1
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Armingol E, Baghdassarian HM, Lewis NE. The diversification of methods for studying cell-cell interactions and communication. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:381-400. [PMID: 38238518 PMCID: PMC11139546 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00685-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
No cell lives in a vacuum, and the molecular interactions between cells define most phenotypes. Transcriptomics provides rich information to infer cell-cell interactions and communication, thus accelerating the discovery of the roles of cells within their communities. Such research relies heavily on algorithms that infer which cells are interacting and the ligands and receptors involved. Specific pressures on different research niches are driving the evolution of next-generation computational tools, enabling new conceptual opportunities and technological advances. More sophisticated algorithms now account for the heterogeneity and spatial organization of cells, multiple ligand types and intracellular signalling events, and enable the use of larger and more complex datasets, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomics. Similarly, new high-throughput experimental methods are increasing the number and resolution of interactions that can be analysed simultaneously. Here, we explore recent progress in cell-cell interaction research and highlight the diversification of the next generation of tools, which have yielded a rich ecosystem of tools for different applications and are enabling invaluable discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Armingol
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Hratch M Baghdassarian
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Department of Paediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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2
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Aney KJ, Jeong WJ, Vallejo AF, Burdziak C, Chen E, Wang A, Koak P, Wise K, Jensen K, Pe'er D, Dougan SK, Martelotto L, Nissim S. Novel Approach for Pancreas Transcriptomics Reveals the Cellular Landscape in Homeostasis and Acute Pancreatitis. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:1100-1113. [PMID: 38325760 PMCID: PMC11102849 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.01.043] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Acinar cells produce digestive enzymes that impede transcriptomic characterization of the exocrine pancreas. Thus, single-cell RNA-sequencing studies of the pancreas underrepresent acinar cells relative to histological expectations, and a robust approach to capture pancreatic cell responses in disease states is needed. We sought to innovate a method that overcomes these challenges to accelerate study of the pancreas in health and disease. METHODS We leverage FixNCut, a single-cell RNA-sequencing approach in which tissue is reversibly fixed with dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) before dissociation and single-cell preparation. We apply FixNCut to an established mouse model of acute pancreatitis, validate findings using GeoMx whole transcriptome atlas profiling, and integrate our data with prior studies to compare our method in both mouse and human pancreas datasets. RESULTS FixNCut achieves unprecedented definition of challenging pancreatic cells, including acinar and immune populations in homeostasis and acute pancreatitis, and identifies changes in all major cell types during injury and recovery. We define the acinar transcriptome during homeostasis and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and establish a unique gene set to measure deviation from normal acinar identity. We characterize pancreatic immune cells, and analysis of T-cell subsets reveals a polarization of the homeostatic pancreas toward type-2 immunity. We report immune responses during acute pancreatitis and recovery, including early neutrophil infiltration, expansion of dendritic cell subsets, and a substantial shift in the transcriptome of macrophages due to both resident macrophage activation and monocyte infiltration. CONCLUSIONS FixNCut preserves pancreatic transcriptomes to uncover novel cell states during homeostasis and following pancreatitis, establishing a broadly applicable approach and reference atlas for study of pancreas biology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine J Aney
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Health Sciences & Technology Program, Harvard-MIT, Boston, Massachusetts; Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Woo-Jeong Jeong
- Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Cassandra Burdziak
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ethan Chen
- Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Austin Wang
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Pal Koak
- Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kellie Wise
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics (ACE), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kirk Jensen
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics (ACE), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Australian Genome Research Facility, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dana Pe'er
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Luciano Martelotto
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics (ACE), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Sahar Nissim
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Health Sciences & Technology Program, Harvard-MIT, Boston, Massachusetts; Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Gastroenterology Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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3
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Bilous M, Hérault L, Gabriel AA, Teleman M, Gfeller D. Building and analyzing metacells in single-cell genomics data. Mol Syst Biol 2024:10.1038/s44320-024-00045-6. [PMID: 38811801 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00045-6] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput single-cell genomics technologies has fundamentally transformed biological sciences. Currently, millions of cells from complex biological tissues can be phenotypically profiled across multiple modalities. The scaling of computational methods to analyze and visualize such data is a constant challenge, and tools need to be regularly updated, if not redesigned, to cope with ever-growing numbers of cells. Over the last few years, metacells have been introduced to reduce the size and complexity of single-cell genomics data while preserving biologically relevant information and improving interpretability. Here, we review recent studies that capitalize on the concept of metacells-and the many variants in nomenclature that have been used. We further outline how and when metacells should (or should not) be used to analyze single-cell genomics data and what should be considered when analyzing such data at the metacell level. To facilitate the exploration of metacells, we provide a comprehensive tutorial on the construction and analysis of metacells from single-cell RNA-seq data ( https://github.com/GfellerLab/MetacellAnalysisTutorial ) as well as a fully integrated pipeline to rapidly build, visualize and evaluate metacells with different methods ( https://github.com/GfellerLab/MetacellAnalysisToolkit ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Bilous
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Centre, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Léonard Hérault
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Centre, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Ag Gabriel
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Centre, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matei Teleman
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Agora Cancer Research Centre, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Gfeller
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Agora Cancer Research Centre, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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4
