Tumor fibroblast-derived epiregulin promotes growth of colitis-associated neoplasms through ERK

Epiregulin ameliorates ovariectomy-induced bone loss through orchestrating the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts

Epiregulin plays a role in a range of biological activities including malignancies. This study aims to investigate the potential contribution of epiregulin to bone cell differentiation and bone homeostasis. The data showed that epiregulin expression was upregulated during osteogenesis but downregulated during adipogenesis. Functionally, epiregulin promoted osteoblast differentiation while inhibiting adipocyte differentiation from mesenchymal progenitor cells. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), one of the two known receptors for epiregulin, exerted opposing effects compared to epiregulin. Intriguingly, silencing EGFR almost completely abolished the dysregulation of osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation induced by epiregulin, suggesting that EGFR is indispensable for mediating epiregulin function. Further mechanistic exploration indicated that epiregulin/EGFR signaled via the inactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. Moreover, epiregulin downregulated RANKL expression in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and inhibited the differentiation of bone marrow osteoclast precursor cells into osteoclasts. Treatment of ovariectomized female mice with recombinant epiregulin increased osteoblasts and bone formation, decreased osteoclasts and bone resorption, and ameliorated cancellous bone loss. Consistently, epiregulin treatment improved the potential of BMSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts. Collectively, this study has identified a critical role of epiregulin in regulating osteoblast differentiation through EGFR-mediated inactivation of the mTORC1 pathway, as well as osteoclast differentiation via a mechanism associated with RANKL signaling. Additionally, it highlights the potential of epiregulin as a strategy for combating osteoporosis.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting the EGFR Ligand Epiregulin Elicit Robust Antitumor Activity in Colorectal Cancer

As colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, identifying therapeutic targets and approaches is essential to improve patient outcomes. The EGFR ligand epiregulin (EREG) is highly expressed in RAS wild-type (WT) and mutant colorectal cancer, with minimal expression in normal tissues, making it an attractive target for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development. In this study, we produced and purified an EREG mAb, H231, which had high specificity and affinity for human and mouse EREG. H231 also internalized to lysosomes, which is important for ADC payload release. ImmunoPET and ex vivo biodistribution studies showed significant tumor uptake of zirconium-89-labeled H231, with minimal uptake in normal tissues. H231 was conjugated to either cleavable dipeptide or tripeptide chemical linkers attached to the DNA-alkylating payload duocarmycin DM, and the cytotoxicity of EREG ADCs was assessed in a panel of colorectal cancer cell lines. EREG ADCs incorporating tripeptide linkers demonstrated the highest potency in EREG-expressing colorectal cancer cells irrespective of RAS mutations. Preclinical safety and efficacy studies showed that EREG ADCs were well tolerated, neutralized EGFR pathway activity, caused significant tumor growth inhibition or regression, and increased survival in colorectal cancer cell line and patient-derived xenograft models. These data suggest that EREG is a promising target for the development of ADCs for treating colorectal cancer and other cancer types that express high levels of EREG. Although the efficacy of clinically approved anti-EGFR mAbs is largely limited by RAS mutational status, EREG ADCs may show promise for both RAS mutant and WT patients, thus improving existing treatment options. Significance: EREG-targeting antibody-drug conjugates demonstrate acceptable safety and robust therapeutic efficacy in RAS mutant and wild-type colorectal cancer, suggesting their potential as an alternative to EGFR-targeted therapy to benefit a broader patient population.

Longitudinal single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a heterogeneous response of plasma cells to colonic inflammation

A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic changes in plasma cells (PCs) during inflammation remains elusive. In this study, we analyzed the distinct responses of PCs across different phases of inflammation in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model. Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were treated with 2.2 % DSS in distilled water for 5 days to induce colitis, and colonic tissues were collected at the peak of inflammation, during recovery, and at the end of the recovery phase. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to investigate temporal changes in the gut immune environment. PCs were categorized into six subsets, with Ube2c + PCs displaying notable alterations during various inflammatory phases. Genes such as Pycard, Gpx1, Lgals3, and Chchd10 were significantly expressed in Ube2c + PCs and appeared critical in resolving DSS-induced inflammation. Transcription factors (TFs), including Atf4, Cebpg, Jund, and Klf6, exhibited high regulatory activity in Ube2c + PCs across inflammatory stages. Additionally, we identified an interaction between Chchd10 and C1qbp in PCs, which stabilized C1qbp, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and potentially enhanced PC survival and function under inflammatory conditions. This study highlights dynamic quasi-temporal gene expression and TF regulation in PCs during colitis, providing insights for future PC-targeted immunotherapy research.

The role of efferocytosis in inflammatory bowel disease

Efferocytosis is the process by which various phagocytes clear apoptotic cells. In recent years, an increasing body of evidence has emphasized the importance of efferocytosis in maintaining internal homeostasis. Intestinal macrophages play a crucial role in modulating intestinal inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, progressive, and relapsing condition, primarily marked by the presence of ulcers in the digestive tract. The exact mechanisms underlying IBD are not yet fully understood, and current treatment approaches mainly aim at repairing the damaged intestinal mucosa and reducing inflammatory responses to ease symptoms.This article provides new perspectives on IBD treatment and clinical management by examining the expression of macrophage efferocytosis-related molecules, the effects of efferocytosis on IBD development, the various roles of macrophage efferocytosis in IBD, and treatment strategies for IBD that focus on efferocytosis.

Pharmacological Inhibition of N-Acylethanolamine Acid Amidase (NAAA) Mitigates Intestinal Fibrosis Through Modulation of Macrophage Activity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Intestinal fibrosis, a frequent complication of inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by stricture formation with no pharmacological treatment to date. N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is responsible for the hydrolysis of acylethanolamides (AEs, eg, palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide). Here, we investigated NAAA and AE signaling in gut fibrosis.

METHODS

NAAA and AE signaling were evaluated in human intestinal specimens from patients with stenotic Crohn's disease (CD). Gut fibrosis was induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid, monitored by colonoscopy, and assessed by qRT-PCR, histological analyses, and confocal microscopy. Immune cells in mesenteric lymph nodes were analyzed by FACS. Colonic fibroblasts were cultured in conditioned media derived from polarized or non-polarized bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). IL-23 signaling was evaluated by qRT-PCR, ELISA, FACS, and western blot in BMDMs and in lamina propria CX3CR1+ cells.

RESULTS

In ileocolonic human CD strictures, increased transcript expression of NAAA was observed with a decrease in its substrates oleoylethanolamide and palmitoylethanolamide. NAAA inhibition reduced intestinal fibrosis in vivo, as indicated by a decrease in inflammatory parameters, collagen deposition, and fibrosis-related genes, including those involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. More in-depth studies revealed modulation of the immune response related to IL-23 following NAAA inhibition. The antifibrotic actions of NAAA inhibition are mediated by Mφ and M2 macrophages that indirectly affect fibroblast collagenogenesis. NAAA inhibitor AM9053 normalized IL-23 signaling in BMDMs and in lamina propria CX3CR1+ cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism of intestinal fibrosis and identify NAAA as a promising target for the development of therapeutic treatments to alleviate CD-related fibrosis.

Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters in collective cell migration of epithelial cells

Canonical epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) activation involves the binding of seven EGFR ligands (EGFRLs); however, their extracellular dynamics remain elusive. Here, employing fluorescent probes and a tool for triggering ectodomain shedding, we show that epiregulin (EREG), a low-affinity EGFRL, rapidly and efficiently activates EGFR in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells and mouse epidermis. During collective cell migration, EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation waves propagate in an a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) sheddase- and EGFRL-dependent manner. Upon induced EGFRL shedding, low-affinity ligands EREG and amphiregulin (AREG) mediate faster and broader ERK waves than high-affinity ligands. Tight/adherens junction integrity is essential for ERK activation propagation, suggesting that tight intercellular spaces prefer the low-affinity EGFRLs for efficient signal transmission. In EREG-deficient mice, ERK wave propagation and cell migration were impaired during skin wound repair. We additionally show that heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) primarily promotes surrounding cell motility. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of low-affinity EGFRLs in rapid intercellular signal transmission.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting the EGFR Ligand Epiregulin Elicit Robust Anti-Tumor Activity in Colorectal Cancer

As colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, identifying therapeutic targets and approaches is essential to improve patient outcomes. The EGFR ligand epiregulin (EREG) is highly expressed in RAS wildtype and mutant CRC with minimal expression in normal tissues, making it an attractive target for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development. In this study, we produced and purified an EREG monoclonal antibody (mAb), H231, that had high specificity and affinity for human and mouse EREG. H231 also internalized to lysosomes, which is important for ADC payload release. ImmunoPET and ex vivo biodistribution studies showed significant tumor uptake of 89Zr-labeled H231 with minimal uptake in normal tissues. H231 was conjugated to either cleavable dipeptide or tripeptide chemical linkers attached to the DNA-alkylating payload duocarmycin DM, and cytotoxicity of EREG ADCs was assessed in a panel of CRC cell lines. EREG ADCs incorporating tripeptide linkers demonstrated the highest potency in EREG-expressing CRC cells irrespective of RAS mutations. Preclinical safety and efficacy studies showed EREG ADCs were well-tolerated, neutralized EGFR pathway activity, caused significant tumor growth inhibition or regression, and increased survival in CRC cell line and patient-derived xenograft models. These data suggest EREG is a promising target for the development of ADCs for treating CRC and other cancer types that express high levels of EREG. While the efficacy of clinically approved anti-EGFR mAbs are largely limited by RAS mutational status, EREG ADCs may show promise for both RAS mutant and wildtype patients, thus improving existing treatment options.

Insights of Expression Profile of Chemokine Family in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Carcinogenesis

Chemokines are integral components of the immune system and deeply involved in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Although a considerable amount of transcriptome data has been accumulated on these diseases, most of them are limited to a specific stage of the disease. The purpose of this study is to visually demonstrate the dynamic changes in chemokines across various stages of bowel diseases by integrating relevant datasets. Integrating the existing datasets for IBD and CRC, we compare the expression changes of chemokines across different pathological stages. This study collected 11 clinical databases from various medical centers around the world. Patients: Data of patient tissue types were classified into IBD, colorectal adenoma, primary carcinoma, metastasis, and healthy control according to the publisher's annotation. The expression changes in chemokines in various pathological stages are statistically analyzed. The chemokines were clustered by different expression patterns. The chemokine family was clustered into four distinct expression patterns, which correspond to varying expression changes in different stages of colitis and tumor development. Certain chemokines and receptors associated with inflammation and tumorigenesis have been identified. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model and the azoxymethane (AOM)/ dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colon cancer model shows stronger correlations with the clinical data in terms of chemokine expression levels. This study paints a panoramic picture of the expression profiles of chemokine families at multiple stages from IBD to advanced colon cancer, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the regulation patterns of chemokines and guiding the direction of drug development. This study provides researchers with a clear atlas of chemokine expression in the pathological processes of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters during collective cell migration of epithelial cells

Epidermal growth factor receptor ligands (EGFRLs) consist of seven proteins. In stark contrast to the amassed knowledge concerning the epidermal growth factor receptors themselves, the extracellular dynamics of individual EGFRLs remain elusive. Here, employing fluorescent probes and a tool for triggering ectodomain shedding of EGFRLs, we show that EREG, a low-affinity EGFRL, exhibits the most rapid and efficient activation of EGFR in confluent epithelial cells and mouse epidermis. In Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) renal epithelial cells, EGFR- and ERK-activation waves propagate during collective cell migration in an ADAM17 sheddase- and EGFRL-dependent manner. Upon induction of EGFRL shedding, radial ERK activation waves were observed in the surrounding receiver cells. Notably, the low-affinity ligands EREG and AREG mediated faster and broader ERK waves than the high-affinity ligands. The integrity of tight/adherens junctions was essential for the propagation of ERK activation, implying that the tight intercellular spaces prefer the low-affinity EGFRL to the high-affinity ligands for efficient signal transmission. To validate this observation in vivo , we generated EREG-deficient mice expressing the ERK biosensor and found that ERK wave propagation and cell migration were impaired during skin wound repair. In conclusion, we have quantitatively demonstrated the distinctions among EGFRLs in shedding, diffusion, and target cell activation in physiological contexts. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of low-affinity EGFRLs in rapid intercellular signal transmission.

Advancements in 3D In Vitro Models for Colorectal Cancer

The process of drug discovery and pre-clinical testing is currently inefficient, expensive, and time-consuming. Most importantly, the success rate is unsatisfactory, as only a small percentage of tested drugs are made available to oncological patients. This is largely due to the lack of reliable models that accurately predict drug efficacy and safety. Even animal models often fail to replicate human-specific pathologies and human body's complexity. These factors, along with ethical concerns regarding animal use, urge the development of suitable human-relevant, translational in vitro models.

Single-cell and bulk RNA-sequence identified fibroblasts signature and CD8 + T-cell - fibroblast subtype predicting prognosis and immune therapeutic response of bladder cancer, based on machine learning: bioinformatics multi-omics study

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are found in primary and advanced tumours. They are primarily involved in tumour progression through complex mechanisms with other types of cells in the tumour microenvironment. However, essential fibroblasts-related genes (FRG) in bladder cancer still need to be explored, and there is a shortage of an ideal predictive model or molecular subtype for the progression and immune therapeutic assessment for bladder cancer, especially muscular-invasive bladder cancer based on the FRG.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CAF-related genes of bladder cancer were identified by analysing single-cell RNA sequence datasets, and bulk transcriptome datasets and gene signatures were used to characterize them. Then, 10 types of machine learning algorithms were utilised to determine the hallmark FRG and construct the FRG index (FRGI) and subtypes. Further molecular subtypes combined with CD8+ T-cells were established to predict the prognosis and immune therapy response.

RESULTS

Fifty-four BLCA-related FRG were screened by large-scale scRNA-sequence datasets. The machine learning algorithm established a 3-genes FRGI. High FRGI represented a worse outcome. Then, FRGI combined clinical variables to construct a nomogram, which shows high predictive performance for the prognosis of bladder cancer. Furthermore, the BLCA datasets were separated into two subtypes - fibroblast hot and cold types. In five independent BLCA cohorts, the fibroblast hot type showed worse outcomes than the cold type. Multiple cancer-related hallmark pathways are distinctively enriched in these two types. In addition, high FRGI or fibroblast hot type shows a worse immune therapeutic response. Then, four subtypes called CD8-FRG subtypes were established under the combination of FRG signature and activity of CD8+ T-cells, which turned out to be effective in predicting the prognosis and immune therapeutic response of bladder cancer in multiple independent datasets. Pathway enrichment analysis, multiple gene signatures, and epigenetic alteration characterize the CD8-FRG subtypes and provide a potential combination strategy method against bladder cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the authors established a novel FRGI and CD8-FRG subtype by large-scale datasets and organised analyses, which could accurately predict clinical outcomes and immune therapeutic response of BLCA after surgery.

Advances in molecular mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease‑associated colorectal cancer (Review)

The link between inflammation and cancer is well documented and colonic inflammation caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is thought to be a high-risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The complex crosstalk between epithelial and inflammatory cells is thought to underlie the progression from inflammation to cancer. The present review collates and summarises recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBD-associated CRC (IBD-CRC), including the oncogenic mechanisms of the main inflammatory signalling pathways and genetic alterations induced by oxidative stress during colonic inflammation, and discusses the crosstalk between the tumour microenvironment, intestinal flora and host immune factors during inflammatory oncogenesis in colitis-associated CRC. In addition, the therapeutic implications of anti-inflammatory therapy for IBD-CRC were discussed, intending to provide new insight into improve clinical practice.

Role of Epiregulin on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis as a Mediator via EGFR Signaling in the Cancer Microenvironment

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) have been reported to be important factors in promoting the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the corresponding molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We hypothesize that epiregulin (EREG), an epidermal growth factor (EGF) family member derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and activated by LPS stimulation, is a crucial mediator of HCC progression with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in the tumor microenvironment. We used a mouse xenograft model of Huh7 cells mixed with half the number of LX-2 cells, with/without intraperitoneal LPS injection, to elucidate the role of EREG in LPS-induced HCC. In the mouse model, LPS administration significantly enlarged the size of xenografted tumors and elevated the expression of EREG in tumor tissues compared with those in negative controls. Moreover, CD34 immunostaining and the gene expressions of angiogenic markers by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed higher vascularization, with increased interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in the tumors of the mice group treated with LPS compared to those without LPS. Our data collectively suggested that EREG plays an important role in the cancer microenvironment under the influence of LPS to increase not only the tumor cell growth and migration/invasion of EGFR-positive HCC cells but also tumor neovascularization via IL-8 signaling.

