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Finger AM, Hendley AM, Figueroa D, Gonzalez H, Weaver VM. Tissue mechanics in tumor heterogeneity and aggression. Trends Cancer 2025:S2405-8033(25)00096-2. [PMID: 40307158 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.04.004] [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: 08/27/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2025] [Accepted: 04/04/2025] [Indexed: 05/02/2025]
Abstract
Tumorigenesis ensues within a heterogeneous tissue microenvironment that promotes malignant transformation, metastasis and treatment resistance. A major feature of the tumor microenvironment is the heterogeneous population of cancer-associated fibroblasts and myeloid cells that stiffen the extracellular matrix. The heterogeneously stiffened extracellular matrix in turn activates cellular mechanotransduction and creates a hypoxic and metabolically hostile microenvironment. The stiffened extracellular matrix and elevated mechanosignaling also drive tumor aggression by fostering tumor cell growth, survival, and invasion, compromising antitumor immunity, expanding cancer stem cell frequency, and increasing mutational burden, which promote intratumor heterogeneity. Delineating the molecular mechanisms whereby tissue mechanics regulate these phenotypes should help to clarify the basis for tumor heterogeneity and cancer aggression and identify novel therapeutic targets that could improve patient outcome. Here, we discuss the role of the extracellular matrix in driving cancer aggression through its impact on tumor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Marie Finger
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143; Current address: Liver Disease Research, Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk A/S, Malov, Denmark
| | - Audrey Marie Hendley
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
| | - Diego Figueroa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Hugo Gonzalez
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143; Current address: Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valerie Marie Weaver
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143; Department of Radiation Oncology, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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2
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Giusti I, Caruso Bavisotto C. New Challenges and Opportunities: Extracellular Vesicles in Biological and Biochemical Processes. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:3395. [PMID: 40244283 PMCID: PMC11989255 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26073395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2025] [Accepted: 04/02/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025] Open
Abstract
Cell-to-cell communication plays a crucial role in many processes, both in physiological and pathological assets [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giusti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Celeste Caruso Bavisotto
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostic (BiND), Human Anatomy Section, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
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3
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Belényesi SK, Patmore S, O'Driscoll L. Extracellular vesicles and the tumour microenvironment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2025; 1880:189275. [PMID: 39900204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189275] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 12/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2025] [Indexed: 02/05/2025]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny packages of information released by cells, are well established as being involved in unwanted cell-to-cell communication in cancer. EVs from cancer cells have been associated with the spread of drug resistance, immune suppression, and metastasis. Additional to cancer cells, the tumour microenvironment (TME) involves many cell types -including immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, each of which has a potential role in how tumours grow, spread, and respond (or otherwise) to therapy. This review collates and distils research developments regarding the role of EVs in multi-way communication between cells in the TME. Further research including tailored clinical studies are now warranted to determine how best to prevent this extensive adverse communication occurring and/or how best to exploit it for biomarker discovery and as a therapeutic approach, in the interest of patients and also for economic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szilárd-Krisztián Belényesi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean Patmore
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lorraine O'Driscoll
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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4
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Liu X, To KK, Zeng Q, Fu L. Effect of Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Tumor Cells on Immune Evasion. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2025; 12:e2417357. [PMID: 39899680 PMCID: PMC11948033 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202417357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2025]
Abstract
The crosstalk between immunity and cancer in the regulation of tumor growth is considered a hallmark of cancer. Antitumor immunity refers to the innate and adaptive immune responses that regulate cancer development and proliferation. Tumor immune evasion represents a major hindrance to effective anticancer treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized and lipid-bilayer-enclosed particles that are secreted to the extracellular space by all cell types. They are critically involved in numerous biological functions including intercellular communication. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs) can transport a variety of cargo to modulate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review provides the latest update about how tumor cells evade immune surveillance by exploiting TEVs. First, the biogenesis of EVs and the cargo-sorting machinery are discussed. Second, how tumor cells modulate immune cell differentiation, activation, and function via TEVs to evade immune surveillance is illustrated. Last but not least, the novel antitumor strategies that can reverse immune escape are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanfan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangdong Esophageal Cancer InstituteSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060P. R. China
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Kenneth K.W. To
- School of PharmacyThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong999077P. R. China
| | - Qinsong Zeng
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNanning530025P. R. China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaGuangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineGuangdong Esophageal Cancer InstituteSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060P. R. China
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5
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Wang Q, Li D, Ma H, Li Z, Wu J, Qiao J, Liu J, Zhao J, Ma R, Tian L, Zhang L, Yang J, Wang J, Qin S, Su Z. Tumor cell-derived EMP1 is essential for cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in tumor microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2025; 16:143. [PMID: 40016223 PMCID: PMC11868485 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-025-07464-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2025] [Accepted: 02/19/2025] [Indexed: 03/01/2025]
Abstract
The role of epithelial membrane protein 1 (EMP1) in tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling has not yet been elucidated. In addition, the biological function of EMP1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is largely unclear. In this study, we examined the infiltration landscape of cell types in the TME of breast cancer, and found that EMP1 expression was positively correlated with stromal and microenvironmental scores. Infiltration analysis and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of serial sections confirmed the critical role of EMP1 in cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) infiltration. Cell co-culture assays, xenograft tumor experiments, loss-of-function, gain-of-function, RNA sequencing studies, and rescue assays were performed to confirm the role of EMP1 in CAF infiltration in vitro and in vivo. These findings revealed that EMP1 depletion in TNBC cells resulted in considerable inhibition of CAF infiltration in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, EMP1 knockdown induced a substantial decrease in IL6 secretion from TNBC through the NF-κB signaling pathway, hindering CAF proliferation and subsequently inhibiting TNBC progression and metastasis. These cumulative results indicate that EMP1 functions as an oncogene in TNBC by mediating the cell communication of TNBC and CAFs. Targeted inhibition of EMP1 by suppressing CAF infiltration is a promising strategy for TNBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
- Shiyan Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment of Oral Cancer, Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Haixiu Ma
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zengyan Li
- Experimental Animal Center & Institute of Clinical Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Juan Wu
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jinwan Qiao
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ronghua Ma
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianye Yang
- Experimental Animal Center & Institute of Clinical Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Jianing Wang
- Experimental Animal Center & Institute of Clinical Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
| | - Shanshan Qin
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
- Shiyan Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment of Oral Cancer, Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhanhai Su
- Research Center for High-Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High-Altitude Medicine, Ministry of Education, Laboratory for High Altitude Medicine of Qinghai Province, Key Laboratory of Application and Foundation for High Altitude Medicine Research in Qinghai Province (Qinghai-Utah Joint Research Key Lab for High-Altitude Medicine), Qinghai University, Xining, China.