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Musiu C, Lupo F, Agostini A, Lionetto G, Bevere M, Paiella S, Carbone C, Corbo V, Ugel S, De Sanctis F. Cellular collusion: cracking the code of immunosuppression and chemo resistance in PDAC. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341079. [PMID: 38817612 PMCID: PMC11137177 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the efforts, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still highly lethal. Therapeutic challenges reside in late diagnosis and establishment of peculiar tumor microenvironment (TME) supporting tumor outgrowth. This stromal landscape is highly heterogeneous between patients and even in the same patient. The organization of functional sub-TME with different cellular compositions provides evolutive advantages and sustains therapeutic resistance. Tumor progressively establishes a TME that can suit its own needs, including proliferation, stemness and invasion. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, the main non-neoplastic cellular TME components, follow soluble factors-mediated neoplastic instructions and synergize to promote chemoresistance and immune surveillance destruction. Unveiling heterotypic stromal-neoplastic interactions is thus pivotal to breaking this synergism and promoting the reprogramming of the TME toward an anti-tumor milieu, improving thus the efficacy of conventional and immune-based therapies. We underscore recent advances in the characterization of immune and fibroblast stromal components supporting or dampening pancreatic cancer progression, as well as novel multi-omic technologies improving the current knowledge of PDAC biology. Finally, we put into context how the clinic will translate the acquired knowledge to design new-generation clinical trials with the final aim of improving the outcome of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Musiu
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Lupo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lionetto
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Bevere
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Paiella
- General and Pancreatic Surgery Unit, Pancreas Institute, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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5
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Moye AL, Dost AF, Ietswaart R, Sengupta S, Ya V, Aluya C, Fahey CG, Louie SM, Paschini M, Kim CF. Early-stage lung cancer is driven by a transitional cell state dependent on a KRAS-ITGA3-SRC axis. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00113-5. [PMID: 38755258 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00113-5] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycine-12 mutations in the GTPase KRAS (KRASG12) are an initiating event for development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). KRASG12 mutations promote cell-intrinsic rewiring of alveolar type-II progenitor (AT2) cells, but to what extent such changes interplay with lung homeostasis and cell fate pathways is unclear. Here, we generated single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) profiles from AT2-mesenchyme organoid co-cultures, mice, and stage-IA LUAD patients, identifying conserved regulators of AT2 transcriptional dynamics and defining the impact of KRASG12D mutation with temporal resolution. In AT2WT organoids, we found a transient injury/plasticity state preceding AT2 self-renewal and AT1 differentiation. Early-stage AT2KRAS cells exhibited perturbed gene expression dynamics, most notably retention of the injury/plasticity state. The injury state in AT2KRAS cells of patients, mice, and organoids was distinguishable from AT2WT states via altered receptor expression, including co-expression of ITGA3 and SRC. The combination of clinically relevant KRASG12D and SRC inhibitors impaired AT2KRAS organoid growth. Together, our data show that an injury/plasticity state essential for lung repair is co-opted during AT2 self-renewal and LUAD initiation, suggesting that early-stage LUAD may be susceptible to interventions that target specifically the oncogenic nature of this cell state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Moye
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonella Fm Dost
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Hubrecht Institute, Oncode Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Shreoshi Sengupta
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - VanNashlee Ya
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chrystal Aluya
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline G Fahey
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard University and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon M Louie
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margherita Paschini
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carla F Kim
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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6
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Blériot C, Dunsmore G, Alonso-Curbelo D, Ginhoux F. A temporal perspective for tumor-associated macrophage identities and functions. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:747-758. [PMID: 38670090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a progressive disease that can develop and evolve over decades, with inflammation playing a central role at each of its stages, from tumor initiation to metastasis. In this context, macrophages represent well-established bridges reciprocally linking inflammation and cancer via an array of diverse functions that have spurred efforts to classify them into subtypes. Here, we discuss the intertwines between macrophages, inflammation, and cancer with an emphasis on temporal dynamics of macrophage diversity and functions in pre-malignancy and cancer. By instilling temporal dynamism into the more static classic view of tumor-associated macrophage biology, we propose a new framework to better contextualize their significance in the inflammatory processes that precede and result from the onset of cancer and shape its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Blériot
- Gustave Roussy, INSERM, Villejuif, France; Institut Necker des Enfants Malades (INEM), INSERM, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Direna Alonso-Curbelo
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Gustave Roussy, INSERM, Villejuif, France; Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore; Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS, Singapore, Singapore.
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7
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Tonelli C, Yordanov GN, Hao Y, Deschênes A, Hinds J, Belleau P, Klingbeil O, Brosnan E, Doshi A, Park Y, Hruban RH, Vakoc CR, Dobin A, Preall J, Tuveson DA. A mucus production programme promotes classical pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gut 2024; 73:941-954. [PMID: 38262672 PMCID: PMC11088527 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329839] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The optimal therapeutic response in cancer patients is highly dependent upon the differentiation state of their tumours. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal cancer that harbours distinct phenotypic subtypes with preferential sensitivities to standard therapies. This study aimed to investigate intratumour heterogeneity and plasticity of cancer cell states in PDA in order to reveal cell state-specific regulators. DESIGN We analysed single-cell expression profiling of mouse PDAs, revealing intratumour heterogeneity and cell plasticity and identified pathways activated in the different cell states. We performed comparative analysis of murine and human expression states and confirmed their phenotypic diversity in specimens by immunolabeling. We assessed the function of phenotypic regulators using mouse models of PDA, organoids, cell lines and orthotopically grafted tumour models. RESULTS Our expression analysis and immunolabeling analysis show that a mucus production programme regulated by the transcription factor SPDEF is highly active in precancerous lesions and the classical subtype of PDA - the most common differentiation state. SPDEF maintains the classical differentiation and supports PDA transformation in vivo. The SPDEF tumour-promoting function is mediated by its target genes AGR2 and ERN2/IRE1β that regulate mucus production, and inactivation of the SPDEF programme impairs tumour growth and facilitates subtype interconversion from classical towards basal-like differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings expand our understanding of the transcriptional programmes active in precancerous lesions and PDAs of classical differentiation, determine the regulators of mucus production as specific vulnerabilities in these cell states and reveal phenotype switching as a response mechanism to inactivation of differentiation states determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tonelli
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | | | - Yuan Hao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Astrid Deschênes
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Juliene Hinds
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Pascal Belleau
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Olaf Klingbeil
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Erin Brosnan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Abhishek Doshi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Youngkyu Park