Role of Epiregulin in Lung Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Resistance

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling regulates multiple cellular processes and plays an essential role in tumorigenesis. Epiregulin (EREG), a member of the EGF family, binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB4, and it stimulates EGFR-related downstream pathways. Increasing evidence indicates that both the aberrant expression and oncogenic function of EREG play pivotal roles in tumor development in many human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EREG overexpression is induced by activating mutations in the EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF and contributes to the aggressive phenotypes of NSCLC with oncogenic drivers. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of EREG in a tumor microenvironment, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and resistance to anticancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of EREG as an oncogene and discussed its oncogenic role in lung tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance.

Data Mining Suggests That CXCL14 Gene Silencing in Colon Cancer Is Due to Promoter Methylation

CXCL14 is one of the most evolutionarily conserved members of the chemokine family and is constitutionally expressed in multiple organs, suggesting that it is involved in the homeostasis maintenance of the system. CXCL14 is highly expressed in colon epithelial cells and shows obvious gene silencing in clinical colon cancer samples, suggesting that its silencing is related to the immune escape of cancer cells. In this paper, we analyzed the expression profiles of multiple human clinical colon cancer datasets and mouse colon cancer models to reveal the variation trend of CXCL14 expression during colitis, colon polyps, primary colon cancer, and liver metastases. The relationship between CXCL14 gene silencing and promoter hypermethylation was revealed through the colorectal carcinoma methylation database. The results suggest that CXCL14 is a tumor suppressor gene in colorectal carcinoma which is activated first and then silenced during the process of tumor occurrence and deterioration. Promoter hypermethylation is the main cause of CXCL14 silencing. The methylation level of CXCL14 is correlated with the anatomic site of tumor occurrence, positively correlated with patient age, and associated with prognosis. Reversing the hypermethylation of CXCL14 may be an epigenetic therapy for colon cancer.

Unraveling the intricate relationship: Influence of microbiome on the host immune system in carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

Cancer is an outcome of various disrupted or dysregulated metabolic processes like apoptosis, growth, and self-cell transformation. Human anatomy harbors trillions of microbes, and these microbes actively influence all kinds of human metabolic activities, including the human immune response. The immune system which inherently acts as a sentinel against microbes, curiously tolerates and even maintains a distinct normal microflora in our body. This emphasizes the evolutionarily significant role of microbiota in shaping our adaptive immune system and even potentiating its function in chronic ailments like cancers. Microbes interact with the host immune cells and play a part in cancer progression or regression by modulating immune cells, producing immunosuppressants, virulence factors, and genotoxins.

RECENT FINDINGS

An expanding plethora of studies suggest and support the evidence of microbiome impacting cancer etiology. Several studies also indicate that the microbiome can supplement various cancer therapies, increasing their efficacy. The present review discusses the relationship between bacterial and viral microbiota with cancer, discussing different carcinogenic mechanisms influenced by prokaryotes with special emphasis on their immunomodulatory axis. It also elucidates the potential of the microbiome in transforming the efficacy of immunotherapeutic treatments.

CONCLUSION

This review offers a thorough overview of the complex interaction between the human immune system and the microbiome and its impact on the development of cancer. The microbiome affects the immune responses as well as progression of tumor transformation, hence microbiome-based therapies can vastly improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. Individual variations of the microbiome and its dynamic variability in every individual impacts the immune modulation and cancer progression. Therefore, further research is required to understand these underlying processes in detail, so as to design better microbiome-immune system axis in the treatment of cancer.

In Vivo Staging the Progression of Colitis and Associated Cancer by Concurrent Microimaging of Key Biomarkers

Currently colorectal cancer (CRC) staging (colitis, adenoma, and carcinoma) mainly relies on ex vivo pathologic analysis requiring an invasive surgical process with limited sample collection and increased metastatic risk. Thus, in vivo noninvasive pathological diagnosis is extremely demanded. By verifying the samples of clinical patients and CRC mouse models, it was found that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was barely expressed in the colitis stage and only appeared in adenoma and carcinoma stages with obvious elevation, while prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4) could be observed from colitis to adenoma and carcinoma stages with a gradient increase of expression. VEGFR2 and PTGER4 were further chosen as key biomarkers for molecular pathological diagnosis in vivo and corresponding molecular probes were constructed. The feasibility of in vivo noninvasive CRC staging by concurrent microimaging of dual biomarkers using confocal laser endoscopy (CLE) was verified in CRC mouse models and further confirmed by ex vivo pathological analysis. In vivo CLE imaging exhibited the correlation of severe colonic crypt structural alteration with a higher biomarker expression in adenoma and carcinoma stages. This strategy shows promise in benefiting patients undergoing CRC progression with in-time, noninvasive, and precise pathological staging, thus providing valuable guidance for selecting therapeutic strategies.

Transcriptional landscape of oncogene-induced senescence: a machine learning-based meta-analytic approach

Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is highly heterogeneous, varying by oncogenic signals and cellular context. While its dual role, in the initial inhibition potentially later leading to promotion of tumors through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, is still a matter of debate, it is undeniable that OIS is critical to understanding tumorigenesis. A major obstacle to OIS research is the absence of a universally accepted marker. Here, we present a robust OIS-specific transcriptomic secretory phenotype, termed oncogene-induced senescence secretory phenotype (OIS-SP), which can identify OIS across multiple biological contexts from in vitro datasets to in vivo human samples. We apply a meta-analytic machine learning pipeline to harmonize a deliberately varied selection of Ras-Raf-MEK-induced senescence datasets of differing origins, oncogenic signals and cell types. Finally we make use of bypass data to identify key genes and eliminate genes associated with quiescence, so identifying 40 OIS-SP genes. Within this set, we determined a robust core of five OIS-SP genes (FBLN1, CXCL12, EREG, CST1 and MMP10). Importantly, these 5 OIS-SP genes showed clear, consistent regulation patterns across various human Ras-Raf-MEK-mutated tumor tissues, which suggests that OIS-SP may be a novel cancer driver phenotype with an unexpectedly critical role in tumorigenesis.

Interleukin 11 confers resistance to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Intestinal homeostasis is tightly regulated by epithelial cells, leukocytes, and stromal cells, and its dysregulation is associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. Interleukin (IL)-11, a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines, is produced by inflammatory fibroblasts during acute colitis. However, the role of IL-11 in the development of colitis is still unclear. Herein, we showed that IL-11 ameliorated DSS-induced acute colitis in mouse models. We found that deletion of Il11ra1 or Il11 rendered mice highly susceptible to DSS-induced colitis compared to the respective control mice. The number of apoptotic epithelial cells was increased in DSS-treated Il11ra1- or Il11-deficient mice. Moreover, we showed that IL-11 production was regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by lysozyme M-positive myeloid cells. These findings indicate that fibroblast-produced IL-11 plays an important role in protecting the mucosal epithelium in acute colitis. Myeloid cell-derived ROS contribute to the attenuation of colitis through the production of IL-11.

EREG is a risk factor for the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer

Background

Cervical cancer continues to threaten women's health worldwide. Identifying critical oncogenic molecules is important to drug development and prognosis prediction for patients with cervical cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that epiregulin (EREG) is upregulated in various cancer types, which contributes to cancer progression by triggering the EGFR signaling pathway. However, the role of EREG is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, we first conducted a comprehensive biological analysis to investigate the expression of EREG in cervical cancer. Then, we investigated the correlations between EREG expression level and clinicopathological features. In addition, we validated the effects of EREG expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.

Results

Based on the public database, we found that the expression of EREG was higher in advanced cervical cancer samples. Survival analysis showed that EREG was a risk factor for the prognosis of cervical cancer. In vitro experiments demonstrated that EREG knockdown undermined proliferation and promoted apoptosis in cancer cells.