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6
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Hogan MC, Ward CJ. An extracellular vesicle based hypothesis for the genesis of the polycystic kidney diseases. EXTRACELLULAR VESICLE 2024; 4:100048. [PMID: 39886526 PMCID: PMC11781568 DOI: 10.1016/j.vesic.2024.100048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2025]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney (ADPKD) disease is the commonest genetic cause of kidney failure (affecting 1:800 individuals) and is due to heterozygous germline mutations in either of two genes, PKD1 and PKD2. Homozygous germline mutations in PKHD1 are responsible for autosomal recessive polycystic kidney (ARPKD) disease a rare (1:20,000) but severe neonatal disease. The products of these three genes, PKD1 (polycystin-1 (PC1 4302(3)aa)), PKD2 (polycystin-2 (PC2 968aa)) and PKHD1 (fibrocystin (4074aa)) are all present on extracellular vesicles (EVs) termed, PKD-exosome-like vesicles (PKD-ELVs). PKD-ELVs are defined as 100 nm PC1/PC2/CD133 and fibrocystin positive EVs which are shed into the urine from the apical plasma membrane of proximal tubule (PT) cells. PKD-ELVs are therefore ectosomes and are distinct from classical exosomes from the multivesicular body. PC1, PC2, fibrocystin and exosomal polycystin-1 interacting protein (EPIC, CU062) form a higher order ion channel complex termed the polycystin complex (PCC) on the surface of the PKD-ELV. We hypothesize that the PCC is involved in the generation of the PKD-ELV and is a structural component thereof. The PCC has also been detected on the primary cilium, a hair like 9+0 microtubule based structure present on all cells except hepatocytes. In kidney epithelial cells, the primary cilium protrudes into the lumen of the tubule where it regulates planar cell polarity (PCP) and tubule lumen diameter. Here we present a theory that explains the presence of the PCC on PKD-ELVs and primary cilia as well as other cryptic aspects of ADPKD and ARPKD. We suggest that the fundamental role of the PCC is to assemble PKD-ELVs on the plasma membrane and then shed them into the extracellular space or the lumen of the tubule. The resultant PKD-ELVs can have multiple functions in different biological contexts. One of the roles of the resultant PKD-ELVs is to generate a planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling gradient along kidney tubules in developing or regenerating kidney. This is mediated via an adhesion event between the PKD-ELV and primary cilium. Defects in the primary cilium or PKD-ELV assembly lead to cystogenesis, the major feature of ADPKD. The other important role for the PCC dependent PKD-ELV is the detection, packaging and extrusion of defective mitochondria. The PKD-ELV is also critical in the transfer of mRNA and miRNAs between cells and as a vector for extracellular proteinases and hyaluronidases involved in tissue remodeling. A PKD-ELV centric view of polycystic disease (EV theory) can explain the requirement for primary cilium function in ADPKD (where the primary cilium is the PKD-ELV receptor), the observation of defective mitochondria in the disease, the abnormalities detected in the extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as the resistance to carcinoma noted in ADPKD patients and individuals carrying PKHD1 mutations, see graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C. Hogan
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Christopher J. Ward
- The Jared Grantham Kidney Institute at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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7
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Wilczyński B, Dąbrowska A, Kulbacka J, Baczyńska D. Chemoresistance and the tumor microenvironment: the critical role of cell-cell communication. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:486. [PMID: 39390572 PMCID: PMC11468187 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01857-7] [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: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Resistance of cancer cells to anticancer drugs remains a major challenge in modern medicine. Understanding the mechanisms behind the development of chemoresistance is key to developing appropriate therapies to counteract it. Nowadays, with advances in technology, we are paying more and more attention to the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and intercellular interactions in this process. We also know that important elements of the TME are not only the tumor cells themselves but also other cell types, such as mesenchymal stem cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, stromal cells, and macrophages. TME elements can communicate with each other indirectly (via cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles [EVs]) and directly (via gap junctions, ligand-receptor pairs, cell adhesion, and tunnel nanotubes). This communication appears to be critical for the development of chemoresistance. EVs seem to be particularly interesting structures in this regard. Within these structures, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids can be transported, acting as signaling molecules that interact with numerous biochemical pathways, thereby contributing to chemoresistance. Moreover, drug efflux pumps, which are responsible for removing drugs from cancer cells, can also be transported via EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Wilczyński
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, Wroclaw, 50-367, Poland
| | - Alicja Dąbrowska
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, Wroclaw, 50-367, Poland
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, Wroclaw, 50-556, Poland.
- Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių g. 5, Vilnius, LT-08406, Lithuania.