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Ralph H Hruban
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Alexander Dobin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Preall
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
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8
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Baldan J, Camacho-Roda J, Ballester M, Høj K, Kurilla A, Maurer HC, Arcila-Barrera S, Lin X, Pan Z, Castro JL, Guiliani AEM, Rift CV, Hasselby J, Bouwens L, Lefebvre V, David CJ, Parnas O, DelGiorno KE, Erler J, Rooman I, Arnes L. Resolution of Acinar Dedifferentiation Regulates Tissue Remodeling in Pancreatic Injury and Cancer Initiation. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)04911-4. [PMID: 38729450 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.04.031] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) is crucial in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, our understanding of the induction and resolution of ADM remains limited. We conducted comparative transcriptome analyses to identify conserved mechanisms of ADM in mouse and human. METHODS We identified Sox4 among the top up-regulated genes. We validated the analysis by RNA in situ hybridization. We performed experiments in mice with acinar-specific deletion of Sox4 (Ptf1a: CreER; Rosa26-LSL-YFPLSL-YFP; Sox4fl/fl) with and without an activating mutation in Kras (KrasLSL-G12D/+). Mice were given caerulein to induce pancreatitis. We performed phenotypic analysis by immunohistochemistry, tissue decellularization, and single-cell RNA sequencing. RESULTS We demonstrated that Sox4 is reactivated in ADM and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias. Contrary to findings in other tissues, Sox4 actually counteracts cellular dedifferentiation and helps maintain tissue homeostasis. Moreover, our investigations unveiled the indispensable role of Sox4 in the specification of mucin-producing cells and tuft-like cells from acinar cells. We identified Sox4-dependent non-cell-autonomous mechanisms regulating the stromal reaction during disease progression. Notably, Sox4-inferred targets are activated upon KRAS inactivation and tumor regression. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that our transcriptome analysis can be used to investigate conserved mechanisms of tissue injury. We demonstrate that Sox4 restrains acinar dedifferentiation and is necessary for the specification of acinar-derived metaplastic cells in pancreatic injury and cancer initiation and is activated upon Kras ablation and tumor regression in mice. By uncovering novel potential strategies to promote tissue homeostasis, our findings offer new avenues for preventing the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Baldan
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Juan Camacho-Roda
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marta Ballester
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristina Høj
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anita Kurilla
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - H Carlo Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Arcila-Barrera
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Xinyi Lin
- Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China; Peking University-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaolong Pan
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joana Leitão Castro
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jane Hasselby
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Bouwens
- Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Véronique Lefebvre
- Cell Differentiation Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels Free University), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles J David
- Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China; Peking University-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Oren Parnas
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kathleen E DelGiorno
- Department of Surgery/Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Janine Erler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ilse Rooman
- Translational Oncology Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luis Arnes
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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9
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Du Q, An Q, Zhang J, Liu C, Hu Q. Unravelling immune microenvironment features underlying tumor progression in the single-cell era. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:143. [PMID: 38649887 PMCID: PMC11036673 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03335-z] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the immune cell and tumor occurrence and progression remains unclear. Profiling alterations in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) at high resolution is crucial to identify factors influencing cancer progression and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. However, traditional sequencing methods, including bulk RNA sequencing, exhibit varying degrees of masking the cellular heterogeneity and immunophenotypic changes observed in early and late-stage tumors. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has provided significant and precise TIME landscapes. Consequently, this review has highlighted TIME cellular and molecular changes in tumorigenesis and progression elucidated through recent scRNA-seq studies. Specifically, we have summarized the cellular heterogeneity of TIME at different stages, including early, late, and metastatic stages. Moreover, we have outlined the related variations that may promote tumor occurrence and metastasis in the single-cell era. The widespread applications of scRNA-seq in TIME will comprehensively redefine the understanding of tumor biology and furnish more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilian Du
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Qi An
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jiajun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Qinyong Hu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
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10
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Ren J, Ren B, Liu X, Cui M, Fang Y, Wang X, Zhou F, Gu M, Xiao R, Bai J, You L, Zhao Y. Crosstalk between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming: A new perspective on pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216649. [PMID: 38311052 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216649] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Thus, exploring the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of pancreatic cancer is critical for identifying targets for diagnosis and treatment. Two important hallmarks of cancer-metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming-are interconnected and closely linked to regulate one another, creating a complex interaction landscape that is implicated in tumorigenesis, invasive metastasis, and immune escape. For example, metabolites can be involved in the regulation of epigenetic enzymes as substrates or cofactors, and alterations in epigenetic modifications can in turn regulate the expression of metabolic enzymes. The crosstalk between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer has gained considerable attention. Here, we review the emerging data with a focus on the reciprocal regulation of metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming. We aim to highlight how these mechanisms could be applied to develop better therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Bo Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Feihan Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Minzhi Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Ruiling Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Jialu Bai
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
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11
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Capturing and modeling cellular niches from dissociated single-cell and spatial data. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02207-1. [PMID: 38565975 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02207-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
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12