Conclusion

EREG plays a vital role in the progression of cervical cancer, which contributes to hyperactive cell proliferation and decreased cell apoptosis. It might be a valuable target for prognosis prediction and drug development for cervical cancer in the future.

Interleukin 36 receptor-inducible matrix metalloproteinase 13 mediates intestinal fibrosis

Background

Fibrostenotic disease is a common complication in Crohn's disease (CD) patients hallmarked by transmural extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in the intestinal wall. The prevention and medical therapy of fibrostenotic CD is an unmet high clinical need. Although targeting IL36R signaling is a promising therapy option, downstream mediators of IL36 during inflammation and fibrosis have been incompletely understood. Candidate molecules include matrix metalloproteinases which mediate ECM turnover and are thereby potential targets for anti-fibrotic treatment. Here, we have focused on understanding the role of MMP13 during intestinal fibrosis.

Methods

We performed bulk RNA sequencing of paired colon biopsies taken from non-stenotic and stenotic areas of patients with CD. Corresponding tissue samples from healthy controls and CD patients with stenosis were used for immunofluorescent (IF) staining. MMP13 gene expression was analyzed in cDNA of intestinal biopsies from healthy controls and in subpopulations of patients with CD in the IBDome cohort. In addition, gene regulation on RNA and protein level was studied in colon tissue and primary intestinal fibroblasts from mice upon IL36R activation or blockade. Finally, in vivo studies were performed with MMP13 deficient mice and littermate controls in an experimental model of intestinal fibrosis. Ex vivo tissue analysis included Masson's Trichrome and Sirius Red staining as well as evaluation of immune cells, fibroblasts and collagen VI by IF analysis.

Results

Bulk RNA sequencing revealed high upregulation of MMP13 in colon biopsies from stenotic areas, as compared to non-stenotic regions of patients with CD. IF analysis confirmed higher levels of MMP13 in stenotic tissue sections of CD patients and demonstrated αSMA+ and Pdpn+ fibroblasts as a major source. Mechanistic experiments demonstrated that MMP13 expression was regulated by IL36R signaling. Finally, MMP13 deficient mice, as compared to littermate controls, developed less fibrosis in the chronic DSS model and showed reduced numbers of αSMA+ fibroblasts. These findings are consistent with a model suggesting a molecular axis involving IL36R activation in gut resident fibroblasts and MMP13 expression during the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis.

Conclusion

Targeting IL36R-inducible MMP13 could evolve as a promising approach to interfere with the development and progression of intestinal fibrosis.

Pharmacology Mechanism of Polygonum Bistorta in Treating Ulcerative Colitis Based on Network Pharmacology

Aim. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory gastrointestinal disease. The study aimed to expound the mechanism of Polygonum bistorta (PB) in treating UC by network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experiment verification. Methods. The compositions and targets of PB and UC-associated targets were obtained by searching the websites and the literature. The potential mechanism of PB in the treatment of UC was predicted by protein-protein interaction network construction, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Molecule docking was performed by AutoDock. In vitro experiments explored the mechanism of quercetin (Que), the main active composition of PB, in treating UC. Results. Six compositions, 139 PB targets, and 934 UC-associated targets were obtained. 93 overlapping targets between PB and UC were identified, and 18 of them were the core targets. 467 biological processes, 10 cell components, and 30 molecular functions were obtained by GO analysis. 102 pathways were enriched through KEGG analysis. Among them, the IL-17 signaling pathway had high importance. The core targets FOS, JUN, IL-1β, CCL2, CXCL8, and MMP9 could dock with Que successfully. Act1, TRAF6, FOS, and JUN were identified by KEGG as the key proteins of the IL-17 signaling pathway. The expressions of the abovementioned proteins were increased in Caco-2 cells stimulated by Dextran sulfate sodium and decreased after being treated by Que. Conclusion. PB might treat UC by downregulating the IL-17 signaling pathway. It is worth doing further research on PB treating UC in vivo.

The HIF-prolyl hydroxylases have distinct and nonredundant roles in colitis-associated cancer

Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a severe complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). HIF-prolyl hydroxylases (PHD1, PHD2, and PHD3) control cellular adaptation to hypoxia and are considered promising therapeutic targets in IBD. However, their relevance in the pathogenesis of CAC remains elusive. We induced CAC in Phd1-/-, Phd2+/-, Phd3-/-, and WT mice with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Phd1-/- mice were protected against chronic colitis and displayed diminished CAC growth compared with WT mice. In Phd3-/- mice, colitis activity and CAC growth remained unaltered. In Phd2+/- mice, colitis activity was unaffected, but CAC growth was aggravated. Mechanistically, Phd2 deficiency (i) increased the number of tumor-associated macrophages in AOM/DSS-induced tumors, (ii) promoted the expression of EGFR ligand epiregulin in macrophages, and (iii) augmented the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling, which at least in part contributed to aggravated tumor cell proliferation in colitis-associated tumors. Consistently, Phd2 deficiency in hematopoietic (Vav:Cre-Phd2fl/fl) but not in intestinal epithelial cells (Villin:Cre-Phd2fl/fl) increased CAC growth. In conclusion, the 3 different PHD isoenzymes have distinct and nonredundant effects, promoting (PHD1), diminishing (PHD2), or neutral (PHD3), on CAC growth.

Comprehensive machine-learning survival framework develops a consensus model in large-scale multicenter cohorts for pancreatic cancer

As the most aggressive tumor, the outcome of pancreatic cancer (PACA) has not improved observably over the last decade. Anatomy-based TNM staging does not exactly identify treatment-sensitive patients, and an ideal biomarker is urgently needed for precision medicine. Based on expression files of 1280 patients from 10 multicenter cohorts, we screened 32 consensus prognostic genes. Ten machine-learning algorithms were transformed into 76 combinations, of which we selected the optimal algorithm to construct an artificial intelligence-derived prognostic signature (AIDPS) according to the average C-index in the nine testing cohorts. The results of the training cohort, nine testing cohorts, Meta-Cohort, and three external validation cohorts (290 patients) consistently indicated that AIDPS could accurately predict the prognosis of PACA. After incorporating several vital clinicopathological features and 86 published signatures, AIDPS exhibited robust and dramatically superior predictive capability. Moreover, in other prevalent digestive system tumors, the nine-gene AIDPS could still accurately stratify the prognosis. Of note, our AIDPS had important clinical implications for PACA, and patients with low AIDPS owned a dismal prognosis, higher genomic alterations, and denser immune cell infiltrates as well as were more sensitive to immunotherapy. Meanwhile, the high AIDPS group possessed observably prolonged survival, and panobinostat may be a potential agent for patients with high AIDPS. Overall, our study provides an attractive tool to further guide the clinical management and individualized treatment of PACA.

Targeting epiregulin in the treatment-damaged tumor microenvironment restrains therapeutic resistance

The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a milieu enabling cancer cells to develop malignant properties, while concerted interactions between cancer and stromal cells frequently shape an "activated/reprogramed" niche to accelerate pathological progression. Here we report that a soluble factor epiregulin (EREG) is produced by senescent stromal cells, which non-cell-autonomously develop the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) upon DNA damage. Genotoxicity triggers EREG expression by engaging NF-κB and C/EBP, a process supported by elevated chromatin accessibility and increased histone acetylation. Stromal EREG reprograms the expression profile of recipient neoplastic cells in a paracrine manner, causing upregulation of MARCHF4, a membrane-bound E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in malignant progression, specifically drug resistance. A combinational strategy that empowers EREG-specific targeting in treatment-damaged TME significantly promotes cancer therapeutic efficacy in preclinical trials, achieving response indices superior to those of solely targeting cancer cells. In clinical oncology, EREG is expressed in tumor stroma and handily measurable in circulating blood of cancer patients post-chemotherapy. This study establishes EREG as both a targetable SASP factor and a new noninvasive biomarker of treatment-damaged TME, thus disclosing its substantial value in translational medicine.

