1
|
Aljagthmi WA, Alasmari MA, Daghestani MH, Al-Kharashi LA, Al-Mohanna FH, Aboussekhra A. Decorin (DCN) Downregulation Activates Breast Stromal Fibroblasts and Promotes Their Pro-Carcinogenic Effects through the IL-6/STAT3/AUF1 Signaling. Cells 2024; 13:680. [PMID: 38667295 PMCID: PMC11049637 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080680] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Decorin (DCN), a member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan gene family, is secreted from stromal fibroblasts with non-cell-autonomous anti-breast-cancer effects. Therefore, in the present study, we sought to elucidate the function of decorin in breast stromal fibroblasts (BSFs). We first showed DCN downregulation in active cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) compared to their adjacent tumor counterpart fibroblasts at both the mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, breast cancer cells and the recombinant IL-6 protein, both known to activate fibroblasts in vitro, downregulated DCN in BSFs. Moreover, specific DCN knockdown in breast fibroblasts modulated the expression/secretion of several CAF biomarkers and cancer-promoting proteins (α-SMA, FAP- α, SDF-1 and IL-6) and enhanced the invasion/proliferation abilities of these cells through activation of the STAT3/AUF1 signaling. Furthermore, DCN-deficient fibroblasts promoted the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness processes in BC cells in a paracrine manner, which increased their resistance to cisplatin. These DCN-deficient fibroblasts also enhanced angiogenesis and orthotopic tumor growth in mice in a paracrine manner. On the other hand, ectopic expression of DCN in CAFs suppressed their active features and their paracrine pro-carcinogenic effects. Together, the present findings indicate that endogenous DCN suppresses the pro-carcinogenic and pro-metastatic effects of breast stromal fibroblasts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wafaa A. Aljagthmi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal A. Alasmari
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha H. Daghestani
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Layla A. Al-Kharashi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Falah H. Al-Mohanna
- Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelilah Aboussekhra
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li T, Zhou Z, Xie Z, Fan X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Song X, Ruan Y. Identification and validation of cancer-associated fibroblast-related subtypes and the prognosis model of biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer based on single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:11379-11395. [PMID: 37369799 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05011-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an essential component of the tumor immune microenvironment that are involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. We aim to investigate the characteristics of CAFs in prostate cancer and develop a biochemical recurrence (BCR)-related CAF signature for predicting the prognosis of PCa patients. METHODS The bulk RNA-seq and relevant clinical information were obtained from the TCGA and GEO databases, respectively. The infiltration scores of CAFs in prostate cancer patients were calculated using the MCP counter and EPIC algorithms. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was downloaded from the GEO database. Subsequently, univariate Cox regression analysis was employed to identify prognostic genes associated with CAFs. We identified two subtypes (C1 and C2) of prostate cancer that were associated with CAFs via non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering. In addition, the BCR-related CAF signatures were constructed using Lasso regression analysis. Finally, a nomogram model was established based on the risk score and clinical characteristics of the patients. RESULTS Initially, we found that patients with high CAF infiltration scores had shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS) times. Subsequently, CAFs in four pairs of tumors and paracancerous tissues were identified. We discovered 253 significantly differentially expressed genes, of which 13 had prognostic significance. Using NMF clustering, we divided PCa patients into C1 and C2 subgroups, with the C1 subgroup having a worse prognosis and substantially enriched cell cycle, homologous recombination, and mismatch repair pathways. Furthermore, a BCR-related CAFs signature was established. Multivariate COX regression analysis confirmed that the BCR-related CAFs signature was an independent prognostic factor for BCR in PCa. In addition, the nomogram was based on the clinical characteristics and risk scores of the patient and demonstrated high accuracy and reliability for predicting BCR. Lastly, our findings indicate that the risk score may be a useful tool for predicting PCa patients' sensitivity to immunotherapy and drug treatment. CONCLUSION NMF clustering based on CAF-related genes revealed distinct TME immune characteristics between groups. The BCR-related CAF signature accurately predicted prognosis and immunotherapy response in prostate cancer patients, offering a promising new approach to cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiewen Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zeng Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zhiwen Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Xuhui Fan
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yichen Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Xiaodong Song
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yuan Ruan
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Wujin Road 85, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dumond Bourie A, Potier JB, Pinget M, Bouzakri K. Myokines: Crosstalk and Consequences on Liver Physiopathology. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15071729. [PMID: 37049569 PMCID: PMC10096786 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease mainly characterized by the hepatic accumulation of lipid inducing a deregulation of β-oxidation. Its advanced form is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which, in addition to lipid accumulation, induces hepatocellular damage, oxidative stress and fibrosis that can progress to cirrhosis and to its final stage: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To date, no specific therapeutic treatment exists. The implications of organ crosstalk have been highlighted in many metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, metabolic-associated liver diseases and obesity. Skeletal muscle, in addition to its role as a reservoir and consumer of energy and carbohydrate metabolism, is involved in this inter-organs’ communication through different secreted products: myokines, exosomes and enzymes, for example. Interestingly, resistance exercise has been shown to have a beneficial impact on different metabolic pathways, such as lipid oxidation in different organs through their secreted products. In this review, we will mainly focus on myokines and their effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and their complication: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Dumond Bourie
