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Cao P, Li Q, Zou D, Wang L, Wang Z. Identification of crucial ubiquitin-associated genes for predicting the effects of immunotherapy and therapeutic agents in colorectal cancer. Gene 2024; 904:148215. [PMID: 38307218 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148215] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research indicates that colorectal cancer (CRC) is significantly influenced by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Nevertheless, reliable immune landscapes and ubiquitin-associated prognostic markers are still scarce. METHODS We systematically analyzed the RNA-seq data of 2,830 ubiquitin-related genes from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A CRC prognostic risk model was developed based on ubiquitin-associated gene signatures. In-depth multi-dimensional analyses were performed on ubiquitin-related subgroups with high and low risk. Drug response sensitivity for high-risk CRC patients was also predicted. RESULTS A total of 131 ubiquitin-related differentially expressed genes were retrieved, of which 9 prognostic genes for CRC were ultimately identified and further validated by our clinical CRC tumor and adjacent normal samples. The expression pattern of these 9 ubiquitin-associated genes was found to be strongly related to overall survival, immune cell fractions, and immune-related genes of CRC patients. CRC patients stratified by the ubiquitin prognostic model exhibited distinct clinicopathological characteristics and immune landscapes. A comprehensive framework for personalized medicine prediction identified regorafenib and sorafenib as the most promising therapeutic agents for high ubiquitin-related risk CRC patients, which was confirmed in cell viability assays. CONCLUSIONS Ubiquitin characteristics can reflect CRC prognosis and help develop innovative biomarkers for precision treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Danyi Zou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong, University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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2
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Chen Y, Liang Z, Lai M. Targeting the devil: Strategies against cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer. Transl Res 2024; 270:81-93. [PMID: 38614213 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.04.003] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as significant constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play a pivotal role in the progression of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this comprehensive review, we presented the origins and activation mechanisms of CAFs in CRC, elaborating on how CAFs drive tumor progression through their interactions with CRC cells, immune cells, vascular endothelial cells, and the extracellular matrix within the TME. We systematically outline the intricate web of interactions among CAFs, tumor cells, and other TME components, and based on this complex interplay, we summarize various therapeutic strategies designed to target CAFs in CRC. It is also essential to recognize that CAFs represent a highly heterogeneous group, encompassing various subtypes such as myofibroblastic CAF (myCAF), inflammatory CAF (iCAF), antigen-presenting CAF (apCAF), vessel-associated CAF (vCAF). Herein, we provide a summary of studies investigating the heterogeneity of CAFs in CRC and the characteristic expression patterns of each subtype. While the majority of CAFs contribute to the exacerbation of CRC malignancy, recent findings have revealed specific subtypes that exert inhibitory effects on CRC progression. Nevertheless, the comprehensive landscape of CAF heterogeneity still awaits exploration. We also highlight pivotal unanswered questions that need to be addressed before CAFs can be recognized as feasible targets for cancer treatment. In conclusion, the aim of our review is to elucidate the significance and challenges of advancing in-depth research on CAFs, while outlining the pathway to uncover the complex roles of CAFs in CRC and underscore their significant potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Chen
- Department of Pathology, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Disease, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China; Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Disease, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Maode Lai
- Department of Pathology, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
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Choi S, An HJ, Yeo HJ, Sung MJ, Oh J, Lee K, Lee SA, Kim SK, Kim J, Kim I, Lee S. MicroRNA‑606 inhibits the growth and metastasis of triple‑negative breast cancer by targeting Stanniocalcin 1. Oncol Rep 2024; 51:2. [PMID: 37975233 PMCID: PMC10688449 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8661] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a poor prognosis; however, treatments for TNBC are limited, with poor outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are small non‑coding RNA molecules that are able to regulate gene expression. The present study aimed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with breast cancer, and to investigate the functional role of the identified miRNA targets and their effects in vitro and in vivo. Transfection with miR‑606 suppressed TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor sphere‑forming ability, as determined using trypan blue, Transwell and sphere formation assays. Moreover, miR‑606 induced the apoptosis of TNBC cells, as determined by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, intratumoral injections of miR‑606 mimics suppressed tumor growth in MDA‑MB‑231 xenografts. In addition, MDA‑MB‑231 cells transfected with miR‑606 mimics exhibited decreased lung metastatic nodules in a mouse tail vein injection model. Notably, miR‑606 and STC1 expression had opposing effects on the overall survival of patients with TNBC. The results of the present study suggested a novel tumor suppressor function for miR‑606 in TNBC, thus indicating its potential application in the development of anticancer miRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Choi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju An
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
- SL Bio, Inc., Pocheon, Gyeonggi 11160, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jeong Yeo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ji Sung
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisu Oh
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Gyeonggi 16995, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanbum Lee
- Department of General Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ah Lee
- Department of General Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ki Kim
- Department of General Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Junhan Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Isaac Kim
- Department of General Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Soonchul Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
- SL Bio, Inc., Pocheon, Gyeonggi 11160, Republic of Korea
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Xia M, Tong S, Gao L. Identification of MDK as a Hypoxia- and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Gene Biomarker of Glioblastoma Based on a Novel Risk Model and In Vitro Experiments. Biomedicines 2024; 12:92. [PMID: 38255198 PMCID: PMC10813330 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010092] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor cells are commonly exposed to a hypoxic environment, which can easily induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, further affecting tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the predictive role of hypoxia and EMT-related genes in glioblastoma (GBM) has not been investigated. METHODS Intersection genes were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analyses, and a risk model was further constructed by LASSO and Cox analyses. Clinical, immune infiltration, tumor mutation, drug treatment, and enrichment profiles were analyzed based on the risk model. The expression level of the MDK gene was tested using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. CCK8 and EdU were employed to determine the GBM cells' capacity for proliferation while the migration and invasion ability were detected by a wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS Based on the GBM data of the TCGA and GTEx databases, 58 intersection genes were identified, and a risk model was constructed. The model was verified in the CGGA cohort, and its accuracy was confirmed by the ROC curve (AUC = 0.807). After combining clinical subgroups, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that risk score and age were independent risk factors for GBM patients. Furthermore, our subsequent analysis of immune infiltration, tumor mutation, and drug treatment showed that risk score and high- and low-risk groups were associated with multiple immune cells, mutated genes, and drugs. Enrichment analysis indicated that the differences between high- and low-risk groups were manifested in tumor-related pathways, including the PI3K-AKT and JAK-STAT pathways. Finally, in vivo experiments proved that the hypoxia environment promoted the expression of MDK, and MDK knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, and EMT of GBM cells induced by hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS Our novel prognostic correlation model provided more potential treatment strategies for GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minqi Xia
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Shiao Tong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
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Zhao R, Kou H, Jiang D, Wang F. Exploring the anti-aging effects of fisetin in telomerase-deficient progeria mouse model. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16463. [PMID: 38107570 PMCID: PMC10722989 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16463] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a natural and complex process characterized by the gradual deterioration of tissue and physiological functions in the organism over time. Cell senescence, a hallmark of aging, refers to the permanent and irreversible cell cycle arrest of proliferating cells triggered by endogenous stimuli or environmental stresses. Eliminating senescent cells has been shown to extend the healthy lifespan. In this study, we established a progeria mouse model with telomerase deficiency and confirmed the presence of shortened telomere length and increased expression of aging markers p16INK4a and p21CIP1 in the organ tissues of G3 Tert-/- mice. We identified fisetin as a potent senolytic drug capable of reversing premature aging signs in telomerase-deficient mice. Fisetin treatment effectively suppressed the upregulation of aging markers p16INK4a and p21CIP1 and reduced collagen fiber deposition. Furthermore, we observed a significant elevation in the mRNA level of Stc1 in G3Tert-/- mice, which was reduced after fisetin treatment. Stc1 has been implicated in anti-apoptotic processes through the upregulation of the Akt signaling pathway. Our findings reveal that fisetin exerts its anti-aging effect by inhibiting the Akt signaling pathway through the suppression of Stc1 expression, leading to the apoptosis of senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haomeng Kou
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Duo Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Prosthodontics School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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6
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Liu C, Yu C, Song G, Fan X, Peng S, Zhang S, Zhou X, Zhang C, Geng X, Wang T, Cheng W, Zhu W. Comprehensive analysis of miRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs associated with colorectal cancer and the role in tumor immunity. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:724. [PMID: 38036953 PMCID: PMC10688136 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09635-4] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNA (miRNA) which can act as post-transcriptional regulators of mRNAs via base-pairing with complementary sequences within mRNAs is involved in processes of the complex interaction between immune system and tumors. In this research, we elucidated the profiles of miRNAs and target mRNAs expression and their associations with the phenotypic hallmarks of colorectal cancers (CRC) by integrating transcriptomic, immunophenotype, methylation, mutation and survival data. RESULTS We conducted the analysis of differential miRNA/mRNA expression profile by GEO, TCGA and GTEx databases and the correlation between miRNA and targeted mRNA by miRTarBase and TarBase. Then we detected using qRT-PCR and validated the diagnostic value of miRNA-mRNA regulator pairs by the ROC, calibration curve and DCA. Phenotypic hallmarks of regulatory pairs including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, tumor microenvironment, tumor mutation burden, global methylation and gene mutation were also described. The expression levels of miRNAs and target mRNAs were detected in 80 paired colon tissue samples. Ultimately, we picked up two pivotal regulatory pairs (miR-139-5p/ STC1 and miR-20a-5p/ FGL2) and verified the diagnostic value of the complex model which is the combination of 4 signatures above-mentioned in 3 testing GEO datasets and an external validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS We found that 2 miRNAs by targeting 2 metastasis-related mRNAs were correlated with tumor-infiltrating macrophages, HRAS, and BRAF gene mutation status. Our results established the diagnostic model containing 2 miRNAs and their respective targeted mRNAs to distinguish CRCs and normal controls and displayed their complex roles in CRC pathogenesis especially tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chun Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guoxin Song
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Xingchen Fan
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Shuang Peng
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Science and Technology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Xiangnan Geng
- Department of Clinical Engineer, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Tongshan Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu
| | - Wenfang Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China, Jiangsu.