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Yuan S, Almagro J, Fuchs E. Beyond genetics: driving cancer with the tumour microenvironment behind the wheel. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:274-286. [PMID: 38347101 PMCID: PMC11077468 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00660-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Cancer has long been viewed as a genetic disease of cumulative mutations. This notion is fuelled by studies showing that ageing tissues are often riddled with clones of complex oncogenic backgrounds coexisting in seeming harmony with their normal tissue counterparts. Equally puzzling, however, is how cancer cells harbouring high mutational burden contribute to normal, tumour-free mice when allowed to develop within the confines of healthy embryos. Conversely, recent evidence suggests that adult tissue cells expressing only one or a few oncogenes can, in some contexts, generate tumours exhibiting many of the features of a malignant, invasive cancer. These disparate observations are difficult to reconcile without invoking environmental cues triggering epigenetic changes that can either dampen or drive malignant transformation. In this Review, we focus on how certain oncogenes can launch a two-way dialogue of miscommunication between a stem cell and its environment that can rewire downstream events non-genetically and skew the morphogenetic course of the tissue. We review the cells and molecules of and the physical forces acting in the resulting tumour microenvironments that can profoundly affect the behaviours of transformed cells. Finally, we discuss possible explanations for the remarkable diversity in the relative importance of mutational burden versus tumour microenvironment and its clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Yuan
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge Almagro
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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13
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Wang G, Lee-Yow Y, Chang HY. Approaches to probe and perturb long noncoding RNA functions in diseases. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102158. [PMID: 38412563 PMCID: PMC10987257 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102158] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules exceeding 200 nucleotides in length that lack long open-reading frames. Transcribed predominantly by RNA polymerase II (>500nt), lncRNAs can undergo splicing and are produced from various regions of the genome, including intergenic regions, introns, and in antisense orientation to protein-coding genes. Aberrations in lncRNA expression or function have been associated with a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Despite the growing recognition of select lncRNAs as key players in cellular processes and diseases, several challenges obscure a comprehensive understanding of their functional landscape. Recent technological innovations, such as in sequencing, affinity-based techniques, imaging, and RNA perturbation, have advanced functional characterization and mechanistic understanding of disease-associated lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiping Wang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. https://twitter.com/@Guiping_W
| | - Yannick Lee-Yow
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. https://twitter.com/@yooaaooy
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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14
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Liu R, Xu R, Yan S, Li P, Jia C, Sun H, Sheng K, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Guo J, Xin X, Li X, Guo D. Hi-C, a chromatin 3D structure technique advancing the functional genomics of immune cells. Front Genet 2024; 15:1377238. [PMID: 38586584 PMCID: PMC10995239 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1377238] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The functional performance of immune cells relies on a complex transcriptional regulatory network. The three-dimensional structure of chromatin can affect chromatin status and gene expression patterns, and plays an important regulatory role in gene transcription. Currently available techniques for studying chromatin spatial structure include chromatin conformation capture techniques and their derivatives, chromatin accessibility sequencing techniques, and others. Additionally, the recently emerged deep learning technology can be utilized as a tool to enhance the analysis of data. In this review, we elucidate the definition and significance of the three-dimensional chromatin structure, summarize the technologies available for studying it, and describe the research progress on the chromatin spatial structure of dendritic cells, macrophages, T cells, B cells, and neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dianhao Guo
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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15
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Ku B, Eisenbarth D, Baek S, Jeong TK, Kang JG, Hwang D, Noh MG, Choi C, Choi S, Seol T, Kim H, Kim YH, Woo SM, Kong SY, Lim DS. PRMT1 promotes pancreatic cancer development and resistance to chemotherapy. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101461. [PMID: 38460517 PMCID: PMC10983040 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101461] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal types of cancer, and novel treatment regimens are direly needed. Epigenetic regulation contributes to the development of various cancer types, but its role in the development of and potential as a therapeutic target for PDAC remains underexplored. Here, we show that PRMT1 is highly expressed in murine and human pancreatic cancer and is essential for cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Deletion of PRMT1 delays pancreatic cancer development in a KRAS-dependent mouse model, and multi-omics analyses reveal that PRMT1 depletion leads to global changes in chromatin accessibility and transcription, resulting in reduced glycolysis and a decrease in tumorigenic capacity. Pharmacological inhibition of PRMT1 in combination with gemcitabine has a synergistic effect on pancreatic tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our findings implicate PRMT1 as a key regulator of pancreatic cancer development and a promising target for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bomin Ku
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - David Eisenbarth
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Seonguk Baek
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Keun Jeong
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Gyeong Kang
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Giun Noh
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Choi
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwoo Choi
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Taejun Seol
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hail Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Kim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Myung Woo
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Young Kong
- Targeted Therapy Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Sik Lim
- National Creative Research Center for Cell Plasticity, KAIST Stem Cell Center, Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Fatma H, Siddique HR. Cancer cell plasticity, stem cell factors, and therapy resistance: how are they linked? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:423-440. [PMID: 37796391 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity can occur naturally in an organism and is considered an adapting mechanism during the developmental stage. However, abnormal cellular plasticity is observed in different diseased conditions, including cancer. Cancer cell plasticity triggers the stimuli of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), abnormal epigenetic changes, expression of stem cell factors and implicated signaling pathways, etc., and helps in the maintenance of CSC phenotype. Conversely, CSC maintains the cancer cell plasticity, EMT, and epigenetic plasticity. EMT contributes to increased cell migration and greater diversity within tumors, while epigenetic changes, stem cell factors (OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2), and various signaling pathways allow cancer cells to maintain various phenotypes, giving rise to intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. The intricate relationships between cancer cell plasticity and stem cell factors help the tumor cells adopt drug-tolerant states, evade senescence, and successfully acquire drug resistance with treatment dismissal. Inhibiting molecules/signaling pathways involved in promoting CSCs, cellular plasticity, EMT, and epigenetic plasticity might be helpful for successful cancer therapy management. This review discussed the role of cellular plasticity, EMT, and stem cell factors in tumor initiation, progression, reprogramming, and therapy resistance. Finally, we discussed how the intervention in this axis will help better manage cancers and improve patient survivability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homa Fatma
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, 202002, India
| | - Hifzur R Siddique
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, 202002, India.