| | - Dagmara Baczyńska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, Wroclaw, 50-556, Poland
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Shao M, Gao Y, Xu X, Chan DW, Du J. Exosomes: Key Factors in Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis and Drug Resistance. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1099. [PMID: 39334866 PMCID: PMC11430201 DOI: 10.3390/biom14091099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death among gynecological cancers, largely due to its propensity for peritoneal metastasis and the development of drug resistance. This review concentrates on the molecular underpinnings of these two critical challenges. We delve into the role of exosomes, the nano-sized vesicles integral to cellular communication, in orchestrating the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment that facilitate metastatic spread and thwart therapeutic efforts. Specifically, we explore how exosomes drive peritoneal metastasis by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal mesothelial cells, altering the extracellular matrix, and supporting angiogenesis, which collectively enable the dissemination of cancer cells across the peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, we dissect the mechanisms by which exosomes contribute to the emergence of drug resistance, including the sequestration and expulsion of chemotherapeutic agents, the horizontal transfer of drug resistance genes, and the modulation of critical DNA repair and apoptotic pathways. By shedding light on these exosome-mediated processes, we underscore the potential of exosomal pathways as novel therapeutic targets, offering hope for more effective interventions against ovarian cancer's relentless progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Shao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Yunran Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiling Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - David Wai Chan
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, China
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
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Kewitz‐Hempel S, Windisch N, Hause G, Müller L, Sunderkötter C, Gerloff D. Extracellular vesicles derived from melanoma cells induce carcinoma-associated fibroblasts via miR-92b-3p mediated downregulation of PTEN. J Extracell Vesicles 2024; 13:e12509. [PMID: 39315679 PMCID: PMC11420832 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In melanoma, carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important cellular components in the tumour microenvironment due to their potential to promote tumour growth and metastatic spread of malignant cells. Melanoma cells have the ability to affect non-tumour cells in the microenvironment by releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs). The mechanisms responsible for reprogramming normal dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) into CAFs remain incompletely understood. However, it is likely thought to be mediated by melanoma-specific miRNAs, which are transported by EVs derived from melanoma cells. Therefore, we wondered if one of the most enriched miRNAs in EVs secreted by melanoma cells, miR-92b-3p, is involved in the conversion of normal fibroblasts into CAFs. We observed that melanoma cell-derived EVs indeed delivered miR-92b-3p into NHDFs and that its accumulation correlated with CAF formation, as demonstrated by enhanced expression of CAF marker genes and increased proliferation and migration. Overexpression of miR-92b-3p in NHDFs revealed similar results, while EVs deficient of miR-92b-3p did not induce a CAF phenotype. As a target we identified PTEN, whose repression led to increased expression of CAF markers. We thus provide a novel pathway of intercellular communication by which melanoma cells control the transformation of CAFs by virtue of EV-transported miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kewitz‐Hempel
- Department of Dermatology and VenereologyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Nicola Windisch
- Department of Dermatology and VenereologyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Gerd Hause
- BiocenterMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Lutz Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine IVHematology and Oncology, Martin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Cord Sunderkötter
- Department of Dermatology and VenereologyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Dennis Gerloff
- Department of Dermatology and VenereologyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
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Arteaga-Blanco LA, Evans AE, Dixon DA. Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Non-Extracellular Vesicle Components from APC Min/+ Mice Promote Pro-Tumorigenic Activities and Activate Human Colonic Fibroblasts via the NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Cells 2024; 13:1195. [PMID: 39056778 PMCID: PMC11274984 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. Current studies have demonstrated that tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different cancer cell types modulate the fibroblast microenvironment to contribute to cancer development and progression. Here, we isolated and characterized circulating large EVs (LEVs), small EVs (SEVs) and non-EV entities released in the plasma from wild-type (WT) mice and the APCMin/+ CRC mice model. Our results showed that human colon fibroblasts exposed from APC-EVs, but not from WT-EVs, exhibited the phenotypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) through EV-mediated NF-κB pathway activation. Cytokine array analysis on secreted proteins revealed elevated levels of inflammatory cytokine implicated in cancer growth and metastasis. Finally, non-activated cells co-cultured with supernatant from fibroblasts treated with APC-EVs showed increased mRNA expressions of CAFs markers, the ECM, inflammatory cytokines, as well as the expression of genes controlled by NF-κB. Altogether, our work suggests that EVs and non-EV components from APCMin/+ mice are endowed with pro-tumorigenic activities and promoted inflammation and a CAF-like state by triggering NF-κB signaling in fibroblasts to support CRC growth and progression. These findings provide insight into the interaction between plasma-derived EVs and human cells and can be used to design new CRC diagnosis and prognosis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew E. Evans
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Dan A. Dixon
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
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11
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Khaloozadeh F, Razmara E, Asgharpour-Babayian F, Fallah A, Ramezani R, Rouhollah F, Babashah S. Exosomes derived from colorectal cancer cells take part in activation of stromal fibroblasts through regulating PHLPP isoforms. EXCLI JOURNAL 2024; 23:634-654. [PMID: 38887393 PMCID: PMC11180944 DOI: 10.17179/excli2024-6926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Given that tumor cells primarily instigate systemic changes through exosome secretion, our study delved into the role of colorectal cancer (CRC)-secreted exosomal miR-224 in stromal reprogramming and its impact on endothelial cell angiogenesis. Furthermore, we assessed the potential clinical significance of a specific signature of circulating serum-derived miRNAs, serving as a non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Circulating serum-derived miR-103a-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-224-5p were significantly up-regulated, while miR-215-5p, and miR-455-5p showed a significant down-regulation in CRC patients than in healthy individuals. Our findings indicated that the expressions of CAF-specific markers (α-SMA and FAP) and CAF-derived cytokines (IL-6, and SDF-1) were induced in fibroblasts stimulated with SW480 CRC exosomes, partly due to Akt activation. As a plausible mechanism, exosomal transfer of miR-224 from SW40 CRC cells may activate stromal fibroblasts, which in turn, may promote endothelial cell sprouting. The study identified PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 as direct targets of miR-224 and demonstrated that CRC-secreted exosomal miR-224 activates Akt signaling by regulating PHLPP1/2 in activated fibroblasts, thereby affecting the stromal cell proliferation and migration. This study established a panel of six-circulating serum-derived miRNAs as a non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Also, we proposed a supporting model in which CRC-secreted exosomal miR-224 takes part in the stromal reprogramming to CAFs partly through regulating Akt signaling. This may affect the malignant biological behavior of activated stromal cells and thereby elicit a vascular response within the microenvironment of CRC cells. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Khaloozadeh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Razmara
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Fallah
- Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reihaneh Ramezani
- Department of Family Therapy, Women Research Center, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rouhollah