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7
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Zhu Z, Xuan X, Wang X, Wang M, Meng C, Li Z. Identification of testicular cancer immune infiltrates and novel immune cell subtypes. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:1967-1985. [PMID: 37543714 PMCID: PMC10549230 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13688] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most common type of testicular cancer, comprising 90-95% of cases and representing the most prevalent solid malignancy in young adult men. Immune infiltrates play important regulatory roles in tumors, but their role in TGCT remains unclear. Molecular subtyping is a promising way to provide precisely personalized treatment and avoid unnecessary toxicities. This study investigated immune infiltrates, key biomarkers, and immune subtyping of TGCT. In GSE3218, 24 differentially expressed immune genes (immDEGs) were identified. A new risk signature consisting of six immDEGs was developed using these genes. Individuals in the high-risk group had poor overall survival (OS; hazard ratio of 4.61 and P-value < 0.001). We validated the six-immDEGs risk signature in pure seminoma and mixed TGCT types. Two distinct immune patterns (Cluster 1 and Cluster 2) were identified using the consensusclusterplus, and Cluster 1 possessed an unfavorable OS compared with Cluster 2 (hazard ratio, 2.56; P < 0.001). Cluster 1 patients had significantly lower naive B cells, memory B cells, plasma cells, naive CD4 T cells, gamma delta T cells, and activated dendritic cells than Cluster 2 patients. Genes relating to the WNT signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation, and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity were associated with TGCT. STC1 was elevated in TGCT tissues, and its high expression showed advanced clinicopathological characteristics and poor prognosis of TGCT. Our findings may contribute to an increased understanding of the onset and progression of TGCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Zhu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical UniversityJining Medical UniversityChina
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJiningChina
| | - Xujun Xuan
- Department of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yet‐sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Xinkun Wang
- Department of Andrology, The Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yet‐sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Department of Medical, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical UniversityJining Medical UniversityChina
| | - Chunyang Meng
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical UniversityJining Medical UniversityChina
| | - Zhonghai Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical UniversityJining Medical UniversityChina
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8
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Zhao Z, Li T, Sun L, Yuan Y, Zhu Y. Potential mechanisms of cancer-associated fibroblasts in therapeutic resistance. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115425. [PMID: 37660643 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous improvements in research and new cancer therapeutics, the goal of eradicating cancer remains elusive because of drug resistance. For a long time, drug resistance research has been focused on tumor cells themselves; however, recent studies have found that the tumor microenvironment also plays an important role in inducing drug resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a main component of the tumor microenvironment. They cross-talk with cancer cells to support their survival in the presence of anticancer drugs. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of CAFs in tumor drug resistance. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between CAFs and cancer cells and insight into the importance of CAFs in drug resistance can guide the development of new anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, China.
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9
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Lu Y, Peng R, Dong L, Xia K, Wu R, Xu S, Wang J. Multiomics dynamic learning enables personalized diagnosis and prognosis for pancancer and cancer subtypes. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad378. [PMID: 37889117 PMCID: PMC10605059 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad378] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches in cancer analysis typically utilize a 'one-size-fits-all' methodology characterizing average patient responses. This manner neglects the diverse conditions in the pancancer and cancer subtypes of individual patients, resulting in suboptimal outcomes in diagnosis and treatment. To overcome this limitation, we shift from a blanket application of statistics to a focus on the explicit recognition of patient-specific abnormalities. Our objective is to use multiomics data to empower clinicians with personalized molecular descriptions that allow for customized diagnosis and interventions. Here, we propose a highly trustworthy multiomics learning (HTML) framework that employs multiomics self-adaptive dynamic learning to process each sample with data-dependent architectures and computational flows, ensuring personalized and trustworthy patient-centering of cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Extensive testing on a 33-type pancancer dataset and 12 cancer subtype datasets underscored the superior performance of HTML compared with static-architecture-based methods. Our findings also highlighting the potential of HTML in elucidating complex biological pathogenesis and paving the way for improved patient-specific care in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxing Lu
- Department of Big Data and Biomedical AI, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Peng
- Department of Big Data and Biomedical AI, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingkai Dong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Department of Big Data and Biomedical AI, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Renjie Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Xu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinzhuo Wang
- Department of Big Data and Biomedical AI, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
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10
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Tourkochristou E, Mouzaki A, Triantos C. Gene Polymorphisms and Biological Effects of Vitamin D Receptor on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Development and Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098288. [PMID: 37175993 PMCID: PMC10179740 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, with increasing prevalence worldwide. The genetic and molecular background of NAFLD pathogenesis is not yet clear. The vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) axis is significantly associated with the development and progression of NAFLD. Gene polymorphisms may influence the regulation of the VDR gene, although their biological significance remains to be elucidated. VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD, as they may influence the regulation of adipose tissue activity, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Vitamin D binds to the hepatic VDR to exert its biological functions, either by activating VDR transcriptional activity to regulate gene expression associated with inflammation and fibrosis or by inducing intracellular signal transduction through VDR-mediated activation of Ca2+ channels. VDR activity has protective and detrimental effects on hepatic steatosis, a characteristic feature of NAFLD. Vitamin D-VDR signaling may control the progression of NAFLD by regulating immune responses, lipotoxicity, and fibrogenesis. Elucidation of the genetic and molecular background of VDR in the pathophysiology of NAFLD will provide new therapeutic targets for this disease through the development of VDR agonists, which already showed promising results in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanthia Tourkochristou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Athanasia Mouzaki
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Christos Triantos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, 26504 Patras, Greece
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11
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Zhao Z, Li T, Yuan Y, Zhu Y. What is new in cancer-associated fibroblast biomarkers? Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:96. [PMID: 37143134 PMCID: PMC10158035 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01125-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is one of the important drivers of tumor development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor stroma and actively participate in tumor development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and other biological behaviors. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells, a reflection of the diversity of their origin, biomarkers, and functions. The diversity of CAF origin determines the complexity of CAF biomarkers, and CAF subpopulations expressing different biomarkers may play contrasting roles in tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of these emerging CAF biomarkers and the biological functions that they suggest, which may give a better understanding of the relationship between CAFs and tumor cells and be of great significance for breakthroughs in precision targeted therapy for tumors. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 of Nanjing Road, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China.
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12
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Bai S, Zhao Y, Chen W, Peng W, Wang Y, Xiong S, Li Y, Yang Y, Chen S, Cheng B, Wang R. The stromal-tumor amplifying STC1-Notch1 feedforward signal promotes the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2023; 21:236. [PMID: 37004088 PMCID: PMC10067215 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04085-8] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play crucial roles in tumor stemness. It has been shown in various cancer studies that stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) is secreted by CAFs, however, its function in HCC is still not clear. METHODS The serum concentration and intracellular expression level of STC1 were quantified by ELISA and western blotting, respectively. The role of CAF-derived STC1 in HCC stemness was investigated by sphere formation, sorafenib resistance, colony formation, and transwell migration and invasion assays in vitro and in an orthotopic liver xenograft model in vivo. An HCC tissue microarray containing 72 samples was used to evaluate the expression of STC1 and Notch1 in HCC tissues. Coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to further explore the underlying mechanisms. ELISAs were used to measure the serum concentration of STC1 in HCC patients. RESULTS We demonstrated that CAFs were the main source of STC1 in HCC and that CAF-derived STC1 promoted HCC stemness through activation of the Notch signaling pathway. In HCC patients, the expression of STC1 was positively correlated with Notch1 expression and poor prognosis. The co-IP assay showed that STC1 directly bound to Notch1 receptors to activate the Notch signaling pathway, thereby promoting the stemness of HCC cells. Our data further demonstrated that STC1 was a direct transcriptional target of CSL in HCC cells. Furthermore, ELISA revealed that the serum STC1 concentration was higher in patients with advanced liver cancer than in patients with early liver cancer. CONCLUSIONS CAF-derived STC1 promoted HCC stemness via the Notch1 signaling pathway. STC1 might serve as a potential biomarker for the prognostic assessment of HCC, and the stromal-tumor amplifying STC1-Notch1 feedforward signal could constitute an effective therapeutic target for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuchong Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Wang Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Si Xiong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yilei Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shiru Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Ronghua Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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13
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Bajwa P, Kordylewicz K, Bilecz A, Lastra RR, Wroblewski K, Rinkevich Y, Lengyel E, Kenny HA. Cancer-associated mesothelial cell-derived ANGPTL4 and STC1 promote the early steps of ovarian cancer metastasis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e163019. [PMID: 36795484 PMCID: PMC10070116 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.163019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OvCa) preferentially metastasizes in association with mesothelial cell-lined surfaces. We sought to determine if mesothelial cells are required for OvCa metastasis and detect alterations in mesothelial cell gene expression and cytokine secretion upon interaction with OvCa cells. Using omental samples from patients with high-grade serous OvCa and mouse models with Wt1-driven GFP-expressing mesothelial cells, we validated the intratumoral localization of mesothelial cells during human and mouse OvCa omental metastasis. Removing mesothelial cells ex vivo from human and mouse omenta or in vivo using diphtheria toxin-mediated ablation in Msln-Cre mice significantly inhibited OvCa cell adhesion and colonization. Human ascites induced angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) and stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) expression and secretion by mesothelial cells. Inhibition of STC1 or ANGPTL4 via RNAi obstructed OvCa cell-induced mesothelial cell to mesenchymal transition while inhibition of ANGPTL4 alone obstructed OvCa cell-induced mesothelial cell migration and glycolysis. Inhibition of mesothelial cell ANGPTL4 secretion via RNAi prevented mesothelial cell-induced monocyte migration, endothelial cell vessel formation, and OvCa cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. In contrast, inhibition of mesothelial cell STC1 secretion via RNAi prevented mesothelial cell-induced endothelial cell vessel formation and OvCa cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and invasion. Additionally, blocking ANPTL4 function with Abs reduced the ex vivo colonization of 3 different OvCa cell lines on human omental tissue explants and in vivo colonization of ID8p53-/-Brca2-/- cells on mouse omenta. These findings indicate that mesothelial cells are important to the initial stages of OvCa metastasis and that the crosstalk between mesothelial cells and the tumor microenvironment promotes OvCa metastasis through the secretion of ANGPTL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preety Bajwa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology
| | | | - Agnes Bilecz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology
- Department of Pathology, and
| | | | - Kristen Wroblewski
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yuval Rinkevich
- Institute of Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Lengyel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology
| | - Hilary A. Kenny
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology
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14
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Emerging phagocytosis checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:104. [PMID: 36882399 PMCID: PMC9990587 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, mainly including immune checkpoints-targeted therapy and the adoptive transfer of engineered immune cells, has revolutionized the oncology landscape as it utilizes patients' own immune systems in combating the cancer cells. Cancer cells escape immune surveillance by hijacking the corresponding inhibitory pathways via overexpressing checkpoint genes. Phagocytosis checkpoints, such as CD47, CD24, MHC-I, PD-L1, STC-1 and GD2, have emerged as essential checkpoints for cancer immunotherapy by functioning as "don't eat me" signals or interacting with "eat me" signals to suppress immune responses. Phagocytosis checkpoints link innate immunity and adaptive immunity in cancer immunotherapy. Genetic ablation of these phagocytosis checkpoints, as well as blockade of their signaling pathways, robustly augments phagocytosis and reduces tumor size. Among all phagocytosis checkpoints, CD47 is the most thoroughly studied and has emerged as a rising star among targets for cancer treatment. CD47-targeting antibodies and inhibitors have been investigated in various preclinical and clinical trials. However, anemia and thrombocytopenia appear to be formidable challenges since CD47 is ubiquitously expressed on erythrocytes. Here, we review the reported phagocytosis checkpoints by discussing their mechanisms and functions in cancer immunotherapy, highlight clinical progress in targeting these checkpoints and discuss challenges and potential solutions to smooth the way for combination immunotherapeutic strategies that involve both innate and adaptive immune responses.