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17
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Uddin MH, Zhang D, Muqbil I, El-Rayes BF, Chen H, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Deciphering cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer for effective treatments. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:393-408. [PMID: 38194153 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Dingqiang Zhang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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18
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Qin X, Tape CJ. Functional analysis of cell plasticity using single-cell technologies. Trends Cell Biol 2024:S0962-8924(24)00006-0. [PMID: 38355348 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.01.006] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Metazoan organisms are heterocellular systems composed of hundreds of different cell types, which arise from an isogenic genome through differentiation. Cellular 'plasticity' further enables cells to alter their fate in response to exogenous cues and is involved in a variety of processes, such as wound healing, infection, and cancer. Recent advances in cellular model systems, high-dimensional single-cell technologies, and lineage tracing have sparked a renaissance in plasticity research. Here, we discuss the definition of cell plasticity, evaluate state-of-the-art model systems and techniques to study cell-fate dynamics, and explore the application of single-cell technologies to obtain functional insights into cell plasticity in healthy and diseased tissues. The integration of advanced biomimetic model systems, single-cell technologies, and high-throughput perturbation studies is enabling a new era of research into non-genetic plasticity in metazoan systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Qin
- MRC Translational Immune Discovery Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.
| | - Christopher J Tape
- Cell Communication Lab, Department of Oncology, University College London Cancer Institute, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
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19
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Philipp LM, Yesilyurt UU, Surrow A, Künstner A, Mehdorn AS, Hauser C, Gundlach JP, Will O, Hoffmann P, Stahmer L, Franzenburg S, Knaack H, Schumacher U, Busch H, Sebens S. Epithelial and Mesenchymal-like Pancreatic Cancer Cells Exhibit Different Stem Cell Phenotypes Associated with Different Metastatic Propensities. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:686. [PMID: 38398077 PMCID: PMC10886860 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040686] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is mostly diagnosed at advanced or even metastasized stages, limiting the prognoses of patients. Metastasis requires high tumor cell plasticity, implying phenotypic switching in response to changing environments. Here, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), being associated with an increase in cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, and its reversion are important. Since it is poorly understood whether different CSC phenotypes exist along the EMT axis and how these impact malignancy-associated properties, we aimed to characterize CSC populations of epithelial and mesenchymal-like PDAC cells. Single-cell cloning revealed CSC (Holoclone) and non-CSC (Paraclone) clones from the PDAC cell lines Panc1 and Panc89. The Panc1 Holoclone cells showed a mesenchymal-like phenotype, dominated by a high expression of the stemness marker Nestin, while the Panc89 Holoclone cells exhibited a SOX2-dominated epithelial phenotype. The Panc89 Holoclone cells showed enhanced cell growth and a self-renewal capacity but slow cluster-like invasion. Contrarily, the Panc1 Holoclone cells showed slower cell growth and self-renewal ability but were highly invasive. Moreover, cell variants differentially responded to chemotherapy. In vivo, the Panc1 and Panc89 cell variants significantly differed regarding the number and size of metastases, as well as organ manifestation, leading to different survival outcomes. Overall, these data support the existence of different CSC phenotypes along the EMT axis in PDAC, manifesting different metastatic propensities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Marie Philipp
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
| | - Umut-Ulas Yesilyurt
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
| | - Arne Surrow
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
| | - Axel Künstner
- Medical Systems Biology Group, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anne-Sophie Mehdorn
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Charlotte Hauser
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan-Paul Gundlach
- Department of General, Visceral-, Thoracic-, Transplantation- and Pediatric Surgery, UKSH, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Olga Will
- Molecular Imaging North Competence Center, Clinic of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Kiel University, UKSH, Campus Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Patrick Hoffmann
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
| | - Lea Stahmer
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sören Franzenburg
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Hendrike Knaack
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
- Academic Affairs Office, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Department of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Medical Systems Biology Group, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, 23562 Kiel, Germany
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20
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Pong A, Mah CK, Yeo GW, Lewis NE. Computational cell-cell interaction technologies drive mechanistic and biomarker discovery in the tumor microenvironment. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103048. [PMID: 38142648 PMCID: PMC11168798 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Complex networks of cell-cell interactions (CCIs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a crucial role in cancer persistence. These communication axes represent prime targets for therapeutic intervention, but our incomplete understanding of the cellular heterogeneity and interacting partners within the TME remains a stubborn barrier to complete drug responses. This review outlines recent advances in the study of CCIs that leverage single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) technologies that can clarify TME dynamics. We anticipate that these strategies will promote discovery of CCIs critical to the tumor-immune interface and will, by extension, expand the repertoire of druggable tumor biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery Pong
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Clarence K Mah
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Departments of Pediatrics and Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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21
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Stanger BZ, Wahl GM. Cancer as a Disease of Development Gone Awry. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:397-421. [PMID: 37832945 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031621-025610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
In the 160 years since Rudolf Virchow first postulated that neoplasia arises by the same law that regulates embryonic development, scientists have come to recognize the striking overlap between the molecular and cellular programs used by cancers and embryos. Advances in cancer biology and molecular techniques have further highlighted the similarities between carcinogenesis and embryogenesis, where cellular growth, differentiation, motility, and intercellular cross talk are mediated by common drivers and regulatory networks. This review highlights the many connections linking cancer biology and developmental biology to provide a deeper understanding of how a tissue's developmental history may both enable and constrain cancer cell evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Z Stanger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| | - Geoffrey M Wahl
- Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA;
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22
