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Gong G, Ganesan K, Liu Y, Huang Y, Luo Y, Wang X, Zhang Z, Zheng Y. Danggui Buxue Tang improves therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin in triple negative breast cancer via ferroptosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 323:117655. [PMID: 38158099 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117655] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) has been used for over 800 years to enhance Qi and nourish Blood, and it is particularly beneficial for cancer patients. Recent research has shown that combining DBT with chemotherapy agents leads to superior anti-cancer effects, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination therapy involving doxorubicin (DOX) and Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro experiments were performed using MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells, while in vivo experiments were carried out using MDA-MB-231 xenograft mice. The therapeutic effects of the combination therapy were evaluated using various techniques, including MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), histological analysis, western blotting, and bioluminescence assay. RESULTS DBT was found to enhance DOX's anti-TNBC activity in vitro by promoting ferroptosis, as evidenced by the observed mitochondrial morphological changes using TEM. The combination therapy was also found to reduce the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4, which are all targets for ferroptosis induction, while simultaneously increasing ROS production. Additionally, the combination therapy reduced nuclear accumulation and constitutive activation of Nrf2, which is a significant cause of chemotherapy resistance and promotes cancer growth. In vivo experiments using an MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model revealed that the combination therapy significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation and accelerated TNBC deaths by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis, with no evidence of tissue abnormalities. Moreover, the combination therapy exhibited a liver protective effect, and administration of Fer-1 was able to reduce the ROS formation produced by the DBT + DOX combination therapy. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that the combination therapy of DOX and DBT has the potential to treat TNBC by promoting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519041, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China.
| | - Kumar Ganesan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Yaqun Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China
| | - Yongping Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China
| | - Yuting Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China
| | - Xuexu Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China
| | - Zhenxia Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China
| | - Yuzhong Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China; Guangdong East Drug and Food & Health Branch, Chaozhou, Guangdong, 521041, China.
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Shang L, Zhong Y, Yao Y, Liu C, Wang L, Zhang W, Liu J, Wang X, Sun C. Subverted macrophages in the triple-negative breast cancer ecosystem. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115414. [PMID: 37660651 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115414] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most critical effector cells of innate immunity and the most abundant tumor-infiltrating immune cells. They play a key role in the clearance of apoptotic bodies, regulation of inflammation, and tissue repair to maintain homeostasis in vivo. With the progression of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC), TAMs are "subverted" from tumor-promoting immune cells to tumor-promoting immune suppressor cells, which play a significant role in tumor development and are considered potential targets for cancer therapy. Here, we explored how macrophages, as the most important part of the TNBC ecosystem, are "subverted" to drive cancer evolution and the uniqueness of TAMs in TNBC progression and metastasis. Similarly, we discuss the rationale and available evidence for TAMs as potential targets for TNBC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxiao Shang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Yuting Zhong
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Yan Yao
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region, Macau 999078, China
| | - Jingyang Liu
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Xue Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
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Yuan J. CCR2: A characteristic chemokine receptor in normal and pathological intestine. Cytokine 2023; 169:156292. [PMID: 37437448 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156292] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), together with its ligands, especially C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), to which CCR2 has the highest affinity, form a noteworthy signaling pathway in recruiting macrophages for the immune responses among variegated disorders in vivo environment. Scientometric methods are used to analyze intestine-related CCR2 expression. We describe the current knowledge on biological function of CCR2 in physiological intestine in three dimensions, namely its effects on stromal cells, angiogenesis, and remodeling. However, anomalous expression of CCR2 has also been conveyed to correlate with detrimental outcomes in intestine, such as infective colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, carcinogenesis, and colon-related metastasis. In this article, we briefly summarize recent experimental works on CCR2 and its ligands, mostly CCL2, in intestinal-related physiological and pathological states to ravel out their working mechanisms in intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Department of Experimental, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Xu D, Chen WQ, Liang MX, Chen X, Liu Z, Fei YJ, Shao XY, Wu Y, Zhang W, Tang JH. Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles promote breast cancer progression by upregulating PD-L1 expression in macrophages. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:137. [PMID: 37452413 PMCID: PMC10347751 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02980-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The metastasis of breast cancer (BC) is a complex multi-step pathological process, strictly dependent on the intrinsic characteristics of BC cells and promoted by a predisposing microenvironment. Although immunotherapy has made important progress in metastasis BC, the heterogeneity of PD-L1 in tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) in BC and the underlying mechanisms in the metastasis development of BC are still not completely elucidated. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) represent essential interaction mediators between BC cells and TAMs. It is worth noting to explore the underlying mechanisms typical of sEVs and their role in the metastasis development of BC. METHODS The structure of sEVs was identified by TEM, while the particle size and amounts of sEVs were detected by BCA and NTA analysis. The specific PD-L1 + CD163 + TAM subpopulation in metastasis BC was identified by scRNA-seq data of GEO datasets and verified by IHC and IF. The function of TAMs and sEVs in metastasis BC was explored by RT-qPCR, WB, IF, flow cytometry and in vivo experiment. The expression profiles of plasma sEVs-miRNA in relation to BC metastasis was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Further detailed mechanisms of sEVs in the metastasis development of BC were explored by bioinformatics analysis, RT-qPCR, WB and luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS In this study, we identified that the immunosuppressive molecule PD-L1 was more abundant in TAMs than in BC cells, and a specific PD-L1 + CD163 + TAM subpopulation was found to be associated with metastasis BC. Additionally, we found that BC cells-derived sEVs can upregulate the PD-L1 expression and induce the M2 polarization, enhancing the metastasis development both in vitro and in vivo. Also, Clinical data showed that sEV-miR-106b-5p and sEV-miR-18a-5p was in relation to BC metastasis development and poor prognosis of BC patients. Further mechanistic experiments revealed that BC-derived sEV-miR-106b-5p and sEV-miR-18a-5p could synergistically promoted the PD-L1 expression in M2 TAMs by modulating the PTEN/AKT and PIAS3/STAT3 pathways, resulting in the enhancement of the BC cells invasion and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that BC-derived sEVs can induce metastasis in BC through miR-106b-5p/PTEN/AKT/PD-L1 and miR-18a-5p/PIAS3/STAT3/PD-L1 pathways in TAMs. Therefore, the inhibition of these specific interactions of signaling pathways would represent a promising target for future therapeutic strategies for treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Quan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Xing Liang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Xiu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yin-Jiao Fei
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Yi Shao
- The First Clinical college, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China.
| | - Jin-Hai Tang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China.
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Liu X, Liu X, Mao W, Guo Y, Bai N, Jin L, Shou Q, Fu H. Tetrastigma polysaccharide reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages via PPARγ signaling pathway to play antitumor activity in breast cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 314:116645. [PMID: 37196813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tetrastigma Hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (SYQ) is a typical She ethnomedicine that has been used in anti-tumor treatment in Chinese folklore. The polysaccharide of SYQ (SYQ-PA) has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but the effect and mechanism on antitumor is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the activity and mechanism of SYQ-PA against breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, different stages of MMTV-PYMT mice, which at 4-week-old and 8-week-old representative the transition from hyperplasia to late carcinoma, were used to investigate the potential effect of SYQ-PA of breast cancer development in vivo. The mechanism was explored with IL4/13-induced peritoneal macrophages model. Flow cytometry assay was employed to analysis the change of tumor microenvironment and the macrophages typing. The inhibition of the condition medium from macrophages on breast cancer cells was detected with xCELLigence system detection. The inflammation factors were tested with cytometric bead array. Co-culture system was used to detect the cell migration and invasion. In addition, the underlying mechanism was investigated using RNAseq analysis, Q-PCR and Western blot, and the PPARγ inhibitor was used to verify the mechanism. RESULTS SYQ-PA significantly attenuated the process of breast primary tumor growth and reduced the infiltration of TAMs accompanied promoting the polarization of M1 phenotype in MMTV-PyMT mice. Then in vitro studies showed that SYQ-PA promoted macrophages polarization form IL4/13 induced M2 toward to the anti-tumor M1 phenotypes, and the conditioned medium (CM) from the induced macrophages inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells. At the same time, SYQ-PA treated macrophages inhibited the migration and invasion of 4T1 in the co-culture system. Further results indicated that SYQ-PA suppressed the release of anti-inflammatory factors and promoted the production of inflammatory cytokines which may induce M1 macrophage polarization and inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation. Subsequently, the underlying mechanism analysis based on RNAseq and molecular assays indicated that SYQ-PA inhibited PPARγ expression and regulated downstream NF-κB in macrophages. After treated with PPARγ inhibitor, T0070907, the effect of SYQ-PA was decreased, or even disappeared. As the downstream, the expression of β-catenin was also inhibited obviously, those above all contribute the process of SYQ-PA induced M1 macrophages polarization. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, SYQ-PA was observed inhibited breast cancer, at least in part, via PPARγ activation- and β-catenin-mediated M2 macrophages polarization. These data expound the antitumor effect and mechanism of SYQ-PA, and provide a possible that SYQ-PA can be used as an adjuvant drug for macrophage tumor immunotherapy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Liu
- Second Clinical Medical School, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual Function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xianli Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Weiye Mao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 311402, China
| | - Yingxue Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 311402, China
| | - Ningning Bai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 311402, China
| | - Lu Jin
- Second Clinical Medical School, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual Function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Qiyang Shou
- Second Clinical Medical School, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual Function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China; Jinghua Academy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jinhua, 321000, China.
| | - Huiying Fu
- Second Clinical Medical School, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Sexual Function of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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