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15
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Akiyama T, Yasuda T, Uchihara T, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Tan BJY, Yonemura A, Semba T, Yamasaki J, Komohara Y, Ohnishi K, Wei F, Fu L, Zhang J, Kitamura F, Yamashita K, Eto K, Iwagami S, Tsukamoto H, Umemoto T, Masuda M, Nagano O, Satou Y, Saya H, Tan P, Baba H, Ishimoto T. Stromal Reprogramming through Dual PDGFRα/β Blockade Boosts the Efficacy of Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy in Fibrotic Tumors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:753-770. [PMID: 36543251 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Excess stroma and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) enhance cancer progression and facilitate immune evasion. Insights into the mechanisms by which the stroma manipulates the immune microenvironment could help improve cancer treatment. Here, we aimed to elucidate potential approaches for stromal reprogramming and improved cancer immunotherapy. Platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGFC) and D expression were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer, and PDGF receptor beta (PDGFRβ) was predominantly expressed in diffuse-type gastric cancer stroma. CAFs stimulated with PDGFs exhibited markedly increased expression of CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5, and CXCL8, which are involved in polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell (PMN-MDSC) recruitment. Fibrotic gastric cancer xenograft tumors exhibited increased PMN-MDSC accumulation and decreased lymphocyte infiltration, as well as resistance to anti-PD-1. Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics revealed that PDGFRα/β blockade reversed the immunosuppressive microenvironment through stromal modification. Finally, combining PDGFRα/β blockade and anti-PD-1 treatment synergistically suppressed the growth of fibrotic tumors. These findings highlight the impact of stromal reprogramming on immune reactivation and the potential for combined immunotherapy for patients with fibrotic cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Stromal targeting with PDGFRα/β dual blockade reverses the immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in fibrotic cancer. See related commentary by Tauriello, p. 655.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiko Akiyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tadahito Yasuda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Uchihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Benjy J Y Tan
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsuko Yonemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Semba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Juntaro Yamasaki
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Koji Ohnishi
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Lingfeng Fu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Fumimasa Kitamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kojiro Eto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hirotake Tsukamoto
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Terumasa Umemoto
- Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engineering, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Mari Masuda
- Department of Proteomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Nagano
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Gene Regulation, Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Patrick Tan
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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16
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Dong L, Sun Q, Song F, Song X, Lu C, Li Y, Song X. Identification and verification of eight cancer-associated fibroblasts related genes as a prognostic signature for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14003. [PMID: 36938461 PMCID: PMC10018481 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14003] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can exert their immunosuppressive effects by secreting various effectors that are involved in the regulation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells as well as other immune components in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), thereby promoting tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Although a large number of studies suggest that CAFs play a key regulatory role in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), there are limited studies on the relevance of CAFs to the prognosis of HNSCC. In this study, we identified a prognostic signature containing eight CAF-related genes for HNSCC by univariate Cox analysis, lasso regression, stepwise regression, and multivariate Cox analysis. Our validation in primary cultures of CAFs from human HNSCC and four human HNSCC cell lines confirmed that these eight genes are indeed characteristic markers of CAFs. Immune cell infiltration differences analysis between high-risk and low-risk groups according to the eight CAF-related genes signature hinted at CAFs regulatory roles in the TIME, further revealing its potential role on prognosis. The signature of the eight CAF-related genes was validated in different independent validation cohorts and all showed that it was a valid marker for prognosis. The significantly higher overall survival (OS) in the low-risk group compared to the high-risk group was confirmed by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis, suggesting that the signature of CAF-related genes can be used as a non-invasive predictive tool for HNSCC prognosis. The low-risk group had significantly higher levels of tumor-killing immune cell infiltration, as confirmed by CIBERSORT analysis, such as CD8+ T cells, follicular helper T cells, and Dendritic cells (DCs) in the low-risk group. In contrast, the level of infiltration of pro-tumor cells such as M0 macrophages and activated Mast cells (MCs) was lower. It is crucial to delve into the complex mechanisms between CAFs and immune cells to find potential regulatory targets and may provide new evidence for subsequently targeted immunotherapy. These results suggest that the signature of the eight CAF-related genes is a powerful indicator for the assessment of the TIME of HNSCC. It may provide a new and reliable potential indicator for clinicians to predict the prognosis of HNSCC, which may be used to guide treatment and clinical decision-making in HNSCC patients. Meanwhile, CAF-related genes are expected to become tumor biomarkers and effective targets for HNSCC.
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Key Words
- CAFs, Cancer-associated fibroblasts
- CSCs, cancer stem cells
- Cancer-associated fibroblasts
- DCs, Dendritic cells
- EMT, epithelial mesenchymal transition
- GEO, Gene Expression Omnibus
- GEPIA, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis
- GO, Gene Ontology
- GSEA, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis
- HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- HR, Hazard Ratio
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- Immune cell infiltration
- K-M, Kaplan-Meier
- KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
- MCs, Mast cells
- NFs, normal fibroblasts
- OS, overall survival
- OSCC, oral squamous cell carcinomas
- Prognostic signature
- ROC, receiver operating characteristic
- TAMs, tumor-associated macrophages
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TIME, tumor immune microenvironment
- TME, tumor microenvironment
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Dong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Fei Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Congxian Lu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
- Corresponding author. Yumei Li: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, No.20, Yuhuangding East Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China.
| | - Xicheng Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
- Corresponding author. Xicheng Song: Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, No.20, Yuhuangding East Road, Zhifu District, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, China.
