1
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Vuillefroy de Silly R, Pericou L, Seijo B, Crespo I, Irving M. Acidity suppresses CD8 + T-cell function by perturbing IL-2, mTORC1, and c-Myc signaling. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00235-w. [PMID: 39284912 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00235-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
CD8 + T cells have critical roles in tumor control, but a range of factors in their microenvironment such as low pH can suppress their function. Here, we demonstrate that acidity restricts T-cell expansion mainly through impairing IL-2 responsiveness, lowers cytokine secretion upon re-activation, and reduces the cytolytic capacity of CD8 + T cells expressing low-affinity TCR. We further find decreased mTORC1 signaling activity and c-Myc levels at low pH. Mechanistically, nuclear/cytoplasmic acidification is linked to mTORC1 suppression in a Rheb-, Akt/TSC2/PRAS40-, GATOR1- and Lkb1/AMPK-independent manner, while c-Myc levels drop due to both decreased transcription and higher levels of proteasome-mediated degradation. In addition, lower intracellular levels of glutamine, glutamate, and aspartate, as well as elevated proline levels are observed with no apparent impact on mTORC1 signaling or c-Myc levels. Overall, we suggest that, due to the broad impact of acidity on CD8 + T cells, multiple interventions will be required to restore T-cell function unless intracellular pH is effectively controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Vuillefroy de Silly
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Laetitia Pericou
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bili Seijo
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isaac Crespo
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne and Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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2
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Arpinati L, Carradori G, Scherz-Shouval R. CAF-induced physical constraints controlling T cell state and localization in solid tumours. Nat Rev Cancer 2024:10.1038/s41568-024-00740-4. [PMID: 39251836 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00740-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Solid tumours comprise cancer cells that engage in continuous interactions with non-malignant cells and with acellular components, forming the tumour microenvironment (TME). The TME has crucial and diverse roles in tumour progression and metastasis, and substantial efforts have been dedicated into understanding the functions of different cell types within the TME. These efforts highlighted the importance of non-cell-autonomous signalling in cancer, mediating interactions between the cancer cells, the immune microenvironment and the non-immune stroma. Much of this non-cell-autonomous signalling is mediated through acellular components of the TME, known as the extracellular matrix (ECM), and controlled by the cells that secrete and remodel the ECM - the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In this Review, we delve into the complex crosstalk among cancer cells, CAFs and immune cells, highlighting the effects of CAF-induced ECM remodelling on T cell functions and offering insights into the potential of targeting ECM components to improve cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Arpinati
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Giulia Carradori
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ruth Scherz-Shouval
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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3
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Sun Y, Yinwang E, Wang S, Wang Z, Wang F, Xue Y, Zhang W, Zhao S, Mou H, Chen S, Jin L, Li B, Ye Z. Phenotypic and spatial heterogeneity of CD8 + tumour infiltrating lymphocytes. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:193. [PMID: 39251981 PMCID: PMC11382426 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02104-w] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are the workhorses executing adaptive anti-tumour response, and targets of various cancer immunotherapies. Latest advances have unearthed the sheer heterogeneity of CD8+ tumour infiltrating lymphocytes, and made it increasingly clear that the bulk of the endogenous and therapeutically induced tumour-suppressive momentum hinges on a particular selection of CD8+ T cells with advantageous attributes, namely the memory and stem-like exhausted subsets. A scrutiny of the contemporary perception of CD8+ T cells in cancer and the subgroups of interest along with the factors arbitrating their infiltration contextures, presented herein, may serve as the groundwork for future endeavours to probe further into the regulatory networks underlying their differentiation and migration, and optimise T cell-based immunotherapies accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikan Sun
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Eloy Yinwang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Shengdong Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zenan Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Fangqian Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yucheng Xue
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Wenkan Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Shenzhi Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Haochen Mou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Shixin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Lingxiao Jin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Binghao Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Zhaoming Ye
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang, University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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4
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Dong L, Hu S, Li X, Pei S, Jin L, Zhang L, Chen X, Min A, Yin M. SPP1 + TAM Regulates the Metastatic Colonization of CXCR4 + Metastasis-Associated Tumor Cells by Remodeling the Lymph Node Microenvironment. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400524. [PMID: 39236316 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Lymph node metastasis, the initial step in distant metastasis, represents a primary contributor to mortality in patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the underlying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis in OSCC remain incompletely understood. Here, the transcriptomes of 56 383 single cells derived from paired tissues of six OSCC patients are analyzed. This study founds that CXCR4+ epithelial cells, identified as highly malignant disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), exhibited a propensity for lymph node metastasis. Importantly, a distinct subset of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) characterized by exclusive expression of phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is discovered. These TAMs may remodel the metastatic lymph node microenvironment by potentially activating fibroblasts and promoting T cell exhaustion through SPP1-CD44 and CD155-CD226 ligand-receptor interactions, thereby facilitating colonization and proliferation of disseminated tumor cells. The research advanced the mechanistic understanding of metastatic tumor microenvironment (TME) and provided a foundation for the development of personalized treatments for OSCC patients with metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Dong
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center (CRC), Medical Pathology Center (MPC), Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Center (CEDTC), Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center (TMRC), School of Medicine Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Shujun Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Research Center of Oral and Maxillofacail Tumor, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Insititute of Oral Cancer and Precancerous Lesions, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Xin Li
- Clinical Research Center (CRC), Medical Pathology Center (MPC), Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Center (CEDTC), Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center (TMRC), School of Medicine Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
| | - Shiyao Pei
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Department of Dermatology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Lining Zhang
- Clinical Research Center (CRC), Medical Pathology Center (MPC), Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Center (CEDTC), Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center (TMRC), School of Medicine Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Anjie Min
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Research Center of Oral and Maxillofacail Tumor, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Insititute of Oral Cancer and Precancerous Lesions, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Mingzhu Yin
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center (CRC), Medical Pathology Center (MPC), Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Center (CEDTC), Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center (TMRC), School of Medicine Chongqing University, Chongqing, 404100, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
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5
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Zhang F, Ma Y, Li D, Wei J, Chen K, Zhang E, Liu G, Chu X, Liu X, Liu W, Tian X, Yang Y. Cancer associated fibroblasts and metabolic reprogramming: unraveling the intricate crosstalk in tumor evolution. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:80. [PMID: 39223656 PMCID: PMC11367794 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming provides tumors with an energy source and biofuel to support their survival in the malignant microenvironment. Extensive research into the intrinsic oncogenic mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has established that cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) and metabolic reprogramming regulates tumor progression through numerous biological activities, including tumor immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and ecological niche remodeling. Specifically, immunosuppressive TME formation is promoted and mediators released via CAFs and multiple immune cells that collectively support chronic inflammation, thereby inducing pre-metastatic ecological niche formation, and ultimately driving a vicious cycle of tumor proliferation and metastasis. This review comprehensively explores the process of CAFs and metabolic regulation of the dynamic evolution of tumor-adapted TME, with particular focus on the mechanisms by which CAFs promote the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and support metastasis. Existing findings confirm that multiple components of the TME act cooperatively to accelerate the progression of tumor events. The potential applications and challenges of targeted therapies based on CAFs in the clinical setting are further discussed in the context of advancing research related to CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusheng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yongsu Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Dongqi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Jianlei Wei
- Key laboratory of Microecology-immune Regulatory Network and Related Diseases School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, 154007, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Enkui Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Guangnian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xiangyu Chu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Weikang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xiaodong Tian
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Yinmo Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
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6
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Cho Y, Doh J. The extracellular matrix in solid tumor immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:705-714. [PMID: 39164157 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.07.009] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of solid tumors impacts the antitumor activities of CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells in a variety of ways. Cell motility is restricted by the tumor ECM which creates physical barriers. The tumor ECM directly alter the phenotypes and functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, and indirectly influences immunological synapse-mediated interactions between cytotoxic lymphocytes and cancer cells. Therefore, strategies to improve solid tumor immunotherapy should be established by considering complex ternary interactions between cytotoxic lymphocytes, cancer cells, and the tumor ECM. Novel bioengineering tools approximating key characteristics of the tumor ECM, such as in vitro reconstituted 3D ECMs and microfluidics are valuable from a fundamental study viewpoint and from a translational perspective, aiming to enable systematic screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbum Cho
- Research Institute of Advanced Materials (RIAM), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Junsang Doh
- Research Institute of Advanced Materials (RIAM), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Engineering Research, BioMAX, Soft Foundry Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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7