Identification of Monocytes Associated with Severe COVID-19 in the PBMCs of Severely Infected Patients Through Single-Cell Transcriptome Sequencing

Understanding the immunological characteristics of monocytes-including the characteristics associated with fibrosis-in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of the disease and preventing disease severity. In this study, we performed single-cell transcriptomic sequencing of peripheral blood samples collected from six healthy controls and 14 COVID-19 samples including severe, moderate, and convalescent samples from three severely/critically ill and four moderately ill patients. We found that the monocytes were strongly remodeled in the severely/critically ill patients with COVID-19, with an increased proportion of monocytes and seriously reduced diversity. In addition, we discovered two novel severe-disease-specific monocyte subsets: Mono 0 and Mono 5. These subsets expressed amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), and cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene, exhibited an enriched erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog (ErbB) signaling pathway, and appeared to exhibit pro-fibrogenic and pro-inflammation characteristics. We also found metabolic changes in Mono 0 and Mono 5, including increased glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and an increased hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. Notably, one pre-severe sample displayed a monocyte atlas similar to that of the severe/critical samples. In conclusion, our study discovered two novel severe-disease-specific monocyte subsets as potential predictors and therapeutic targets for severe COVID-19. Overall, this study provides potential predictors for severe disease and therapeutic targets for COVID-19 and thus provides a resource for further studies on COVID-19.

Targeting STAT3 Signaling in COL1+ Fibroblasts Controls Colitis-Associated Cancer in Mice

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common disease and has limited treatment options. The importance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in CRC has been increasingly recognized. However, the role of CAF subsets in CRC is hardly understood and opposing functions of type I (COL1+) vs. type VI (COL6+) collagen-expressing subsets were reported before with respect to NFκB-related signaling. Here, we have focused on COL1+ fibroblasts, which represent a frequent CAF population in CRC and studied their role upon STAT3 activation in vivo. Using a dual strategy with a conditional gain-of-function and a conditional loss-of-function approach in an in vivo model of colitis-associated cancer, tumor development was evaluated by different readouts, including advanced imaging methodologies, e.g., light sheet microscopy and CT-scan. Our data demonstrate that the inhibition of STAT3 activation in COL1+ fibroblasts reduces tumor burden, whereas the constitutive activation of STAT3 promotes the development of inflammation-driven CRC. In addition, our work characterizes the co-expression and distribution of type I and type VI collagen by CAFs in inflammation-associated colorectal cancer using reporter mice. This work indicates a critical contribution of STAT3 signaling in COL1+ CAFs, suggesting that the blockade of STAT3 activation in type I collagen-expressing fibroblasts could serve as promising therapeutic targets in colitis-associated CRC. In combination with previous work by others and us, our current findings highlight the context-dependent roles of COL1+ CAFs and COL6+ CAFs that might be variable according to the specific pathway activated.

The outcome of patients with inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer is not worse than that of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer-a matched-pair analysis of survival

PURPOSE

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). In IBD patients, cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages and conflicting data on survival compared to sporadic CRC have been reported. The aim of this study was to directly compare clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with IBD-CRC and sporadic CRC.

METHODS

The clinical and pathological data of 63 patients with IBD-CRC and 3710 patients with sporadic CRC treated at the University Hospital of Erlangen between 1995 and 2015 were compared. Forty-seven M0 patients with IBD were matched with sporadic CRC patients after curative resection (R0) according to tumor localization, stage, sex, and year of treatment. Overall and disease-free survival were compared.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients presented IBD-CRC. Fifty were affected with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 13 with Crohn's disease (CD). CRC was diagnosed within 1.45 years since last endoscopic surveillance. Twelve patients (19%) had a diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis. In matched analysis, IBD patients were diagnosed with CRC at younger age compared to sporadic CRC and were more likely to have right-sided CRC (40% versus 23.3%) and rare histological subtypes (19% versus 9.2%). No differences in 5-year overall (78.7 versus 80.9 months) and 5-year disease-free survival (74.5 versus 70.2 months) were noted.

CONCLUSION

IBD-CRC patients were younger and more frequently had right-sided carcinomas compared to sporadic CRC. CRC in IBD patients did not show survival difference compared to matched-pair sporadic CRC patients without distant metastases after curative resection. Surveillance might be important for early detection of CRC in IBD patients.

Pro-Resolving Factors Released by Macrophages After Efferocytosis Promote Mucosal Wound Healing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Nonresolving inflammation is a critical driver of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This unresolved inflammation may result from the persistence of an initiating stimulus or from the alteration of the resolution phase of inflammation. Elimination of apoptotic cells by macrophages (a process called efferocytosis) is a critical step in the resolution phase of inflammation. Efferocytosis participates in macrophage reprogramming and favors the release of numerous pro-resolving factors. These pro-resolving factors exert therapeutic effects in experimental autoimmune arthritis. Here, we propose to evaluate the efficacy of pro-resolving factors produced by macrophages after efferocytosis, a secretome called SuperMApo, in two IBD models, namely dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced and T cell transfer-induced colitis. Reintroducing these pro-resolving factors was sufficient to decrease clinical, endoscopic and histological colitis scores in ongoing naive T cell-transfer-induced colitis and in DSS-induced colitis. Mouse primary fibroblasts isolated from the colon demonstrated enhanced healing properties in the presence of SuperMApo, as attested by their increased migratory, proliferative and contractive properties. This was confirmed by the use of human fibroblasts isolated from patients with IBD. Exposure of an intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) line to these pro-resolving factors increased their proliferative properties and IEC acquired the capacity to capture apoptotic cells. The improvement of wound healing properties induced by SuperMApo was confirmed in vivo in a biopsy forceps-wound colonic mucosa model. Further in vivo analysis in naive T cell transfer-induced colitis model demonstrated an improvement of intestinal barrier permeability after administration of SuperMApo, an intestinal cell proliferation and an increase of α-SMA expression by fibroblasts, as well as a reduction of the transcript coding for fibronectin (Fn1). Finally, we identified TGF-β, IGF-I and VEGF among SuperMApo as necessary to favor mucosal healing and confirmed their role both in vitro (using neutralizing antibodies) and in vivo by depleting these factors from efferocytic macrophage secretome using antibody-coated microbeads. These growth factors only explained some of the beneficial effects induced by factors released by efferocytic macrophages. Overall, the administration of pro-resolving factors released by efferocytic macrophages limits intestinal inflammation and enhance tissue repair, which represents an innovative treatment of IBD.

The Role of EREG/EGFR Pathway in Tumor Progression

Aberrant activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1) by erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog (ERBB) ligands contributes to various tumor malignancies, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC). Epiregulin (EREG) is one of the EGFR ligands and is low expressed in most normal tissues. Elevated EREG in various cancers mainly activates EGFR signaling pathways and promotes cancer progression. Notably, a higher EREG expression level in CRC with wild-type Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is related to better efficacy of therapeutic treatment. By contrast, the resistance of anti-EGFR therapy in CRC was driven by low EREG expression, aberrant genetic mutation and signal pathway alterations. Additionally, EREG overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is anticipated to be a therapeutic target for EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). However, recent findings indicate that EREG derived from macrophages promotes NSCLC cell resistance to EGFR-TKI treatment. The emerging events of EREG-mediated tumor promotion signals are generated by autocrine and paracrine loops that arise from tumor epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is a crucial element for the development of various cancer types and drug resistance. The regulation of EREG/EGFR pathways depends on distinct oncogenic driver mutations and cell contexts that allows specific pharmacological targeting alone or combinational treatment for tailored therapy. Novel strategies targeting EREG/EGFR, tumor-associated macrophages, and alternative activation oncoproteins are under development or undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the clinical outcomes of EREG expression and the interaction of this ligand in the TME. The EREG/EGFR pathway may be a potential target and may be combined with other driver mutation targets to combat specific cancers.

Involvement of integrin-activating peptides derived from tenascin-C in colon cancer progression

Tenascin-C (TNC) is an adhesion modulatory protein present in the extracellular matrix that is highly expressed in several malignancies, including colon cancer. Although TNC is considered a negative prognostic factor for cancer patients, the substantial role of the TNC molecule in colorectal carcinogenesis and its malignant progression is poorly understood. We previously found that TNC has a cryptic functional site and that a TNC peptide containing this site, termed TNIIIA2, can potently and persistently activate beta1-integrins. In contrast, the peptide FNIII14, which contains a cryptic bioactive site within the fibronectin molecule, can inactivate beta1-integrins. This review presents the role of TNC in the development of colitis-associated colorectal cancer and in the malignant progression of colon cancer, particularly the major involvement of its cryptic functional site TNIIIA2. We propose new possible prophylactic and therapeutic strategies based on inhibition of the TNIIIA2-induced beta1-integrin activation by peptide FNIII14.