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17
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Sarkar M, Nguyen T, Gundre E, Ogunlusi O, El-Sobky M, Giri B, Sarkar TR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: The chief architect in the tumor microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1089068. [PMID: 36793444 PMCID: PMC9923123 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1089068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in malignancy and therapeutic resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major players in tumor stroma. The heterogeneous sources of origin and subsequent impacts of crosstalk with breast cancer cells flaunt serious challenges before current therapies to cure triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other cancers. The positive and reciprocal feedback of CAFs to induce cancer cells dictates their mutual synergy in establishing malignancy. Their substantial role in creating a tumor-promoting niche has reduced the efficacy of several anti-cancer treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Over the years, there has been an emphasis on understanding CAF-induced therapeutic resistance in order to enhance cancer therapy results. CAFs, in the majority of cases, employ crosstalk, stromal management, and other strategies to generate resilience in surrounding tumor cells. This emphasizes the significance of developing novel strategies that target particular tumor-promoting CAF subpopulations, which will improve treatment sensitivity and impede tumor growth. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the origin and heterogeneity of CAFs, their role in tumor progression, and altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents in breast cancer. In addition, we also discuss the potential and possible approaches for CAF-mediated therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinmoy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States,Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Tristan Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Esheksha Gundre
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Olajumoke Ogunlusi
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Mohanad El-Sobky
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Biplab Giri
- Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, English Bazar, India,*Correspondence: Biplab Giri, ; Tapasree Roy Sarkar,
| | - Tapasree Roy Sarkar
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Biplab Giri, ; Tapasree Roy Sarkar,
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18
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Cheng B, Yu Q, Wang W. Intimate communications within the tumor microenvironment: stromal factors function as an orchestra. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:1. [PMID: 36600243 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00894-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive studies of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the last decade have reformed the view of cancer as a tumor cell-centric disease. The tumor microenvironment, especially termed the "seed and soil" theory, has emerged as the key determinant in cancer development and therapeutic resistance. The TME mainly consists of tumor cells, stromal cells such as fibroblasts, immune cells, and other noncellular components. Within the TME, intimate communications among these components largely determine the fate of the tumor. The pivotal roles of the stroma, especially cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most common component within the TME, have been revealed in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, therapeutic response, and tumor immunity. A better understanding of the function of the TME sheds light on tumor therapy. In this review, we summarize the emerging understanding of stromal factors, especially CAFs, in cancer progression, drug resistance, and tumor immunity with an emphasis on their functions in epigenetic regulation. Moreover, the importance of epigenetic regulation in reshaping the TME and the basic biological principles underpinning the synergy between epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy will be further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Research Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Research Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Cancer Precision Medicine, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Biopolis, Singapore. .,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Wenyu Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Research Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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19
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Fotsitzoudis C, Koulouridi A, Messaritakis I, Konstantinidis T, Gouvas N, Tsiaoussis J, Souglakos J. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: The Origin, Biological Characteristics and Role in Cancer-A Glance on Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184394. [PMID: 36139552 PMCID: PMC9497276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor microenvironment is a major contributor to tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy. It consists of many cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which derive from different types of cells. CAFs detected in different tumor types are linked to poor prognosis, as in the case of colorectal cancer. Although their functions differ according to their subtype, their detection is not easy, and there are no established markers for such detection. They are possible targets for therapeutic treatment. Many trials are ongoing for their use as a prognostic factor and as a treatment target. More research remains to be carried out to establish their role in prognosis and treatment. Abstract The therapeutic approaches to cancer remain a considerable target for all scientists around the world. Although new cancer treatments are an everyday phenomenon, cancer still remains one of the leading mortality causes. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains in this category, although patients with CRC may have better survival compared with other malignancies. Not only the tumor but also its environment, what we call the tumor microenvironment (TME), seem to contribute to cancer progression and resistance to therapy. TME consists of different molecules and cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are a major component. They arise from normal fibroblasts and other normal cells through various pathways. Their role seems to contribute to cancer promotion, participating in tumorigenesis, proliferation, growth, invasion, metastasis and resistance to treatment. Different markers, such as a-SMA, FAP, PDGFR-β, periostin, have been used for the detection of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Their detection is important for two main reasons; research has shown that their existence is correlated with prognosis, and they are already under evaluation as a possible target for treatment. However, extensive research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Fotsitzoudis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Asimina Koulouridi
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ippokratis Messaritakis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-394926
| | | | | | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Souglakos
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
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20
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Zhao F, Yang G, Qiu J, Liu Y, Tao J, Chen G, Su D, You L, Zheng L, Zhang T, Zhao Y. HIF-1α-regulated stanniocalcin-1 mediates gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:839-850. [PMID: 35785493 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor response to the first-line chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. We previously identified stanniocalcin-1 as a gemcitabine-resistant-related gene, but its specific role and function in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to evaluate differential protein and mRNA expressions. The biological functions of genes were determined using proliferation and drug-resistance experiments. Subcutaneous tumorigenesis experiment was performed on nude mice. Prognostic analysis was performed using public databases and our clinical data. We found HIF-1α-regulated STC1 expression mediated chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer. Deeper, we explored the action mechanism of STC1 and identified PI3K/AKT as the downstream signaling pathway of STC1. Furthermore, we analyzed clinical data and found that STC1 expression was related to the prognosis of gemcitabine-treated patients after surgery. In general, we proved the HIF-1α/STC1/PI3K-AKT axis participated in PDAC progression and chemoresistance, and STC1 may serve as a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyu Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangdong Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yueze Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxin Tao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Su
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lianfang Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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21
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Tilsed CM, Fisher SA, Nowak AK, Lake RA, Lesterhuis WJ. Cancer chemotherapy: insights into cellular and tumor microenvironmental mechanisms of action. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960317. [PMID: 35965519 PMCID: PMC9372369 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy has historically been the mainstay of cancer treatment, but our understanding of what drives a successful therapeutic response remains limited. The diverse response of cancer patients to chemotherapy has been attributed principally to differences in the proliferation rate of the tumor cells, but there is actually very little experimental data supporting this hypothesis. Instead, other mechanisms at the cellular level and the composition of the tumor microenvironment appear to drive chemotherapy sensitivity. In particular, the immune system is a critical determinant of chemotherapy response with the depletion or knock-out of key immune cell populations or immunological mediators completely abrogating the benefits of chemotherapy in pre-clinical models. In this perspective, we review the literature regarding the known mechanisms of action of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents and the determinants of response to chemotherapy from the level of individual cells to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. We then summarize current work toward the development of dynamic biomarkers for response and propose a model for a chemotherapy sensitive tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. Tilsed
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Scott A. Fisher
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Anna K. Nowak
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Richard A. Lake
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - W. Joost Lesterhuis
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: W. Joost Lesterhuis,
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22
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts strengthen cell proliferation and EGFR TKIs resistance through aryl hydrocarbon receptor dependent signals in non-small cell lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:764. [PMID: 35831824 PMCID: PMC9281029 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09877-7] [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: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a dynamic cellular milieu that interacts with cancer cells and promotes tumor progression and metastasis. However, the specific mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment impacts cancer cells’ behaviors remain poorly understood. In this study, enriched cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were observed in tumor tissues isolated from epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CAFs isolated from tumor tissues were capable of producing tryptophan metabolite kynurenine (Kyn), which significantly increased the proliferation and EGFR TKIs resistance of NSCLC cells. In this study, it was further observed that the activation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) in CAFs, resulted in the enhanced capability of tryptophan metabolism in them compared to normal fibroblasts. As a result, Kyn produced by CAFs facilitated the up-regulation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) signals in NSCLC, thereby resulting in the downstream ATK and ERK signaling pathways activation. Finally, inhibition of AhR signals efficiently prevented tumor growth and development of EGFR TKIs resistance, eventually improved the outcome of EGFR TKIs, and described a promising therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.
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23
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Regulation of Stanniocalcin Secretion by Calcium and PTHrP in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata). BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060863. [PMID: 35741384 PMCID: PMC9219694 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Calcium balance is of paramount importance for vertebrates. In fish, the endocrine modulators of calcium homeostasis include the stanniocalcin (STC), and some members of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) family, such as the PTH-related protein (PTHrP), acting as antagonists. STC is ubiquitously expressed in higher vertebrates. In turn, bony fish exhibit specific STC-producing glands named the corpuscles of Stannius (CS). Previous studies pointed to a calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) involvement in the secretion of STC, but little is known of the involvement of other putative regulators. The CS provides a unique model to deepen the study of STC secretion. We developed an ex vivo assay to culture CS of fish and a competitive ELISA method to measure STC concentrations. As expected, STC released from the CS responds to CaSR stimulation by calcium, calcimimetics, and calcilytic drugs. Moreover, we uncover the presence (by PCR) of two PTHrP receptors in the CS, e.g., PTH1R and PTH3R. Thus, ex vivo incubations revealed a dose-response inhibition of STC secretion in response to PTHrP at basal Ca2+ concentrations. This inhibition is achieved through specific and reversible second messenger pathways (transmembrane adenylyl cyclases and phospholipase C), as the use of specific inhibitors highlights. Together, these results provide evidence for endocrine modulation between two antagonist hormones, STC and PTHrP.
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24
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Hu D, Li Z, Zheng B, Lin X, Pan Y, Gong P, Zhuo W, Hu Y, Chen C, Chen L, Zhou J, Wang L. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer: Challenges and opportunities. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:401-434. [PMID: 35481621 PMCID: PMC9118050 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is proposed to contribute substantially to the progression of cancers, including breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment. Studies have revealed that CAFs in breast cancer originate from several types of cells and promote breast cancer malignancy by secreting factors, generating exosomes, releasing nutrients, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and suppressing the function of immune cells. CAFs are also becoming therapeutic targets for breast cancer due to their specific distribution in tumors and their unique biomarkers. Agents interrupting the effect of CAFs on surrounding cells have been developed and applied in clinical trials. Here, we reviewed studies examining the heterogeneity of CAFs in breast cancer and expression patterns of CAF markers in different subtypes of breast cancer. We hope that summarizing CAF-related studies from a historical perspective will help to accelerate the development of CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengdi Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqing Li
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Xixi Lin
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yuehong Pan
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Peirong Gong
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Wenying Zhuo
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China.,Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Cong Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Lini Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Jichun Zhou
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Linbo Wang
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
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25
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Diverse roles of tumor-stromal PDGFB-to-PDGFRβ signaling in breast cancer growth and metastasis. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 154:93-140. [PMID: 35459473 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the last couple of decades, it has become increasingly apparent that the tumor microenvironment (TME) mediates every step of cancer progression and solid tumors are only able to metastasize with a permissive TME. This intricate interaction of cancer cells with their surrounding TME, or stroma, is becoming more understood with an ever greater knowledge of tumor-stromal signaling pairs such as platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) and their cognate receptors. We and others have focused our research efforts on understanding how tumor-derived PDGFB activates platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) signaling specifically in the breast cancer TME. In this chapter, we broadly discuss PDGF and PDGFR expression patterns and signaling in normal physiology and breast cancer. We then detail the expansive roles played by the PDGFB-to-PDGFRβ signaling pathway in modulating breast tumor growth and metastasis with a focus on specific cellular populations within the TME, which are responsive to tumor-derived PDGFB. Given the increasingly appreciated importance of PDGFB-to-PDGFRβ signaling in breast cancer progression, specifically in promoting metastasis, we end by discussing how therapeutic targeting of PDGFB-to-PDGFRβ signaling holds great promise for improving current breast cancer treatment strategies.
