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Ma S, Hao R, Lu YW, Wang HP, Hu J, Qi YX. Identification and Validation of Novel Metastasis-Related Immune Gene Signature in Breast Cancer. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2024; 16:199-219. [PMID: 38634039 PMCID: PMC11021863 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s448642] [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] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Distant metastasis remains the leading cause of death among patients with breast cancer (BRCA). The process of cancer metastasis involves multiple mechanisms, including compromised immune system. However, not all genes involved in immune function have been comprehensively identified. Methods Firstly 1623 BRCA samples, including transcriptome sequencing and clinical information, were acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE102818, GSE45255, GSE86166) and The Cancer Genome Atlas-BRCA (TCGA-BRCA) dataset. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed using the GSE102818 dataset to identify the most relevant module to the metastasis of BRCA. Besides, ConsensusClusterPlus was applied to divide TCGA-BRCA patients into two subgroups (G1 and G2). In the meantime, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used to construct a metastasis-related immune genes (MRIGs)_score to predict the metastasis and progression of cancer. Importantly, the expression of vital genes was validated through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results The expression pattern of 76 MRIGs screened by WGCNA divided TCGA-BRCA patients into two subgroups (G1 and G2), and the prognosis of G1 group was worse. Also, G1 exhibited a higher mRNA expression level based on stemness index score and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion score. In addition, higher MRIGs_score represented the higher probability of progression in BRCA patients. It was worth mentioning that the patients in the G1 group had a high MRIGs_score than those in the G2 group. Importantly, the results of RT-qPCR and IHC demonstrated that fasciculation and elongation protein zeta 1 (FEZ1) and insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R) were risk factors, while interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) was a protective factor. Conclusion Our study revealed a prognostic model composed of eight immune related genes that could predict the metastasis and progression of BRCA. Higher score represented higher metastasis probability. Besides, the consistency of key genes in BRCA tissue and bioinformatics analysis results from mRNA and protein levels was verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Ma
- Department of Breast Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050035, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ran Hao
- Institutes of Health Research, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-Wei Lu
- Department of Breast Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050035, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui-Po Wang
- Department of Breast Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050035, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Hu
- Institutes of Health Research, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Science and Technology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-Xin Qi
- Department of Breast Center, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050035, People’s Republic of China
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Stachowicz-Suhs M, Łabędź N, Anisiewicz A, Banach J, Kłopotowska D, Milczarek M, Piotrowska A, Dzięgiel P, Maciejczyk A, Matkowski R, Wietrzyk J. Calcitriol promotes M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages in 4T1 mouse mammary gland cancer via the induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3778. [PMID: 38355711 PMCID: PMC10866890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54433-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Our research found that vitamin D3 (VD3) treatment increased lung metastasis in mice with 4T1 murine breast cancer (BC). This study aims to investigate the impact of VD3 on the activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in BC. Mice bearing 4T1, E0771, 67NR BC cells, and healthy mice, were fed diets with varying VD3 contents (100-deficient, 1000-normal, and 5000 IU/kg-elevated). Some mice in the 1000 and 100 IU/kg groups received calcitriol. We studied bone metastasis and characterized TAMs and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). 4T1 cells had higher bone metastasis potential in the 5000 IU/kg and calcitriol groups. In the same mice, an elevated tumor osteopontin level and M2 polarization of TAMs (MHCIIlow CD44high phenotype) were observed. Gene expression analysis confirmed M2 polarization of 4T1 (but not 67NR) TAMs and BMDMs, particularly in the 100 IU + cal group (increased Mrc1, Il23, and Il6). This polarization was likely due to COX-2/PGE2 induction in 4T1 calcitriol-treated cells, leading to increased proinflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and IL-23. Future studies will explore COX-2/PGE2 as a primary mediator of calcitriol-stimulated inflammation in the BC microenvironment, especially relevant for BC patients with VD3 deficiency and supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Stachowicz-Suhs
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Łabędź
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Artur Anisiewicz
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Banach
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Kłopotowska
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Milczarek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Piotrowska
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Chałubińskiego 6a, 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Dzięgiel
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Chałubińskiego 6a, 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adam Maciejczyk
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wrocław, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wrocław, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Wietrzyk
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland.