Increased expression of yes-associated protein/YAP and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif/TAZ activates intestinal fibroblasts to promote intestinal obstruction in Crohn's disease

Background

Intestinal obstruction caused by intestinal fibrosis is a common and serious complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Intestinal fibroblasts, the main effector cells mediating gastrointestinal fibrosis, are activated during chronic inflammation. However, the mechanism of fibroblast activation in CD has not been well elucidated.

Methods

Fibroblasts isolated from stenotic and nonstenotic intestines of CD patients were used for RNA sequencing. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining was performed to evaluate the correlation between intestinal fibrosis and YAP/TAZ expression in our CD cohort and a DSS-induced chronic colitis murine model. A Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) inhibitor was used to explore the ROCK1-YAP/TAZ axis in intestinal fibroblasts in vitro and DSS-induced chronic colitis murine model in vivo.

Findings

The expression of YAP/TAZ was significantly upregulated in stenotic fibroblasts, which was associated with the YAP/TAZ target gene signature. YAP/TAZ knockdown suppressed the activation of intestinal fibroblasts. In intestinal fibroblasts, YAP/TAZ were activated by the Rho-ROCK1 signalling pathway. High YAP/TAZ expression was positively correlated with ROCK1 expression, which is a prognostic marker for intestinal obstruction in CD patients.

Interpretation

YAP/TAZ activation can lead to fibroblast activation and intestinal obstruction in CD. The effect of ROCK1 inhibitor on alleviating intestinal fibrosis is associated with YAP/TAZ inhibition. Targeted inhibition of YAP/TAZ in fibroblasts may be a potential therapeutic strategy to suppress intestinal fibrosis in CD.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2019YFC1316002), the NSFC (81873547, 82073201, 81874177, 82000481) and the Shanghai Sailing Program (20YF1429400).

Possible role of epiregulin from dermal fibroblasts in the keratinocyte hyperproliferation of psoriasis

Psoriasis, an immune-mediated inflammatory disease, is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-23, and IL-17A play critical roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. IL-17A secreted by T-helper 17 acts more directly against keratinocytes than TNF-α or IL-23 do. Regarding the receptors of cytokines, fibroblasts also express receptors against IL-17A and TNF-α, and induce the production of growth factors. Epiregulin (EREG), an epidermal growth factor receptor ligand, is produced by both keratinocytes and fibroblasts. EREG enhances keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. We hypothesized that fibroblasts stimulated with IL-17A and/or TNF-α may play a role in epidermal hyperproliferation through the production of epidermal growth factors in psoriasis. The mRNA expression of EREG was found to be significantly upregulated by co-stimulation with IL-17A and TNF-α (mean, 49.2-fold). Furthermore, the stimulation with TNF-α alone, but not IL-17A alone, induced significant increases. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that the protein expression level of EREG was also increased in fibroblasts stimulated with these cytokines. Stimulation with EREG significantly enhanced keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. In human psoriatic patients' skin, immunofluorescence staining of EREG showed significantly high intensity in the dermis of lesional skin. In conclusion, cytokine stimulation with TNF-α and IL-17A induces the overexpression of EREG from dermal fibroblasts in the lesional skin of psoriasis, and plays a role in epidermal hyperproliferation.

Signaling pathways in cancer-associated fibroblasts and targeted therapy for cancer

To flourish, cancers greatly depend on their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in TME are critical for cancer occurrence and progression because of their versatile roles in extracellular matrix remodeling, maintenance of stemness, blood vessel formation, modulation of tumor metabolism, immune response, and promotion of cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. CAFs are highly heterogeneous stromal cells and their crosstalk with cancer cells is mediated by a complex and intricate signaling network consisting of transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Wnt, Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription, epidermal growth factor receptor, Hippo, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, etc., signaling pathways. These signals in CAFs exhibit their own special characteristics during the cancer progression and have the potential to be targeted for anticancer therapy. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these signaling cascades in interactions between cancer cells and CAFs is necessary to fully realize the pivotal roles of CAFs in cancers. Herein, in this review, we will summarize the enormous amounts of findings on the signals mediating crosstalk of CAFs with cancer cells and its related targets or trials. Further, we hypothesize three potential targeting strategies, including, namely, epithelial-mesenchymal common targets, sequential target perturbation, and crosstalk-directed signaling targets, paving the way for CAF-directed or host cell-directed antitumor therapy.

In vivo assessing colitis severity by topical administration of fluorescent probe against neutrophils

Inflammatory bowel disease has become a global burden given its high incidence and refractory to medical treatment. Improved diagnostic strategies to monitor disease activity more accurately are necessary to conduct and evaluate medical treatment. High level of neutrophil infiltration in colon is associated with poor prognosis and enhanced risk of developing colitis-associated cancer. Herein, to accurately monitor neutrophil levels in colitis condition, we designed and constructed a specific probe (CPM), consisting of a neutrophil formyl peptide receptor targeting group (cFLFLFK), a short PEG linker and a near-infrared fluorescent dye. CPM selectively identified neutrophils in vitro and preferentially recognized neutrophils in vivo with enhanced targeting ability and biodistribution property. After verified the ability to target activated neutrophils, CPM was used to detect neutrophils in experimental colitis by systemic and topical administration. Compared to systemic administration, topical administration of CPM allows lower dosage, higher target-to-background ratio and longer duration of effective monitoring. More importantly, we used CPM to assess neutrophil levels in the course of colitis development. The fluorescence intensity of CPM increased along with colitis progression. Additionally, CPM was used to detected neutrophil levels in colitis-associated cancer and enhanced neutrophil infiltration in the tumor sites was detected. In conclusion, the probe CPM is a promising tool for in vivo improved diagnosis of colitis severity by monitoring the extent of neutrophil infiltration.

A review of experimental models in colorectal carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular changes that lead to the disease is necessary to develop early diagnosis and optimal treatment modalities. Rodent models are rapid, reproducible and exhibit an adenoma-carcinoma sequence similar to that found in humans. The objective of this manuscript is to review the most common chemical carcinogens used to induce experimental tumors and the usual methods of evaluation.

Inducible mouse models of colon cancer for the analysis of sporadic and inflammation-driven tumor progression and lymph node metastasis

Despite advances in the detection and therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC) in recent years, CRC has remained a major challenge in clinical practice. Although alternative methods for modeling CRC have been developed, animal models of CRC remain helpful when analyzing molecular aspects of pathogenesis and are often used to perform preclinical in vivo studies of potential therapeutics. This protocol updates our protocol published in 2007, which provided an azoxymethane (AOM)-based setup for investigations into sporadic (Step 5A) and, when combined with dextran sodium sulfate (Step 5B), inflammation-associated tumor growth. This update also extends the applications beyond those of the original protocol by including an option in which AOM is serially applied to mice with p53 deficiency in the intestinal epithelium (Step 5C). In this model, the combination of p53 deficiency and AOM promotes tumor development, including growth of invasive cancers and lymph node metastasis. It also provides details on analysis of colorectal tumor growth and metastasis, including analysis of partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cell isolation and co-culture studies, high-resolution mini-endoscopy, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and micro-CT imaging in mice. The target audience for our protocol is researchers who plan in vivo studies to address mechanisms influencing sporadic or inflammation-driven tumor development, including the analysis of local invasiveness and lymph node metastasis. It is suitable for preclinical in vivo testing of novel drugs and other interventional strategies for clinical translation, plus the evaluation of emerging imaging devices/modalities. It can be completed within 24 weeks (using Step 5A/C) or 10 weeks (using Step 5B).

