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Wang Y, Ding S. Extracellular vesicles in cancer cachexia: deciphering pathogenic roles and exploring therapeutic horizons. J Transl Med 2024; 22:506. [PMID: 38802952 PMCID: PMC11129506 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05266-9] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia (CC) is a debilitating syndrome that affects 50-80% of cancer patients, varying in incidence by cancer type and significantly diminishing their quality of life. This multifactorial syndrome is characterized by muscle and fat loss, systemic inflammation, and metabolic imbalance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, play a crucial role in the progression of CC. These vesicles, produced by cancer cells and others within the tumor environment, facilitate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. A comprehensive review of the literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science reveals insights into the formation, release, and uptake of EVs in CC, underscoring their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The review also explores therapeutic strategies targeting EVs, which include modifying their release and content, utilizing them for drug delivery, genetically altering their contents, and inhibiting key cachexia pathways. Understanding the role of EVs in CC opens new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, potentially mitigating the syndrome's impact on patient survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China
| | - Shengguang Ding
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China.
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Li QQ, Guo M, He GH, Xi KH, Zhou MY, Shi RY, Chen GQ. VEGF-induced Nrdp1 deficiency in vascular endothelial cells promotes cancer metastasis by degrading vascular basement membrane. Oncogene 2024:10.1038/s41388-024-03038-9. [PMID: 38654108 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are key players in the formation of neovessels and tumor metastasis, the ultimate cause of the majority of cancer-related human death. However, the crosstalk between VECs and metastasis remain greatly elusive. Based on our finding that tumor-associated VECs present significant decrease of Nrdp1 protein which is closely correlated with higher metastatic probability, herein we show that the conditional medium from hypoxia-incubated cancer cells induces extensive Nrdp1 downregulation in human and mouse VECs by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which activates CHIP, followed by Nrdp1 degradation in ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent way. More importantly, lung metastases of cancer cells significantly increase in conditional VECs Nrdp1 knockout mice. Mechanically, Nrdp1 promotes degradation of Fam20C, a secretory kinase involved in phosphorylating numerous secreted proteins. Reciprocally, deficiency of Nrdp1 in VECs (ecNrdp1) results in increased secretion of Fam20C, which induces degradation of extracellular matrix and disrupts integrity of vascular basement membrane, thus driving tumor metastatic dissemination. In addition, specific overexpression of ecNrdp1 by Nrdp1-carrying adeno-associated virus or chemical Nrdp1 activator ABPN efficiently mitigates tumor metastasis in mice. Collectively, we explore a new mechanism for VEGF to enhance metastasis and role of Nrdp1 in maintaining the integrity of vascular endothelium, suggesting that ecNrdp1-mediated signaling pathways might become potential target for anti-metastatic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Meng Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Guang-Huan He
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Kai-Hua Xi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mei-Yi Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Rong-Yi Shi
- Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, 570000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in National Health Commission, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, SJTU-SM, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Guo-Qiang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, 570000, China.
- Institute of Aging & Tissue Regeneration, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Research Units of Stress and Tumor (2019RU043), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Ren-Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China.
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Fischer A, Alsina-Sanchis E. Disturbed endothelial cell signaling in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102287. [PMID: 38029706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Growth of new blood vessels is considered requisite to cancer progression. Recent findings revealed that in addition to inducing angiogenesis, tumor-derived factors alter endothelial cell gene transcription within the tumor mass but also systemically throughout the body. This subsequently contributes to immunosuppression, altered metabolism, therapy resistance and metastasis. Clinical studies demonstrated that targeting the endothelium can increase the success rate of immunotherapy. Single-cell technologies revealed remarkable organ-specific endothelial heterogeneity that becomes altered by the presence of a tumor. In metastases, endothelial transcription differs remarkably between newly formed and co-opted vessels which may provide a basis for developing new therapies to target endothelial cells and overcome therapy resistance more effectively. This review addresses how cancers impact the endothelium to facilitate tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Fischer
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Elisenda Alsina-Sanchis
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Baghaie L, Haxho F, Leroy F, Lewis B, Wawer A, Minhas S, Harless WW, Szewczuk MR. Contemporaneous Perioperative Inflammatory and Angiogenic Cytokine Profiles of Surgical Breast, Colorectal, and Prostate Cancer Patients: Clinical Implications. Cells 2023; 12:2767. [PMID: 38067195 PMCID: PMC10706122 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232767] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Surgery-induced tumor growth acceleration and synchronous metastatic growth promotion have been observed for decades. Surgery-induced wound healing, orchestrated through growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, can negatively impact patients harboring residual or metastatic disease. We provide detailed clinical evidence of this process in surgical breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer patients. Plasma samples were analyzed from 68 cancer patients who had not received treatment before surgery or adjuvant therapy until at least four weeks post-surgery. The levels of plasma cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were simultaneously quantified and profiled using multiplexed immunoassays for eight time points sampled per patient. The immunologic processes are induced immediately after surgery in patients, characterized by a drastic short-term shift in the expression levels of pro-inflammatory and angiogenic molecules and cytokines. A rapid and significant spike in circulating plasma levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), placental growth factor (PLGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after surgery was noted. The rise in these molecules was concomitant with a significant drop in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AB/BB), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-2 (MCP-2). If not earlier, each plasma analyte was normalized to baseline levels within 1-2 weeks after surgery, suggesting that surgical intervention alone was responsible for these effects. The effects of surgical tumor removal on disrupting the pro-inflammatory and angiogenic plasma profiles of cancer patients provide evidence for potentiating malignant progression. Our findings indicate a narrow therapeutic window of opportunity after surgery to prevent disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Baghaie
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.B.); (F.H.); (F.L.)
