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Del Rio D, Masi I, Caprara V, Ottavi F, Albertini Petroni G, Salvati E, Trisciuoglio D, Giannitelli SM, Bagnato A, Mauri E, Spadaro F, Rosanò L. The β-arrestin1/endothelin axis bolsters ovarian fibroblast-dependent invadosome activity and cancer cell metastatic potential. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:358. [PMID: 38777849 PMCID: PMC11111729 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06730-6] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Recruitment of fibroblasts to tumors and their activation into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is a strategy used by tumor cells to direct extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, invasion, and metastasis, highlighting the need to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving CAF function. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulates the communication between cancer and stroma and facilitates the progression of serous ovarian cancer (SOC). By binding to Endothelin A (ETA) and B (ETB) receptors, ET-1 enables the recruitment of β-arrestin1 (β-arr1) and the formation of signaling complexes that coordinate tumor progression. However, how ET-1 receptors might "educate" human ovarian fibroblasts (HOFs) to produce altered ECM and promote metastasis remains to be elucidated. This study identifies ET-1 as a pivotal factor in the activation of CAFs capable of proteolytic ECM remodeling and the generation of heterotypic spheroids containing cancer cells with a propensity to metastasize. An autocrine/paracrine ET-1/ETA/BR/β-arr1 loop enhances HOF proliferation, upregulates CAF marker expression, secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increases collagen contractility, and cell motility. Furthermore, ET-1 facilitates ECM remodeling by promoting the lytic activity of invadosome and activation of integrin β1. In addition, ET-1 signaling supports the formation of heterotypic HOF/SOC spheroids with enhanced ability to migrate through the mesothelial monolayer, and invade, representing metastatic units. The blockade of ETA/BR or β-arr1 silencing prevents CAF activation, invadosome function, mesothelial clearance, and the invasive ability of heterotypic spheroids. In vivo, therapeutic inhibition of ETA/BR using bosentan (BOS) significantly reduces the metastatic potential of combined HOFs/SOC cells, associated with enhanced apoptotic effects on tumor cells and stromal components. These findings support a model in which ET-1/β-arr1 reinforces tumor/stroma interaction through CAF activation and fosters the survival and metastatic properties of SOC cells, which could be counteracted by ETA/BR antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danila Del Rio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Ilenia Masi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Valentina Caprara
- Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Flavia Ottavi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Gabriele Albertini Petroni
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Sara Maria Giannitelli
- Department of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and One Health, University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, 00128, Italy
| | - Anna Bagnato
- Unit of Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Emanuele Mauri
- Department of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering, University Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Spadaro
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Laura Rosanò
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy.
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Siquara da Rocha LDO, Souza BSDF, Coletta RD, Lambert DW, Gurgel Rocha CA. Mapping Cell-in-Cell Structures in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2023; 12:2418. [PMID: 37830632 PMCID: PMC10572403 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192418] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-in-cell (CIC) structures contribute to tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In vitro 3D models may contribute to the understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of these events. We employed a spheroid model to study the CIC structures in OSCC. Spheroids were obtained from OSCC (HSC3) and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) lines using the Nanoshuttle-PLTM bioprinting system (Greiner Bio-One). Spheroid form, size, and reproducibility were evaluated over time (EvosTM XL; ImageJ version 1.8). Slides were assembled, stained (hematoxylin and eosin), and scanned (Axio Imager Z2/VSLIDE) using the OlyVIA System (Olympus Life Science) and ImageJ software (NIH) for cellular morphology and tumor zone formation (hypoxia and/or proliferative zones) analysis. CIC occurrence, complexity, and morphology were assessed considering the spheroid regions. Well-formed spheroids were observed within 6 h of incubation, showing the morphological aspects of the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxic (core) and proliferative zone (periphery) formation. CIC structures were found in both homotypic and heterotypic groups, predominantly in the proliferative zone of the mixed HSC3/CAF spheroids. "Complex cannibalism" events were also noted. These results showcase the potential of this model in further studies on CIC morphology, formation, and relationship with tumor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo de Oliveira Siquara da Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, BA, Brazil; (L.d.O.S.d.R.); (B.S.d.F.S.)
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-100, BA, Brazil
| | - Bruno Solano de Freitas Souza
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, BA, Brazil; (L.d.O.S.d.R.); (B.S.d.F.S.)
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Salvador 41253-190, BA, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Della Coletta
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel W. Lambert
- School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK
| | - Clarissa A. Gurgel Rocha
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, BA, Brazil; (L.d.O.S.d.R.); (B.S.d.F.S.)
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-100, BA, Brazil
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Salvador 41253-190, BA, Brazil
- Department of Propaedeutics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-150, BA, Brazil
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Bereczki-Temistocle D, Jung I, Gurzu S, Kovacs Z, Chiciudean R, Ormenisan A, Banias L. HPV disrupt the cytoskeleton in oral squamous cell carcinomas from non-oropharyngeal sites via the E-cadherin/Mena/SMA pathway. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 249:154723. [PMID: 37544131 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154723] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the mechanism of actin cytoskeleton disruption, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A total of 43 patients with surgically resected OSCCs located in non-oropharyngeal regions were randomly selected. The expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), Mena, maspin, V-set and immunoglobulin domain containing 1 (VSIG1), β human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was assessed via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and evaluated in association with the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Mena positivity (n = 30; 69.77%) was more frequent in poorly differentiated OSCC of the tongue and lips with high-risk HPV viral DNA and a lymph node ratio (LNR) ≤ 2.5. Loss of E-cadherin was more prevalent among poorly differentiated stage pT4N1 tumors with an LNR ≤ 2.5 and perineural invasion. These cases were classified as SMA-high tumors. Independent negative prognostic factors included high Mena expression, loss of E-cadherin, high SMA expression, and the presence of high-risk HPV. No VSIG1 positivity was observed. In conclusion, in non-oropharyngeal OSCC, cytoskeleton activity might be driven by the Mena/E-cadherin/SMA axis, reflecting active epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. High Mena intensity is an indicator of poorly differentiated carcinomas with high-risk HPV and unfavorable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Bereczki-Temistocle
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania; Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania
| | - Ioan Jung
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania
| | - Simona Gurzu
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania; Research Center of Oncopathology and Translational Medicine (CCOMT), George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania.
| | - Zsolt Kovacs
- Research Center of Oncopathology and Translational Medicine (CCOMT), George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania; Department of Biochemistry, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania
| | - Rebeca Chiciudean
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania
| | - Alina Ormenisan
- Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania
| | - Laura Banias
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Targu-Mures, Romania
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