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Felberg A, Bieńkowski M, Stokowy T, Myszczyński K, Polakiewicz Z, Kitowska K, Sądej R, Mohlin F, Kuźniewska A, Kowalska D, Stasiłojć G, Jongerius I, Spaapen R, Mesa-Guzman M, Montuenga LM, Blom AM, Pio R, Okrój M. Elevated expression of complement factor I in lung cancer cells associates with shorter survival-Potentially via non-canonical mechanism. Transl Res 2024; 269:1-13. [PMID: 38395390 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.02.003] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
While numerous membrane-bound complement inhibitors protect the body's cells from innate immunity's autoaggression, soluble inhibitors like complement factor I (FI) are rarely produced outside the liver. Previously, we reported the expression of FI in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Now, we assessed the content of FI in cancer biopsies from lung cancer patients and associated the results with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes. Immunohistochemical staining intensity did not correlate with age, smoking status, tumor size, stage, differentiation grade, and T cell infiltrates, but was associated with progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Multivariate Cox analysis of low vs. high FI content revealed HR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.32-0.95, p=0.031 for PFS, HR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.25-1.02, p=0.055 for OS, and HR 0.32, 95 % CI 0.12-0.84, p=0.021 for DSS. Unfavorable prognosis might stem from the non-canonical role of FI, as the staining pattern did not correlate with C4d - the product of FI-supported degradation of active complement component C4b. To elucidate that, we engineered three human NSCLC cell lines naturally expressing FI with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and compared the transcriptome of FI-deficient and FI-sufficient clones in each cell line. RNA sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes engaged in intracellular signaling pathways controlling proliferation, apoptosis, and responsiveness to growth factors. Moreover, in vitro colony-formation assays showed that FI-deficient cells formed smaller foci than FI-sufficient NSCLC cells, but their size increased when purified FI protein was added to the medium. We postulate that a non-canonical activity of FI influences cellular physiology and contributes to the poor prognosis of lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Felberg
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Stokowy
- Scientific Computing Group, IT Division, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Kamil Myszczyński
- Centre of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Analysis, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Polakiewicz
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kamila Kitowska
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Rafał Sądej
- Department of Molecular Enzymology and Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Frida Mohlin
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Alicja Kuźniewska
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Daria Kowalska
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Stasiłojć
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ilse Jongerius
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Spaapen
- Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Mesa-Guzman
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis M Montuenga
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Program in Solid Tumors, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdisNa), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anna M Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Ruben Pio
- Program in Solid Tumors, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Cancer Center Clinica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdisNa), Pamplona, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marcin Okrój
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 1 street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland.
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Antonucci L, Karin M. The Past and Future of Inflammation as a Target to Cancer Prevention. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2024; 17:141-155. [PMID: 38271694 PMCID: PMC10987280 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-23-0423] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Inflammation is an essential defense mechanism in which innate immune cells are coordinately activated on encounter of harmful stimuli, including pathogens, tissue injury, and toxic compounds and metabolites to neutralize and eliminate the instigator and initiate healing and regeneration. Properly terminated inflammation is vital to health, but uncontrolled runaway inflammation that becomes chronic begets a variety of inflammatory and metabolic diseases and increases cancer risk. Making damaged tissues behave as "wounds that do not heal" and sustaining the production of growth factors whose physiologic function is tissue healing, chronic inflammation accelerates cancer emergence from premalignant lesions. In 1863, Rudolf Virchow, a leading German pathologist, suggested a possible association between inflammation and tumor formation, but it took another 140 years to fully elucidate and appreciate the tumorigenic role of inflammation. Key findings outlined molecular events in the inflammatory cascade that promote cancer onset and progression and enabled a better appreciation of when and where inflammation should be inhibited. These efforts triggered ongoing research work to discover and develop inflammation-reducing chemopreventive strategies for decreasing cancer risk and incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Antonucci