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Li P, Zhang H, Chen T, Zhou Y, Yang J, Zhou J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis and immunosuppression in gastric cancer. Matrix Biol 2024; 132:59-71. [PMID: 38936680 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.06.004] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, the mortality rate for gastric cancer remains one of the highest in the world. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as core members of the stroma, can secrete cytokines, proteins and exosomes to create a tumour microenvironment that is conducive to cancer cell survival. CAFs can also interact with cancer cells to form a complex signalling network, enabling cancer cells to more easily metastasise to other organs and tissues in the body and develop metastatic foci. In this review, we provide an overview of the CAFs concept and activators. We focus on elucidating their effects on immune cells, intratumoural vasculature, extracellular matrix, as well as cancer cell activity, metastatic power and metabolism, and on enhancing the metastatic ability of cancer cells through activation of JAK/STAT, NF/κB and CXCL12/CXCR4. Various therapeutic agents targeting CAFs are also under development and are expected to improve the prognosis of gastric cancer in combination with existing treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyuan Li
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yajing Zhou
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jiaoyang Yang
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
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8
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Cañellas-Socias A, Sancho E, Batlle E. Mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:609-625. [PMID: 38806657 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive research and improvements in understanding colorectal cancer (CRC), its metastatic form continues to pose a substantial challenge, primarily owing to limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. This Review addresses the emerging focus on metastatic CRC (mCRC), which has historically been under-studied compared with primary CRC despite its lethality. We delve into two crucial aspects: the molecular and cellular determinants facilitating CRC metastasis and the principles guiding the evolution of metastatic disease. Initially, we examine the genetic alterations integral to CRC metastasis, connecting them to clinically marked characteristics of advanced CRC. Subsequently, we scrutinize the role of cellular heterogeneity and plasticity in metastatic spread and therapy resistance. Finally, we explore how the tumour microenvironment influences metastatic disease, emphasizing the effect of stromal gene programmes and the immune context. The ongoing research in these fields holds immense importance, as its future implications are projected to revolutionize the treatment of patients with mCRC, hopefully offering a promising outlook for their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrià Cañellas-Socias
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Elena Sancho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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9
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Luo Z, Mei J, Wang X, Wang R, He Z, Geffen Y, Sun X, Zhang X, Xu J, Wan R, Feng X, Jiao C, Su X, Sun J, Chen S, Chen J, Mao W, Yang Y, Sun Y. Voluntary exercise sensitizes cancer immunotherapy via the collagen inhibition-orchestrated inflammatory tumor immune microenvironment. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114697. [PMID: 39217611 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114697] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Physical activity reduces cancer-associated mortality through multiple mechanisms, including tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) reprogramming. However, whether and how physiological interventions promote anti-tumor immunity remain elusive. Here, we report that clinically relevant voluntary exercise promotes muscle-derived extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated miR-29a-3p for tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) inhibition in patients and mouse models, thereby permitting immune cell infiltration and immunotherapy. Mechanistically, an unbiased screening identifies EV-associated miR-29a-3p in response to leisure-time physical activity or voluntary exercise. MiR-29a-3p-containing EVs accumulate in tumors and downregulate collagen composition by targeting COL1A1. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments and cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) demonstrate that myocyte-secreted miR-29a-3p promotes anti-tumor immunity. Combining immunotherapy with voluntary exercise or miR-29a-3p further enhances anti-tumor efficacy. Clinically, miR-29a-3p correlates with reduced ECM, increased T cell infiltration, and response to immunotherapy. Our work reveals the predictive value of miR-29a-3p for immunotherapy, provides mechanistic insights into exercise-induced anti-cancer immunity, and highlights the potential of voluntary exercise in sensitizing immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Luo
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jie Mei
- The First Clinical Medicine College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Xianwen Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Ruixin Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhao He
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yifat Geffen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Sun
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Junying Xu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Renwen Wan
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xinting Feng
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chunmeng Jiao
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaoping Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Junming Sun
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shiyi Chen
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jiwu Chen
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wenjun Mao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Yunlong Yang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yaying Sun
- Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
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10
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Zhang TL, Zheng BW, Xia C, Wu PF, Zheng BY, Jiang LX, Li J, Lv GH, Zhou H, Huang W, Zou MX. Hypoxic Upregulation of IER2 Increases Paracrine GMFG Signaling of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-CAF to Promote Chordoma Progression via Targeting ITGB1. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2405421. [PMID: 39207055 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202405421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Currently, the oncogenic mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress-CAF (ERS-CAF) subpopulation in chordoma remains unknown. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler, data-independent acquisition proteomics, bulk RNA-seq, and multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence are used to unveil the precise molecular mechanism of how ERS-CAF affected chordoma progression. Results show that hypoxic microenvironment reprograms CAFs into ERS-CAF subtype. Mechanistically, this occurrs via hypoxia-mediated transcriptional upregulation of IER2. Overexpression of IER2 in CAFs promotes chordoma progression, which can be impeded by IER2 knockdown or use of ERS inhibitors. IER2 also induces expression of ERS-CAF marker genes and results in production of a pro-tumorigenic paracrine GMFG signaling, which exert its biological function via directly binding to ITGB1 on tumor cells. ITGB1 inhibition attenuates tumor malignant progression, which can be partially reversed by exogenous GMFG intervention. Further analyses reveal a positive correlation between ITGB1high tumor cell counts and SPP1+ macrophage density, as well as the spatial proximity of these two cell types. Clinically, a significant correlation of high IER2/ITGB1 expression with tumor aggressive phenotype and poor patient survival is observed. Collectively, the findings suggest that ERS-CAF regulates SPP1+ macrophage to aggravate chordoma progression via the IER2/GMFG/ITGB1 axis, which may be targeted therapeutically in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao-Lan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Chao Xia
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Peng-Fei Wu
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, National Children's Medical Center for South Central Region, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510623, China
| | - Bo-Yv Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, General Hospital of the Central Theater Command, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Ling-Xiang Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Guo-Hua Lv
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Wei Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Health Management Center, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
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11
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Zhang S, Deshpande A, Verma BK, Wang H, Mi H, Yuan L, Ho WJ, Jaffee EM, Zhu Q, Anders RA, Yarchoan M, Kagohara LT, Fertig EJ, Popel AS. Integration of Clinical Trial Spatial Multiomics Analysis and Virtual Clinical Trials Enables Immunotherapy Response Prediction and Biomarker Discovery. Cancer Res 2024; 84:2734-2748. [PMID: 38861365 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Due to the lack of treatment options, there remains a need to advance new therapeutics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The traditional approach moves from initial molecular discovery through animal models to human trials to advance novel systemic therapies that improve treatment outcomes for patients with cancer. Computational methods that simulate tumors mathematically to describe cellular and molecular interactions are emerging as promising tools to simulate the impact of therapy entirely in silico, potentially greatly accelerating delivery of new therapeutics to patients. To facilitate the design of dosing regimens and identification of potential biomarkers for immunotherapy, we developed a new computational model to track tumor progression at the organ scale while capturing the spatial heterogeneity of the tumor in HCC. This computational model of spatial quantitative systems pharmacology was designed to simulate the effects of combination immunotherapy. The model was initiated using literature-derived parameter values and fitted to the specifics of HCC. Model validation was done through comparison with spatial multiomics data from a neoadjuvant HCC clinical trial combining anti-PD1 immunotherapy and a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib. Validation using spatial proteomics data from imaging mass cytometry demonstrated that closer proximity between CD8 T cells and macrophages correlated with nonresponse. We also compared the model output with Visium spatial transcriptomics profiling of samples from posttreatment tumor resections in the clinical trial and from another independent study of anti-PD1 monotherapy. Spatial transcriptomics data confirmed simulation results, suggesting the importance of spatial patterns of tumor vasculature and TGFβ in tumor and immune cell interactions. Our findings demonstrate that incorporating mathematical modeling and computer simulations with high-throughput spatial multiomics data provides a novel approach for patient outcome prediction and biomarker discovery. Significance: Incorporating mathematical modeling and computer simulations with high-throughput spatial multiomics data provides an effective approach for patient outcome prediction and biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuming Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Atul Deshpande
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Immunotherapy Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Babita K Verma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Haoyang Mi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Long Yuan
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Immunotherapy Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Immunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Won Jin Ho
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Immunotherapy Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Qingfeng Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert A Anders
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Immunotherapy Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Luciane T Kagohara
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Immunotherapy Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Immunotherapy Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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12
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Espona-Fiedler M, Patthey C, Lindblad S, Sarró I, Öhlund D. Overcoming therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer: New insights and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 229:116492. [PMID: 39153553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116492] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030 and this is mostly due to therapy failure. Limited treatment options and resistance to standard-of-care (SoC) therapies makes PDAC one of the cancer types with poorest prognosis and survival rates [1,2]. Pancreatic tumors are renowned for their poor response to therapeutic interventions including targeted therapies, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Herein, we review hallmarks of therapy resistance in PDAC and current strategies aiming to tackle escape mechanisms and to re-sensitize cancer cells to therapy. We will further provide insights on recent advances in the field of drug discovery, nanomedicine, and disease models that are setting the ground for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Espona-Fiedler
- Department of Diagnostic and Intervention, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Cedric Patthey
- Department of Diagnostic and Intervention, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stina Lindblad
- Department of Diagnostic and Intervention, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Irina Sarró
- Department of Diagnostic and Intervention, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden; Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Öhlund
- Department of Diagnostic and Intervention, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden.