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Torborg SR, Grbovic-Huezo O, Singhal A, Holm M, Wu K, Han X, Ho YJ, Haglund C, Mitchell MJ, Lowe SW, Dow LE, Pitter KL, Sanchez-Rivera FJ, Levchenko A, Tammela T. Solid tumor growth depends on an intricate equilibrium of malignant cell states. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.30.573100. [PMID: 38234855 PMCID: PMC10793475 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.30.573100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Control of cell identity and number is central to tissue function, yet principles governing organization of malignant cells in tumor tissues remain poorly understood. Using mathematical modeling and candidate-based analysis, we discover primary and metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organize in a stereotypic pattern whereby PDAC cells responding to WNT signals (WNT-R) neighbor WNT-secreting cancer cells (WNT-S). Leveraging lineage-tracing, we reveal the WNT-R state is transient and gives rise to the WNT-S state that is highly stable and committed to organizing malignant tissue. We further show that a subset of WNT-S cells expressing the Notch ligand DLL1 form a functional niche for WNT-R cells. Genetic inactivation of WNT secretion or Notch pathway components, or cytoablation of the WNT-S state disrupts PDAC tissue organization, suppressing tumor growth and metastasis. This work indicates PDAC growth depends on an intricately controlled equilibrium of functionally distinct cancer cell states, uncovering a fundamental principle governing solid tumor growth and revealing new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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23
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Mzoughi S, Schwarz M, Wang X, Demircioglu D, Ulukaya G, Mohammed K, Tullio FD, Company C, Dramaretska Y, Leushacke M, Giotti B, Lannagan T, Lozano-Ojalvo D, Hasson D, Tsankov AM, Sansom OJ, Marine JC, Barker N, Gargiulo G, Guccione E. A Mutation-driven oncofetal regression fuels phenotypic plasticity in colorectal cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.10.570854. [PMID: 38106050 PMCID: PMC10723414 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.10.570854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) is crucial for effective cancer treatment 1 . However, the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to LGR5 + CSCs depletion in colorectal cancer (CRC) 2,3 remain largely elusive. Here, we unveil the existence of a primitive cell state dubbed the oncofetal (OnF) state, which works in tandem with the LGR5 + stem cells (SCs) to fuel tumor evolution in CRC. OnF cells emerge early during intestinal tumorigenesis and exhibit features of lineage plasticity. Normally suppressed by the Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) in mature SCs, the OnF program is triggered by genetic deletion of the gatekeeper APC. We demonstrate that diminished RXR activity unlocks an epigenetic circuity governed by the cooperative action of YAP and AP1, leading to OnF reprogramming. This high-plasticity state is inherently resistant to conventional chemotherapies and its adoption by LGR5 + CSCs enables them to enter a drug-tolerant state. Furthermore, through phenotypic tracing and ablation experiments, we uncover a functional redundancy between the OnF and stem cell (SC) states and show that targeting both cellular states is essential for sustained tumor regression in vivo . Collectively, these findings establish a mechanistic foundation for developing effective combination therapies with enduring impact on CRC treatment.
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24
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Krauß L, Schneider C, Hessmann E, Saur D, Schneider G. Epigenetic control of pancreatic cancer metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1113-1131. [PMID: 37659057 PMCID: PMC10713713 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10132-z] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Surgical resection, when combined with chemotherapy, has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, this treatment option is only feasible for a fraction of patients, as more than 50% of cases are diagnosed with metastasis. The multifaceted process of metastasis is still not fully understood, but recent data suggest that transcriptional and epigenetic plasticity play significant roles. Interfering with epigenetic reprogramming can potentially control the adaptive processes responsible for metastatic progression and therapy resistance, thereby enhancing treatment responses and preventing recurrence. This review will focus on the relevance of histone-modifying enzymes in pancreatic cancer, specifically on their impact on the metastatic cascade. Additionally, it will also provide a brief update on the current clinical developments in epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Krauß
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Carolin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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25
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Jiang Z, Zheng X, Li M, Liu M. Improving the prognosis of pancreatic cancer: insights from epidemiology, genomic alterations, and therapeutic challenges. Front Med 2023; 17:1135-1169. [PMID: 38151666 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1050-6] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, notorious for its late diagnosis and aggressive progression, poses a substantial challenge owing to scarce treatment alternatives. This review endeavors to furnish a holistic insight into pancreatic cancer, encompassing its epidemiology, genomic characterization, risk factors, diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and treatment resistance mechanisms. We delve into identifying risk factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, and explore recent research advancements in precursor lesions and molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, we highlight the development and application of multi-omics approaches in pancreatic cancer research and discuss the latest combinations of pancreatic cancer biomarkers and their efficacy. We also dissect the primary mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in this malignancy, illustrating the latest therapeutic options and advancements in the field. Conclusively, we accentuate the urgent demand for more extensive research to enhance the prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Gastroenterology and Pancreas, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Xiaohao Zheng
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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26
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Caronni N, La Terza F, Vittoria FM, Barbiera G, Mezzanzanica L, Cuzzola V, Barresi S, Pellegatta M, Canevazzi P, Dunsmore G, Leonardi C, Montaldo E, Lusito E, Dugnani E, Citro A, Ng MSF, Schiavo Lena M, Drago D, Andolfo A, Brugiapaglia S, Scagliotti A, Mortellaro A, Corbo V, Liu Z, Mondino A, Dellabona P, Piemonti L, Taveggia C, Doglioni C, Cappello P, Novelli F, Iannacone M, Ng LG, Ginhoux F, Crippa S, Falconi M, Bonini C, Naldini L, Genua M, Ostuni R. IL-1β + macrophages fuel pathogenic inflammation in pancreatic cancer. Nature 2023; 623:415-422. [PMID: 37914939 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06685-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with high resistance to therapies1. Inflammatory and immunomodulatory signals co-exist in the pancreatic tumour microenvironment, leading to dysregulated repair and cytotoxic responses. Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) have key roles in PDAC2, but their diversity has prevented therapeutic exploitation. Here we combined single-cell and spatial genomics with functional experiments to unravel macrophage functions in pancreatic cancer. We uncovered an inflammatory loop between tumour cells and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-expressing TAMs, a subset of macrophages elicited by a local synergy between prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Physical proximity with IL-1β+ TAMs was associated with inflammatory reprogramming and acquisition of pathogenic properties by a subset of PDAC cells. This occurrence was an early event in pancreatic tumorigenesis and led to persistent transcriptional changes associated with disease progression and poor outcomes for patients. Blocking PGE2 or IL-1β activity elicited TAM reprogramming and antagonized tumour cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic inflammation, leading to PDAC control in vivo. Targeting the PGE2-IL-1β axis may enable preventive or therapeutic strategies for reprogramming of immune dynamics in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Caronni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica La Terza
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco M Vittoria
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Barbiera
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Mezzanzanica
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cuzzola
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Barresi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Garett Dunsmore