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Babashah
- Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Dhamdhere MR, Spiegelman VS. Extracellular vesicles in neuroblastoma: role in progression, resistance to therapy and diagnostics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385875. [PMID: 38660306 PMCID: PMC11041043 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid pediatric cancer, and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in children. Despite the current multi-modal treatment regimens, majority of patients with advanced-stage NBs develop therapeutic resistance and relapse, leading to poor disease outcomes. There is a large body of knowledge on pathophysiological role of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) in progression and metastasis of multiple cancer types, however, the importance of EVs in NB was until recently not well understood. Studies emerging in the last few years have demonstrated the involvement of EVs in various aspects of NB pathogenesis. In this review we summarize these recent findings and advances on the role EVs play in NB progression, such as tumor growth, metastasis and therapeutic resistance, that could be helpful for future investigations in NB EV research. We also discuss different strategies for therapeutic targeting of NB-EVs as well as utilization of NB-EVs as potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir S. Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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13
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Fang Y, Xiao X, Wang J, Dasari S, Pepin D, Nephew KP, Zamarin D, Mitra AK. Cancer associated fibroblasts serve as an ovarian cancer stem cell niche through noncanonical Wnt5a signaling. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:7. [PMID: 38191909 PMCID: PMC10774407 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Frequent relapse and chemoresistance cause poor outcome in ovarian cancer (OC) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are important contributors. While most studies focus exclusively on CSCs, the role of the microenvironment in providing optimal conditions to maintain their tumor-initiating potential remains poorly understood. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major constituent of the OC tumor microenvironment and we show that CAFs and CSCs are enriched following chemotherapy in patient tumors. CAFs significantly increase OC cell resistance to carboplatin. Using heterotypic CAF-OC cocultures and in vivo limiting dilution assay, we confirm that the CAFs act by enriching the CSC population. CAFs increase the symmetric division of CSCs as well as the dedifferentiation of bulk OC cells into CSCs. The effect of CAFs is limited to OC cells in their immediate neighborhood, which can be prevented by inhibiting Wnt. Analysis of single cell RNA-seq data from OC patients reveal Wnt5a as the highest expressed Wnt in CAFs and that certain subpopulations of CAFs express higher levels of Wnt5a. Our findings demonstrate that Wnt5a from CAFs activate a noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway involving the ROR2/PKC/CREB1 axis in the neighboring CSCs. While canonical Wnt signaling is found to be predominant in interactions between cancer cells in patients, non-canonical Wnt pathway is activated by the CAF-OC crosstalk. Treatment with a Wnt5a inhibitor sensitizes tumors to carboplatin in vivo. Together, our results demonstrate a novel mechanism of CSC maintenance by signals from the microenvironmental CAFs, which can be targeted to treat OC chemoresistance and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Fang
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xue Xiao
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ji Wang
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Subramanyam Dasari
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David Pepin
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dmitriy Zamarin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anirban K Mitra
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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14
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Guarnerio S, Tempest R, Maani R, Hunt S, Cole LM, Le Maitre CL, Chapple K, Peake N. Cellular Responses to Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Markers of Colorectal Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16755. [PMID: 38069076 PMCID: PMC10706375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of novel screening tests aims to support early asymptomatic diagnosis and subtyping patients according to similar traits in the heterogeneous cancer cohort. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising candidates for the detection of disease markers from bodily fluids, but limitations in the standardisation of isolation methods and the intrinsic EV heterogeneity obtained from liquid biopsies are currently obstacles to clinical adoption. Here, cellular responses to cancer EVs were initially explored as potential complementary biomarkers for stage separation using colorectal cancer (CRC) SW480 and SW620 cell line models. A pilot study on a small cohort of CRC patients and controls was then developed by performing a multivariate analysis of cellular responses to plasma-derived EVs. Several cell activities and markers involved in tumour microenvironment pathways were influenced by the treatment of cell line EVs in a stage-dependent manner. The multivariate analysis combining plasma EV markers and cellular responses to plasma EVs was able to separate patients according to disease stage. This preliminary study offers the potential of considering cellular responses to EVs in combination with EV biomarkers in the development of screening methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Guarnerio
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK; (S.G.); (R.M.)
| | | | - Rawan Maani
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK; (S.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Stuart Hunt
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;
| | - Laura M. Cole
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK; (S.G.); (R.M.)
| | | | - Keith Chapple
- Colorectal Surgical Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK;
| | - Nicholas Peake
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK; (S.G.); (R.M.)
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15
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Bates ME, Libring S, Reinhart-King CA. Forces exerted and transduced by cancer-associated fibroblasts during cancer progression. Biol Cell 2023; 115:e2200104. [PMID: 37224184 PMCID: PMC10757454 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202200104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Although it is well-known that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in regulating tumor progression, the effects of mechanical tissue changes on CAFs are understudied. Myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), in particular, are known to alter tumor matrix architecture and composition, heavily influencing the mechanical forces in the tumor microenvironment (TME), but much less is known about how these mechanical changes initiate and maintain the myCAF phenotype. Additionally, recent studies have pointed to the existence of CAFs in circulating tumor cell clusters, indicating that CAFs may be subject to mechanical forces beyond the primary TME. Due to their pivotal role in cancer progression, targeting CAF mechanical regulation may provide therapeutic benefit. Here, we will discuss current knowledge and summarize existing gaps in how CAFs regulate and are regulated by matrix mechanics, including through stiffness, solid and fluid stresses, and fluid shear stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Bates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah Libring
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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16
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Chen ST, Shi WW, Lin YQ, Yang ZS, Wang Y, Li MY, Li Y, Liu AX, Hu Y, Yang ZM. Embryo-derive TNF promotes decidualization via fibroblast activation. eLife 2023; 12:e82970. [PMID: 37458359 PMCID: PMC10374279 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is a process in which endometrial stromal fibroblasts differentiate into specialized secretory decidual cells and essential for the successful establishment of pregnancy. The underlying mechanism during decidualization still remains poorly defined. Because decidualization and fibroblast activation share similar characteristics, this study was to examine whether fibroblast activation is involved in decidualization. In our study, fibroblast activation-related markers are obviously detected in pregnant decidua and under in vitro decidualization. ACTIVIN A secreted under fibroblast activation promotes in vitro decidualization. We showed that arachidonic acid released from uterine luminal epithelium can induce fibroblast activation and decidualization through PGI2 and its nuclear receptor PPARδ. Based on the significant difference of fibroblast activation-related markers between pregnant and pseudopregnant mice, we found that embryo-derived TNF promotes CPLA2α phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release from luminal epithelium. Fibroblast activation is also detected under human in vitro decidualization. Similar arachidonic acid-PGI2-PPARδ-ACTIVIN A pathway is conserved in human endometrium. Collectively, our data indicate that embryo-derived TNF promotes CPLA2α phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release from luminal epithelium to induce fibroblast activation and decidualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ting Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Wen Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Qian Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Shan Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ai-Xia Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zeng-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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17