- European Center for the Study of Diabetes (CeeD), Research Unit of Strasbourg University “Diabetes and Therapeutics”, UR7294, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Michel Pinget
- European Center for the Study of Diabetes (CeeD), Research Unit of Strasbourg University “Diabetes and Therapeutics”, UR7294, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Karim Bouzakri
- European Center for the Study of Diabetes (CeeD), Research Unit of Strasbourg University “Diabetes and Therapeutics”, UR7294, 67200 Strasbourg, France
- ILONOV, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang M, Ding Q, Bian C, Su J, Xin Y, Jiang X. Progress on the molecular mechanism of portal vein tumor thrombosis formation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2023; 426:113563. [PMID: 36944406 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with poor prognosis and high mortality. Early-stage HCC has no obvious clinical symptoms, and most patients are already at an advanced stage when they are diagnosed. Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is the most common complication and a poor prognostic factor for HCC, which frequently leads to portal vein hypertension, ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, and tumor metastasis. The formation of PVTT is related to the complex structure and hemodynamic changes of the portal vein and is closely related to changes at the cellular and molecular levels. The differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between PVTT and primary tumor (PT) suggest that the two tissues may have different clonal origins. Epigenetic and proteomic analyses also suggest complex and diverse mechanisms for the formation of PVTT. In addition, the tumor microenvironment and energy metabolism pathways are interrelated in regulating the invasion and progression of PVTT. Aerobic glycolysis and the tumor immune microenvironment have been the focus of recent studies on PVTT. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of PVTT formation at the cellular and molecular levels to provide information to guide better prevention and treatment of PVTT in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, 130021, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Qiuhui Ding
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, 130021, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Chenbin Bian
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, 130021, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Jing Su
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, 130021, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Ying Xin
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Xin Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, Changchun, 130021, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gao Q, Sun Z, Fang D. Integrins in human hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and therapy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:253-268. [PMID: 36848180 PMCID: PMC10106235 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Integrins are a family of transmembrane receptors that connect the extracellular matrix and actin skeleton, which mediate cell adhesion, migration, signal transduction, and gene transcription. As a bi-directional signaling molecule, integrins can modulate many aspects of tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, integrins have a great potential as antitumor therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the recent reports of integrins in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), focusing on the abnormal expression, activation, and signaling of integrins in cancer cells as well as their roles in other cells in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the regulation and functions of integrins in hepatitis B virus-related HCC. Finally, we update the clinical and preclinical studies of integrin-related drugs in the treatment of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Gao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Prognostic Value of an Integrin-Based Signature in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Identification of Immunological Role of LIMS2. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:7356297. [PMID: 36212176 PMCID: PMC9537015 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7356297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Evidence proves that integrins affect almost every step of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. The current study aimed at constructing an integrin-based signature for prognostic prediction of HCC. Methods TCGA-LIHC and ICGC-LIRI-JP cohorts were retrospectively analyzed. Integrin genes were analyzed via univariate Cox regression, followed by generation of a prognostic signature with LASSO approach. Independent factors were input into the nomogram. WGCNA was adopted to select this signature-specific genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment together with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were conducted to explore the function of the dysregulated genes. The abundance of tumor microenvironment components was estimated with diverse popular computational methods. The relative importance of genes from this signature was estimated through random-forest method. Results Eight integrin genes (ADAM15, CDC42, DAB2, ITGB1BP1, ITGB5, KIF14, LIMS2, and SELP) were adopted to define an integrin-based signature. Each patient was assigned the riskScore. High-riskScore subpopulation exhibited worse overall survival, with satisfying prediction efficacy. Also, the integrin-based signature was independent of routine clinicopathological parameters. The nomogram (comprising integrin-based signature, and stage) accurately inferred prognostic outcome, with the excellent net benefit. Genes with the strongest positive interaction to low-riskScore were primarily linked to biosynthetic, metabolic, and catabolic processes and immune pathways; those with the strongest association with high-riskScore were principally associated with diverse tumorigenic signaling. The integrin-based signature was strongly linked with tumor microenvironment components. Among the genes from this signature, LIMS2 possessed the highest importance, and its expression was proven through immunohistochemical staining. Conclusion Altogether, our study defined a quantitative integrin-based signature that reliably assessed HCC prognosis and tumor microenvironment features, which possessed the potential as a tool for prognostic prediction.
Collapse
|