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13
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Wang H, Li X, Zhou S, Guo W, Wang Z, Sun L, Zhao Z, Han Y, Zhang S, Lv J, Ping Y, Wang Z. Integrated analysis of single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq reveals MMP mediated expression patterns by distinct tumor microenvironment immune profiles in cervical cancer. J Cancer 2024; 15:5258-5276. [PMID: 39247608 PMCID: PMC11375545 DOI: 10.7150/jca.96429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Few studies have analyzed the effect of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression patterns on the tumor microenvironment (TME) during development of cervical cancer (CC). Methods: We elucidated the landscape and score of MMP expression in CC using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and RNA sequencing datasets. Further, we aimed the MMPscore to probe the infiltration of immune cells. Further, MMP expression was measured by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: We found MMPs were cell-type specific expressed in diverse types of CC cells, regulating the relative pathways of CC progression. Two distinct MMP expression patterns that associated infiltrated tumor microenvironment (TME) were identified. We discovered MMP expression patterns can predict the stage of tumor, subtype, stromal activity in the TME, genetic variation, and patient outcome. Patients with high MMPscore benefited from significantly better treatment and clinical outcomes. Conclusion: These results indicate high MMPscore in diverse cell types may regulate immune response and improve the survival of patients with CC, which assist in developing more effective immunization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Xinbo Li
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Wendi Guo
- Nankai University, The School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Linlin Sun
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhongyi Zhao
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yanyan Han
- Department of Gynecology, Jiaocheng County People's Hospital, No. 25 Tianning Street, Jiaocheng County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Sanyuan Zhang
- First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Jieping Lv
- First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Anesthesiology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yi Ping
- Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Gynecology, Taiyuan 030001, China
- Department of Gynecology, Jiaocheng County People's Hospital, No. 25 Tianning Street, Jiaocheng County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, China
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14
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Li S, Chen J, Zhou B. The clinical significance of endoplasmic reticulum stress related genes in non-small cell lung cancer and analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism for CAV1. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1414164. [PMID: 39165641 PMCID: PMC11334084 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1414164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, protein homeostasis imbalance caused by endoplasmic reticulum stress has become a major hallmark of cancer. Studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress is closely related to the occurrence, development, and drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer, however, the role of various endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in non-small cell lung cancer is still unclear. In this study, we established an endoplasmic reticulum stress scores based on the Cancer Genome Atlas for non-small cell lung cancer to reflect patient features and predict prognosis. Survival analysis showed significant differences in overall survival among non-small cell lung cancer patients with different endoplasmic reticulum stress scores. In addition, endoplasmic reticulum stress scores was significantly correlated with the clinical features of non-small cell lung cancer patients, and can be served as an independent prognostic indicator. A nomogram based on endoplasmic reticulum stress scores indicated a certain clinical net benefit, while ssGSEA analysis demonstrated that there was a certain immunosuppressive microenvironment in high endoplasmic reticulum stress scores. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed that scores was associated with cancer pathways and metabolism. Finally, weighted gene co-expression network analysis displayed that CAV1 was closely related to the occurrence of non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, in order to further analyze the role of this gene, Chinese non-smoking females were selected as the research subjects to investigate the relationship between CAV1 rs3779514 and susceptibility and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer. The results showed that the mutation of rs3779514 significantly reduced the risk of non-small cell lung cancer in Chinese non-smoking females, but no prognostic effect was found. In summary, we proposed an endoplasmic reticulum stress scores, which was an independent prognostic factor and indicated immune characteristics in the microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer. We also validated the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism locus of core genes and susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Baosen Zhou
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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15
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Li Y, Cui Y, Wang Z, Wang L, Yu Y, Xiong Y. Development and validation of a hypoxia- and mitochondrial dysfunction- related prognostic model based on integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analyses in gastric cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1419133. [PMID: 39165353 PMCID: PMC11333257 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1419133] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health threat ranking as the fifth most prevalent cancer. Hypoxia, a characteristic feature of solid tumors, significantly contributes to the malignant progression of GC. Mitochondria are the major target of hypoxic injury that promotes mitochondrial dysfunction during the development of cancers including GC. However, the gene signature and prognostic model based on hypoxia- and mitochondrial dysfunction-related genes (HMDRGs) in the prediction of GC prognosis have not yet been established. Methods The gene expression profile datasets of stomach cancer patients were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Prognostic genes were selected using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Cox (LASSO-Cox) regression analysis to construct a prognostic model. Immune infiltration was evaluated through ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA analyses. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) and immunophenoscore (IPS) were utilized to explore implications for immunotherapy. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the functional roles of HMDRGs in GC cell malignancy. Results In this study, five HMDRGs (ZFP36, SERPINE1, DUSP1, CAV1, and AKAP12) were identified for developing a prognostic model in GC. This model stratifies GC patients into high- and low-risk groups based on median risk scores. A nomogram predicting overall survival (OS) was constructed and showed consistent results with observed OS. Immune infiltration analysis indicated that individuals in the high-risk group tend to exhibit increased immune cell infiltration. Additionally, analysis of cancer immunotherapy responses revealed that high-risk group patients exhibit poorer responses to cancer immunotherapy compared to the low-risk group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining indicated that the expression levels of HMDRGs were remarkably correlated with GC, of which, SERPINE1 displayed the most pronounced up-regulation, while ZFP36 exhibited the most notable down-regulation in GC patients. Furthermore, in vitro investigation validated that SERPINE1 and ZFP36 contribute to the malignant processes of GC cells correlated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Conclusions This study presents a novel and efficient approach to evaluate GC prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy, and also provides insights into understanding the pathogenesis of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yirong Li
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yue Cui
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi Yu
- School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuyan Xiong
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xi’an No.3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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16
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Freeman P, Bellomo G, Ireland L, Abudula M, Luckett T, Oberst M, Stafferton R, Ghaneh P, Halloran C, Schmid MC, Mielgo A. Inhibition of insulin-like growth factors increases production of CXCL9/10 by macrophages and fibroblasts and facilitates CD8 + cytotoxic T cell recruitment to pancreatic tumours. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1382538. [PMID: 39165364 PMCID: PMC11334161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1382538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with an urgent unmet clinical need for new therapies. Using a combination of in vitro assays and in vivo preclinical models we demonstrate that therapeutic inhibition of the IGF signalling axis promotes the accumulation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells within the tumour microenvironment of PDAC tumours. Mechanistically, we show that IGF blockade promotes macrophage and fibroblast production of the chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 to facilitate CD8+ T cell recruitment and trafficking towards the PDAC tumour. Exploring this pathway further, we show that IGF inhibition leads to increased STAT1 transcriptional activity, correlating with a downregulation of the AKT/STAT3 signalling axis, in turn promoting Cxcl9 and Cxcl10 gene transcription. Using patient derived tumour explants, we also demonstrate that our findings translate into the human setting. PDAC tumours are frequently described as "immunologically cold", therefore bolstering CD8+ T cell recruitment to PDAC tumours through IGF inhibition may serve to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors which rely on the presence of CD8+ T cells in tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Freeman
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Gaia Bellomo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Ireland
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Maidinaimu Abudula
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Teifion Luckett
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Oberst
- Department of Oncology Research, AstraZeneca, One Medimmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Ruth Stafferton
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Ghaneh
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Halloran
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael C. Schmid
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ainhoa Mielgo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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17
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Lagowala DA, Wally A, Wilmsen K, Kim B, Yeung-Luk B, Choi JS, Swaby C, Luk M, Feller L, Ghosh B, Niederkofler A, Tieng E, Sherman E, Chen D, Upadya N, Zhang R, Kim DH, Sidhaye V. Microphysiological Models of Lung Epithelium-Alveolar Macrophage Co-Cultures to Study Chronic Lung Disease. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300165. [PMID: 37840439 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300165] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between immune cells and epithelial cells influence the progression of many respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In vitro models allow for the examination of cells in controlled environments. However, these models lack the complex 3D architecture and vast multicellular interactions between the lung resident cells and infiltrating immune cells that can mediate cellular response to insults. In this study, three complementary microphysiological systems are presented to delineate the effects of cigarette smoke and respiratory disease on the lung epithelium. First, the Transwell system allows the co-culture of pulmonary immune and epithelial cells to evaluate cellular and monolayer phenotypic changes in response to cigarette smoke exposure. Next, the human and mouse precision-cut lung slices system provides a physiologically relevant model to study the effects of chronic insults like cigarette smoke with the dissection of specific interaction of immune cell subtypes within the structurally complex tissue environment. Finally, the lung-on-a-chip model provides an adaptable system for live imaging of polarized epithelial tissues that mimic the in vivo environment of the airways. Using a combination of these models, a complementary approach is provided to better address the intricate mechanisms of lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave A Lagowala
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Arabelis Wally
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kai Wilmsen
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Byunggik Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Bonnie Yeung-Luk
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jong Seob Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Carter Swaby
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Matthew Luk
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Laine Feller
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Baishakhi Ghosh
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Austin Niederkofler
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ethan Tieng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ethan Sherman
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Daniel Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nisha Upadya
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rachel Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Venkataramana Sidhaye
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
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18
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Joy JD, Malacrida B, Laforêts F, Kotantaki P, Maniati E, Manchanda R, Annibaldi A, Hopkins S, Garrobo-Calleja I, Gautrot J, Balkwill FR. Human 3D Ovarian Cancer Models Reveal Malignant Cell-Intrinsic and -Extrinsic Factors That Influence CAR T-cell Activity. Cancer Res 2024; 84:2432-2449. [PMID: 38819641 PMCID: PMC11292204 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-3007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
In vitro preclinical testing of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is mostly carried out in monolayer cell cultures. However, alternative strategies are needed to take into account the complexity and the effects of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we describe the modulation of CAR T-cell activity by malignant cells and fibroblasts in human three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cell models of increasing complexity. In models combining mucin-1 (MUC1) and TnMUC1 CAR T cells with human high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell spheroids, malignant cell-intrinsic resistance to CAR T-cell killing was due to defective death receptor signaling involving TNFα. Adding primary human fibroblasts to spheroids unexpectedly increased the ability of CAR T cells to kill resistant malignant cells as CCL2 produced by fibroblasts activated CCR2/4+ CAR T cells. However, culturing malignant cells and fibroblasts in collagen gels engendered production of a dense extracellular matrix that impeded CAR T-cell activity in a TGFβ-dependent manner. A vascularized microfluidic device was developed that allowed CAR T cells to flow through the vessels and penetrate the gels in a more physiological way, killing malignant cells in a TNFα-dependent manner. Complex 3D human cell models may provide an efficient way of screening multiple cytotoxic human immune cell constructs while also enabling evaluation of mechanisms of resistance involving cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, thus accelerating preclinical research on cytotoxic immune cell therapies in solid tumors. Significance: Three-dimensional in vitro models of increasing complexity uncover mechanisms of resistance to CAR T cells in solid tumors, which could help accelerate development of improved CAR T-cell constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joash D. Joy
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Beatrice Malacrida
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Florian Laforêts
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Panoraia Kotantaki
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Eleni Maniati
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Ranjit Manchanda
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Cancer Research UK, Barts Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Sarah Hopkins
- GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Julien Gautrot
- School of Engineering and Material Science, Centre for Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Frances R. Balkwill
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
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19