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Giusti I, Poppa G, Di Fazio G, D'Ascenzo S, Dolo V. Metastatic Dissemination: Role of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Their Use as Clinical Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119590. [PMID: 37298540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major cause of mortality in humans; often, rather than the primary tumor, it is the presence of metastases that are the cause of death. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small structures released by both normal and cancer cells; regarding the latter, they have been demonstrated to modulate almost all cancer-related processes, such as invasion, angiogenesis induction, drug resistance, and immune evasion. In the last years, it has become clear how EVs are widely involved in metastatic dissemination as well as in pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation. Indeed, in order to achieve a successful metastatic process, i.e., penetration by cancer cells into distant tissues, the shaping of a favorable environment into those distant tissue, i.e., PMN formation, is mandatory. This process consists of an alteration that takes place in a distant organ and paves the way for the engraftment and growth of circulating tumor cells derived from the tumor primary site. This review focuses on the role of EVs in pre-metastatic niche formation and metastatic dissemination, also reporting the last studies suggesting the EVs role as biomarkers of metastatic diseases, possibly in a liquid biopsy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giusti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito 2, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Poppa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito 2, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Fazio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito 2, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sandra D'Ascenzo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito 2, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenza Dolo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio-Coppito 2, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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18
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Miyakawa R, Kobayashi M, Sugimoto K, Endo Y, Kojima M, Kobayashi Y, Furukawa S, Honda T, Watanabe T, Asano S, Soeda S, Hashimoto Y, Fujimori K, Chiba H. SPON1 is an independent prognostic biomarker for ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:95. [PMID: 37179355 PMCID: PMC10182672 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer has the worst outcome among gynecological malignancies; therefore, biomarkers that could contribute to the early diagnosis and/or prognosis prediction are urgently required. In the present study, we focused on the secreted protein spondin-1 (SPON1) and clarified the prognostic relevance in ovarian cancer. METHODS We developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that selectively recognizes SPON1. Using this specific mAb, we determined the expression of SPON1 protein in the normal ovary, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), and ovarian cancer tissues, as well as in various normal adult tissues by immunohistochemistry, and verified its clinicopathological significance in ovarian cancer. RESULTS The normal ovarian tissue was barely positive for SPON1, and no immunoreactive signals were detected in other healthy tissues examined, which was in good agreement with data obtained from gene expression databases. By contrast, upon semi-quantification, 22 of 242 ovarian cancer cases (9.1%) exhibited high SPON1 expression, whereas 64 (26.4%), 87 (36.0%), and 69 (28.5%) cases, which were designated as SPON1-low, possessed the moderate, weak, and negative SPON1 expression, respectively. The STIC tissues also possessed SPON1-positive signals. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate in the SPON1-high group (13.6%) was significantly lower than that in the SPON1-low group (51.2%). In addition, high SPON1 expression was significantly associated with several clinicopathological variables. Multivariable analysis revealed that high SPON1 was an independent prognostic factor for RFS of ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS SPON1 represents a prognostic biomarker for ovarian cancer, and the anti-SPON1 mAb could be valuable as an outcome predictor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoya Miyakawa
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960- 1295, Japan
| | - Makoto Kobayashi
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960- 1295, Japan.
| | - Kotaro Sugimoto
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960- 1295, Japan
| | - Yuta Endo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Gynecologic Oncology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Manabu Kojima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Gynecologic Oncology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kobayashi
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Shigenori Furukawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Medical Support for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Honda
- Department of Regional Medical Support for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iwaki City Medical Center, Iwaki, 973-8555, Japan
| | - Takafumi Watanabe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Gynecologic Oncology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Asano
- Department of Pathology, Iwaki City Medical Center, Iwaki, 973-8555, Japan
| | - Shu Soeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Gynecologic Oncology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yuko Hashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Keiya Fujimori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Gynecologic Oncology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Regional Medical Support for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hideki Chiba
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, 960- 1295, Japan.
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19
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Dhamdhere MR, Gowda CP, Singh V, Liu Z, Carruthers N, Grant CN, Sharma A, Dovat S, Sundstrom JM, Wang HG, Spiegelman VS. IGF2BP1 regulates the cargo of extracellular vesicles and promotes neuroblastoma metastasis. Oncogene 2023; 42:1558-1571. [PMID: 36973517 PMCID: PMC10547097 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02671-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a highly metastatic cancer, and thus is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortalities in pediatric patients. More than 50% of NB cases exhibit 17q21-ter partial chromosomal gain, which is independently associated with poor survival, suggesting the clinical importance of genes at this locus in NB. IGF2BP1 is one such proto-oncogene located at 17q locus, and was found to be upregulated in patients with metastatic NBs. Here, utilizing multiple immunocompetent mouse models, along with our newly developed highly metastatic NB cell line, we demonstrate the role of IGF2BP1 in promoting NB metastasis. Importantly, we show the significance of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) in NB progression, and determine the pro-metastatic function of IGF2BP1 by regulating the NB-EV-protein cargo. Through unbiased proteomic analysis of EVs, we discovered two novel targets (SEMA3A and SHMT2) of IGF2BP1, and reveal the mechanism of IGF2BP1 in NB metastasis. We demonstrate that IGF2BP1 directly binds and governs the expression of SEMA3A/SHMT2 in NB cells, thereby modulating their protein levels in NB-EVs. IGF2BP1-affected levels of SEMA3A and SHMT2 in the EVs, regulate the formation of pro-metastatic microenvironment at potential metastatic organs. Finally, higher levels of SEMA3A/SHMT2 proteins in the EVs derived from NB-PDX models indicate the clinical significance of the two proteins and IGF2BP1-SEMA3A/SHMT2 axis in NB metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayura R Dhamdhere
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Chethana P Gowda
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Vikash Singh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Zhenqiu Liu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas Carruthers