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26
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Feng W, Zhang Y, Liu W, Wang X, Lei T, Yuan Y, Chen Z, Song W. A Prognostic Model Using Immune-Related Genes for Colorectal Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:813043. [PMID: 35252182 PMCID: PMC8893267 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.813043] [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: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence suggesting that immune genes play pivotal roles in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Colorectal carcinoma patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were randomly classified into a training set, a test set, and an external validation set. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analyses, univariate Cox regression, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to identify survival-associated immune genes and develop a prognosis model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate the discrimination of the risk models. The model genes predicted were verified using the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases, colorectal cell lines, and fresh CRC and adjacent tissues. To understand the relationship between IRGs and immune invasion and the TME, we analyzed the content of immune cells and scored the TME using CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms. Finally, we predicted the potential sensitive chemotherapeutic drugs in different risk score groups by the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC). A total of 491 IRGs were screened, and 14 IRGs were identified to be significantly related to overall survival (OS) and applied to construct an immune-related gene (IRG) prognostic signature (IRGSig) for CRC patients. Calibration plots showed that nomograms have powerful predictive ability. PCA and ROC analysis further verified the predictive value of this fourteen-gene prognostic model in three independent databases. Furthermore, we discovered that the tumor microenvironment changed significantly during the tumor development process, from early to middle to late stage, which may be an essential factor for tumor deterioration. Finally, we selected six commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs that have the potential to be useful in the treatment of CRC. Altogether, immune genes were used to construct a prognosis model for CRC patients, and a variety of methods were used to test the accuracy of this model. In addition, we explored the immune mechanisms of CRC through immune cell infiltration and TME in CRC. Furthermore, we assessed the therapeutic sensitivity of many commonly used chemotherapeutic medicines in individuals with varying risk factors. Finally, the immune risk model and immune mechanism of CRC were thoroughly investigated in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Feng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongxin Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenwei Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianxiang Lei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zehong Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wu Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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27
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Chan KKS, Hon TC, Au KY, Choi HL, Wong DKH, Chan ACY, Yuen MF, Lai CL, Lo RCL. Stanniocalcin 1 is a serum biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HBV-associated liver fibrosis. J Pathol 2022; 257:227-238. [PMID: 35122667 DOI: 10.1002/path.5880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1), a secreted protein, is upregulated in human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While most HCCs develop from chronic liver disease which involves progressive parenchymal injury and fibrosis, the role of STC1 in this pre-neoplastic stage remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the clinical relevance and functional significance of secreted STC1 in liver fibrosis. To this end, STC1 level was determined in the serum samples of chronic hepatitis B patients and correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. Diagnostic performance of STC1 was analysed by area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. The results were compared with other well-characterised serum biomarkers for liver fibrosis, aspartate transaminase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4). The functional role of STC1 was interrogated by in vitro experiments using cell line models. Expression of fibrogenic markers was quantified by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Our results showed that serum STC1 level in chronic hepatitis B patients was positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis and showed a stepwise increase in accordance with the severity of fibrosis. The AUROCs for detecting significant fibrosis (>9.0 kPa) and cirrhosis (>12.0 kPa) was 0.911 and 0.880, respectively. STC1 demonstrated a superior specificity and positive predictive value when compared to APRI and FIB-4. Consistent with this, STC1 was elevated in the liver tissues and sera of CCl4 -treated mice showing marked liver fibrosis. In vitro, STC1 was secreted by the human hepatic stellate cell line LX2. Human recombinant STC1 (rhSTC1) induced expression of fibrogenic markers in LX2 cells. The pro-fibrogenic phenotype conferred by rhSTC1 or TGF-β1 in LX2 cells could be attenuated using anti-STC1 antibody. Taken together, STC1 is a specific serum biomarker for HBV-associated liver fibrosis. STC1 functionally promotes liver fibrogenesis and is a potential actionable target. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tsz-Chun Hon
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwan-Yung Au
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiu-Lam Choi
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research (The University of Hong Kong), Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Albert Chi-Yan Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research (The University of Hong Kong), Hong Kong, China.,Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research (The University of Hong Kong), Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ching-Lung Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research (The University of Hong Kong), Hong Kong, China.,Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research (The University of Hong Kong), Hong Kong, China
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28
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Avalle L, Raggi L, Monteleone E, Savino A, Viavattene D, Statello L, Camperi A, Stabile SA, Salemme V, De Marzo N, Marino F, Guglielmi C, Lobascio A, Zanini C, Forni M, Incarnato D, Defilippi P, Oliviero S, Poli V. STAT3 induces breast cancer growth via ANGPTL4, MMP13 and STC1 secretion by cancer associated fibroblasts. Oncogene 2022; 41:1456-1467. [PMID: 35042959 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02172-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment, Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) become activated by cancer cells and increase their secretory activity to produce soluble factors that contribute to tumor cells proliferation, invasion and dissemination to distant organs. The pro-tumorigenic transcription factor STAT3 and its canonical inducer, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, act conjunctly in a positive feedback loop that maintains high levels of IL-6 secretion and STAT3 activation in both tumor and stromal cells. Here, we demonstrate that STAT3 is essential for the pro-tumorigenic functions of murine breast cancer CAFs both in vitro and in vivo, and identify a STAT3 signature significantly enriched for genes encoding for secreted proteins. Among these, ANGPTL4, MMP13 and STC-1 were functionally validated as STAT3-dependent mediators of CAF pro-tumorigenic functions by different approaches. Both in vitro and in vivo CAFs activities were moreover impaired by MMP13 inhibition, supporting the feasibility of a therapeutic approach based on inhibiting STAT3-induced CAF-secreted proteins. The clinical potential of such an approach is supported by the observation that an equivalent CAF-STAT3 signature in humans is expressed at high levels in breast cancer stromal cells and characterizes patients with a shorter disease specific survival, including those with basal-like disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Avalle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.
| | - Laura Raggi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.,San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Monteleone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Aurora Savino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Daniele Viavattene
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Luisa Statello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pio XII 55 Ave, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Andrea Camperi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Aversano Stabile
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salemme
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Niccolò De Marzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Marino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Guglielmi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Section of Molecular Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Lobascio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Cristina Zanini
- BioAir SPA Scientific Department, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Forni
- BioAir SPA Scientific Department, Via Nizza, 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Danny Incarnato
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paola Defilippi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oliviero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Poli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.
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29
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Xu H, Pan Y. A prognostic fibroblast-related risk signature in colorectal cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:24251-24270. [PMID: 34735373 PMCID: PMC8610139 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203677] [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: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. The accessibility of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus data allows the prognostic evaluation of CRC. Fibroblasts play a key role in the development and progression of tumors while fibroblast-related risk signature in CRC patients has rarely been mentioned. In this study, TCGA data was classified into high-fibroblast and low-fibroblast groups according to the median of fibroblast content. Among 3845 differentially expressed genes between two groups, 14 prognostic genes commonly expressed in GSE39582 and TCGA were identified by LASSO-COX analysis. Then we established a fibroblast-related risk signature in TCGA training group and validated in the GSE39582 testing group. The risk score was significantly associated with the overall survival (OS), and the poor prognosis of patients in high-risk group might relate to the immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix related processes. Overall, we proved that the fibroblast-related signature could predict the prognosis of patients which might shed light on the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xu
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China.,Translational Cancer Research Center, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Yisheng Pan
- Division of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
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30
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Deng L, Jiang N, Zeng J, Wang Y, Cui H. The Versatile Roles of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Cancer and Therapeutic Implications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:733270. [PMID: 34660589 PMCID: PMC8517274 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.733270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is populated by abundant cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that radically influence the disease progression across many cancers, including the colorectal cancer (CRC). In theory, targeting CAFs holds great potential in optimizing CRC treatment. However, attempts to translate the therapeutic benefit of CAFs into clinic practice face many obstacles, largely due to our limited understanding of the heterogeneity in their origins, functions, and mechanisms. In recent years, accumulating evidence has uncovered some cellular precursors and molecular markers of CAFs and also revealed their versatility in impacting various hallmarks of CRC, together helping us to better define the population of CAFs and also paving the way toward their future therapeutic targeting for CRC treatment. In this review, we outline the emerging concept of CAFs in CRC, with an emphasis on their origins, biomarkers, prognostic significance, as well as their functional roles and underlying mechanisms in CRC biology. At last, we discuss the prospect of harnessing CAFs as promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Deng
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nianfen Jiang
- Health Management Center, Southwest University Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Department of General Surgery, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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31
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Organ Specificity and Heterogeneity of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010973. [PMID: 34681633 PMCID: PMC8540283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts constitute a ubiquitous mesenchymal cell type and produce the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissue, thereby providing the structural basis of various organs. Fibroblasts display differential transcriptional patterns unique to the organ of their origin and they can be activated by common stimuli such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) reside in the cancer tissue and contribute to cancer progression by influencing cancer cell growth, invasion, angiogenesis and tumor immunity. CAFs impact on the tumor microenvironment by remodeling the ECM and secreting soluble factors such as chemokines and growth factors. Differential expression patterns of molecular markers suggest heterogeneous features of CAFs in terms of their function, pathogenic role and cellular origin. Recent studies elucidated the bimodal action of CAFs on cancer progression and suggest a subgroup of CAFs with tumor-suppressive effects. This review attempts to describe cellular features of colorectal CAFs with an emphasis on their heterogeneity and functional diversity.