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Karunasagara S, Taghizadeh A, Kim SH, Kim SJ, Kim YJ, Taghizadeh M, Kim MY, Oh KY, Lee JH, Kim HS, Hyun J, Kim HW. Tissue Mechanics and Hedgehog Signaling Crosstalk as a Key Epithelial-Stromal Interplay in Cancer Development. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400063. [PMID: 38976559 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-stromal interplay through chemomechanical cues from cells and matrix propels cancer progression. Elevated tissue stiffness in potentially malignant tissues suggests a link between matrix stiffness and enhanced tumor growth. In this study, employing chronic oral/esophageal injury and cancer models, it is demonstrated that epithelial-stromal interplay through matrix stiffness and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is key in compounding cancer development. Epithelial cells actively interact with fibroblasts, exchanging mechanoresponsive signals during the precancerous stage. Specifically, epithelial cells release Sonic Hh, activating fibroblasts to produce matrix proteins and remodeling enzymes, resulting in tissue stiffening. Subsequently, basal epithelial cells adjacent to the stiffened tissue become proliferative and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, acquiring migratory and invasive properties, thereby promoting invasive tumor growth. Notably, transcriptomic programs of oncogenic GLI2, mechano-activated by actin cytoskeletal tension, govern this process, elucidating the crucial role of non-canonical GLI2 activation in orchestrating the proliferation and mesenchymal transition of epithelial cells. Furthermore, pharmacological intervention targeting tissue stiffening proves highly effective in slowing cancer progression. These findings underscore the impact of epithelial-stromal interplay through chemo-mechanical (Hh-stiffness) signaling in cancer development, and suggest that targeting tissue stiffness holds promise as a strategy to disrupt chemo-mechanical feedback, enabling effective cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanika Karunasagara
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Ali Taghizadeh
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jung Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Jae Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohsen Taghizadeh
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Young Kim
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Young Oh
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Lee
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sung Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongeun Hyun
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
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20
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Ding DY, Jiang SY, Zu YX, Yang Y, Gan XJ, Yuan SX, Zhou WP. Collagen in hepatocellular carcinoma: A novel biomarker and therapeutic target. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0489. [PMID: 38967581 PMCID: PMC11227359 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
HCC is globally recognized as a major health threat. Despite significant progress in the development of treatment strategies for liver cancer, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance remain key factors leading to a poor prognosis for the majority of liver cancer patients. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC. Collagen, the most abundant and diverse protein in the tumor microenvironment, is highly expressed in various solid tumors and plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors. Recent studies have shown that abnormal expression of collagen in the tumor microenvironment is closely related to the occurrence, development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and treatment of liver cancer, making it a potential therapeutic target and a possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. This article provides a comprehensive review of the structure, classification, and origin of collagen, as well as its role in the progression and treatment of HCC and its potential clinical value, offering new insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis assessment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-yang Ding
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shu-ya Jiang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yun-xi Zu
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Yang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-jie Gan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-xian Yuan
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei-ping Zhou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
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21
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Ashworth JC, Cox TR. The importance of 3D fibre architecture in cancer and implications for biomaterial model design. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:461-479. [PMID: 38886573 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00704-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The need for improved prediction of clinical response is driving the development of cancer models with enhanced physiological relevance. A new concept of 'precision biomaterials' is emerging, encompassing patient-mimetic biomaterial models that seek to accurately detect, treat and model cancer by faithfully recapitulating key microenvironmental characteristics. Despite recent advances allowing tissue-mimetic stiffness and molecular composition to be replicated in vitro, approaches for reproducing the 3D fibre architectures found in tumour extracellular matrix (ECM) remain relatively unexplored. Although the precise influences of patient-specific fibre architecture are unclear, we summarize the known roles of tumour fibre architecture, underlining their implications in cell-matrix interactions and ultimately clinical outcome. We then explore the challenges in reproducing tissue-specific 3D fibre architecture(s) in vitro, highlighting relevant biomaterial fabrication techniques and their benefits and limitations. Finally, we discuss imaging and image analysis techniques (focussing on collagen I-optimized approaches) that could hold the key to mapping tumour-specific ECM into high-fidelity biomaterial models. We anticipate that an interdisciplinary approach, combining materials science, cancer research and image analysis, will elucidate the role of 3D fibre architecture in tumour development, leading to the next generation of patient-mimetic models for mechanistic studies and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Ashworth
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - T R Cox
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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22
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Cao Y, Yi W, Zhu Q. Glycosylation in the tumor immune response: the bitter side of sweetness. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:1184-1198. [PMID: 38946426 PMCID: PMC11399423 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024107] [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] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation is the most structurally diverse form of post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins that affects a myriad of cellular processes. As a pivotal regulator of protein homeostasis, glycosylation notably impacts the function of proteins, spanning from protein localization and stability to protein-protein interactions. Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer, and extensive studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of glycosylation in tumor growth, migration, invasion and immune escape Over the past decade, glycosylation has emerged as an immune regulator in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we summarize the intricate interplay between glycosylation and the immune system documented in recent literature, which orchestrates the regulation of the tumor immune response through endogenous lectins, immune checkpoints and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the TME. In addition, we discuss the latest progress in glycan-based cancer immunotherapy. This review provides a basic understanding of glycosylation in the tumor immune response and a theoretical framework for tumor immunotherapy.
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23
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Golo M, Newman PLH, Kempe D, Biro M. Mechanoimmunology in the solid tumor microenvironment. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1489-1502. [PMID: 38856041 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231427] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that adjoins the cancer cells within solid tumors and comprises distinct components such as extracellular matrix, stromal and immune cells, blood vessels, and an abundance of signaling molecules. In recent years, the mechanical properties of the TME have emerged as critical determinants of tumor progression and therapeutic response. Aberrant mechanical cues, including altered tissue architecture and stiffness, contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Moreover, burgeoning immunotherapies hold great promise for harnessing the immune system to target and eliminate solid malignancies; however, their success is hindered by the hostile mechanical landscape of the TME, which can impede immune cell infiltration, function, and persistence. Consequently, understanding TME mechanoimmunology - the interplay between mechanical forces and immune cell behavior - is essential for developing effective solid cancer therapies. Here, we review the role of TME mechanics in tumor immunology, focusing on recent therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the mechanical properties of the TME to potentiate T cell immunotherapies, and innovative assays tailored to evaluate their clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Golo
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Peter L H Newman
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daryan Kempe
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Maté Biro
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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24
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Abbott AG, Meyers DE, Elmi-Assadzadeh G, Stukalin I, Marro A, Puloski SKT, Morris DG, Cheung WY, Monument MJ. Effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy on bone metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1379056. [PMID: 38957472 PMCID: PMC11217176 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1379056] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Bone metastases (BoMs) are prevalent in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) however, there are limited data detailing how BoMs respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The purpose of this study was to compare the imaging response to ICIs of BoMs against visceral metastases and to evaluate the effect of BoMs on survival. Materials and methods A retrospective, multicentre cohort study was conducted in patients with NSCLC treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab in Alberta, Canada from 2015 to 2020. The primary endpoint was the real-world organ specific progression free survival (osPFS) of bone versus visceral metastases. Visceral metastases were categorized as adrenal, brain, liver, lung, lymph node, or other intra-abdominal lesions. The secondary outcome was overall survival (OS) amongst patients with and without BoMs. Results A total of 573 patients were included of which all patients had visceral metastases and 243 patients (42.4%) had BoMs. High PD-L1 expression was identified in 268 patients (46.8%). No significant difference in osPFS was observed between bone, liver, and intra-abdominal metastases (p=0.20 and p=0.76, respectively), with all showing shorter osPFS than other disease sites. There was no difference in the osPFS of extra-thoracic sites of disease in patients with high PD-L1 expression. There was significant discordance between visceral disease response and bone disease response to ICI (p=0.047). The presence of BoMs was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (HR 1.26, 95%CI: 1.05-1.53, p=0.01). Conclusion Metastatic bone, liver, and intra-abdominal lesions demonstrated inferior clinical responses to ICI relative to other sites of disease. Additionally, the presence of bone and liver metastases were independent poor prognostic factors for overall survival. This real-world data suggests that BoMs respond poorly to ICI and may require treatment adjuncts for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalise G. Abbott
- Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel E. Meyers
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Igor Stukalin
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alessandro Marro
- Departmenmt of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shannon K. T. Puloski
- Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Bone & Joint Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Don G. Morris
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Winson Y. Cheung
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michael J. Monument
- Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Bone & Joint Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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25
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Kamei M, Matsuo K, Yoshida Y, Shimada K, Otsuki M, Fujimoto N, Ishibashi M, Quan YS, Kamiyama F, Hara Y, Takamura S, Nakayama T. Intratumoral delivery of a highly active form of XCL1 enhances antitumor CTL responses through recruitment of CXCL9-expressing conventional type-1 dendritic cells. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:2176-2188. [PMID: 38346928 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34874] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) play a crucial role in antitumor immunity through the induction and activation of tumor-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). The chemokine XCL1 is a major chemotactic factor for cDC1s and its receptor XCR1 is selectively expressed on cDC1s. Here, we investigated the effect of intratumoral delivery of a highly active form of murine XCL1 (mXCL1-V21C/A59C) on cDC1-mediated antitumor immunity using a hydrophilic gel patch. The hydrophilic gel patch containing mXCL1-V21C/A59C increased cDC1 accumulation in the tumor masses and promoted their migration to the regional lymph nodes, resulting in enhanced induction of tumor-specific CTLs. Tumor-infiltrating cDC1s not only expressed XCR1 but also produced CXCL9, a ligand for CXCR3 which is highly expressed on CTLs and NK cells. Consequently, CTLs and NK cells were increased in the tumor masses of mice treated with mXCL1-V21C/A59C, while immunosuppressive cells such as monocyte-derived suppressive cells and regulatory T cells were decreased. We also confirmed that anti-CXCL9 treatment decreased the tumor infiltration of CTLs. The intratumoral delivery of mXCL1-V21C/A59C significantly decreased tumor growth and prolonged survival in E.G7-OVA and B16-F10 tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of mXCL1-V21CA59C was enhanced in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 treatment. Finally, using The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we found that XCL1 expression was positively correlated with tumor-infiltrating cDC1s and a better prognosis in melanoma patients. Collectively, our findings provide a novel therapeutic approach to enhance tumor-specific CTL responses through the selective recruitment of CXCL9-expressing cDC1s into the tumor masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momo Kamei
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Matsuo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yoshida
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaho Shimada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayuko Otsuki
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nao Fujimoto
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Miho Ishibashi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | - Yuta Hara
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shiki Takamura
- Laboratory for Immunological Memory, Research Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakayama
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Chemotherapy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
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26
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Cheung BCH, Chen X, Davis HJ, Nordmann CS, Toth J, Hodgson L, Segall JE, Shenoy VB, Wu M. Identification of CD44 as a key mediator of cell traction force generation in hyaluronic acid-rich extracellular matrices. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.24.563860. [PMID: 37961689 PMCID: PMC10634813 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) critically regulate a number of important cell functions including growth, differentiation and migration. Type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are two primary components of ECMs that contribute to mammalian tissue mechanics, with the collagen fiber network sustaining tension, and GAGs withstanding compression. The architecture and stiffness of the collagen network are known to be important for cell-ECM mechanical interactions via integrin cell surface adhesion receptors. In contrast, studies of GAGs in modulating cell-ECM interactions are limited. Here, we present experimental studies on the roles of hyaluronic acid (HA, an unsulfated GAG) in single tumor cell traction force generation using a recently developed 3D cell traction force microscopy method. Our work reveals that CD44, a cell surface adhesion receptor to HA, is engaged in cell traction force generation in conjunction with β1-integrin. We find that HA significantly modifies the architecture and mechanics of the collagen fiber network, decreasing tumor cells' propensity to remodel the collagen network, attenuating traction force generation, transmission distance, and tumor invasion. Our findings point to a novel role for CD44 in traction force generation, which can be a potential therapeutic target for diseases involving HA rich ECMs such as breast cancer and glioblastoma.
