCK was substantially elevated in GC tissues, significantly associating with a poorer prognosis in GC patients, especially for those with advanced stage. In univariate and multivariate analyses, uMtCK expression emerged as an independent prognostic factor for both disease-free survival and overall survival. Functionally, we demonstrated that uMtCK promoted glycolysis in GC cells and facilitated their migration, invasion and liver metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, uMtCK enhanced GC progression in a HK2-dependent glycolysis via acting the JNK-MAPK/JUN signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS uMtCK could serve as a novel independent prognostic biomarker as well as potential therapeutic target for GC patients, particularly for GC patients with an advanced UICC stage and tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushuai Mi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Quanhui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Bingtian Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Dehai Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Ziping Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Tianshi Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yifeng Zang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yugang Wen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 85 Wujin Road, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yinlu Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, China.
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Wang K, Xuan Z, Liu X, Zheng M, Yang C, Wang H. Immunomodulatory role of metalloproteinase ADAM17 in tumor development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1059376. [PMID: 36466812 PMCID: PMC9715963 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1059376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
ADAM17 is a member of the a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family of transmembrane proteases involved in the shedding of some cell membrane proteins and regulating various signaling pathways. More than 90 substrates are regulated by ADAM17, some of which are closely relevant to tumor formation and development. Besides, ADAM17 is also responsible for immune regulation and its substrate-mediated signal transduction. Recently, ADAM17 has been considered as a major target for the treatment of tumors and yet its immunomodulatory roles and mechanisms remain unclear. In this paper, we summarized the recent understanding of structure and several regulatory roles of ADAM17. Importantly, we highlighted the immunomodulatory roles of ADAM17 in tumor development, as well as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting ADAM17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zixue Xuan
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Meiling Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Chao Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Institute of Innovation & Application, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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Cerro PA, Mascaraque M, Gallego-Rentero M, Almenara-Blasco M, Nicolás-Morala J, Santiago JL, González S, Gracia-Cazaña T, Juarranz Á, Gilaberte Y. Tumor microenvironment in non-melanoma skin cancer resistance to photodynamic therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:970279. [PMID: 36338755 PMCID: PMC9634550 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.970279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancer has recently seen an increase in prevalence, and it is estimated that this grow will continue in the coming years. In this sense, the importance of therapy effectiveness has increased, especially photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy has attracted much attention as a minimally invasive, selective and repeatable approach for skin cancer treatment and prevention. Although its high efficiency, this strategy has also faced problems related to tumor resistance, where the tumor microenvironment has gained a well-deserved role in recent years. Tumor microenvironment denotes a wide variety of elements, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells or the extracellular matrix, where their interaction and the secretion of a wide diversity of cytokines. Therefore, the need of designing new strategies targeting elements of the tumor microenvironment to overcome the observed resistance has become evident. To this end, in this review we focus on the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages in the resistance to photodynamic therapy. We are also exploring new approaches consisting in the combination of new and old drugs targeting these cells with photodynamic therapy to enhance treatment outcomes of non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina A. Cerro
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
| | - Marta Mascaraque
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Gallego-Rentero
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Almenara-Blasco
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
| | - Jimena Nicolás-Morala
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Santiago
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital General de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Salvador González
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Gracia-Cazaña
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
| | - Ángeles Juarranz
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experminetal Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigaciones Sanitarias, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ángeles Juarranz, ; Yolanda Gilaberte,
| | - Yolanda Gilaberte
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria (IIS), Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ángeles Juarranz, ; Yolanda Gilaberte,