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Carlo Leonardi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Montaldo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lusito
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Dugnani
- Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Citro
- Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Melissa S F Ng
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Denise Drago
- Center for Omics Sciences (COSR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Annapaola Andolfo
- Center for Omics Sciences (COSR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Brugiapaglia
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Scagliotti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mortellaro
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Zhaoyuan Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Anna Mondino
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Doglioni
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Cappello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Novelli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Iannacone
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lai Guan Ng
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stefano Crippa
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Pancreas Translational and Clinical Research Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Falconi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Pancreas Translational and Clinical Research Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Genua
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Ostuni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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27
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Karamitopoulou E. Emerging Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Pancreatic Cancer. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100328. [PMID: 37714333 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100328] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with increasing incidence and high recurrence rates and is currently resistant to conventional therapies. Moreover, it displays extensive morphologic and molecular intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity and a mostly low mutational burden, failing to induce significant antitumor immunity. Thus, immunotherapy has shown limited effect in pancreatic cancer, except in rare tumors with microsatellite instability, constituting <1% of the cases. Currently, new methods, including single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing, have refined and expanded the 2-group molecular classification based on bulk RNA sequencing (classical and basal-like subtypes), identifying hybrid forms and providing us with a comprehensive map of the tumor cell subsets that drive gene expression during tumor evolution, simultaneously giving us insight into therapy resistance and metastasis. Additionally, deeper profiling of the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer by using spatial analyses and multiplex imaging techniques has improved our understanding of the heterogeneous distribution of both adaptive and innate immune components with their protumor and antitumor properties. By integrating host immune response patterns, as defined by spatial transcriptomic and proteomic analysis and multiplex immunofluorescence, with molecular and morphologic features of the tumors, we can increasingly understand the genetic, immunologic, and morphologic background of pancreatic cancer and recognize the potential predictors for different treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Karamitopoulou
- Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Pathology Institute Enge, Zurich, Switzerland.
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28
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Fazilaty H, Basler K. Reactivation of embryonic genetic programs in tissue regeneration and disease. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1792-1806. [PMID: 37904052 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01526-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic genetic programs are reactivated in response to various types of tissue damage, providing cell plasticity for tissue regeneration or disease progression. In acute conditions, these programs remedy the damage and then halt to allow a return to homeostasis. In chronic situations, including inflammatory diseases, fibrosis and cancer, prolonged activation of embryonic programs leads to disease progression and tissue deterioration. Induction of progenitor identity and cell plasticity, for example, epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, are critical outcomes of reactivated embryonic programs. In this Review, we describe molecular players governing reactivated embryonic genetic programs, their role during disease progression, their similarities and differences and lineage reversion in pathology and discuss associated therapeutics and drug-resistance mechanisms across many organs. We also discuss the diversity of reactivated programs in different disease contexts. A comprehensive overview of commonalities between development and disease will provide better understanding of the biology and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Fazilaty
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Konrad Basler
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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29
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Chen MB, Javanmardi Y, Shahreza S, Serwinski B, Aref A, Djordjevic B, Moeendarbary E. Mechanobiology in oncology: basic concepts and clinical prospects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1239749. [PMID: 38020912 PMCID: PMC10644154 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1239749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between genetic transformations, biochemical communications, and physical interactions is crucial in cancer progression. Metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, involves a series of steps, including invasion, intravasation, circulation survival, and extravasation. Mechanical alterations, such as changes in stiffness and morphology, play a significant role in all stages of cancer initiation and dissemination. Accordingly, a better understanding of cancer mechanobiology can help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Targeting the physical properties of tumours and their microenvironment presents opportunities for intervention. Advancements in imaging techniques and lab-on-a-chip systems enable personalized investigations of tumor biomechanics and drug screening. Investigation of the interplay between genetic, biochemical, and mechanical factors, which is of crucial importance in cancer progression, offers insights for personalized medicine and innovative treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle B. Chen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Somayeh Shahreza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Serwinski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Northeastern University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amir Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Zhou RW, Harpaz N, Itzkowitz SH, Parsons RE. Molecular mechanisms in colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Oncogenesis 2023; 12:48. [PMID: 37884500 PMCID: PMC10603140 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-023-00492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained chronic inflammation of the large intestine leads to tissue damage and repair, which is associated with an increased incidence of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). The genetic makeup of CAC is somewhat similar to sporadic colorectal carcinoma (sCRC), but there are differences in the sequence and timing of alterations in the carcinogenesis process. Several models have been developed to explain the development of CAC, particularly the "field cancerization" model, which proposes that chronic inflammation accelerates mutagenesis and selects for the clonal expansion of phenotypically normal, pro-tumorigenic cells. In contrast, the "Big Bang" model posits that tumorigenic clones with multiple driver gene mutations emerge spontaneously. The details of CAC tumorigenesis-and how they differ from sCRC-are not yet fully understood. In this Review, we discuss recent genetic, epigenetic, and environmental findings related to CAC pathogenesis in the past five years, with a focus on unbiased, high-resolution genetic profiling of non-dysplastic field cancerization in the context of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Royce W Zhou
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Noam Harpaz
- The Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven H Itzkowitz
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- The Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ramon E Parsons