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27
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Ryu KB, Seo JA, Lee K, Choi J, Yoo G, Ha JH, Ahn MR. Drug-Resistance Biomarkers in Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Organoid and Fibroblast Co-Culture System. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5794-5811. [PMID: 38921017 PMCID: PMC11202770 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060346] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer, the third most commonly occurring tumor worldwide, poses challenges owing to its high mortality rate and persistent drug resistance in metastatic cases. We investigated the tumor microenvironment, emphasizing the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the progression and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer. We used an indirect co-culture system comprising colorectal cancer organoids and cancer-associated fibroblasts to simulate the tumor microenvironment. Immunofluorescence staining validated the characteristics of both organoids and fibroblasts, showing high expression of epithelial cell markers (EPCAM), colon cancer markers (CK20), proliferation markers (KI67), and fibroblast markers (VIM, SMA). Transcriptome profiling was conducted after treatment with anticancer drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin, to identify chemoresistance-related genes. Changes in gene expression in the co-cultured colorectal cancer organoids following anticancer drug treatment, compared to monocultured organoids, particularly in pathways related to interferon-alpha/beta signaling and major histocompatibility complex class II protein complex assembly, were identified. These two gene groups potentially mediate drug resistance associated with JAK/STAT signaling. The interaction between colorectal cancer organoids and fibroblasts crucially modulates the expression of genes related to drug resistance. These findings suggest that the interaction between colorectal cancer organoids and fibroblasts significantly influences gene expression related to drug resistance, highlighting potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for overcoming chemoresistance. Enhanced understanding of the interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment can lead to advancements in personalized medical research..
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ji-hye Ha
- Clinical Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (K.-B.R.)
| | - Mee Ryung Ahn
- Clinical Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cheongju 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea; (K.-B.R.)
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28
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Ippolito A, Wang H, Zhang Y, Vakil V, Popel AS. Virtual clinical trials via a QSP immuno-oncology model to simulate the response to a conditionally activated PD-L1 targeting antibody in NSCLC. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 2024:10.1007/s10928-024-09928-5. [PMID: 38858306 DOI: 10.1007/s10928-024-09928-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Recently, immunotherapies for antitumoral response have adopted conditionally activated molecules with the objective of reducing systemic toxicity. Amongst these are conditionally activated antibodies, such as PROBODY® activatable therapeutics (Pb-Tx), engineered to be proteolytically activated by proteases found locally in the tumor microenvironment (TME). These PROBODY® therapeutics molecules have shown potential as PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in several cancer types, including both effectiveness and locality of action of the molecule as shown by several clinical trials and imaging studies. Here, we perform an exploratory study using our recently published quantitative systems pharmacology model, previously validated for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), to computationally predict the effectiveness and targeting specificity of a PROBODY® therapeutics drug compared to the non-modified antibody. We begin with the analysis of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a first contribution, we have improved previous virtual patient selection methods using the omics data provided by the iAtlas database portal compared to methods previously published in literature. Furthermore, our results suggest that masking an antibody maintains its efficacy while improving the localization of active therapeutic in the TME. Additionally, we generalize the model by evaluating the dependence of the response to the tumor mutational burden, independently of cancer type, as well as to other key biomarkers, such as CD8/Treg Tcell and M1/M2 macrophage ratio. While our results are obtained from simulations on NSCLC, our findings are generalizable to other cancer types and suggest that an effective and highly selective conditionally activated PROBODY® therapeutics molecule is a feasible option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ippolito
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Vahideh Vakil
- Clinical and Quantitative Pharmacology, CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Enfield KS, Colliver E, Lee C, Magness A, Moore DA, Sivakumar M, Grigoriadis K, Pich O, Karasaki T, Hobson PS, Levi D, Veeriah S, Puttick C, Nye EL, Green M, Dijkstra KK, Shimato M, Akarca AU, Marafioti T, Salgado R, Hackshaw A, Jamal-Hanjani M, van Maldegem F, McGranahan N, Glass B, Pulaski H, Walk E, Reading JL, Quezada SA, Hiley CT, Downward J, Sahai E, Swanton C, Angelova M. Spatial Architecture of Myeloid and T Cells Orchestrates Immune Evasion and Clinical Outcome in Lung Cancer. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1018-1047. [PMID: 38581685 PMCID: PMC11145179 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-1380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in lung cancer is critical to improving patient outcomes. We identified four histology-independent archetype TMEs in treatment-naïve early-stage lung cancer using imaging mass cytometry in the TRACERx study (n = 81 patients/198 samples/2.3 million cells). In immune-hot adenocarcinomas, spatial niches of T cells and macrophages increased with clonal neoantigen burden, whereas such an increase was observed for niches of plasma and B cells in immune-excluded squamous cell carcinomas (LUSC). Immune-low TMEs were associated with fibroblast barriers to immune infiltration. The fourth archetype, characterized by sparse lymphocytes and high tumor-associated neutrophil (TAN) infiltration, had tumor cells spatially separated from vasculature and exhibited low spatial intratumor heterogeneity. TAN-high LUSC had frequent PIK3CA mutations. TAN-high tumors harbored recently expanded and metastasis-seeding subclones and had a shorter disease-free survival independent of stage. These findings delineate genomic, immune, and physical barriers to immune surveillance and implicate neutrophil-rich TMEs in metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides novel insights into the spatial organization of the lung cancer TME in the context of tumor immunogenicity, tumor heterogeneity, and cancer evolution. Pairing the tumor evolutionary history with the spatially resolved TME suggests mechanistic hypotheses for tumor progression and metastasis with implications for patient outcome and treatment. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey S.S. Enfield
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Colliver
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Lee
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair Magness
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Moore
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Sivakumar
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristiana Grigoriadis
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oriol Pich
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Takahiro Karasaki
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip S. Hobson
- Flow Cytometry, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dina Levi
- Flow Cytometry, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Selvaraju Veeriah
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Puttick
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L. Nye
- Experimental Histopathology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Green
- Experimental Histopathology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krijn K. Dijkstra
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Masako Shimato
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ayse U. Akarca
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Marafioti
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Salgado
- Department of Pathology, ZAS Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Allan Hackshaw
- Cancer Research UK and University College London Cancer Trials Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mariam Jamal-Hanjani
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Metastasis Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Febe van Maldegem
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas McGranahan
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Genome Evolution Research Group, Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - James L. Reading
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Pre-cancer Immunology Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Immune Regulation and Tumour Immunotherapy Group, Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Quezada
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Immune Regulation and Tumour Immunotherapy Group, Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Crispin T. Hiley
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Sahai
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mihaela Angelova
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Bonadio JD, Bashiri G, Halligan P, Kegel M, Ahmed F, Wang K. Delivery technologies for therapeutic targeting of fibronectin in autoimmunity and fibrosis applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115303. [PMID: 38588958 PMCID: PMC11111362 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Fibronectin (FN) is a critical component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contributing to various physiological processes, including tissue repair and immune response regulation. FN regulates various cellular functions such as adhesion, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and cytokine release. Alterations in FN expression, deposition, and molecular structure can profoundly impact its interaction with other ECM proteins, growth factors, cells, and associated signaling pathways, thus influencing the progress of diseases such as fibrosis and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, developing therapeutics that directly target FN or its interaction with cells and other ECM components can be an intriguing approach to address autoimmune and fibrosis pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Bonadio
- Department of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ghazal Bashiri
- Department of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Patrick Halligan
- Department of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Kegel
- Department of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Fatima Ahmed
- Department of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Karin Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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31
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Tang M, Qu Y, He P, Yao E, Guo T, Yu D, Zhang N, Kiratitanaporn W, Sun Y, Liu L, Wang Y, Chen S. Heat-inducible CAR-T overcomes adverse mechanical tumor microenvironment in a 3D bioprinted glioblastoma model. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101077. [PMID: 38765247 PMCID: PMC11099333 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101077] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) presents a significant therapeutic challenge due to the limited efficacy of existing treatments. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy offers promise, but its potential in solid tumors like GBM is undermined by the physical barrier posed by the extracellular matrix (ECM). To address the inadequacies of traditional 2D cell culture, animal models, and Matrigel-based 3D culture in mimicking the mechanical characteristics of tumor tissues, we employed biomaterials and digital light processing-based 3D bioprinting to fabricate biomimetic tumor models with finely tunable ECM stiffness independent of ECM composition. Our results demonstrated that increased material stiffness markedly impeded CAR-T cell penetration and tumor cell cytotoxicity in GBM models. The 3D bioprinted models enabled us to examine the influence of ECM stiffness on CAR-T cell therapy effectiveness, providing a clinically pertinent evaluation tool for CAR-T cell development in stiff solid tumors. Furthermore, we developed an innovative heat-inducible CAR-T cell therapy, effectively overcoming the challenges posed by the stiff tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Tang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yunjia Qu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Peixiang He
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Emmie Yao
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tianze Guo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Di Yu
- Department of Human Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Department of Human Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Wisarut Kiratitanaporn
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yazhi Sun
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Longwei Liu
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shaochen Chen
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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32
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Shin JH. Biophysical perspectives to understanding cancer-associated fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021507. [PMID: 38855445 PMCID: PMC11161195 DOI: 10.1063/5.0199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cancer has evolved significantly, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) now recognized as a critical factor influencing the onset and progression of the disease. This broader perspective challenges the traditional view that cancer is primarily caused by mutations, instead emphasizing the dynamic interaction between different cell types and physicochemical factors within the TME. Among these factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) command attention for their profound influence on tumor behavior and patient prognoses. Despite their recognized importance, the biophysical and mechanical interactions of CAFs within the TME remain elusive. This review examines the distinctive physical characteristics of CAFs, their morphological attributes, and mechanical interactions within the TME. We discuss the impact of mechanotransduction on CAF function and highlight how these cells communicate mechanically with neighboring cancer cells, thereby shaping the path of tumor development and progression. By concentrating on the biomechanical regulation of CAFs, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their role in the TME and to illuminate new biomechanical-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jennifer H. Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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33
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Koziol-White C, Gebski E, Cao G, Panettieri RA. Precision cut lung slices: an integrated ex vivo model for studying lung physiology, pharmacology, disease pathogenesis and drug discovery. Respir Res 2024; 25:231. [PMID: 38824592 PMCID: PMC11144351 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02855-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Precision Cut Lung Slices (PCLS) have emerged as a sophisticated and physiologically relevant ex vivo model for studying the intricacies of lung diseases, including fibrosis, injury, repair, and host defense mechanisms. This innovative methodology presents a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional in vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal models, offering researchers a more accurate representation of the intricate microenvironment of the lung. PCLS require the precise sectioning of lung tissue to maintain its structural and functional integrity. These thin slices serve as invaluable tools for various research endeavors, particularly in the realm of airway diseases. By providing a controlled microenvironment, precision-cut lung slices empower researchers to dissect and comprehend the multifaceted interactions and responses within lung tissue, thereby advancing our understanding of pulmonary pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Koziol-White
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, The State University of NJ, 08901, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Eric Gebski
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, The State University of NJ, 08901, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gaoyaun Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, The State University of NJ, 08901, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, The State University of NJ, 08901, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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34
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Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. Tissue fibroblasts are versatile immune regulators: An evaluation of their impact on the aging process. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 97:102296. [PMID: 38588867 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102296] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are abundant stromal cells which not only control the integrity of extracellular matrix (ECM) but also act as immune regulators. It is known that the structural cells within tissues can establish an organ-specific immunity expressing many immune-related genes and closely interact with immune cells. In fact, fibroblasts can modify their immune properties to display both pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in a context-dependent manner. After acute insults, fibroblasts promote tissue inflammation although they concurrently recruit immunosuppressive cells to enhance the resolution of inflammation. In chronic pathological states, tissue fibroblasts, especially senescent fibroblasts, can display many pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties and stimulate the activities of different immunosuppressive cells. In return, immunosuppressive cells, such as M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), evoke an excessive conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, thus aggravating the severity of tissue fibrosis. Single-cell transcriptome studies on fibroblasts isolated from aged tissues have confirmed that tissue fibroblasts express many genes coding for cytokines, chemokines, and complement factors, whereas they lose some fibrogenic properties. The versatile immune properties of fibroblasts and their close cooperation with immune cells indicate that tissue fibroblasts have a crucial role in the aging process and age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland.