Emergence of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts as an Indispensable Cellular Player in Bone Metastasis Process

Bone metastasis is frequently complicated in patients with advanced solid cancers such as breast, prostate and lung cancers, and impairs patients' quality of life and prognosis. At the first step of bone metastasis, cancer cells adhere to the endothelium in bone marrow and survive in a dormant state by utilizing hematopoietic niches present therein. Once a dormant stage is disturbed, cancer cells grow through the interaction with various bone marrow resident cells, particularly osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Consequently, osteoclast activation is a hallmark of bone metastasis. As a consequence, the drugs targeting osteoclast activation are frequently used to treat bone metastasis but are not effective to inhibit cancer cell growth in bone marrow. Thus, additional types of resident cells are presumed to contribute to cancer cell growth in bone metastasis sites. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are fibroblasts that accumulate in cancer tissues and can have diverse roles in cancer progression and metastasis. Given the presence of CAFs in bone metastasis sites, CAFs are emerging as an important cellular player in bone metastasis. Hence, in this review, we will discuss the potential roles of CAFs in tumor progression, particularly bone metastasis.

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Provide a Stromal Niche for Liver Cancer Organoids That Confers Trophic Effects and Therapy Resistance

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in the cancer process, but the research progress is hampered by the paucity of preclinical models that are essential for mechanistic dissection of cancer cell-CAF interactions. Here, we aimed to establish 3-dimensional (3D) organotypic co-cultures of primary liver tumor-derived organoids with CAFs, and to understand their interactions and the response to treatment.

METHODS

Liver tumor organoids and CAFs were cultured from murine and human primary liver tumors. 3D co-culture models of tumor organoids with CAFs and Transwell culture systems were established in vitro. A xenograft model was used to investigate the cell-cell interactions in vivo. Gene expression analysis of CAF markers in our hepatocellular carcinoma cohort and an online liver cancer database indicated the clinical relevance of CAFs.

RESULTS

To functionally investigate the interactions of liver cancer cells with CAFs, we successfully established murine and human 3D co-culture models of liver tumor organoids with CAFs. CAFs promoted tumor organoid growth in co-culture with direct cell-cell contact and in a Transwell system via paracrine signaling. Vice versa, cancer cells secrete paracrine factors regulating CAF physiology. Co-transplantation of CAFs with liver tumor organoids of mouse or human origin promoted tumor growth in xenograft models. Moreover, tumor organoids conferred resistance to clinically used anticancer drugs including sorafenib, regorafenib, and 5-fluorouracil in the presence of CAFs, or the conditioned medium of CAFs.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully established murine and human 3D co-culture models and have shown robust effects of CAFs in liver cancer nurturing and treatment resistance.

STAT3 activation through IL-6/IL-11 in cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes colorectal tumour development and correlates with poor prognosis

OBJECTIVE

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) influence the tumour microenvironment and tumour growth. However, the role of CAFs in colorectal cancer (CRC) development is incompletely understood.

DESIGN

We quantified phosphorylation of STAT3 (pSTAT3) expression in CAFs of human colon cancer tissue using a tissue microarray (TMA) of 375 patients, immunofluorescence staining and digital pathology. To investigate the functional role of CAFs in CRC, we took advantage of two murine models of colorectal neoplasia and advanced imaging technologies. In loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments, using genetically modified mice with collagen type VI (COLVI)-specific signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) targeting, we evaluated STAT3 signalling in fibroblasts during colorectal tumour development. We performed a comparative gene expression profiling by whole genome RNA-sequencing of fibroblast subpopulations (COLVI+ vs COLVI-) on STAT3 activation (IL-6 vs IL-11).

RESULTS

The analysis of pSTAT3 expression in CAFs of human TMAs revealed a negative correlation of increased stromal pSTAT3 expression with the survival of colon cancer patients. In the loss-of-function and gain-of-function approach, we found a critical role of STAT3 activation in fibroblasts in driving colorectal tumourigenesis in vivo. With different imaging technologies, we detected an expansion of activated fibroblasts in colorectal neoplasias. Comparative gene expression profiling of fibroblast subpopulations on STAT3 activation revealed the regulation of transcriptional patterns associated with angiogenesis. Finally, the blockade of proangiogenic signalling significantly reduced colorectal tumour growth in mice with constitutive STAT3 activation in COLVI+ fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

Altogether our work demonstrates a critical role of STAT3 activation in CAFs in CRC development.

Crosstalk Between Prostate Cancer Cells and Tumor-Associated Fibroblasts Enhances the Malignancy by Inhibiting the Tumor Suppressor PLZF

Although prostate cancer is clinically manageable during the early stages of progression, metastatic progression severely compromises the prognosis and leads to mortality. Constitutive activation of STAT3 has been connected to prostate cancer malignancy, and abolishing the STAT3 activity may diminish tumor growth and metastasis. However, its suppressor genes and pathways have not been well established. In this study, we show that promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) has a putative tumor-suppressor function in prostate cancer by inhibiting phosphorylation of STAT3. Compared with a benign prostate, high-grade prostate cancer patient tissue was negatively correlated with PLZF expression. PLZF depletion accelerated proliferation and survival, migration, and invasion in human prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated a novel role of PLZF as the transcriptional regulator of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 that inhibits the oncogenic JAKs–STAT3 pathway. These results suggest that the collapse of PLZF expression by the CCL3 derived from fibroblasts accelerates the cell migration and invasion properties of prostate cancer cells. Our results suggest that increasing PLZF could be an attractive strategy for suppressing prostate cancer metastasis as well as for tumor growth.

Effect of TLR2 on the proliferation of inflammation-related colorectal cancer and sporadic colorectal cancer

Background

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is a complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a poor prognosis because it is often diagnosed in advanced stages with local progression or metastasis. Compared with the more common polyp-induced sporadic colorectal cancer (sCRC), CAC has different molecular mechanisms. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression is not limited to cells related to inflammation and immune function. High levels of TLR2 expression in tumor tissues of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients have been reported. This report is to investigate the effects of knockout and knockdown of the TLR2 gene on the proliferation of CAC and sCRC.

Methods

Twelve C57BL/6 J wild-type mice (WT) and 12 TLR2 knockout mice (TLR2-/-) were used to rapidly establish a colitis-associated cancer (CAC) model via the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-dextran sodium sulfate (DMH-DSS) method and were divided into the normal WT control group (NC), TLR2 knockout control group (KC), normal wild-type tumor modeling group (NT), and TLR2 knockout tumor modeling group (KT), with 6 mice in each group. The general performance of the mice during modeling, the gross changes of the colon and the rectum, and the pathological score of HE staining were used to observe tumor growth. The expression of TLR2 was detected by immunohistochemistry, and tumor proliferation was detected by Ki67 labeling. Lentivirus carrying TLR2-RNAi was used to stably infect colorectal cancer cells (HCT116 and HT29) to knock down TLR2 gene expression. The experimental groups included the uninfected control group, negative control group, and gene knockdown group. After infection, the expression of TLR2 protein was detected by Western blot, and cell proliferation and the cell cycle were detected by the CCK-8 method and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of p- NF-κβ, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 protein in each group of cells.

Results

TLR2 knockout in the CAC model resulted in greater changes in body weight and more severe diarrhea and colorectal hemorrhage. However, knocking out the TLR2 gene reduced the shortening of colorectal length, the number of tumors, and the total tumor volume and inhibited the growth of CAC. Knocking out the TLR2 gene also reduced the pathological score and tumor severity. TLR2 was localized in the cell membrane of the colorectal epithelium of the NC group and of the colorectal tumors of the NT group and was highly expressed in the NT group, while antigen Ki67 was localized in the nucleus of the colorectal tumor cells of the NT group and the KT group, and its expression was reduced in the KT group. In an in vitro sporadic colorectal cancer cell experiment, TLR2 protein in the TLR2 knockdown group was significantly downregulated, and TLR2 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells, resulting in G1 phase arrest. The expression levels of p-NF-κβ, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 proteins in TLR2 gene knockdown group cells were significantly reduced.

Conclusion

Knockout and knockdown of TLR2 can inhibit the proliferation of inflammation-related colorectal cancer and sporadic colorectal cancer.

Rab27b contributes to radioresistance and exerts a paracrine effect via epiregulin in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy is the standard treatment for glioblastoma (GBM). However, radioresistance of GBM cells leads to recurrence and poor patient prognosis. Recent studies suggest that secretion factors have important roles in radioresistance of tumor cells. This study aims to determine whether Rab27b, a small GTPase involved in secretory vesicle trafficking, plays a role in radioresistance of GBM.