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32
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Ansardamavandi A, Tafazzoli-Shadpour M. The functional cross talk between cancer cells and cancer associated fibroblasts from a cancer mechanics perspective. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119103. [PMID: 34293346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The function of biological tissues in health and disease is regulated at cellular level and is highly influenced by the physical microenvironment, through the interaction of forces between cells and ECM, which are perceived through mechanosensing pathways. In cancer, both chemical and physical signaling cascades and their interactions are involved during cell-cell and cell-ECM communications to meet requirements of tumor growth. Among stroma cells, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key role in tumor growth and pave the way for cancer cells to initiate metastasis and invasion to other tissues, and without recruitment of CAFs, the process of cancer invasion is dysfunctional. This is through an intense chemical and physical cross talks with tumor cells, and interactive remodeling of ECM. During such interaction CAFs apply traction forces and depending on the mechanical properties, deform ECM and in return receive physical signals from the micromechanical environment. Such interaction leads to ECM remodeling by manipulating ECM structure and its mechanical properties. The results are in form of deposition of extra fibers, stiffening, rearrangement and reorganization of fibrous structure, and degradation which are due to a complex secretion and expression of different markers triggered by mechanosensing of tumor cells, specially CAFs. Such events define cancer progress and invasion of cancer cells. A systemic knowledge of chemical and physical factors provides a holistic view of how cancer process and enhances the current treatment methods to provide more diversity among targets that involves tumor cells and ECM structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Ansardamavandi
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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33
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Gunaydin G. CAFs Interacting With TAMs in Tumor Microenvironment to Enhance Tumorigenesis and Immune Evasion. Front Oncol 2021; 11:668349. [PMID: 34336660 PMCID: PMC8317617 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.668349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are among the most important and abundant players of the tumor microenvironment. CAFs as well as TAMs are known to play pivotal supportive roles in tumor growth and progression. The number of CAF or TAM cells is mostly correlated with poor prognosis. Both CAFs and TAMs are in a reciprocal communication with the tumor cells in the tumor milieu. In addition to such interactions, CAFs and TAMs are also involved in a dynamic and reciprocal interrelationship with each other. Both CAFs and TAMs are capable of altering each other's functions. Here, the current understanding of the distinct mechanisms about the complex interplay between CAFs and TAMs are summarized. In addition, the consequences of such a mutual relationship especially for tumor progression and tumor immune evasion are highlighted, focusing on the synergistic pleiotropic effects. CAFs and TAMs are crucial components of the tumor microenvironment; thus, they may prove to be potential therapeutic targets. A better understanding of the tri-directional interactions of CAFs, TAMs and cancer cells in terms of tumor progression will pave the way for the identification of novel theranostic cues in order to better target the crucial mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurcan Gunaydin
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
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34
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Dzobo K, Dandara C. Architecture of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Microenvironment: Mapping Their Origins, Heterogeneity, and Role in Cancer Therapy Resistance. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2021; 24:314-339. [PMID: 32496970 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2020.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The tumor stroma, a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), is a key determinant of response and resistance to cancer treatment. The stromal cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), and blood vessels influence cancer cell response to therapy and play key roles in tumor relapse and therapeutic outcomes. Of the stromal cells present in the TME, much attention has been given to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as they are the most abundant and important in cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. Besides releasing several factors, CAFs also synthesize the ECM, a key component of the tumor stroma. In this expert review, we examine the role of CAFs in the regulation of tumor cell behavior and reveal how CAF-derived factors and signaling influence tumor cell heterogeneity and development of novel strategies to combat cancer. Importantly, CAFs display both phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, with significant ramifications on CAF-directed therapies. Principal anti-cancer therapies targeting CAFs take the form of: (1) CAFs' ablation through use of immunotherapies, (2) re-education of CAFs to normalize the cells, (3) cellular therapies involving CAFs delivering drugs such as oncolytic adenoviruses, and (4) stromal depletion via targeting the ECM and its related signaling. The CAFs' heterogeneity could be a result of different cellular origins and the cancer-specific tumor microenvironmental effects, underscoring the need for further multiomics and biochemical studies on CAFs and the subsets. Lastly, we present recent advances in therapeutic targeting of CAFs and the success of such endeavors or their lack thereof. We recommend that to advance global public health and personalized medicine, treatments in the oncology clinic should be combinatorial in nature, strategically targeting both cancer cells and stromal cells, and their interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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35
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Strell C, Folkvaljon D, Holmberg E, Schiza A, Thurfjell V, Karlsson P, Bergh J, Bremer T, Akslen LA, Wärnberg F, Östman A. High PDGFRb Expression Predicts Resistance to Radiotherapy in DCIS within the SweDCIS Randomized Trial. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:3469-3477. [PMID: 33952629 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-4300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study analyzes the potential of stromal platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRb) expression as biomarker for radiotherapy (RT) benefit on ipsilateral breast events (IBE) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Improved identification of DCIS patients refractory to adjuvant whole-breast RT is needed. Predictive biomarker studies in DCIS have focused on tumor cell features rather than the tumor-associated stroma, despite growing evidence of its influence on therapy efficiency. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Samples from the Swedish randomized radiotherapy DCIS trial (SweDCIS) were subjected to IHC analysis for stromal PDGFRb expression. IBE incidence at 10 years after breast-conserving surgery was the primary endpoint. Interactions between marker and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS PDGFRb score was predictive for RT benefit with regard to IBE (P interaction = 0.002 and P interaction = 0.008 adjusted multivariably). Patients of the PDGFRblow group had a strong benefit from RT regarding IBE risk [HR, 0.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-0.45; P < 0.001] with an absolute risk reduction of 21% (cumulative risk 7% vs. 28%) at 10 years. No significant risk reduction by RT was observed for patients of the PDGFRbhigh group (HR, 0.83; 0.51-1.34; P = 0.444; cumulative risk 22% vs. 25%). The RT response-predictive effect of stromal PDGFRb was equally strong in analyses for in situ and invasive IBE when analyzed separately (in situ IBE: P = 0.029; invasive IBE: P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest high stromal PDGFRb expression as a novel biomarker identifying DCIS patients who are refractory to standard whole-breast adjuvant RT. The data imply previously unrecognized fibroblast-mediated modulation of radiosensitivity of DCIS, which should be further explored from mechanistic and targeting perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Strell
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dick Folkvaljon
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Holmberg
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Aglaia Schiza
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Viktoria Thurfjell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Karlsson
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bergh
- Karolinska Institutet and Breast Cancer Section, Cancer Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Public Health, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lars A Akslen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Fredrik Wärnberg
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Arne Östman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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36
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Yang M, Wei Z, Feng M, Zhu Y, Chen Y, Zhu D. Pharmacological Inhibition and Genetic Knockdown of BCL9 Modulate the Cellular Landscape of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Tumor-Immune Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:603556. [PMID: 34026600 PMCID: PMC8131873 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.603556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) exert a key role in cancer progression and liver metastasis. They are activated in the tumor microenvironment (TME), but their prometastatic mechanisms are not defined. CAFs are abundant in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is not clear whether they are raised from local tissue-resident fibroblasts or pericryptal fibroblasts and distant fibroblast precursors, and whether they may stimulate metastasis-promoting communication. B-cell lymphoma 9/B-cell lymphoma 9-like (BCL9/BCL9L) is the key transcription cofactor of β-catenin. We studied the TME of CRC with single-cell sequencing and consequently found that Bcl9 depletion caused a pro-tumor effect of CAFs, while inhibition of abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signal through Bcl9 depletion benefited T-cell–mediated antitumor immune responses. We also identified and evaluated four types of CAFs in CRC with liver metastasis. In summary, we demonstrate cell type landscape and transcription difference upon BCL9 suppression in CAFs, as well as how CAF affects cancer associated immune surveillance by inhibition of Wnt signaling. Targeting the Wnt signaling pathway via modulating CAF may be a potential therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxuan Yang
- Central Hospital of Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Huai'an Second People's Hospital and the Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Di Zhu
- Central Hospital of Minhang District, Shanghai, China.,New Drug Evaluation Center, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan, China
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37
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Zhang Y, Wu Q, Liu J, An X, Cao B. Circ-140/chi-miR-8516/ STC1- MMP1 Regulates αs1-/β-Casein Secretion and Lipid Formation in Goat Mammary Epithelial Cells. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050671. [PMID: 33946970 PMCID: PMC8146108 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs play an essential role in mammary gland development, and involution is a factor that limits lactation. Chi-miR-8516 is one of the validated microRNAs that regulates the expression of STC1 and MMP1, which surge during the involution of the mammary gland. This study aims to explore the direct or indirect regulation of STC1 and MMP1 by chi-miR-8516 and the regulation of chi-miR-8516 by circ-140. In goat mammary epithelial cells, we found that chi-miR-8516 takes circ-140 as a sponge and regulates MMP1 expression by targeting STC1 and promoting the phosphorylation of MAPK. The examination of αs1-/β-casein and lipid showed the modulation of the circ-140/chi-miR-8516/STC1-MMP1 axis in casein secretion and lipid formation, which was regulated by the phosphorylation of mTOR and STAT5. This study illustrates an axis that regulates the synthesis of milk components, and explores the pathways in which the axis participates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (J.L.); (X.A.)
| | - Qiong Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (J.L.); (X.A.)
- Medical College, Qinghai University, Xining 810001, China
| | - Jidan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (J.L.); (X.A.)
| | - Xiaopeng An
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (J.L.); (X.A.)