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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31
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Cammareri P, Myant KB. Be like water, my cells: cell plasticity and the art of transformation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1272730. [PMID: 37886398 PMCID: PMC10598658 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1272730] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity defines the capacity of cells to adopt distinct identities during development, tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Dynamic fluctuations between different states, within or across lineages, are regulated by changes in chromatin accessibility and in gene expression. When deregulated, cellular plasticity can contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Cancer cells are remarkably plastic which contributes to phenotypic and functional heterogeneity within tumours as well as resistance to targeted therapies. It is for these reasons that the scientific community has become increasingly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cancer cell plasticity. The purpose of this mini-review is to discuss different examples of cellular plasticity associated with metaplasia and epithelial-mesenchymal transition with a focus on therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin B. Myant
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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32
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Groves SM, Quaranta V. Quantifying cancer cell plasticity with gene regulatory networks and single-cell dynamics. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1225736. [PMID: 37731743 PMCID: PMC10507267 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1225736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells can lead to complex cell state dynamics during tumor progression and acquired resistance. Highly plastic stem-like states may be inherently drug-resistant. Moreover, cell state dynamics in response to therapy allow a tumor to evade treatment. In both scenarios, quantifying plasticity is essential for identifying high-plasticity states or elucidating transition paths between states. Currently, methods to quantify plasticity tend to focus on 1) quantification of quasi-potential based on the underlying gene regulatory network dynamics of the system; or 2) inference of cell potency based on trajectory inference or lineage tracing in single-cell dynamics. Here, we explore both of these approaches and associated computational tools. We then discuss implications of each approach to plasticity metrics, and relevance to cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Groves
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Vito Quaranta
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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33
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Sussman JH, Stanger BZ. Digging deeper into the early steps of cancer progression. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:703-704. [PMID: 37495432 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetically mediated cell signaling is emerging as a core principle of tumor biology. Through single cell multi-omic profiling, Burdziak, Alonso-Curbelo et al. have recently uncovered key epigenetic plasticity programs associated with cellular communication, shedding light on the role of epigenetic cell states during malignant transformation of the inflamed pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Sussman
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Bednar F, Pasca di Magliano M. Calligraphy tool offers clues to the origin of pancreatic cancer. Nature 2023; 621:265-266. [PMID: 37587278 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-02518-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
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35
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Cheng C, Chen W, Jin H, Chen X. A Review of Single-Cell RNA-Seq Annotation, Integration, and Cell-Cell Communication. Cells 2023; 12:1970. [PMID: 37566049 PMCID: PMC10417635 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating cellular biology at an unprecedented resolution, enabling the characterization of cellular heterogeneity, identification of rare but significant cell types, and exploration of cell-cell communications and interactions. Its broad applications span both basic and clinical research domains. In this comprehensive review, we survey the current landscape of scRNA-seq analysis methods and tools, focusing on count modeling, cell-type annotation, data integration, including spatial transcriptomics, and the inference of cell-cell communication. We review the challenges encountered in scRNA-seq analysis, including issues of sparsity or low expression, reliability of cell annotation, and assumptions in data integration, and discuss the potential impact of suboptimal clustering and differential expression analysis tools on downstream analyses, particularly in identifying cell subpopulations. Finally, we discuss recent advancements and future directions for enhancing scRNA-seq analysis. Specifically, we highlight the development of novel tools for annotating single-cell data, integrating and interpreting multimodal datasets covering transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics, and inferring cellular communication networks. By elucidating the latest progress and innovation, we provide a comprehensive overview of the rapidly advancing field of scRNA-seq analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changde Cheng
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
| | - Wenan Chen
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (W.C.); (H.J.)
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA; (W.C.); (H.J.)
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
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Otto D, Jordan C, Dury B, Dien C, Setty M. Quantifying Cell-State Densities in Single-Cell Phenotypic Landscapes using Mellon. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.09.548272. [PMID: 37502954 PMCID: PMC10369887 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.09.548272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Cell-state density characterizes the distribution of cells along phenotypic landscapes and is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms that drive cellular differentiation, regeneration, and disease. Here, we present Mellon, a novel computational algorithm for high-resolution estimation of cell-state densities from single-cell data. We demonstrate Mellon's efficacy by dissecting the density landscape of various differentiating systems, revealing a consistent pattern of high-density regions corresponding to major cell types intertwined with low-density, rare transitory states. Utilizing hematopoietic stem cell fate specification to B-cells as a case study, we present evidence implicating enhancer priming and the activation of master regulators in the emergence of these transitory states. Mellon offers the flexibility to perform temporal interpolation of time-series data, providing a detailed view of cell-state dynamics during the inherently continuous developmental processes. Scalable and adaptable, Mellon facilitates density estimation across various single-cell data modalities, scaling linearly with the number of cells. Our work underscores the importance of cell-state density in understanding the differentiation processes, and the potential of Mellon to provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms guiding cellular fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Otto
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle WA
- Translational Data Science IRC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
| | - Cailin Jordan
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle WA
- Translational Data Science IRC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle WA
| | - Brennan Dury
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle WA
- Translational Data Science IRC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
| | - Christine Dien
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle WA
- Translational Data Science IRC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
| | - Manu Setty
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle WA
- Translational Data Science IRC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA
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Hindson J. Epigenetic plasticity associated with pancreatic tumorigenesis in mice. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023:10.1038/s41575-023-00806-y. [PMID: 37286640 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
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