- Bioinformatics Core, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christa N Grant
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Arati Sharma
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Sinisa Dovat
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Sundstrom
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Hong-Gang Wang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Vladimir S Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
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20
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Wright K, Ly T, Kriet M, Czirok A, Thomas SM. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Master Tumor Microenvironment Modifiers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061899. [PMID: 36980785 PMCID: PMC10047485 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells rely on the tumor microenvironment (TME), a composite of non-malignant cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM), for survival, growth, and metastasis. The ECM contributes to the biomechanical properties of the surrounding tissue, in addition to providing signals for tissue development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are stromal cells in the TME that are integral to cancer progression. Subtypes of CAFs across a variety of cancers have been revealed, and each play a different role in cancer progression or suppression. CAFs secrete signaling molecules and remodel the surrounding ECM by depositing its constituents as well as degrading enzymes. In cancer, a remodeled ECM can lead to tumor-promoting effects. Not only does the remodeled ECM promote growth and allow for easier metastasis, but it can also modulate the immune system. A better understanding of how CAFs remodel the ECM will likely yield novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the key factors secreted by CAFs that facilitate tumor progression, ECM remodeling, and immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellen Wright
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Thuc Ly
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Matthew Kriet
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Andras Czirok
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Sufi Mary Thomas
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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21
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived exosomes from chemoresistant patients regulate cisplatin resistance and angiogenesis by delivering VEGFA in colorectal cancer. Anticancer Drugs 2023; 34:422-430. [PMID: 36730310 PMCID: PMC9891287 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chemoresistant cancer-associated fibroblasts (R-CAFs) against cisplatin (DDP) on colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. First, clinical tissue samples of chemoresistant or chemosensitive CRC patients were collected to isolate R-CAFs or chemosensitive CAFs (S-CAFs), respectively. HT29 cells or HUVECs were co-cultured with R-CAFs by transwell device. Then the proliferation and apoptosis of HT29 cells were detected with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. Transwell assay and tube formation assay was used to detect the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs. In addition, a colorectal cancer transplantation model was established subcutaneously in nude mice by injecting stably transfected HT29 cells and exosomes from different CAF groups, and then the tumor volume and weight were measured and recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed to characterize the histopathological characteristics and apoptosis level of tumor tissues, respectively. S-CAFs and R-CAFs were isolated successfully. HT29 cell co-culture with R-CAFs significantly affected the proliferation and apoptosis of HT29 cells. Exosomes derived from R-CAFs (R-CAFs-Exo) were delivered to HT29 cells, which could induce viability, suppress apoptosis and accelerate the angiogenesis of CRC. In addition, VEGFA was highly expressed in R-CAFs-Exo, which might indicate that R-CAFs could transmit VEGFA through exosomes. Overexpressed VEGFA in R-CAFs apparently regulates the viability, apoptosis, DDP resistance, and angiogenesis of CRC. In-vivo experiments confirmed that R-CAFs-Exo promoted the progression of CRC and DDP resistance by delivering VEGFA . R-CAFs-derived exosomes promote the viability, apoptosis, DDP resistance, and angiogenesis of CRC by delivering VEGFA .
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22
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Schweer D, Anand N, Anderson A, McCorkle J, Neupane K, Nail AN, Harvey B, Hill KS, Ueland F, Richards C, Kolesar J. Human macrophage-engineered vesicles for utilization in ovarian cancer treatment. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1042730. [PMID: 36713536 PMCID: PMC9875020 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1042730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer is a deadly female malignancy with a high rate of recurrent and chemotherapy-resistant disease. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a significant component of the tumor microenvironment and include high levels of M2-protumor macrophages that promote chemoresistance and metastatic spread. M2 macrophages can be converted to M1 anti-tumor macrophages, representing a novel therapeutic approach. Vesicles engineered from M1 macrophages (MEVs) are a novel method for converting M2 macrophages to M1 phenotype-like macrophages. Methods Macrophages were isolated and cultured from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Macrophages were stimulated to M1 or M2 phenotypes utilizing LPS/IFN-γ and IL-4/IL-13, respectively. M1 MEVs were generated with nitrogen cavitation and ultracentrifugation. Co-culture of ovarian cancer cells with macrophages and M1 MEVs was followed by cytokine, PCR, and cell viability analysis. Murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 cells were cultured and used to generate M1 MEVs for use in ovarian cancer xenograft models. Results M1 MEVs can effectively convert M2 macrophages to an M1-like state both in isolation and when co-cultured with ovarian cancer cells in vitro, resulting in a reduced ovarian cancer cell viability. Additionally, RAW264.7 M1 MEVs can localize to ovarian cancer tumor xenografts in mice. Conclusion Human M1 MEVs can repolarize M2 macrophages to a M1 state and have anti-cancer activity against ovarian cancer cell lines. RAW264.7 M1 MEVs localize to tumor xenografts in vivo murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Schweer
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Namrata Anand
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States,Department of Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Abigail Anderson
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - J. Robert McCorkle
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Khaga Neupane
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Alexandra N. Nail
- Department of Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Brock Harvey
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Kristen S. Hill
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Frederick Ueland
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Christopher Richards
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jill Kolesar
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States,Department of Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States,*Correspondence: Jill Kolesar,
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23
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Villegas-Pineda JC, Ramírez-de-Arellano A, Bueno-Urquiza LJ, Lizarazo-Taborda MDR, Pereira-Suárez AL. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in gynecological malignancies: are they really allies of the enemy? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1106757. [PMID: 37168385 PMCID: PMC10164963 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1106757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular and cellular components of the tumor microenvironment are essential for cancer progression. The cellular element comprises cancer cells and heterogeneous populations of non-cancer cells that satisfy tumor needs. Immune, vascular, and mesenchymal cells provide the necessary factors to feed the tumor mass, promote its development, and favor the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to adjacent and distant anatomical sites. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are mesenchymal cells that promote carcinogenesis and progression of various malignant neoplasms. CAFs act through the secretion of metalloproteinases, growth factors, cytokines, mitochondrial DNA, and non-coding RNAs, among other molecules. Over the last few years, the evidence on the leading role of CAFs in gynecological cancers has notably increased, placing them as the cornerstone of neoplastic processes. In this review, the recently reported findings regarding the promoting role that CAFs play in gynecological cancers, their potential use as therapeutic targets, and the new evidence suggesting that they could act as tumor suppressors are analyzed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Villegas-Pineda