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland; Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, KYS FI-70029, Finland
| | - Anu Kauppinen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland
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35
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Kim SE, Yun S, Doh J, Kim HN. Imaging-Based Efficacy Evaluation of Cancer Immunotherapy in Engineered Tumor Platforms and Tumor Organoids. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400475. [PMID: 38815251 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is used to treat tumors by modulating the immune system. Although the anticancer efficacy of cancer immunotherapy has been evaluated prior to clinical trials, conventional in vivo animal and endpoint models inadequately replicate the intricate process of tumor elimination and reflect human-specific immune systems. Therefore, more sophisticated models that mimic the complex tumor-immune microenvironment must be employed to assess the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Additionally, using real-time imaging technology, a step-by-step evaluation can be applied, allowing for a more precise assessment of treatment efficacy. Here, an overview of the various imaging-based evaluation platforms recently developed for cancer immunotherapeutic applications is presented. Specifically, a fundamental technique is discussed for stably observing immune cell-based tumor cell killing using direct imaging, a microwell that reproduces a confined space for spatial observation, a droplet assay that facilitates cell-cell interactions, and a 3D microphysiological system that reconstructs the vascular environment. Furthermore, it is suggested that future evaluation platforms pursue more human-like immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Eun Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Suji Yun
- Interdisciplinary Program for Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Junsang Doh
- Interdisciplinary Program for Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Institute of Engineering Research, Bio-MAX institute, Soft Foundry Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, South Korea
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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Milosevic V, Östman A. Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and T-cells: functional crosstalk with targeting and biomarker potential. Ups J Med Sci 2024; 129:10710. [PMID: 38863724 PMCID: PMC11165253 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v129.10710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous cell population recognized as a key component of the tumour microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts are known to play an important role in maintaining and remodelling the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumour stroma, supporting cancer progression and inhibiting the immune system's response against cancer cells. This review aims to summarize the immunomodulatory roles of CAFs, particularly focussing on their T-cell suppressive effects. Cancer-associated fibroblasts have several ways by which they can affect the tumour's immune microenvironment (TIME). For example, their interactions with macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) create an immunosuppressive milieu that can indirectly affect T-cell anticancer immunity and enable immune evasion. In addition, a number of recent studies have confirmed CAF-mediated direct suppressive effects on T-cell anticancer capacity through ECM remodelling, promoting the expression of immune checkpoints, cytokine secretion and the release of extracellular vesicles. The consequential impact of CAFs on T-cell function is then reflected in affecting T-cell proliferation and apoptosis, migration and infiltration, differentiation and exhaustion. Emerging evidence highlights the existence of specific CAF subsets with distinct capabilities to modulate the immune landscape of TME in various cancers, suggesting the possibility of their exploitation as possible prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Milosevic
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Östman
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wang Y, Zhang A, Li Q, Liu C. Modulating pancreatic cancer microenvironment: The efficacy of Huachansu in mouse models via TGF-β/Smad pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 326:117872. [PMID: 38325667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Huachansu (HCS) is a traditional Chinese medicine obtained from the dried skin glands of Bufo gargarizans and clinical uses of HCS have been approved in China to treat malignant tumors. The traditional Chinese medicine theory states that HCS relieves patients with cancer by promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis. Clinical observation found that local injection of HCS given to pancreatic cancer patients can significantly inhibit tumor progression and assist in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy. However, the material basis and underlying mechanism have not yet been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the therapeutic potential of HCS for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in in situ transplanted tumor nude mouse model. Furthermore, this study sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy and assess the impact of HCS on the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. To identify the antitumor effect of HCS in in situ transplanted tumor nude mouse model and determine the Chemopreventive mechanism of HCS on tumor microenvironment (TME). METHODS Using the orthotopic transplantation nude mouse model with fluorescently labeled pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990 and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), we examined the effect of HCS on the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) microenvironment based on the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad pathway. The expression of TGF-β, smad2, smad3, smad4, collagen type-1 genes and proteins in nude mouse model were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS HCS significantly reduced tumor growth rate, increased the survival rate, and ameliorated the histopathological changes in the pancreas. It was found that HCS concentration-dependently reduced the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen type-1 genes and proteins, decreased the expression of Smad2 and Smad3 genes, and downregulated the phosphorylation level of Smad2/3. Additionally, the gene and protein expression of Smad4 were promoted by HCS. Further, the promoting effect gradually enhanced with the rise of HCS concentration. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated HCS could regulate the activity of the TGF-β/Smad pathway in PDAC, improved the microenvironment of PDAC and delayed tumor progression. This study not only indicated that the protective mechanism of HCS on PDAC might be attributed partly to the inhibition of cytokine production and the TGF-β/Smad pathway, but also provided evidence for HCS as a potential medicine for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehui Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100105, China.
| | - Arun Zhang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100105, China.
| | - Quanwang Li
- Oncology Department, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, China.
| | - Chuanbo Liu
- Oncology Department, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, China.
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Ning J, Ye Y, Shen H, Zhang R, Li H, Song T, Zhang R, Liu P, Chen G, Wang H, Zang F, Li X, Yu J. Macrophage-coated tumor cluster aggravates hepatoma invasion and immunotherapy resistance via generating local immune deprivation. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101505. [PMID: 38614095 PMCID: PMC11148514 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to their capacity for abundant lymphocyte infiltration. However, some patients with HCC respond poorly to ICI therapy due to the presence of various immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment. Our research reveals that a macrophage-coated tumor cluster (MCTC) signifies a unique spatial structural organization in HCC correlating with diminished recurrence-free survival and overall survival in a total of 572 HCC cases from 3 internal cohorts and 2 independent external validation cohorts. Mechanistically, tumor-derived macrophage-associated lectin Mac-2 binding protein (M2BP) induces MCTC formation and traps immunocompetent cells at the edge of MCTCs to induce intratumoral cytotoxic T cell exclusion and local immune deprivation. Blocking M2BP with a Mac-2 antagonist might provide an effective approach to prevent MCTC formation, enhance T cell infiltration, and thereby improve the efficacy of ICI therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Ning
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin 300121, China
| | - Yingnan Ye
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Clinical Laboratory, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Hongru Shen
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Cancer Institute, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Runjiao Zhang
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Huikai Li
- Department of Liver Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Tianqiang Song
- Department of Liver Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Pengpeng Liu
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Guidong Chen
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Fenglin Zang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xiangchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Cancer Institute, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China.
| | - Jinpu Yu
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China.
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Wang L, Li C, Zhan H, Li S, Zeng K, Xu C, Zou Y, Xie Y, Zhan Z, Yin S, Zeng Y, Chen X, Lv G, Han Z, Zhou D, Zhou D, Yang Y, Zhou A. Targeting the HSP47-collagen axis inhibits brain metastasis by reversing M2 microglial polarization and restoring anti-tumor immunity. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101533. [PMID: 38744278 PMCID: PMC11149409 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101533] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Brain metastases (BrMs) are the leading cause of death in patients with solid cancers. BrMs exhibit a highly immunosuppressive milieu and poor response to immunotherapies; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Here, we show that upregulation of HSP47 in tumor cells drives metastatic colonization and outgrowth in the brain by creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. HSP47-mediated collagen deposition in the metastatic niche promotes microglial polarization to the M2 phenotype via the α2β1 integrin/nuclear factor κB pathway, which upregulates the anti-inflammatory cytokines and represses CD8+ T cell anti-tumor responses. Depletion of microglia reverses HSP47-induced inactivation of CD8+ T cells and abolishes BrM. Col003, an inhibitor disrupting HSP47-collagen association restores an anti-tumor immunity and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in BrM-bearing mice. Our study supports that HSP47 is a critical determinant of M2 microglial polarization and immunosuppression and that blocking the HSP47-collagen axis represents a promising therapeutic strategy against brain metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Cuiying Li
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hongchao Zhan
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shangbiao Li
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kunlin Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yulong Zou
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuxin Xie
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ziling Zhan
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shengqi Yin
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guangzhao Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zelong Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Dexiang Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China.