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Sun H, Wang X, Wang X, Xu M, Sheng W. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:874. [PMID: 36244987 PMCID: PMC9573863 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05320-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in anticancer therapy, the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) remains unsatisfactory. Research in recent years has shown that the malignant behavior of cancer is not only attributable to tumor cells but is partly mediated by the activity of the cancer stroma and controlled by various molecular networks in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most abundant mesenchymal cell components of the stroma and extensively participate in the malignant development of GC malignancy. CAFs modulate the biological properties of tumor cells in multiple ways, including the secretion of various bioactive molecules that have effects through paracrine and autocrine signaling, the release of exosomes, and direct interactions, thereby affecting GC initiation and development. However, there is marked heterogeneity in the cellular origins, phenotypes, and functions of CAFs in the TME of GC. Furthermore, variations in factors, such as proteins, microRNAs, and lncRNAs, affect interactions between CAFs and GC cells, although, the potential molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this review, we aim to describe the current knowledge of the cellular features and heterogeneity of CAFs and discuss how these factors are regulated in CAFs, with a focus on how they affect GC biology. This review provides mechanistic insight that could inform therapeutic strategies and improve the prognosis of GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.11841.3d0000 0004 0619 8943Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Wang
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.11841.3d0000 0004 0619 8943Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.11841.3d0000 0004 0619 8943Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Midie Xu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.11841.3d0000 0004 0619 8943Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqi Sheng
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032 Shanghai, China ,grid.11841.3d0000 0004 0619 8943Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
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44
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Lei ZN, Teng QX, Tian Q, Chen W, Xie Y, Wu K, Zeng Q, Zeng L, Pan Y, Chen ZS, He Y. Signaling pathways and therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:358. [PMID: 36209270 PMCID: PMC9547882 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01190-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in global cancer diagnosis and fourth in cancer-related death. Despite tremendous progress in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies and significant improvements in patient survival, the low malignancy stage is relatively asymptomatic and many GC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, which leads to unsatisfactory prognosis and high recurrence rates. With the recent advances in genome analysis, biomarkers have been identified that have clinical importance for GC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Modern molecular classifications have uncovered the vital roles that signaling pathways, including EGFR/HER2, p53, PI3K, immune checkpoint pathways, and cell adhesion signaling molecules, play in GC tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic responsiveness. These biomarkers and molecular classifications open the way for more precise diagnoses and treatments for GC patients. Nevertheless, the relative significance, temporal activation, interaction with GC risk factors, and crosstalk between these signaling pathways in GC are not well understood. Here, we review the regulatory roles of signaling pathways in GC potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets with an emphasis on recent discoveries. Current therapies, including signaling-based and immunotherapies exploited in the past decade, and the development of treatment for GC, particularly the challenges in developing precision medications, are discussed. These advances provide a direction for the integration of clinical, molecular, and genomic profiles to improve GC diagnosis and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ning Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Qiu-Xu Teng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Qin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuhao Xie
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Kaiming Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianlin Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Leli Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yihang Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Yulong He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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45
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Kazakova AN, Anufrieva KS, Ivanova OM, Shnaider PV, Malyants IK, Aleshikova OI, Slonov AV, Ashrafyan LA, Babaeva NA, Eremeev AV, Boichenko VS, Lukina MM, Lagarkova MA, Govorun VM, Shender VO, Arapidi GP. Deeper insights into transcriptional features of cancer-associated fibroblasts: An integrated meta-analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:825014. [PMID: 36263012 PMCID: PMC9574913 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.825014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have long been known as one of the most important players in tumor initiation and progression. Even so, there is an incomplete understanding of the identification of CAFs among tumor microenvironment cells as the list of CAF marker genes varies greatly in the literature, therefore it is imperative to find a better way to identify reliable markers of CAFs. To this end, we summarized a large number of single-cell RNA-sequencing data of multiple tumor types and corresponding normal tissues. As a result, for 9 different types of cancer, we identified CAF-specific gene expression signatures and found 10 protein markers that showed strongly positive staining of tumor stroma according to the analysis of IHC images from the Human Protein Atlas database. Our results give an insight into selecting the most appropriate combination of cancer-associated fibroblast markers. Furthermore, comparison of different approaches for studying differences between cancer-associated and normal fibroblasts (NFs) illustrates the superiority of transcriptome analysis of fibroblasts obtained from fresh tissue samples. Using single-cell RNA sequencing data, we identified common differences in gene expression patterns between normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts, which do not depend on the type of tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia N. Kazakova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
- *Correspondence: Anastasia N. Kazakova, ; Ksenia S. Anufrieva,
| | - Ksenia S. Anufrieva
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Anastasia N. Kazakova, ; Ksenia S. Anufrieva,
| | - Olga M. Ivanova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina V. Shnaider
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina K. Malyants
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Chemical-Pharmaceutical Technologies and Biomedical Drugs, Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga I. Aleshikova