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Adrián Ramírez-de-Arellano
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Lesly Jazmín Bueno-Urquiza
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | | | - Ana Laura Pereira-Suárez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Ana Laura Pereira-Suárez,
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24
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EV-out or EV-in: Tackling cell-to-cell communication within the tumor microenvironment to enhance anti-tumor efficacy using extracellular vesicle-based therapeutic strategies. OPENNANO 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onano.2022.100085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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25
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Wong KY, Cheung AH, Chen B, Chan WN, Yu J, Lo KW, Kang W, To KF. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in nonsmall cell lung cancer: From molecular mechanisms to clinical implications. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:1195-1215. [PMID: 35603909 PMCID: PMC9545594 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the common and leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The tumor microenvironment has been recognized to be instrumental in tumorigenesis. To have a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increasing research interests. CAFs belong to the crucial and dominant cell population in the tumor microenvironment to support the cancer cells. The interplay and partnership between cancer cells and CAFs contribute to each stage of tumorigenesis. CAFs exhibit prominent heterogeneity and secrete different kinds of cytokines and chemokines, growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance. Many studies focused on the protumorigenic functions of CAFs, yet many challenges about the heterogeneity of CAFS remain unresolved. This review comprehensively summarized the tumor-promoting role and molecular mechanisms of CAFs in NSCLC, including their origin, phenotypic changes and heterogeneity and their functional roles in carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, we also highlighted the updated molecular classifications based on the molecular features and functional roles of CAFs. With the development of cutting-edge platforms and further investigations of CAFs, novel therapeutic strategies for accurately targeting CAFs in NSCLC may be developed based on the increased understanding of the relevant molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Yee Wong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Alvin Ho‐Kwan Cheung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Bonan Chen
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Wai Nok Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Department of Medicine and TherapeuticsThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational OncologyPrince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong KongSARChina
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26
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Sadovska L, Zayakin P, Bajo-Santos C, Endzeliņš E, Auders J, Keiša L, Jansons J, Lietuvietis V, Linē A. Effects of urinary extracellular vesicles from prostate cancer patients on the transcriptomes of cancer-associated and normal fibroblasts. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1055. [PMID: 36224527 PMCID: PMC9555094 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) alter the phenotype and functions of fibroblasts and trigger the reprogramming of normal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Here, we for the first time studied the effects of urinary EVs from PC patients and healthy males on the transcriptional landscape of prostate CAFs and normal foreskin fibroblasts. METHODS Patient-derived prostate fibroblast primary cultures PCF-54 and PCF-55 were established from two specimens of PC tissues. EVs were isolated from urine samples of 3 patients with PC and 2 healthy males and used for the treatment of prostate fibroblast primary cultures and normal foreskin fibroblasts. The EV-treated fibroblasts were subjected to RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS RNA sequencing analysis showed that the fibroblast cultures differed significantly in their response to urinary EVs. The transcriptional response of foreskin fibroblasts to the urinary EVs isolated from PC patients and healthy controls was very similar and mostly related to the normal functions of fibroblasts. On the contrary, PCF-54 cells responded very differently - EVs from PC patients elicited transcriptional changes related to the regulation of the cell division and chromosome segregation, whereas EVs from healthy males affected mitochondrial respiration. In PCF-55 cells, EVs from both, PC-patients and controls induced the expression of a number of chemokines such as CCL2, CCL13, CXCL1, CXCL8, whereas pathways related to regulation of apoptotic signaling and production of cell adhesion molecules were triggered specifically by EVs from PC patients. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that urinary EVs from PC patients and healthy controls elicit distinct transcriptional responses in prostate CAFs and supports the idea that EVs contribute to the generation of functional heterogeneity of CAFs. Moreover, this study suggests that the changes in the gene expression pattern in EV recipient cells might serve as a novel type of functional cancer biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilite Sadovska
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Pawel Zayakin
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Cristina Bajo-Santos
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Edgars Endzeliņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jānis Auders
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Raina blvd. 19, 1586, LV, Riga, Latvia
| | - Laura Keiša
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Raina blvd. 19, 1586, LV, Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Riga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema Str 16, LV-1007, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Aija Linē
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.
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27
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Zhang X, Zhang Y, Qiu X, Cai J, Yang Z, Song F. Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Lung Cancer Cells Induce Transformation of Normal Fibroblasts into Lung Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Promote Metastasis of Lung Cancer by Delivering lncRNA HOTAIR. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:3805013. [PMID: 36267242 PMCID: PMC9578906 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3805013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human lung cancer (LC) cells A549/H358, normal lung epithelial cells BEAS-2B, and lung normal fibroblasts (NFs) were cultured, followed by transfection of H358 cells with HOTAIR shRNA. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) extracted from H358 cells were identified. The internalization of Dil-labeled-EVs by NFs was tested, and protein levels of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) surface markers, inflammatory cytokines, cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and lncRNA HOTAIR levels were determined. A549 cells were cultured in an H358-EVs-treated conditioned medium of NFs (NFCM), followed by intravenous injection of A549 cells into nude mice. The lesions and Ki-67-positive cells in lung tissues were measured. The results showed that tumor cell-derived EVs (T-EVs) motivated the transformation of NFs into CAFs. Specifically, EVs can be internalized by NFs, and the protein levels of CAF surface markers and inflammation levels were elevated in H358-EVs-treated NFs. The proliferation, invasion, and migration of A549 cells cultured in T-EVs-treated NFCM were increased. H358-EVs carried HOTAIR into NFs and promoted the transformation of NFs into CAFs. Inhibition of HOTAIR partially reversed the promoting effect of H358-EVs on the transformation of NFs into CAFs and invasion and migration of LC cells. T-EVs promoted metastasis of LC in vivo by transforming NFs into CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Zhang
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xin Qiu
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Cai
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zhenzhou Yang
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Fangzhou Song
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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28