| | - Aidong Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Yu KX, Yuan WJ, Wang HZ, Li YX. Extracellular matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophage polarization: new fields affecting immune exclusion. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:115. [PMID: 38693304 PMCID: PMC11063025 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03675-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
In the malignant progression of tumors, there is deposition and cross-linking of collagen, as well as an increase in hyaluronic acid content, which can lead to an increase in extracellular matrix stiffness. Recent research evidence have shown that the extracellular matrix plays an important role in angiogenesis, cell proliferation, migration, immunosuppression, apoptosis, metabolism, and resistance to chemotherapeutic by the alterations toward both secretion and degradation. The clinical importance of tumor-associated macrophage is increasingly recognized, and macrophage polarization plays a central role in a series of tumor immune processes through internal signal cascade, thus regulating tumor progression. Immunotherapy has gradually become a reliable potential treatment strategy for conventional chemotherapy resistance and advanced cancer patients, but the presence of immune exclusion has become a major obstacle to treatment effectiveness, and the reasons for their resistance to these approaches remain uncertain. Currently, there is a lack of exact mechanism on the regulation of extracellular matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophage polarization on immune exclusion. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between extracellular matrix stiffness, tumor-associated macrophage polarization, and immune exclusion will help reveal new therapeutic targets and guide the development of clinical treatment methods for advanced cancer patients. This review summarized the different pathways and potential molecular mechanisms of extracellular matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophage polarization involved in immune exclusion and provided available strategies to address immune exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Xun Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Wei-Jie Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui-Zhen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yong-Xiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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Heaton AR, Burkard NJ, Sondel PM, Skala MC. Quantifying in vivo collagen reorganization during immunotherapy in murine melanoma with second harmonic generation imaging. BIOPHOTONICS DISCOVERY 2024; 1:015004. [PMID: 39011049 PMCID: PMC11247620 DOI: 10.1117/1.bios.1.1.015004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Significance Increased collagen linearization and deposition during tumorigenesis can impede immune cell infiltration and lead to tumor metastasis. Although melanoma is well studied in immunotherapy research, studies that quantify collagen changes during melanoma progression and treatment are lacking. Aim We aim to image in vivo collagen in preclinical melanoma models during immunotherapy and quantify the collagen phenotype in treated and control mice. Approach Second-harmonic generation imaging of collagen was performed in mouse melanoma tumors in vivo over a treatment time course. Animals were treated with a curative radiation and immunotherapy combination. Collagen morphology was quantified over time at an image and single-fiber level using CurveAlign and CT-FIRE software. Results In immunotherapy-treated mice, collagen was reorganized toward a healthy phenotype, including shorter, wider, curlier collagen fibers, with modestly higher collagen density. Temporally, collagen fiber straightness and length changed late in treatment (days 9 and 12), while width and density changed early (day 6) compared with control mice. Single-fiber collagen features calculated in CT-FIRE were the most sensitive to the changes among treatment groups compared with bulk collagen features. Conclusions Quantitative second-harmonic generation imaging can provide insight into collagen dynamics in vivo during immunotherapy, with key implications in improving immunotherapy response in melanoma and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa R. Heaton
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Human Oncology, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Nathaniel J. Burkard
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Paul M. Sondel
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Human Oncology, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Pediatrics, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Melissa C. Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
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Mei J, Cai Y, Xu R, Li Q, Chu J, Luo Z, Sun Y, Shi Y, Xu J, Li D, Liang S, Jiang Y, Liu J, Qian Z, Zhou J, Wan M, Yang Y, Zhu Y, Zhang Y, Yin Y. Conserved immuno-collagenic subtypes predict response to immune checkpoint blockade. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024; 44:554-575. [PMID: 38507505 PMCID: PMC11110954 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized the treatment of various cancer types. Despite significant preclinical advancements in understanding mechanisms, identifying the molecular basis and predictive biomarkers for clinical ICB responses remains challenging. Recent evidence, both preclinical and clinical, underscores the pivotal role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in modulating immune cell infiltration and behaviors. This study aimed to create an innovative classifier that leverages ECM characteristics to enhance the effectiveness of ICB therapy. METHODS We analyzed transcriptomic collagen activity and immune signatures in 649 patients with cancer undergoing ICB therapy. This analysis led to the identification of three distinct immuno-collagenic subtypes predictive of ICB responses. We validated these subtypes using the transcriptome data from 9,363 cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and 1,084 in-house samples. Additionally, novel therapeutic targets were identified based on these established immuno-collagenic subtypes. RESULTS Our categorization divided tumors into three subtypes: "soft & hot" (low collagen activity and high immune infiltration), "armored & cold" (high collagen activity and low immune infiltration), and "quiescent" (low collagen activity and immune infiltration). Notably, "soft & hot" tumors exhibited the most robust response to ICB therapy across various cancer types. Mechanistically, inhibiting collagen augmented the response to ICB in preclinical models. Furthermore, these subtypes demonstrated associations with immune activity and prognostic predictive potential across multiple cancer types. Additionally, an unbiased approach identified B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3), an available drug target, as strongly expressed in "armored & cold" tumors, relating with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION This study introduces histopathology-based universal immuno-collagenic subtypes capable of predicting ICB responses across diverse cancer types. These findings offer insights that could contribute to tailoring personalized immunotherapeutic strategies for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Mei
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
- The First Clinical Medicine CollegeNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Yun Cai
- Departments of GynecologyWuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
- The First Clinical Medicine CollegeNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Qing Li
- Departments of OncologyXuzhou Central HospitalThe Xuzhou School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical UniversityXuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Jiahui Chu
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
- The First Clinical Medicine CollegeNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Zhiwen Luo
- Department of Sports MedicineHuashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Yaying Sun
- Department of Sports MedicineShanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Yuxin Shi
- Departments of OncologyThe Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Junying Xu
- Departments of OncologyThe Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Di Li
- Shanghai Outdo Biotech Co., Ltd., National Engineering Center for BiochipShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Shuai Liang
- Departments of OncologyThe Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Departments of GynecologyWuxi Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalAffiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- Departments of GynecologyWuxi Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalAffiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Zhiwen Qian
- Departments of GynecologyWuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Jiaofeng Zhou
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Mengyun Wan
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Yunlong Yang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic MedicineSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Yichao Zhu
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Departments of GynecologyWuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
- Departments of GynecologyWuxi Maternity and Child Health Care HospitalAffiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan UniversityWuxiJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingJiangsuP. R. China
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Pei J, Gao Y, Wu A. An inflammation-related subtype classification for analyzing tumor microenvironment and clinical prognosis in colorectal cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369726. [PMID: 38742117 PMCID: PMC11089903 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369726] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The inflammatory response plays an essential role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) by modulating tumor growth, progression, and response to therapy through the recruitment of immune cells, production of cytokines, and activation of signaling pathways. However, the molecular subtypes and risk score prognostic model based on inflammatory response remain to be further explored. Methods Inflammation-related genes were collected from the molecular signature database and molecular subtypes were identified using nonnegative matrix factorization based on the TCGA cohort. We compared the clinicopathological features, immune infiltration, somatic mutation profile, survival prognosis, and drug sensitivity between the subtypes. The risk score model was developed using LASSO and multivariate Cox regression in the TCGA cohort. The above results were independently validated in the GEO cohort. Moreover, we explored the biological functions of the hub gene, receptor interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2), leveraging proteomics data, in vivo, and in vitro experiments. Results We identified two inflammation-related subtypes (inflammation-low and inflammation-high) and have excellent internal consistency and stability. Inflammation-high subtype showed higher immune cell infiltration and increased sensitivity to common chemotherapeutic drugs, while inflammation-low subtype may be more suitable for immunotherapy. Besides, the two subtypes differ significantly in pathway enrichment and biological functions. In addition, the 11-gene signature prognostic model constructed from inflammation-related genes showed strong prognostic assessment power and could serve as a novel prognostic marker to predict the survival of CRC patients. Finally, RIPK2 plays a crucial role in promoting malignant proliferation of CRC cell validated by experiment. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the heterogeneity of CRC and provides novel opportunities for treatment development and clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aiwen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Unit III, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
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Paul S, Mukherjee T, Das K. Coagulation Protease-Driven Cancer Immune Evasion: Potential Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1568. [PMID: 38672649 PMCID: PMC11048528 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081568] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood coagulation and cancer are intrinsically connected, hypercoagulation-associated thrombotic complications are commonly observed in certain types of cancer, often leading to decreased survival in cancer patients. Apart from the common role in coagulation, coagulation proteases often trigger intracellular signaling in various cancers via the activation of a G protein-coupled receptor superfamily protease: protease-activated receptors (PARs). Although the role of PARs is well-established in the development and progression of certain types of cancer, their impact on cancer immune response is only just emerging. The present review highlights how coagulation protease-driven PAR signaling plays a key role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. This is followed by a detailed discussion on the contribution of coagulation protease-induced signaling in cancer immune evasion, thereby supporting the growth and development of certain tumors. A special section of the review demonstrates the role of coagulation proteases, thrombin, factor VIIa, and factor Xa in cancer immune evasion. Targeting coagulation protease-induced signaling might be a potential therapeutic strategy to boost the immune surveillance mechanism of a host fighting against cancer, thereby augmenting the clinical consequences of targeted immunotherapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhojit Paul
- School of Biological Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India;
| | - Tanmoy Mukherjee
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, TX 75708, USA;
| | - Kaushik Das
- Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani 741251, West Bengal, India
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Xu AM, Haro M, Walts AE, Hu Y, John J, Karlan BY, Merchant A, Orsulic S. Spatiotemporal architecture of immune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk8805. [PMID: 38630822 PMCID: PMC11023532 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk8805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the deadliest form of ovarian cancer, is typically diagnosed after it has metastasized and often relapses after standard-of-care platinum-based chemotherapy, likely due to advanced tumor stage, heterogeneity, and immune evasion and tumor-promoting signaling from the tumor microenvironment. To understand how spatial heterogeneity contributes to HGSOC progression and early relapse, we profiled an HGSOC tissue microarray of patient-matched longitudinal samples from 42 patients. We found spatial patterns associated with early relapse, including changes in T cell localization, malformed tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS)-like aggregates, and increased podoplanin-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Using spatial features to compartmentalize the tissue, we found that plasma cells distribute in two different compartments associated with TLS-like aggregates and CAFs, and these distinct microenvironments may account for the conflicting reports about the role of plasma cells in HGSOC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Xu