- National Medical Scientific Centre of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatal Medicine named after V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Slonov
- National Medical Scientific Centre of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatal Medicine named after V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lev A. Ashrafyan
- National Medical Scientific Centre of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatal Medicine named after V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nataliya A. Babaeva
- National Medical Scientific Centre of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatal Medicine named after V.I. Kulakov, Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem V. Eremeev
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Veronika S. Boichenko
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria M. Lukina
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maria A. Lagarkova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim M. Govorun
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Research Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria O. Shender
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georgij P. Arapidi
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Pan Z, Xu T, Bao L, Hu X, Jin T, Chen J, Chen J, Qian Y, Lu X, Li L, Zheng G, Zhang Y, Zou X, Song F, Zheng C, Jiang L, Wang J, Tan Z, Huang P, Ge M. CREB3L1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma by remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:190. [PMID: 36192735 PMCID: PMC9531463 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01658-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an extremely malignant type of endocrine cancer frequently accompanied by extrathyroidal extension or metastasis through mechanisms that remain elusive. We screened for the CREB3 transcription-factor family in a large cohort, consisting of four microarray datasets. This revealed that CREB3L1 was specifically up regulated in ATC tissues and negatively associated with overall survival of patients with thyroid cancer. Consistently, high expression of CREB3L1 was negatively correlated with progression-free survival in an independent cohort. CREB3L1 knockdown dramatically attenuated invasion of ATC cells, whereas overexpression of CREB3L1 facilitated the invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells. Loss of CREB3L1 inhibited metastasis and tumor growth of ATC xenografts in zebrafish and nude mouse model. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that CREB3L1 expression gradually increased during the neoplastic progression of a thyroid follicular epithelial cell to an ATC cell, accompanied by the activation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling. CREB3L1 knockdown significantly decreased the expression of collagen subtypes in ATC cells and the fibrillar collagen in xenografts. Due to the loss of CREB3L1, ATC cells were unable to activate alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). After CREB3L1 knockdown, the presence of CAFs inhibited the growth of ATC spheroids and the metastasis of ATC cells. Further cytokine array screening showed that ATC cells activated α-SMA-positive CAFs through CREB3L1-mediated IL-1α production. Moreover, KPNA2 mediated the nuclear translocation of CREB3L1, thus allowing it to activate downstream ECM signaling. These results demonstrate that CREB3L1 maintains the CAF-like property of ATC cells by activating the ECM signaling, which remodels the tumor stromal microenvironment and drives the malignancy of ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongfu Pan
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tong Xu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Lisha Bao
- Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Tiefeng Jin
- Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinming Chen
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Chen
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Qian
- Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Xixuan Lu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhou Zou
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feifeng Song
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chuanming Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Liehao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.,Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo Tan
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China. .,Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Minghua Ge
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China. .,Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.
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47
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Bian S, Dong H, Zhao L, Li Z, Chen J, Zhu X, Qiu N, Jia X, Song W, Li Z, Zheng S, Wang H, Song P. Antihypertension Nanoblockers Increase Intratumoral Perfusion of Sequential Cytotoxic Nanoparticles to Enhance Chemotherapy Efficacy against Pancreatic Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201931. [PMID: 36026578 PMCID: PMC9561769 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the worst prognosis types of tumors, is characterized by dense extracellular matrix, which compresses tumor vessels and forms a physical barrier to inhibit therapeutic drug penetration and efficacy. Herein, losartan, an antihypertension agent, is applied as a tumor stroma modulator and developed into a nanosystem. A series of lipophilic losartan prodrugs are constructed by esterification of the hydroxyl group on losartan to fatty acids. Based on the self-assembly ability and hydrodynamic diameter, the losartan-linoleic acid conjugate is selected for further investigation. To improve the stability in vivo, nanoassemblies are refined with PEGylation to form losartan nanoblocker (Los NB), and administered via intravenous injection for experiments. On murine models of pancreatic cancer, Los NB shows a greater ability to remodel the tumor microenvironment than free losartan, including stromal depletion, vessel perfusion increase, and hypoxia relief. Furthermore, Los NB pretreatment remarkably enhances the accumulation and penetration of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38)-loaded nanodrugs (SN38 NPs) in tumor tissues. Expectedly, overall therapeutic efficacy of SN38 NPs is significantly enhanced after Los NB pretreatment. Since losartan is one of the most commonly used antihypertension agents, this study may provide a potential for clinical transformation in stroma-rich PDAC treatment.
