Targeting genetically-tuned CAFs in pancreatic cancer via perlecan manipulation

Perlecan (HSPG2) promotes structural, contractile, and metabolic development of human cardiomyocytes

Perlecan (HSPG2), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan similar to agrin, is key for extracellular matrix (ECM) maturation and stabilization. Although crucial for cardiac development, its role remains elusive. We show that perlecan expression increases as cardiomyocytes mature in vivo and during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). Perlecan-haploinsuffient hPSCs (HSPG2+/-) differentiate efficiently, but late-stage CMs have structural, contractile, metabolic, and ECM gene dysregulation. In keeping with this, late-stage HSPG2+/- hPSC-CMs have immature features, including reduced ⍺-actinin expression and increased glycolytic metabolism and proliferation. Moreover, perlecan-haploinsuffient engineered heart tissues have reduced tissue thickness and force generation. Conversely, hPSC-CMs grown on a perlecan-peptide substrate are enlarged and display increased nucleation, typical of hypertrophic growth. Together, perlecan appears to play the opposite role of agrin, promoting cellular maturation rather than hyperplasia and proliferation. Perlecan signaling is likely mediated via its binding to the dystroglycan complex. Targeting perlecan-dependent signaling may help reverse the phenotypic switch common to heart failure.

Define cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment: new opportunities in cancer immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials

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.

Expression and Role of Heparan Sulfated Proteoglycans in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal condition with poor outcomes and an increasing incidence. The unfavourable prognosis is due to the lack of early symptoms and consequent late diagnosis. An effective method for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is therefore sought by many researchers in the field. Heparan sulfated proteoglycan-related genes are often expressed differently in tumors than in normal tissues. Alteration of the tumor microenvironment is correlated with the ability of heparan sulfated proteoglycans to bind cytokines and growth factors and eventually to influence tumor progression. Here we discuss the importance of glypicans, syndecans, perlecan and extracellular matrix modifying enzymes, such as heparanases and sulfatases, as potential diagnostics in pancreatic cancer. We also ran an analysis on a multidimensional cancer genomics database for heparan sulfated proteoglycan-related genes, and report altered expression of some of them.