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine; La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael Karin
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine; La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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3
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Zhang Y, Song Y, Wang X, Shi M, Lin Y, Tao D, Han S. An NFAT1-C3a-C3aR Positive Feedback Loop in Tumor-Associated Macrophages Promotes a Glioma Stem Cell Malignant Phenotype. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:363-376. [PMID: 38289255 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0418] [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: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Extensive infiltration by tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in combination with myeloid-derived suppressor cells constitute the immunosuppressive microenvironment and promote the malignant phenotype of gliomas. The aggressive mesenchymal (MES)-subtype glioma stem cells (GSC) are prominent in the immunosuppressive microenvironment of gliomas. However, the underlying immune-suppressive mechanisms are still unknown. The current study showed that the antitumor immune microenvironment was activated in glioma in Nfat1-/- mice, suggesting induction of the immune-suppressive microenvironment by nuclear factor of activated T cells-1 (NFAT1). In TAMs, NFAT1 could upregulate the transcriptional activity of complement 3 (C3) and increase the secretion of C3a, which could then bind to C3aR and promote M2-like macrophage polarization by activating TIM-3. Simultaneously, C3a/C3aR activated the Ca2+-NFAT1 pathway, forming a positive feedback loop for the M2-like polarization of TAMs, which further promoted the MES transition of GSCs. Finally, disruption of this feedback loop using a C3aR inhibitor significantly inhibited glioma growth both in vitro and in vivo. The current study demonstrated that a NFAT1-C3a-C3aR positive feedback loop induces M2-like TAMs and further promotes the malignant phenotype of GSCs, which might be the potential therapeutic target for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaochuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Yifu Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Mengwu Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Yibin Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Dongxia Tao
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
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Li J, Zhu Z, Zhu Y, Li J, Li K, Zhong W. METTL3-mediated m6A methylation of C1qA regulates the Rituximab resistance of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:405. [PMID: 37907575 PMCID: PMC10618261 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01698-2] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Rituximab has been incorporated into the standard treatment regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and induces the death of tumor cells via complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Unfortunately, the resistance of DLBCL cells to Rituximab limits its clinical usefulness. It remains unclear whether the complement system is related to Rituximab resistance in DLBCL. A Rituximab-resistant DLBCL cell line (Farage/R) was generated under the stress of Rituximab. Constituent proteins of the complement system in wild-type Farage cells (Farage/S) and Farage/R cells were analyzed by qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. In vitro and in vivo knockdown and overexpression studies confirmed that the complement 1Q subcomponent A chain (C1qA) was a regulator of Rituximab resistance. Finally, the mechanism by which C1qA is regulated by m6A methylation was explored. The reader and writer were identified by pull-down studies and RIP-qPCR. Activity of the complement system in Farage/R cells was suppressed. C1qA expression was reduced in Farage/R cells due to post-transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo results showed that C1qA knockdown in Farage/S cells decreased their sensitivity to Rituximab, and C1qA overexpression in Farage/R cells attenuated the Rituximab resistance of those cells. Moreover, METTL3 and YTHDF2 were proven to be the reader and writer for m6A methylation of C1qA, respectively. Knockdown of METTL3 or YTHDF2 in Farage/R cells up-regulated C1qA expression and reduced their resistance to Rituximab. In summary, the aberrant downregulation of C1qA was related to Rituximab resistance in DLBCL cells, and C1qA was found to be regulated by METTL3- and YTHDF2-mediated m6A methylation. Enhancing the response of the complement system via regulation of C1qA might be an effective strategy for inhibiting Rituximab resistance in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Hematology & Oncology Ward, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 510180, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhigang Zhu
- Department of Geriatrics, Hematology & Oncology Ward, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 510180, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Zhu
- Department of Geriatrics, Hematology & Oncology Ward, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 510180, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinqing Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Hematology & Oncology Ward, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 510180, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kangbao Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Gastroenterology Ward, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 510180, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Weijie Zhong