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Giusti I, Poppa G, D’Ascenzo S, Esposito L, Vitale AR, Calvisi G, Dolo V. Cancer Three-Dimensional Spheroids Mimic In Vivo Tumor Features, Displaying “Inner” Extracellular Vesicles and Vasculogenic Mimicry. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911782. [PMID: 36233083 PMCID: PMC9569704 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of cell-to-cell communication in cancer progression is widely recognized. In vitro studies are routinely performed on 2D culture models, but recent studies suggest that 3D cultures could represent a more valid model. Human ovarian cancer cells CABA I were cultured by the hanging drop method to form tumor spheroids, that were moved to low adhesion supports to observe their morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and to isolate the EVs. EVs release was verified by SEM and their identity confirmed by morphology (Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM), size distribution (Nanoparticles Tracking Analysis), and markers (CD63, CD9, TSG-101, Calnexin). CABA I form spheroids with a clinically relevant size, above 400 μm; they release EVs on their external surface and also trap “inner” EVs. They also produce vasculogenic mimicry-like tubules, that bulge from the spheroid and are composed of a hollow lumen delimited by tumor cells. CABA I can be grown as multicellular spheroids to easily isolate EVs. The presence of features typical of in vivo tumors (inner entrapped EVs and vasculogenic mimicry) suggests their use as faithful experimental models to screen therapeutic drugs targeting these pro-tumorigenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giusti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Poppa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Sandra D’Ascenzo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Letizia Esposito
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Vitale
- Pathology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, Via Lorenzo Natali, 1, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calvisi
- Pathology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, Via Lorenzo Natali, 1, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenza Dolo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0862-436665
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29
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Cammarata G, Barraco N, Giusti I, Gristina V, Dolo V, Taverna S. Extracellular Vesicles-ceRNAs as Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers: Looking into circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Code. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143404. [PMID: 35884464 PMCID: PMC9324482 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Patients with ovarian cancer have a very poor chance of long-term survival, usually due to advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Emerging evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles contain noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs, piwiRNAs, circular RNAs, and long noncoding RNAs, with regulatory effects on ovarian cancer. In this review, we focus on ovarian cancer-associated circular RNA shuttled by extracellular vesicles as mediators of cancer progression and novel biomarkers in liquid biopsy. We propose a circular-RNA–microRNA-mRNA code that can reveal the regulatory network created by extracellular vesicles, noncoding RNAs, and mRNAs in ovarian cancer. Future research in this field will help to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers and druggable therapeutic targets, which will ultimately benefit patients. Abstract Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies in females worldwide. OC is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of specific symptoms and effective screening tests, resulting in a poor prognosis for patients. Age, genetic alterations, and family history are the major risk factors for OC pathogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying OC progression, identifying new biomarkers for early detection, and discovering potential targets for new drugs are urgent needs. Liquid biopsy (LB), used for cancer detection and management, consists of a minimally invasive approach and practical alternative source to investigate tumor alterations by testing extracellular vesicles (EVs), circulating tumor cells, tumor-educated platelets, and cell-free nucleic acids. EVs are nanosize vesicles shuttling proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, such as DNA, RNA, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), that can induce phenotypic reprogramming of target cells. EVs are natural intercellular shuttles for ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular-RNAs (circRNAs), known to have regulatory effects in OC. Here we focus on the involvement of circRNAs and miRNAs in OC cancer progression. The circRNA-microRNA-mRNA axis has been investigated with Circbank and miRwalk analysis, unraveling the intricate and detailed regulatory network created by EVs, ncRNAs, and mRNAs in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Cammarata
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (S.T.)
| | - Nadia Barraco
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (N.B.); (V.G.)
| | - Ilaria Giusti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (I.G.); (V.D.)
| | - Valerio Gristina
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (N.B.); (V.G.)
| | - Vincenza Dolo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (I.G.); (V.D.)
| | - Simona Taverna
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (S.T.)
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30
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Mezzasoma L, Bellezza I, Romani R, Talesa VN. Extracellular Vesicles and the Inflammasome: An Intricate Network Sustaining Chemoresistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:888135. [PMID: 35530309 PMCID: PMC9072732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.888135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane enclosed spherical particles devoted to intercellular communication. Cancer-derived EVs (Ca-EVs) are deeply involved in tumor microenvironment remodeling, modifying the inflammatory phenotype of cancerous and non-cancerous residing cells. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in initiation, development, and progression of many types of malignancies. The key feature of cancer-related inflammation is the production of cytokines that incessantly modify of the surrounding environment. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is one of the most powerful cytokines, influencing all the initiation-to-progression stages of many types of cancers and represents an emerging critical contributor to chemoresistance. IL-1β production strictly depends on the activation of inflammasome, a cytoplasmic molecular platform sensing exogenous and endogenous danger signals. It has been recently shown that Ca-EVs can activate the inflammasome cascade and IL-1β production in tumor microenvironment-residing cells. Since inflammasome dysregulation has been established as crucial regulator in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis and chemoresistance, it is conceivable that the use of inflammasome-inhibiting drugs may be employed as adjuvant chemotherapy to counteract chemoresistance. This review focuses on the role of cancer-derived EVs in tuning tumor microenvironment unveiling the intricate network between inflammasome and chemoresistance.
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31
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Ginini L, Billan S, Fridman E, Gil Z. Insight into Extracellular Vesicle-Cell Communication: From Cell Recognition to Intracellular Fate. Cells 2022; 11:1375. [PMID: 35563681 PMCID: PMC9101098 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogamous lipid bilayer-enclosed membranous structures secreted by cells. They are comprised of apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes, and carry a range of nucleic acids and proteins that are necessary for cell-to-cell communication via interaction on the cells surface. They initiate intracellular signaling pathways or the transference of cargo molecules, which elicit pleiotropic responses in recipient cells in physiological processes, as well as pathological processes, such as cancer. It is therefore important to understand the molecular means by which EVs are taken up into cells. Accordingly, this review summarizes the underlying mechanisms involved in EV targeting and uptake. The primary method of entry by EVs appears to be endocytosis, where clathrin-mediated, caveolae-dependent, macropinocytotic, phagocytotic, and lipid raft-mediated uptake have been variously described as being prevalent. EV uptake mechanisms may depend on proteins and lipids found on the surfaces of both vesicles and target cells. As EVs have been shown to contribute to cancer growth and progression, further exploration and targeting of the gateways utilized by EVs to internalize into tumor cells may assist in the prevention or deceleration of cancer pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Ginini
- Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel; (L.G.); (E.F.)
| | - Salem Billan
- Head and Neck Institute, The Holy Family Hospital Nazareth, Nazareth 1641100, Israel;
- Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy Program, Oncology Section, Rambam Health Care Campus, HaAliya HaShniya Street 8, Haifa 3109601, Israel
| | - Eran Fridman
- Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel; (L.G.); (E.F.)
| | - Ziv Gil
- Head and Neck Institute, The Holy Family Hospital Nazareth, Nazareth 1641100, Israel;
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