METHODS

Microarray analysis, cell viability analysis, apoptosis assay, immunostaining, and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the effect of Rab27b on radioresistance of GBM. We further investigated paracrine effects mediated by Rab27b after X-ray irradiation using coculture systems of glioma cell lines.

RESULTS

Rab27b was specifically upregulated in irradiated U87MG cells. Furthermore, Rab27b knockdown decreased the proliferation of GBM cells after irradiation. Knockdown of Rab27b in U87MG cells combined with radiation treatment suppressed orthotopic tumor growth in the mouse brain and prolonged the survival of recipient mice. Interestingly, the co-upregulation of Rab27b and epiregulin (EREG), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, correlated with radioresistance in glioma cell lines. Additionally, EREG, which was secreted from U87MG cells via Rab27b-mediated mechanism, activated EGF receptor and contributed to H4 cell proliferation in a paracrine manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that Rab27b mediates the radioresistance of highly malignant GBM cells. Rab27b promotes the proliferation of adjacent cells through EREG-mediated paracrine signaling after irradiation. Thus, the Rab27b-EREG pathway is a novel potential target to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy in GBM.

Non-canonical HIF-1 stabilization contributes to intestinal tumorigenesis

The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF-1 is appreciated as a promising target for cancer therapy. However, conditional deletion of HIF-1 and HIF-1 target genes in cells of the tumor microenvironment can result in accelerated tumor growth, calling for a detailed characterization of the cellular context to fully comprehend HIF-1's role in tumorigenesis. We dissected cell type-specific functions of HIF-1 for intestinal tumorigenesis by lineage-restricted deletion of the Hif1a locus. Intestinal epithelial cell-specific Hif1a loss reduced activation of Wnt/β-catenin, tumor-specific metabolism and inflammation, significantly inhibiting tumor growth. Deletion of Hif1a in myeloid cells reduced the expression of fibroblast-activating factors in tumor-associated macrophages resulting in decreased abundance of tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF) and robustly reduced tumor formation. Interestingly, hypoxia was detectable only sparsely and without spatial association with HIF-1α, arguing for an importance of hypoxia-independent, i.e., non-canonical, HIF-1 stabilization for intestinal tumorigenesis that has not been previously appreciated. This adds a further layer of complexity to the regulation of HIF-1 and suggests that hypoxia and HIF-1α stabilization can be uncoupled in cancer. Collectively, our data show that HIF-1 is a pivotal pro-tumorigenic factor for intestinal tumor formation, controlling key oncogenic programs in both the epithelial tumor compartment and the tumor microenvironment.

Epiregulin reprograms cancer-associated fibroblasts and facilitates oral squamous cell carcinoma invasion via JAK2-STAT3 pathway

Background

Local resident normal fibroblasts (NFs) are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are distinguishable from NFs by their tumor-supportive properties. However, the mechanism and the effects underlying the transition of NFs to CAFs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear.

Methods

Five pairs of matching primary NFs and CAFs derived from OSCC patients were sent for RNA sequencing. Epiregulin (EREG) expression was analyzed by IHC in fibroblasts from OSCC patients. The role of EREG in the NF-CAF transition and the consequential effects on OSCC progression were examined by upregulation/downregulation of EREG in NFs/CAFs both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Here, we identified epiregulin (EREG) as the most remarkably upregulated gene in CAFs. High EREG expression in CAFs correlated with higher T stage, deeper invasion and inferior worst pattern of invasion (WPOI) in OSCC patients and predicted shorter overall survival. Overexpression of EREG in NFs activated the CAF phenotype. Mechanistically, the JAK2/STAT3 pathway was enhanced by EREG in parallel with increased IL-6 expression, which could be inhibited by the JAK2 inhibitor AG490. Recombinant IL-6 upregulated the JAK2/STAT3/EREG pathway in a feedback loop. Moreover, EREG-induced CAF activation promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) necessary for migration and invasion, which was dependent on JAK2/STAT3 signaling and IL-6. In vivo, EREG expression in stroma fibroblasts promoted tumor growth with high stromal α-SMA, phospho-JAK2/STAT3, and IL-6 expression and upregulated EMT in HSC3 cells.

Conclusions

EREG is essential for the NF-CAF transformation needed to induce EMT of tumor cells in a JAK2-STAT3- and IL-6-dependent manner in OSCC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1277-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Peptide TNIIIA2 Derived from Tenascin-C Contributes to Malignant Progression in Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer via β1-Integrin Activation in Fibroblasts

Inflammatory bowel diseases increase the risk of colorectal cancer and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Tenascin-C, a matricellular protein, is highly expressed in inflammatory bowel diseases, especially colorectal cancer. However, the role of tenascin-C in the development of CAC is not yet fully understood. We previously showed that a peptide derived from tenascin-C, peptide TNIIIA2, induces potent and sustained activation of β1-integrin. Moreover, we recently reported that peptide TNIIIA2 promotes invasion and metastasis in colon cancer cells. Here, we show the pathological relevance of TNIIIA2-related functional site for the development of CAC. First, expression of the TNIIIA2-containing TNC peptides/fragments was detected in dysplastic lesions of an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) mouse model. In vitro experiments demonstrated that conditioned medium from peptide TNIIIA2-stimulated human WI-38 fibroblasts induced malignant transformation in preneoplastic epithelial HaCaT cells. Indeed, these pro-proliferative effects stimulated by peptide TNIIIA2 were abrogated by peptide FNIII14, which has the ability to inactivate β1-integrin. Importantly, peptide FNIII14 was capable of suppressing polyp formation in the AOM/DSS model. Therefore, tenascin-C-derived peptide TNIIIA2 may contribute to the formation of CAC via activation of stromal fibroblasts based on β1-integrin activation. Peptide FNIII14 could represent a potential prophylactic treatment for CAC.

Chemopreventive Effects of Strawberry and Black Raspberry on Colorectal Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States and the fourth globally with a rising incidence. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immunologically mediated disease that imposes a significant associated health burden, including the increased risk for colonic dysplasia and CRC. Carcinogenesis has been attributed to chronic inflammation and associated with oxidative stress, genomic instability, and immune effectors as well as the cytokine dysregulation and activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway. Current anti-inflammation therapies used for IBD treatment have shown limited effects on CRC chemoprevention, and their long-term toxicity has limited their clinical application. However, natural food-based prevention approaches may offer significant cancer prevention effects with very low toxicity profiles. In particular, in preclinical and clinical pilot studies, strawberry and black raspberry have been widely selected as food-based interventions because of their potent preventive activities. In this review, we summarize the roles of strawberry, black raspberry, and their polyphenol components on CRC chemoprevention in IBD.

Fibroblasts as Modulators of Local and Systemic Cancer Metabolism

Fibroblast activation is an accompanying feature of solid tumor progression, resembling a conserved host response to tissue damage. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) comprise a heterogeneous and plastic population with increasingly appreciated roles in tumor growth, metastatic capacity, and response to therapy. Classical features of fibroblasts in a wound-healing response, including profound extracellular matrix production and cytokine release, are recapitulated in cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that fibroblastic cells in the microenvironments of solid tumors also critically modulate cellular metabolism in the neoplastic compartment through mechanisms including paracrine transfer of metabolites or non-cell-autonomous regulation of metabolic signaling pathways. These metabolic functions may represent common mechanisms by which fibroblasts stimulate growth of the regenerating epithelium during a wound-healing reaction, or may reflect unique co-evolution of cancer cells and surrounding stroma within the tumor microenvironment. Here we review the recent literature supporting an important role for CAFs in regulation of cancer cell metabolism, and relevant pathways that may serve as targets for therapeutic intervention.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts in gastrointestinal cancer

The tumour microenvironment, also termed the tumour stroma or tumour mesenchyme, includes fibroblasts, immune cells, blood vessels and the extracellular matrix and substantially influences the initiation, growth and dissemination of gastrointestinal cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the critical components of the tumour mesenchyme and not only provide physical support for epithelial cells but also are key functional regulators in cancer, promoting and retarding tumorigenesis in a context-dependent manner. In this Review, we outline the emerging understanding of gastrointestinal CAFs with a particular emphasis on their origin and heterogeneity, as well as their function in cancer cell proliferation, tumour immunity, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodelling and drug resistance. Moreover, we discuss the clinical implications of CAFs as biomarkers and potential targets for prevention and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.