- Department of Geriatrics, Hematology & Oncology Ward, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, 510180, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Robinson TP, Hamidi T, Counts B, Guttridge DC, Ostrowski MC, Zimmers TA, Koniaris LG. The impact of inflammation and acute phase activation in cancer cachexia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207746. [PMID: 38022578 PMCID: PMC10644737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cachexia in the setting of cancer or other chronic diseases is a significant detriment for patients. Cachexia is associated with a decreased ability to tolerate therapies, reduction in ambulation, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Cachexia appears intricately linked to the activation of the acute phase response and is a drain on metabolic resources. Work has begun to focus on the important inflammatory factors associated with the acute phase response and their role in the immune activation of cachexia. Furthermore, data supporting the liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and tumor as all playing a role in activation of the acute phase are emerging. Although the acute phase is increasingly being recognized as being involved in cachexia, work in understanding underlying mechanisms of cachexia associated with the acute phase response remains an active area of investigation and still lack a holistic understanding and a clear causal link. Studies to date are largely correlative in nature, nonetheless suggesting the possibility for a role for various acute phase reactants. Herein, we examine the current literature regarding the acute phase response proteins, the evidence these proteins play in the promotion and exacerbation of cachexia, and current evidence of a therapeutic potential for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler P. Robinson
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Tewfik Hamidi
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Brittany Counts
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Denis C. Guttridge
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Michael C. Ostrowski
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Teresa A. Zimmers
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Leonidas G. Koniaris
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
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Wu Z, Yang Y, Zha Y. Radiomics Features on Magnetic Resonance Images Can Predict C5aR1 Expression Levels and Prognosis in High-Grade Glioma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4661. [PMID: 37760630 PMCID: PMC10527364 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complement component C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) regulates cancer immunity. This retrospective study aimed to assess its prognostic value in high-grade glioma (HGG) and predict C5aR1 expression using a radiomics approach. METHODS Among 298 patients with HGG, 182 with MRI data were randomly divided into training and test groups for radiomics analysis. We examined the association between C5aR1 expression and prognosis through Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. We used maximum relevance-minimum redundancy and recursive feature elimination algorithms for radiomics feature selection. We then built a support vector machine (SVM) and a logistic regression model, investigating their performances using receiver operating characteristic, calibration curves, and decision curves. RESULTS C5aR1 expression was elevated in HGG and was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 3.984, 95% CI: 2.834-5.607). Both models presented with >0.8 area under the curve values in the training and test datasets, indicating efficient discriminatory ability, with SVM performing marginally better. The radiomics score calculated using the SVM model correlated significantly with overall survival (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight C5aR1's role in HGG development and prognosis, supporting its potential as a prognostic biomarker. Our radiomics model can noninvasively and effectively predict C5aR1 expression and patient prognosis in HGG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunfei Zha
- Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China; (Z.W.); (Y.Y.)
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7
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Wang Y, Huang Y, Yang M, Yu Y, Chen X, Ma L, Xiao L, Liu C, Liu B, Yuan X. Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analyses of Immunogenic Cell Death as a Biomarker in Predicting Prognosis and Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235952. [PMID: 36497433 PMCID: PMC9736000 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic cell death (ICD), a form of regulated cell death, is related to anticancer therapy. Due to the absence of widely accepted markers, characterizing ICD-related phenotypes across cancer types remained unexplored. Here, we defined the ICD score to delineate the ICD landscape across 33 cancerous types and 31 normal tissue types based on transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenetics data from multiple databases. We found that ICD score showed cancer type-specific association with genomic and immune features. Importantly, the ICD score had the potential to predict therapy response and patient prognosis in multiple cancer types. We also developed an ICD-related prognostic model by machine learning and cox regression analysis. Single-cell level analysis revealed intra-tumor ICD state heterogeneity and communication between ICD-based clusters of T cells and other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment in colon cancer. For the first time, we identified IGF2BP3 as a potential ICD regulator in colon cancer. In conclusion, our study provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the relation between ICD and clinical relevance, gaining insights into identification of ICD as a potential cancer-related biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bo Liu
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (X.Y.)