| | - Fiona Haxho
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.B.); (F.H.); (F.L.)
- Dermatology Residency Program, the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2T 5C7, Canada
| | - Fleur Leroy
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.B.); (F.H.); (F.L.)
- Faculté de Médecine, Maïeutique et Sciences de la Santé, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Beth Lewis
- ENCYT Technologies Inc., Membertou, NS B1S 0H1, Canada; (B.L.); (A.W.); (S.M.)
| | - Alexander Wawer
- ENCYT Technologies Inc., Membertou, NS B1S 0H1, Canada; (B.L.); (A.W.); (S.M.)
| | - Shamano Minhas
- ENCYT Technologies Inc., Membertou, NS B1S 0H1, Canada; (B.L.); (A.W.); (S.M.)
| | - William W. Harless
- ENCYT Technologies Inc., Membertou, NS B1S 0H1, Canada; (B.L.); (A.W.); (S.M.)
| | - Myron R. Szewczuk
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (L.B.); (F.H.); (F.L.)
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Milovanović J, Vujasinović T, Todorović-Raković N, Greenman J, Hranisavljević J, Radulovic M. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -A, -C and VE-cadherin as potential biomarkers in early breast cancer patients. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 252:154923. [PMID: 37948997 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154923] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -A and -C act as multifunctional molecules and growth factors, while VE-cadherin (cadherin 5, CDH5) is the endothelial junction protein. AIM To assess the relationship between intratumoral VEGF -A, -C and CDH5 levels and clinical outcome, in primary, early-stage, breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 69 node-negative (N0) breast cancer patients, all of whom had not received any prior hormonal or chemotherapeutic systemic therapy that would affect the course of disease. The median follow-up period was 144 months. Intratumoral mRNA levels of VEGF -A, -C and CDH5 were determined by RT-qPCR. Prognostic performance was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, as well as by the multivariable approach based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logit regression. Classification of patients into the low and high subgroups was performed using the outcome-oriented cut-off point categorization approach. RESULTS Of the measured mRNAs, only CDH5 mRNA (t = -2.17; p = 0.04) and VEGF-C mRNA (t = -2.41; p = 0.03) showed significant differences between values in patient subgroups with distant metastasis and those without recurrences, respectively. These t-test results were in agreement with the Cox regression by which CDH5 mRNA reached the most pronounced hazard ratio (HR=2.07; p = 0.05), followed by VEGF-C mRNA (HR=1.59; p = 0.005). HR values above 1.0 indicate that high levels of either CDH5 or VEGF-C mRNAs associated with a higher risk of poor clinical outcome. Distant recurrence incidence was 26% for the CDH5high and 3% for the CDH5low subgroup (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Distant recurrence incidence was 23% for the VEGF-Chigh and 0% for VEGF-Clow subgroup. The independent prognostic value of VEGF-C mRNA was confirmed by LASSO regression. CONCLUSION Intratumoral VEGF-A levels did not associate with disease outcome in primary, early-stage, breast cancer patients, whilst raised levels of either CDH5 or VEGF-C prognosticated a high risk of distant metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Milovanović
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Tijana Vujasinović
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Todorović-Raković
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - John Greenman
- Centre for Biomedicine, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Jelena Hranisavljević
- Department for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinča - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Radulovic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
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England C. Physiology in Perspective. Physiology (Bethesda) 2023; 38:160. [PMID: 37307527 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00014.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This issue of Physiology features four excellent review articles that highlight current research and discuss untapped areas for future work across a range of topics in physiology. First, we explore the impact that the loss of the Y chromosome in white blood cells has on men's health. Next, we discuss the pathophysiological roles of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in chronic inflammation. Third, we discuss how certain animals remain hydrated in seawater. Finally, we present on the systemic reprogramming of endothelial cell signaling in metastasis and cachexia.
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