| | - Binyun Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.W.); (J.L.); (X.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-29-87092102
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38
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Abe K, Kanehira M, Ohkouchi S, Kumata S, Suzuki Y, Oishi H, Noda M, Sakurada A, Miyauchi E, Fujiwara T, Harigae H, Okada Y. Targeting stanniocalcin-1-expressing tumor cells elicits efficient antitumor effects in a mouse model of human lung cancer. Cancer Med 2021; 10:3085-3100. [PMID: 33826244 PMCID: PMC8085941 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer‐related death in developed countries; therefore, the generation of effective targeted therapeutic regimens is essential. Recently, gene therapy approaches toward malignant cells have emerged as attractive molecular therapeutics. Previous studies have indicated that stanniocalcin‐1 (STC‐1), a hormone involved in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, positively regulates proliferation, apoptosis resistance, and glucose metabolism in lung cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated if targeting STC‐1 in tumor cells could be a promising strategy for lung cancer gene therapy. We confirmed that STC‐1 levels in peripheral blood were higher in lung cancer patients than in healthy donors and that STC‐1 expression was observed in five out of eight lung cancer cell lines. A vector expressing a suicide gene, uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT), under the control of the STC‐1 promoter, was constructed (pPSTC‐1‐UPRT) and transfected into three STC‐1‐positive cell lines, PC‐9, A549, and H1299. When stably transfected, we observed significant cell growth inhibition using 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) treatment. Furthermore, growth of the STC‐1‐negative lung cancer cell line, LK‐2 was significantly arrested when combined with STC‐1‐positive cells transfected with pPSTC‐1‐UPRT. We believe that conferring cytotoxicity in STC‐1‐positive lung cancer cells using a suicide gene may be a useful therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Abe
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kanehira
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Center for Life Science Research, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Japan
| | - Shinya Ohkouchi
- Department of Occupational Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Sakiko Kumata
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yamato Suzuki
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hisashi Oishi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masafumi Noda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akira Sakurada
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eisaku Miyauchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tohru Fujiwara
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hideo Harigae
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Okada
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Wang G, Zhang M, Cheng M, Wang X, Li K, Chen J, Chen Z, Chen S, Chen J, Xiong G, Xu X, Wang C, Chen D. Tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Functions and regulatory mechanisms. Cancer Lett 2021; 507:55-69. [PMID: 33741424 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment has been recently reported to play a pivotal role in sustaining tumor cells survival and protecting them from immunotherapy and chemotherapy-induced death. It remains largely unknown how the specific signaling pathway exerts the tumor microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma though previous studies have elucidated the regulatory mechanisms involve in tumor immune microenvironment, stromal cells, tumor angiogenesis and cancer stem cell. These components are responsible for tumor progression as well as anti-cancer therapy resistance, leading to rapid tumor growth and treatment failure. In this review, we focus on discussing the interaction between tumor cells and the surrounding components for better understanding of anti-cancer treatment ineffectiveness and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganping Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Maosheng Cheng
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Kang Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jianwen Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Gan Xiong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Xiuyun Xu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Demeng Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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40
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Koustoulidou S, Hoorens MWH, Dalm SU, Mahajan S, Debets R, Seimbille Y, de Jong M. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts as Players in Cancer Development and Progression and Their Role in Targeted Radionuclide Imaging and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1100. [PMID: 33806468 PMCID: PMC7961537 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) form a major component of the tumour microenvironment, they have a complex origin and execute diverse functions in tumour development and progression. As such, CAFs constitute an attractive target for novel therapeutic interventions that will aid both diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. There are, however, a few limitations in reaching successful translation of CAF targeted interventions from bench to bedside. Several approaches targeting CAFs have been investigated so far and a few CAF-targeting tracers have successfully been developed and applied. This includes tracers targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) on CAFs. A number of FAP-targeting tracers have shown great promise in the clinic. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the functional heterogeneity and biology of CAFs in cancer. Moreover, we highlight the latest developments towards theranostic applications that will help tumour characterization, radioligand therapy and staging in cancers with a distinct CAF population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Koustoulidou
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.W.H.H.); (S.U.D.); (Y.S.); (M.d.J.)
| | - Mark W. H. Hoorens
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.W.H.H.); (S.U.D.); (Y.S.); (M.d.J.)
| | - Simone U. Dalm
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.W.H.H.); (S.U.D.); (Y.S.); (M.d.J.)
| | - Shweta Mahajan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (R.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Reno Debets
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (R.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Yann Seimbille
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.W.H.H.); (S.U.D.); (Y.S.); (M.d.J.)
| | - Marion de Jong
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.W.H.H.); (S.U.D.); (Y.S.); (M.d.J.)
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Strell C, Stenmark Tullberg A, Jetne Edelmann R, Akslen LA, Malmström P, Fernö M, Holmberg E, Östman A, Karlsson P. Prognostic and predictive impact of stroma cells defined by PDGFRb expression in early breast cancer: results from the randomized SweBCG91RT trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2021; 187:45-55. [PMID: 33661437 PMCID: PMC8062362 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-021-06136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Predictive biomarkers are needed to aid the individualization of radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts have been implicated in tumor radioresistance and can be identified by platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRb). This study aims to analyze how PDGFRb expression affects RT benefit in a large randomized RT trial. Methods PDGFRb was assessed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays from 989 tumors of the SweBCG91RT trial, which enrolled lymph node-negative, stage I/IIA breast cancer patients randomized to RT after breast-conserving surgery. Outcomes were analyzed at 10 years for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and any recurrence and 15 years for breast cancer specific death (BCSD). Results PDGFRb expression correlated with estrogen receptor negativity and younger age. An increased risk for any recurrence was noted in univariable analysis for the medium (HR 1.58, CI 95% 1.11–2.23, p = 0.011) or PDGFRb high group (1.49, 1.06–2.10, p = 0.021) compared to the low group. No differences in IBTR or BCSD risk were detected. RT benefit regarding IBTR risk was significant in the PDGFRb low (0.29, 0.12–0.67, p = 0.004) and medium (0.31, 0.16–0.59, p < 0.001) groups but not the PDGFRb high group (0.64, 0.36–1.11, p = 0.110) in multivariable analysis. Likewise, risk reduction for any recurrence was less pronounced in the PDGFRb high group. No significant interaction between RT and PDGFRb-score could be detected. Conclusion A higher PDGFRb-score conferred an increased risk of any recurrence, which partly can be explained by its association with estrogen receptor negativity and young age. Reduced RT benefit was noted among patients with high PDGFRb, however without significant interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Strell
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Stenmark Tullberg
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Reidunn Jetne Edelmann
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Andreas Akslen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per Malmström
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mårten Fernö
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Holmberg
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Arne Östman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Karlsson
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Galbo PM, Zang X, Zheng D. Molecular Features of Cancer-associated Fibroblast Subtypes and their Implication on Cancer Pathogenesis, Prognosis, and Immunotherapy Resistance. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2636-2647. [PMID: 33622705 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-4226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an important component of the tumor microenvironment, but a systematic investigation of their molecular characteristics and clinical relevance are lacking. Here, we sought to compare CAFs across multiple cancer types to identify critical molecular pathways activated in CAF subtypes, which may contribute to clinical outcome, disease progression, and immunotherapy resistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed integrated analysis of CAFs from melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and lung cancer, and identified the molecular characteristics that are distinctly active in each CAF subtype. Gene signatures for individual CAF subtypes were identified and used to study the association of subtype abundance with clinical outcome and immunotherapy resistance. RESULTS We identified six CAF subtypes (pan-CAF) shared across cancer types and uncovered the molecular characteristics and genetic pathways distinguishing them. Interestingly, these CAF subtypes express distinct immunosuppressive factors, such as CXCL12 and CXLC14, and stem cell-promoting factor IL6. In addition, we identified novel transcriptional drivers (MEF2C, TWIST1, NR1H3, RELB, and FOXM1) key to CAF heterogeneity. Furthermore, we showed that CAF subtypes were associated with different clinical outcomes and uncovered key molecular pathways that could activate or suppress cancer progression or were involved in resistance to anti-PD1 or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Our study identifies the molecular characteristics of CAF subtypes shared across several cancer types, implicates cancer types that may benefit from CAF subtype targeted therapies, and identifies specific CAF subtypes associated with immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip M Galbo
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Xingxing Zang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. .,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. .,Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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Irvine AF, Waise S, Green EW, Stuart B, Thomas GJ. Characterising cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3727. [PMID: 33580106 PMCID: PMC7881148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumour microenvironment with evidence suggesting they represent a heterogeneous population. This study summarises the prognostic role of all proteins characterised in CAFs with immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer thus far. The functions of these proteins in cellular processes crucial to CAFs are also analysed. Five databases were searched to extract survival outcomes from published studies and statistical techniques, including a novel method, used to capture missing values from the literature. A total of 26 proteins were identified, 21 of which were combined into 7 common cellular processes key to CAFs. Quality assessments for sensitivity analyses were carried out for each study using the REMARK criteria whilst publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Random effects models consistently identified the expression of podoplanin (Overall Survival (OS)/Disease-specific Survival (DSS), univariate analysis HR 2.25, 95% CIs 1.80-2.82) and α-SMA (OS/DSS, univariate analysis HR 2.11, 95% CIs 1.18-3.77) in CAFs as highly prognostic regardless of outcome measure or analysis method. Moreover, proteins involved in maintaining and generating the CAF phenotype (α-SMA, TGF-β and p-Smad2) proved highly significant after sensitivity analysis (HR 2.74, 95% CIs 1.74-4.33) supporting attempts at targeting this pathway for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Irvine
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
- Department of Pathology and Data Analytics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Sara Waise
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Edward W Green
- The German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beth Stuart
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gareth J Thomas
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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Mou Z, Yang C, Zhang Z, Wu S, Xu C, Cheng Z, Dai X, Chen X, Ou Y, Jiang H. Transcriptomic Analysis of Glycolysis-Related Genes Reveals an Independent Signature of Bladder Carcinoma. Front Genet 2021; 11:566918. [PMID: 33424916 PMCID: PMC7786194 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.566918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder carcinoma (BC) is one of the most prevalent and malignant tumors. Multiple gene signatures based on BC metabolism, especially regarding glycolysis, remain unclear. Thus, we developed a glycolysis-related gene signature to be used for BC prognosis prediction. Methods Transcriptomic and clinical data were divided into a training set and a validation set after they were downloaded and analyzed from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and differential analysis were used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs), while univariate Cox regression and lasso-penalized Cox regression were employed for signature establishment. To evaluate the prognostic power of the signature, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis were also used. Additionally, we developed a nomogram to predict patients' survival chances using the identified prognostic gene signature. Further, gene mutation and protein expression, as well as the independence of signature genes, were also analyzed. Finally, we also performed qPCR and western blot to detect the expression and potential pathways of signature genes in BC samples. Results Ten genes were selected for signature construction among 71 DEGs, including nine risk genes and one protection gene. KM survival analysis revealed that the high-risk group had poor survival and the low-risk group had increased survival. ROC curve analysis and the nomogram validated the accurate prediction of survival using a gene signature composed of 10 glycolysis-related genes. Western blot and qPCR analysis demonstrated that the expression trend of signature genes was basically consistent with previous results. These 10 glycolysis-related genes were independent and suitable for a signature. Conclusion Our current study indicated that we successfully built and validated a novel 10-gene glycolysis-related signature for BC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zezhong Mou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siqi Wu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyang Xu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhang Cheng
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiyu Dai
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinan Chen
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxi Ou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haowen Jiang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Fibroblast Subsets in Intestinal Homeostasis, Carcinogenesis, Tumor Progression, and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020183. [PMID: 33430285 PMCID: PMC7825703 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer often develops via the adenoma–carcinoma sequence, a process which is accompanied by (epi) genetic alterations in epithelial cells and gradual phenotypic changes in fibroblast populations. Recent studies have made it clear that these fibroblast populations which, in the context of invasive cancers are termed cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play an important role in intestinal tumor progression. This review provides an overview on the emerging role of fibroblasts in various stages of colorectal cancer development, ranging from adenoma initiation to metastatic spread of tumor cells. As fibroblasts show considerable heterogeneity in subsets and phenotypes during cancer development, a better functional understanding of stage-specific (alterations in) fibroblast/CAF populations is key to increase the effectiveness of fibroblast-based prognosticators and therapies. Abstract In intestinal homeostasis, continuous renewal of the epithelium is crucial to withstand the plethora of stimuli which can damage the structural integrity of the intestines. Fibroblasts contribute to this renewal by facilitating epithelial cell differentiation as well as providing the structural framework in which epithelial cells can regenerate. Upon dysregulation of intestinal homeostasis, (pre-) malignant neoplasms develop, a process which is accompanied by (epi) genetic alterations in epithelial cells as well as phenotypic changes in fibroblast populations. In the context of invasive carcinomas, these fibroblast populations are termed cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs are the most abundant cell type in the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and consist of various functionally heterogeneous subsets which can promote or restrain cancer progression. Although most previous research has focused on the biology of epithelial cells, accumulating evidence shows that certain fibroblast subsets can also importantly contribute to tumor initiation and progression, thereby possibly providing avenues for improvement of clinical care for CRC patients. In this review, we summarized the current literature on the emerging role of fibroblasts in various stages of CRC development, ranging from adenoma initiation to the metastatic spread of cancer cells. In addition, we highlighted translational and therapeutic perspectives of fibroblasts in the different stages of intestinal tumor progression.