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8
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The spatial transcriptomic landscape of non-small cell lung cancer brain metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5983. [PMID: 36216799 PMCID: PMC9551067 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33365-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases (BrMs) are a common occurrence in lung cancer with a dismal outcome. To understand the mechanism of metastasis to inform prognosis and treatment, here we analyze primary and metastasized tumor specimens from 44 non-small cell lung cancer patients by spatial RNA sequencing, affording a whole transcriptome map of metastasis resolved with morphological markers for the tumor core, tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and tumor brain microenvironment (TBME). Our data indicate that the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the brain, including the TIME and TBME, undergoes extensive remodeling to create an immunosuppressive and fibrogenic niche for the BrMs. Specifically, the brain TME is characterized with reduced antigen presentation and B/T cell function, increased neutrophils and M2-type macrophages, immature microglia, and reactive astrocytes. Differential gene expression and network analysis identify fibrosis and immune regulation as the major functional modules disrupted in both the lung and brain TME. Besides providing systems-level insights into the mechanism of lung cancer brain metastasis, our study uncovers potential prognostic biomarkers and suggests that therapeutic strategies should be tailored to the immune and fibrosis status of the BrMs. Brain metastases (BrMs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with dismal outcomes, and are possibly sustained by the brain microenvironment. Here, the authors analyse NSCLC BrMs using Digital Spatial Profiling and reveal fibrosis, immune suppression, and cell reprogramming in the BrM microenvironment.
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9
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Chang H, Jin L, Xie P, Zhang B, Yu M, Li H, Liu S, Yan J, Zhou B, Li X, Xu Y, Xiao Y, Ye Q, Guo L. Complement C5 is a novel biomarker for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 13:2351-2365. [PMID: 36388659 PMCID: PMC9660033 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-22-829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prominent malignant diseases, with a high incidence and a dismal prognosis. Metastasis to the liver is the leading cause of death in CRC patients. This study aimed to identify accurate metastatic biomarkers of CRC and investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (LMCRC). METHODS Three independent datasets were screened and downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GEO2R tool was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CRC tissues and liver metastases. Next, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Furthermore, the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the DEGs were analyzed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database, Cytoscape, and Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE). Next, the expression levels and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the target gene between normal colon and CRC tissues were performed by UALCAN. The expression of the target gene in tissues and cell lines was verified by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. The impact of the target gene on the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of COAD cells was explored in vitro. RESULTS A total of 92 common DEGs were found in the three independent datasets. GO/KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly involved in 14 different pathways. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed that complement 5 (C5), the upstream gene of C8A in the complement system, was associated with C8 and other key hub genes. Meanwhile, the online UALCAN resource showed that C5 was up-regulated and facilitated malignant progression in COAD samples. Next, we confirmed that C5 remarkably increased and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in CRC cell lines, SW620 and SW480. The IHC assay showed C5 was also highly expressed in a majority of LMCRC tissues compared with paired CRC tissues. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our integrated bioinformatics study suggest that complement C5 might serve as a potential therapeutic target in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hulin Chang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiyi Xie
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Mincheng Yu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China;,Shanghai Medical College and Zhongshan Hospital Immunotherapy Technology Transfer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiuliang Yan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghai Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongfeng Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongsheng Xiao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinghai Ye
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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10
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Senent Y, Tavira B, Pio R, Ajona D. The complement system as a regulator of tumor-promoting activities mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Cancer Lett 2022; 549:215900. [PMID: 36087681 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor progression relies on the interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), which also influences therapeutic responses. The complement system, an essential part of innate immunity, has been traditionally considered an effector arm against tumors. However, established tumors co-opt complement-mediated immune responses in the TME to support chronic inflammation, activate cancer-related signaling pathways and hamper antitumor immune responses. In this context, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), a heterogeneous population of myeloid progenitors with immunosuppressive functions, are recognized as major mediators of tumor-associated complement activities. This review focuses on the impact of complement activation within the TME, with a special emphasis on MDSC functions and the involvement of the C5a/C5aR1 axis. We also discuss the translation of these findings into therapeutic advances based on complement inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaiza Senent
- Cima-University of Navarra, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain; Cancer Center University of Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Tavira
- Cima-University of Navarra, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain; Cancer Center University of Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ruben Pio
- Cima-University of Navarra, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain; Cancer Center University of Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Daniel Ajona
- Cima-University of Navarra, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain; Cancer Center University of Navarra (CCUN), Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, School of Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
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11
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Kono M, Saito S, Egloff AM, Allen CT, Uppaluri R. The mouse oral carcinoma (MOC) model: A 10-year retrospective on model development and head and neck cancer investigations. Oral Oncol 2022; 132:106012. [PMID: 35820346 PMCID: PMC9364442 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical models of cancer have long been paramount to understanding tumor development and advancing the treatment of cancer. Creating preclinical models that mimic the complexity and heterogeneity of human tumors is a key challenge in the advancement of cancer therapy. About ten years ago, we created the mouse oral carcinoma (MOC) cell line models that were derived from 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced mouse oral squamous cell cancers. This model has been used in numerous investigations, including studies on tumor biology and therapeutics. We have seen remarkable progress in cancer immunology in recent years, and these cell lines, which are syngeneic to C57BL/6 background, have also been used to study the anti-tumor immune response. Herein, we aim to review the MOC model from its development and characterization to its use in non-immunological and immunological preclinical head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) studies. Integrating and refining these MOC model studies and extending findings to other systems will provide crucial insights for translational approaches aimed at improving head and neck cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihisa Kono
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.