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Marcela Haro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ann E. Walts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ye Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Joshi John
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Beth Y. Karlan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Akil Merchant
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sandra Orsulic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Janssen R, Benito-Zarza L, Cleijpool P, Valverde MG, Mihăilă SM, Bastiaan-Net S, Garssen J, Willemsen LEM, Masereeuw R. Biofabrication Directions in Recapitulating the Immune System-on-a-Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304569. [PMID: 38625078 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304569] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Ever since the implementation of microfluidics in the biomedical field, in vitro models have experienced unprecedented progress that has led to a new generation of highly complex miniaturized cell culture platforms, known as Organs-on-a-Chip (OoC). These devices aim to emulate biologically relevant environments, encompassing perfusion and other mechanical and/or biochemical stimuli, to recapitulate key physiological events. While OoCs excel in simulating diverse organ functions, the integration of the immune organs and immune cells, though recent and challenging, is pivotal for a more comprehensive representation of human physiology. This comprehensive review covers the state of the art in the intricate landscape of immune OoC models, shedding light on the pivotal role of biofabrication technologies in bridging the gap between conceptual design and physiological relevance. The multifaceted aspects of immune cell behavior, crosstalk, and immune responses that are aimed to be replicated within microfluidic environments, emphasizing the need for precise biomimicry are explored. Furthermore, the latest breakthroughs and challenges of biofabrication technologies in immune OoC platforms are described, guiding researchers toward a deeper understanding of immune physiology and the development of more accurate and human predictive models for a.o., immune-related disorders, immune development, immune programming, and immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robine Janssen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Benito-Zarza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Pim Cleijpool
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Marta G Valverde
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia M Mihăilă
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Shanna Bastiaan-Net
- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708 WG, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
- Danone Global Research & Innovation Center, Danone Nutricia Research B.V., Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Linette E M Willemsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
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47
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Hirani P, McDermott J, Rajeeve V, Cutillas PR, Jones JL, Pennington DJ, Wight TN, Santamaria S, Alonge KM, Pearce OM. Versican Associates with Tumor Immune Phenotype and Limits T-cell Trafficking via Chondroitin Sulfate. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:970-985. [PMID: 38517140 PMCID: PMC10989462 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapies for cancers of epithelial origin have limited efficacy, and a growing body of evidence links the composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) with the likelihood of a favorable response to treatment. The ECM may be considered an immunologic barrier, restricting the localization of cytotoxic immune cells to stromal areas and inhibiting their contact with tumor cells. Identifying ECM components of this immunologic barrier could provide targets that whether degraded in situ may support antitumor immunity and improve immunotherapy response. Using a library of primary triple-negative breast cancer tissues, we correlated CD8+ T-cell tumor contact with ECM composition and identified a proteoglycan, versican (VCAN), as a putative member of the immunologic barrier. Our analysis reveals that CD8+ T-cell contact with tumor associates with the location of VCAN expression, the specific glycovariant of VCAN [defined through the pattern of posttranslational attachments of glycosaminoglycans (GAG)], and the cell types that produce the variant. In functional studies, the isomers of chondroitin sulfate presented on VCAN have opposing roles being either supportive or inhibiting of T-cell trafficking, and removal of the GAGs ameliorates these effects on T-cell trafficking. Overall, we conclude that VCAN can either support or inhibit T-cell trafficking within the tumor microenvironment depending on the pattern of GAGs present, and that VCAN is a major component of the ECM immunologic barrier that defines the type of response to immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE The response to immunotherapy has been poor toward solid tumors despite immune cells infiltrating into the tumor. The ECM has been associated with impacting T-cell infiltration toward the tumor and in this article we have identified VCAN and its structural modification, chondroitin sulfate as having a key role in T-cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Hirani
- Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline McDermott
- Department of Histopathology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vinothini Rajeeve
- Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro R. Cutillas
- Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - J. Louise Jones
- Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. Pennington
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London Medical School, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas N. Wight
- Matrix Biology Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington
| | - Salvatore Santamaria
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Edward Jenner Building, University of Surrey, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberly M. Alonge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Oliver M.T. Pearce
- Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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48
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Freeman DW, Gates BL, Spendlove MD, Gulbahce HE, Spike BT. CRIPTO promotes extracellular vesicle uptake and activation of cancer associated fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.01.583059. [PMID: 38496478 PMCID: PMC10942388 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.01.583059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Expression of CRIPTO, a factor involved in embryonic stem cells, fetal development, and wound healing, is tied to poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Prior studies in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) models showed CRIPTO blockade inhibits tumor growth and dissemination. Here, we uncover a previously unidentified role for CRIPTO in orchestrating tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (TEV) uptake and fibroblast activation through discrete mechanisms. We found a novel mechanism by which CRIPTO drives aggressive TNBC phenotypes, involving CRIPTO-laden TEVs that program stromal fibroblasts, toward cancer associated fibroblast cell states, which in turn prompt tumor cell invasion. CRIPTO-bearing TEVs exhibited markedly elevated uptake in target fibroblasts and activated SMAD2/3 through NODAL-independent and - dependent mechanisms, respectively. Engineered expression of CRIPTO on EVs enhanced the delivery of bioactive molecules. In vivo , CRIPTO levels dictated TEV uptake in mouse lungs, a site of EV-regulated premetastatic niches important for breast cancer dissemination. These discoveries reveal a novel role for CRIPTO in coordinating heterotypic cellular crosstalk which offers novel insights into breast cancer progression, delivery of therapeutic molecules, and new, potentially targetable mechanisms of heterotypic cellular communication between tumor cells and the TME.
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49
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Rigamonti A, Viatore M, Polidori R, Rahal D, Erreni M, Fumagalli MR, Zanini D, Doni A, Putignano AR, Bossi P, Voulaz E, Alloisio M, Rossi S, Zucali PA, Santoro A, Balzano V, Nisticò P, Feuerhake F, Mantovani A, Locati M, Marchesi F. Integrating AI-Powered Digital Pathology and Imaging Mass Cytometry Identifies Key Classifiers of Tumor Cells, Stroma, and Immune Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1165-1177. [PMID: 38315789 PMCID: PMC10982643 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered approaches are becoming increasingly used as histopathologic tools to extract subvisual features and improve diagnostic workflows. On the other hand, hi-plex approaches are widely adopted to analyze the immune ecosystem in tumor specimens. Here, we aimed at combining AI-aided histopathology and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to analyze the ecosystem of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). An AI-based approach was used on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) sections from 158 NSCLC specimens to accurately identify tumor cells, both adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma cells, and to generate a classifier of tumor cell spatial clustering. Consecutive tissue sections were stained with metal-labeled antibodies and processed through the IMC workflow, allowing quantitative detection of 24 markers related to tumor cells, tissue architecture, CD45+ myeloid and lymphoid cells, and immune activation. IMC identified 11 macrophage clusters that mainly localized in the stroma, except for S100A8+ cells, which infiltrated tumor nests. T cells were preferentially localized in peritumor areas or in tumor nests, the latter being associated with better prognosis, and they were more abundant in highly clustered tumors. Integrated tumor and immune classifiers were validated as prognostic on whole slides. In conclusion, integration of AI-powered H&E and multiparametric IMC allows investigation of spatial patterns and reveals tissue relevant features with clinical relevance. SIGNIFICANCE Leveraging artificial intelligence-powered H&E analysis integrated with hi-plex imaging mass cytometry provides insights into the tumor ecosystem and can translate tumor features into classifiers to predict prognosis, genotype, and therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Rigamonti
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan; Milan, Italy
| | - Marika Viatore
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan; Milan, Italy
| | - Rebecca Polidori
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan; Milan, Italy
| | - Daoud Rahal
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Marco Erreni
- Unit of Advanced Optical Microscopy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Fumagalli
- Unit of Advanced Optical Microscopy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Damiano Zanini
- Unit of Advanced Optical Microscopy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Doni
- Unit of Advanced Optical Microscopy, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Putignano
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Paola Bossi
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Emanuele Voulaz
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Marco Alloisio
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Vittoria Balzano
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Locati
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan; Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Marchesi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan; Milan, Italy
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50
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Borcinova M, Bartolini R, Foley LK, Novak V, Taborska P, Stakheev D, Rataj M, Smrz D, Fialova M, Hacek J, Komarc M, Vesely S, Babjuk M, Striz I, Bartunkova J, Buchler T, Ozaniak Strizova Z. Distinct leukocyte populations and cytokine secretion profiles define tumoral and peritumoral areas in renal cell carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2024; 42:101891. [PMID: 38310685 PMCID: PMC10862072 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy frequently diagnosed at the metastatic stage. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in RCC patients, including the peritumoral tissue microenvironment, to characterize the phenotypic patterns and functional characteristics of infiltrating immune cells. T cells from various compartments (peripheral blood, tumor, peritumoral area, and adjacent healthy renal tissue) were assessed using flow cytometry and Luminex analyses, both before and after T cell-specific stimulation, to evaluate activation status and migratory potential. Our findings demonstrated that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) exhibited heightened cytokine production compared to peritumoral T cells (pTILs), acting as the primary source of cytotoxic markers (IFN-γ, granzyme B, and FasL). CD8+ T cells primarily employed Fas Ligand for cytotoxicity, while CD4+ T cells relied on CD107a. In addition, a statistically significant negative correlation between patient mortality and the presence of CD4+CD107+ pTILs was demonstrated. The engagement with the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway was also more evident in CD4+ and CD8+ pTILs as opposed to TILs. PD-L1 expression in the non-leukocyte fraction of the tumor tissue was relatively lower than in their leukocytic counterparts and upon stimulation, peripheral blood T cells displayed much stronger responses to stimulation than TILs and pTILs. Our results suggest that tumor and peritumoral T cells exhibit limited responsiveness to additional activation signals, while peripheral T cells retain their capacity to respond to stimulatory signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Borcinova
- Gynecologic Oncology Centre, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robin Bartolini
- Lausanne Center for Immuno-oncology Toxicities (LCIT), Service of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lily Koumbas Foley
- Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TT, UK
| | - Vojtech Novak
- Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Taborska
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dmitry Stakheev
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Rataj
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Smrz
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Fialova
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromir Hacek
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Komarc
- Department of Methodology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stepan Vesely
- Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Babjuk
- Department of Urology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ilja Striz
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jirina Bartunkova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Buchler
- Department of Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Ozaniak Strizova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
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