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48
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Ma X, Ou K, Liu X, Yang L. Application progress of liquid biopsy in gastric cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:969866. [PMID: 36185234 PMCID: PMC9521037 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.969866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors globally. Guiding the individualized treatment of GC is the focus of research. Obtaining representative biological samples to study the biological characteristics of GC is the focus of diagnosis and treatment of GC. Liquid biopsy technology can use high-throughput sequencing technology to detect biological genetic information in blood. Compared with traditional tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy can determine the dynamic changes of tumor. As a noninvasive auxiliary diagnostic method, liquid biopsy can provide diagnostic and prognostic information concerning the progression of the disease. Liquid biopsy includes circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor RNA, tumor educated platelets, exosomes, and cytokines. This article describes the classification of liquid biopsy and its application value in the occurrence, development, and therapeutic efficacy of GC.
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49
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Mak TK, Li X, Huang H, Wu K, Huang Z, He Y, Zhang C. The cancer-associated fibroblast-related signature predicts prognosis and indicates immune microenvironment infiltration in gastric cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:951214. [PMID: 35967313 PMCID: PMC9372353 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.951214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers, with a wide range of symptoms and outcomes. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are newly identified in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and associated with GC progression, prognosis, and treatment response. A novel CAF-associated prognostic model is urgently needed to improve treatment strategies. Methods The detailed data of GC samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GSE62254, GSE26253, and GSE84437 datasets, then obtained 18 unique CAF-related genes from the research papers. Eight hundred eight individuals with GC were classified as TCGA or GSE84437 using consensus clustering by the selected CAF-related genes. The difference between the two subtypes revealed in this study was utilized to create the “CAF-related signature score” (CAFS-score) prognostic model and validated with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Results We identified two CAF subtypes characterized by high and low CAFS-score in this study. GC patients in the low CAFS-score group had a better OS than those in the high CAFS-score group, and the cancer-related malignant pathways were more active in the high CAFS-score group, compared to the low CAFS-score group. We found that there was more early TNM stage in the low CAFS-score subgroup, while there was more advanced TNM stage in the high CAFS-score subgroup. The expression of TMB was significantly higher in the low CAFS-score subgroup than in the high CAFS-score subgroup. A low CAFS-score was linked to increased microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), mutation load, and immunological activation. Furthermore, the CAFS-score was linked to the cancer stem cell (CSC) index as well as chemotherapeutic treatment sensitivity. The patients in the high CAFS-score subgroup had significantly higher proportions of monocytes, M2 macrophages, and resting mast cells, while plasma cells and follicular helper T cells were more abundant in the low-risk subgroup. The CAFS-score was also highly correlated with the sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs. The low CAFS-score group was more likely to have an immune response and respond to immunotherapy. We developed a nomogram to improve the CAFS-clinical score’s usefulness. Conclusion The CAFS-score may have a significant role in the TME, clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, CSC, MSI, and drug sensitivity, according to our investigation of CAFs in GC. We also analyzed the value of the CAFS-score in immune response and immunotherapy. This work provides a foundation for improving prognosis and responding to immunotherapy in patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsz Kin Mak
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xing Li
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huaping Huang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kaiming Wu
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhijian Huang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijian Huang, ; Yulong He, ; Changhua Zhang,
| | - Yulong He
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijian Huang, ; Yulong He, ; Changhua Zhang,
| | - Changhua Zhang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijian Huang, ; Yulong He, ; Changhua Zhang,
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Cytokine-driven positive feedback loop organizes fibroblast transformation and facilitates gastric cancer progression. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1354-1364. [PMID: 35303266 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignancy that belongs to one of the most common leading causes of cancer death. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote the GC cells' malignant behavior. It is still unknown how GC converts normal fibroblasts (NFs) to CAFs. METHODS GC cells were co-cultured with NFs. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the genes and signaling pathways that were changed in fibroblast. RT-PCR, western blot, and Elisa assays were used to detect the expression of cytokines in fibroblast and condition medium. Western blot and immunofluorescence demonstrated activation of relevant pathways in CAFs-like cells. Transwell, scrape, colony formation, and CCK-8 assays were performed to reveal the feedback effect of CAFs-like cells on GC cells. RESULTS GC promoted the conversion of NFs to CAFs by secreting Interleukin 17A (IL-17). It included both morphological and molecular marker changes. This process was achieved by activating the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. On the other hand, CAFs cells could secrete C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (IL-8, IL-8), which promoted the malignant phenotype of GC cells. In this way, a feedback loop of mutual influence was constructed in the GC and tumor microenvironment (TME). CONCLUSIONS Our research proved a novel model of GC-educated NFs. GC-IL-17-fibroblast-IL-8-GC axis might be a potential pathway of the interaction between GC and TME.
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