| | - Shin Saito
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ann Marie Egloff
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, United States.
| | - Clint T Allen
- Section on Translational Tumor Immunology, National Institutes on Deafness and Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, United States.
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12
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Kolev M, Das M, Gerber M, Baver S, Deschatelets P, Markiewski MM. Inside-Out of Complement in Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:931273. [PMID: 35860237 PMCID: PMC9291441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of complement in cancer has received increasing attention over the last decade. Recent studies provide compelling evidence that complement accelerates cancer progression. Despite the pivotal role of complement in fighting microbes, complement seems to suppress antitumor immunity via regulation of host cell in the tumor microenvironment. Although most studies link complement in cancer to complement activation in the extracellular space, the discovery of intracellular activation of complement, raises the question: what is the relevance of this process for malignancy? Intracellular activation is pivotal for the survival of immune cells. Therefore, complement can be important for tumor cell survival and growth regardless of the role in immunosuppression. On the other hand, because intracellular complement (the complosome) is indispensable for activation of T cells, these functions will be essential for priming antitumor T cell responses. Here, we review functions of complement in cancer with the consideration of extra and intracellular pathways of complement activation and spatial distribution of complement proteins in tumors and periphery and provide our take on potential significance of complement as biomarker and target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kolev
- Discovery, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Martin Kolev, ; Maciej M. Markiewski,
| | - Madhumita Das
- Discovery, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Monica Gerber
- Legal Department, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Scott Baver
- Medical Affairs, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, United States
| | | | - Maciej M. Markiewski
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Martin Kolev, ; Maciej M. Markiewski,
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13
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Lai P, Chen X, Wang Y, Wang J, Zhang Y, Geng S, Li P, Du X, Weng J, Pei D. C3aR costimulation enhances the antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy through Th17 expansion and memory T cell induction. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:68. [PMID: 35597971 PMCID: PMC9124432 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01288-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified adoptive T cell therapy is a promising immunotherapy for hematological malignancies, the efficacy improvement in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with extramedullary infiltration and in multiple myeloma (MM) is still warranted. Since C3aR activation can promote the expansion of tumor-killing Th17 cells, we hypothesized that incorporating C3aR as a costimulatory domain would augment the antitumor activity of CAR-T. In this study, we introduced the C3aR domain into a CAR and generated BB-ζ-C3aR CAR-T targeting CD19 or BCMA. These new CAR-T exhibited a potent cytolytic ability to eradicate tumor cells expressing CD19 or BCMA in vitro. When administered intravenously to ALL or MM xenograft mouse models, BB-ζ-C3aR CAR-T reduced the tumor burden and improved the survival rate. Of note, these CAR-T could effectively eradicate subcutaneous CD19+ tumor cells, highlighting the therapeutic potential in extramedullary leukemia. Mechanistically, BB-ζ-C3aR CAR-T tended to exhibit a Th17 phenotype favoring tumor killing and suppressed Tregs. In addition, the induction of memory T cell in the BB-ζ-C3aR CAR-T cells indicated their long-term effects. Together, our findings suggest that the application of C3aR costimulation boosts the ability of CAR-T to eradicate aggressive tumor cells via Th17 expansion and memory T cell induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilong Lai
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Xiaomei Chen
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yulian Wang
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jinghua Wang
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Suxia Geng
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Peng Li
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jianyu Weng
- Department of Hematology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Duanqing Pei
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,Laboratory of Cell Fate Control, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
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14