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Peixoto A, Cotton S, Santos LL, Ferreira JA. The Tumour Microenvironment and Circulating Tumour Cells: A Partnership Driving Metastasis and Glycan-Based Opportunities for Cancer Control. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1329:1-33. [PMID: 34664231 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-73119-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumour cells (CTC) are rare cells that actively detach or are shed from primary tumours into the lymph and blood. Some CTC subpopulations gain the capacity to survive, home and colonize distant locations, forming metastasis. This results from a multifactorial process in which cancer cells optimize motility, invasion, immune escape and cooperative relationships with microenvironmental cues. Here we present evidences of a self-fuelling molecular crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumour stroma supporting the main milestones leading to metastasis. We discuss how the tumour microenvironment supports pre-metastatic niches and CTC development and ultimately dictates CTC fate in targeted organs. Finally, we highlight the key role played by protein glycosylation in metastasis development, its prompt response to microenvironmental stimuli and the tremendous potential of glycan-based molecular signatures for liquid biopsies and targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Peixoto
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal. .,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3s), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering (INEB), Porto, Portugal. .,Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (P.ccc), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sofia Cotton
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3s), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering (INEB), Porto, Portugal.,Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (P.ccc), Porto, Portugal
| | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (P.ccc), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Alexandre Ferreira
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (P.ccc), Porto, Portugal
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47
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Chen D, Zhang X, Li Z, Zhu B. Metabolic regulatory crosstalk between tumor microenvironment and tumor-associated macrophages. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1016-1030. [PMID: 33391518 PMCID: PMC7738889 DOI: 10.7150/thno.51777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages phagocytize pathogens to initiate innate immunity and products from the tumor microenvironment (TME) to mediate tumor immunity. The loss of tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-mediated immune responses results in immune suppression. To reverse this immune disorder, the regulatory mechanism of TAMs in the TME needs to be clarified. Immune molecules (cytokines and chemokines) from TAMs and the TME have been widely accepted as mutual mediators of signal transduction in the past few decades. Recently, researchers have tried to seek the intrinsic mechanism of TAM phenotypic and functional changes through metabolic connections. Numerous metabolites derived from the TME have been identified that induce the cell-cell crosstalk with TAMs. The bulk tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells produce metabolites in the TME that are involved in the metabolic regulation of TAMs. Meanwhile, some products from TAMs regulate the biological functions of the tumor as well. Here, we review the recent reports demonstrating the metabolic regulation between TME and TAMs.
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48
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Chen S, Cao GD, Wei W, Yida L, Xiaobo H, Lei Y, Ke C, Chen B, Xiong MM. Prediction and identification of immune genes related to the prognosis of patients with colon adenocarcinoma and its mechanisms. World J Surg Oncol 2020; 18:146. [PMID: 32600423 PMCID: PMC7325073 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-020-01921-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a gastrointestinal tumor with a high degree of malignancy. Its deterioration process is closely related to the tumor microenvironment, and transcription factors (TF) play a regulatory role in this process. Currently, there is a lack of exploration between the genes related to the COAD tumor microenvironment and the survival prognosis of patients. Models composed of multiple genes usually predict the survival prognosis of patients more accurately than single genes. We can analyze the multigene models that can predict the prognosis of COAD from the current database. Methods The limma package of the R programming language is used for gene differential expression analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve is used to analyze the relationship between the patient risk score model and survival data. The hazard model is used to analyze the relationship between the risk score and the clinical data of COAD patients. The information of immune genes and immune cells is obtained from IMMPORT database and TIMER database. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is used to judge the stability of the model. Results We found 7 immune genes, which can built a risk score model to predict the survival prognosis of COAD. According to univariate and multivariate analysis, the risk score can be used as an independent predictor. The content of some immune microenvironment cells will also increase as the risk score increases. Conclusions We found 7 immune genes, such as SLC10A2 (solute carrier family 10 member 2), CXCL3 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 3), IGHV5-51 (immunoglobulin heavy variable 5-51), INHBA (inhibin subunit beta A), STC1 (stanniocalcin 1), UCN (urocortin), and OXTR (oxytocin receptor), can constitute a model for predicting the prognosis of COAD. They may provide potential therapeutic targets for clinical treatment of COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - G D Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - Wu Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - Lu Yida
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - He Xiaobo
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - Yang Lei
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - Chen Ke
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China.
| | - Mao Ming Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Aahui, China.
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49
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Kamata T, So TY, Ahmed Q, Giblett S, Patel B, Luo J, Reddel R, Pritchard C. Fibroblast-Derived STC-1 Modulates Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Lung Adenocarcinoma Development. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107802. [PMID: 32579928 PMCID: PMC7326292 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of different cell types, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs). How these cells interact and contribute to lung carcinogenesis remains elusive. Using G12DKRAS- and V600EBRAF-driven mouse lung models, we identify the pleiotropic glycoprotein stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) as a regulator of TAM-TAF interactions. STC1 is secreted by TAFs and suppresses TAM differentiation, at least in part, by sequestering the binding of GRP94, an autocrine macrophage-differentiation-inducing factor, to its cognate scavenger receptors. The accumulation of mature TAMs in the Stc1-deficient lung leads to enhanced secretion of TGF-β1 and, thus, TAF accumulation in the TME. Consistent with the mouse data, in human lung adenocarcinoma, STC1 expression is restricted to myofibroblasts, and a significant increase of naive macrophages is detected in STC1-high compared with STC1-low cases. This work increases our understanding of lung adenocarcinoma development and suggests new approaches for therapeutic targeting of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamihiro Kamata
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
| | - Tsz Y So
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Qasim Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Susan Giblett
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Bipin Patel
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Jinli Luo
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Roger Reddel
- Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Catrin Pritchard
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
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50
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Strell C, Paulsson J, Jin SB, Tobin NP, Mezheyeuski A, Roswall P, Mutgan C, Mitsios N, Johansson H, Wickberg SM, Svedlund J, Nilsson M, Hall P, Mulder J, Radisky DC, Pietras K, Bergh J, Lendahl U, Wärnberg F, Östman A. Impact of Epithelial-Stromal Interactions on Peritumoral Fibroblasts in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; 111:983-995. [PMID: 30816935 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A better definition of biomarkers and biological processes related to local recurrence and disease progression is highly warranted for ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Stromal-epithelial interactions are likely of major importance for the biological, clinical, and pathological distinctions between high- and low-risk DCIS cases. METHODS Stromal platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) was immunohistochemically assessed in two DCIS patient cohorts (n = 458 and n = 80). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the hazard ratios of recurrence. The molecular mechanisms regulating stromal PDGFR expression were investigated in experimental in vitro co-culture systems of DCIS cells and fibroblasts and analyzed using immunoblot and quantitative real-time PCR. Knock-out of JAG1 in DCIS cells and NOTCH2 in fibroblasts was obtained through CRISPR/Cas9. Experimental data were validated by mammary fat pad injection of DCIS and DCIS-JAG1 knock-out cells (10 mice per group). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS PDGFRα(low)/PDGFRβ(high) fibroblasts were associated with increased risk for recurrence in DCIS (univariate hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 2.46; P = .04 Wald test; multivariable hazard ratio = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.97; P = .03). Tissue culture and mouse model studies indicated that this fibroblast phenotype is induced by DCIS cells in a cell contact-dependent manner. Epithelial Jagged1 and fibroblast Notch2 were identified through loss-of-function studies as key juxtacrine signaling components driving the formation of the poor prognosis-associated fibroblast phenotype. CONCLUSIONS A PDGFRα(low)/PDGFRβ(high) fibroblast subset was identified as a marker for high-risk DCIS. The Jagged-1/Notch2/PDGFR stroma-epithelial pathway was described as a novel signaling mechanism regulating this poor prognosis-associated fibroblast subset. In general terms, the study highlights epithelial-stromal crosstalk in DCIS and contributes to ongoing efforts to define clinically relevant fibroblast subsets and their etiology.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/mortality
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Breast Neoplasms/therapy
- Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/mortality
- Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/pathology
- Cell Communication
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Coculture Techniques
- Computational Biology/methods
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mice
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Grading
- Prognosis
- Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/genetics
- Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism
- Stromal Cells/metabolism
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