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Proteome and phosphoproteome signatures of recurrence for HPV + head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:95. [PMID: 35919862 PMCID: PMC9338924 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00159-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the human papillomavirus (HPV+)-driven subtype is the fastest rising cancer in North America. Although most cases of HPV+ HNSCC respond favorably to the treatment via surgery followed by radiochemotherapy, up to 20% recur with a poor prognosis. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of recurrence are not fully understood. Methods To gain insights into the mechanisms of recurrence and to inform patient stratification and personalized treatment, we compared the proteome and phosphoproteome of recurrent and non-recurrent tumors by quantitative mass spectrometry. Results We observe significant differences between the recurrent and non-recurrent tumors in cellular composition, function, and signaling. The recurrent tumors are characterized by a pro-fibrotic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) featuring markedly more abundant cancer-associated fibroblasts, extracellular matrix (ECM), neutrophils, and suppressive myeloid cells. Defective T cell function and increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition potential are also associated with recurrence. These cellular changes in the TME are accompanied by reprogramming of the kinome and the signaling networks that regulate the ECM, cytoskeletal reorganization, cell adhesion, neutrophil function, and coagulation. Conclusions In addition to providing systems-level insights into the molecular basis of recurrence, our work identifies numerous mechanism-based, candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets that may aid future endeavors to develop prognostic biomarkers and precision-targeted treatment for recurrent HPV+ HNSCC.
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15
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Shimazaki R, Takano S, Satoh M, Takada M, Miyahara Y, Sasaki K, Yoshitomi H, Kagawa S, Furukawa K, Takayashiki T, Kuboki S, Sogawa K, Motohashi S, Nomura F, Miyazaki M, Ohtsuka M. Complement factor B regulates cellular senescence and is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:937-950. [PMID: 34075561 PMCID: PMC8338870 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00614-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between cancer cells and stromal components, including soluble mediators released from cancer cells, contributes to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we set out to identify key secreted proteins involved in PDAC progression. METHODS We performed secretome analyses of culture media of mouse pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC cells using Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acid in Cell culture (SILAC) with click chemistry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results obtained were verified in primary PDAC tissue samples and cell line models. RESULTS Complement factor B (CFB) was identified as one of the robustly upregulated proteins, and found to exhibit elevated expression in PDAC cells compared to PanIN cells. Endogenous CFB knockdown by a specific siRNA dramatically decreased the proliferation of PDAC cells, PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-II. CFB knockdown induced increases in the number of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells exhibiting p21 expression upregulation, which promotes cellular senescence with cyclinD1 accumulation. Furthermore, CFB knockdown facilitated downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and led to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in PDAC cells. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that high stromal CFB expression was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes with hematogenous dissemination after surgery in human PDAC patients. Despite the presence of enriched CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in the PDAC tumor microenvironments, patients with a high stromal CFB expression exhibited a significantly poorer prognosis compared to those with a low stromal CFB expression. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a correlation between stromal CFB expression in the tumor microenvironment and an enrichment of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We also found that high stromal CFB expression showed a positive correlation with high CD8+/Foxp3+ Tregs populations in PDAC tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that CFB, a key secreted protein, promotes proliferation by preventing cellular senescence and is associated with immunological tumor promotion in PDAC. These findings suggest that CFB may be a potential target for the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiri Shimazaki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Shigetsugu Takano
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan.
| | - Mamoru Satoh
- Division of Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takada
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Yoji Miyahara
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Kosuke Sasaki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yoshitomi
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Shingo Kagawa
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Katsunori Furukawa
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Takayashiki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuboki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Sogawa
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Motohashi
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 260-8677, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumio Nomura
- Division of Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Masaru Miyazaki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohtsuka
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
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