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Sobhi P, Bahrami M, Mahdizadeh F, Fazaeli A, Babaei G, Rezagholizadeh L. Vitamin D and potential effects on cancers: a review. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:190. [PMID: 38270702 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09111-y] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by the abnormal and uncontrollable division and growth of cells that can infiltrate tissues and alter normal physiological function, which will become crucial and life-threatening if left untreated. Cancer can be a result of genetics, such as mutations or environmental causes, including smoking, lack of physical activity, as well as nutritional imbalance in the body. Vitamin D is one of the foremost nutrients that play a crucial role in a variety of biochemical pathways, and it is an important key factor in several diseases. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for preventing malignancies and a complementary treatment for cancer through direct and indirect biochemical pathways. In this article, we summarized the correlation between vitamin D and various cancers using an extensive search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This paper reviews the role of vitamin D in different types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Sobhi
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bahrami
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Faraz Mahdizadeh
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Aliakbar Fazaeli
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Ghader Babaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Lotfollah Rezagholizadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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Tsuji A, Yoshikawa S, Morikawa S, Ikeda Y, Taniguchi K, Sawamura H, Asai T, Matsuda S. Potential tactics with vitamin D and certain phytochemicals for enhancing the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint blockade therapies. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:460-473. [PMID: 37455830 PMCID: PMC10344894 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy strategies targeting immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) are revolutionizing oncology. However, its effectiveness is limited in part due to the loss of effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Interestingly, supplementation of vitamin D could abolish the repressive effect of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CD8+ T cells, which might prevent the lymphocytopenia. In addition, vitamin D signaling could contribute to the differentiation of T-regulatory (Treg) cells associated with the expression of Treg markers such as forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and CTLA-4. Furthermore, vitamin D may be associated with the stimulation of innate immunity. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and estrogen receptor (ESR) signaling, and even the signaling from phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway could have inhibitory roles in carcinogenesis possibly via the modulation of immune checkpoint molecules. In some cases, certain small molecules including vitamin D could be a novel therapeutic modality with a promising potential for the better performance of immune checkpoint blockade cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Tsuji
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Sayuri Yoshikawa
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Sae Morikawa
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Yuka Ikeda
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Kurumi Taniguchi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Haruka Sawamura
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Tomoko Asai
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
| | - Satoru Matsuda
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women’s University, Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan
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Zemlin C, Altmayer L, Stuhlert C, Schleicher JT, Wörmann C, Lang M, Scherer LS, Thul IC, Spenner LS, Simon JA, Wind A, Kaiser E, Weber R, Goedicke-Fritz S, Wagenpfeil G, Zemlin M, Solomayer EF, Reichrath J, Müller C. Prevalence and Relevance of Vitamin D Deficiency in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061450. [PMID: 36986179 PMCID: PMC10056197 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061450] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in many types of cancer. It was the aim of this study to analyze serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, and the association with prognostic and lifestyle factors. (2) Methods: 110 non-metastatic breast cancer patients were included in the prospective observational “BEGYN” study at Saarland University Medical Center between September 2019 and January 2021. At the initiation visit, serum 25(OH)D levels were measured. Clinicopathological data on prognosis, nutrition, and lifestyle were extracted from data files and obtained using a questionnaire. (3) Results: Median serum 25(OH)D in breast cancer patients was 24 ng/mL (range 5–65 ng/mL), with 64.8% of patients being vitamin D deficient. 25(OH)D was higher among patients that reported the use of vitamin D supplements (43 ng/mL versus 22 ng/mL; p < 0.001), and in summer compared to other seasons (p = 0.03). Patients with moderate vitamin D deficiency were less likely to have triple negative breast cancer (p = 0.047). (4) Conclusions: Routinely measured vitamin D deficiency is common in breast cancer patients and needs to be detected and treated. However, our results do not support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may be a main prognostic factor for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Zemlin
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Laura Altmayer
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Stuhlert
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Julia Theresa Schleicher
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Wörmann
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Marina Lang
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Laura-Sophie Scherer
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Ida Clara Thul
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Lisanne Sophie Spenner
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Jana Alisa Simon
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Alina Wind
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kaiser
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Regine Weber
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Sybelle Goedicke-Fritz
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Gudrun Wagenpfeil
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics (IMBEI), Saarland University, Campus Homburg, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael Zemlin
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Erich-Franz Solomayer
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Reichrath
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Müller
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6841-1628-000
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Modulation of Fibroblast Activity via Vitamin D3 Is Dependent on Tumor Type—Studies on Mouse Mammary Gland Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194585. [PMID: 36230508 PMCID: PMC9559296 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study, which was conducted in healthy mice and mice bearing three mouse mammary gland cancers—4T1, 67NR, and E0771—showed that the divergent effects of vitamin D3 supplementation (5000 IU) or deficiency (100 IU of vitamin D3) observed in healthy mice led to the formation of various body microenvironments depending on the mouse strain. Developing tumors themselves modified the microenvironments by producing higher concentrations of osteopontin, SDF-1 (4T1), TGF-β (4T1 and E0771), CCL2, VEGF, FGF23 (E0771), and IL-6 (67NR), which influences the response to vitamin D3 supplementation/deficiency and calcitriol administration and leads to enhanced/decreased activation of lung fibroblasts and modulation of tumor tissue blood flow. Abstract Vitamin D3 and its analogs are known to modulate the activity of fibroblasts under various disease conditions. However, their impact on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is yet to be fully investigated. The aim of this study was to characterize CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) from the lung of mice bearing 4T1, 67NR, and E0771 cancers and healthy mice fed vitamin-D3-normal (1000 IU), -deficient (100 IU), and -supplemented (5000 IU) diets. The groups receiving control (1000 IU) and deficient diets (100 IU) were gavaged with calcitriol (+cal). In the 4T1-bearing mice from the 100 IU+cal group, increased NFs activation (increased α-smooth muscle actin, podoplanin, and tenascin C (TNC)) with a decreased blood flow in the tumor was observed, whereas the opposite effect was observed in the 5000 IU and 100 IU groups. CAFs from the 5000 IU group of E0771-bearing mice were activated with increased expression of podoplanin, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β, and TNC. In the 100 IU+cal group of E0771-bearing mice, a decreased blood flow was recorded with decreased expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in tumors and increased expression of TNC on CAFs. In the 67NR model, the impact of vitamin D3 on blood flow or CAFs and lung NFs was not observed despite changes in plasma and/or tumor tissue concentrations of osteopontin (OPN), CCL2, transforming growth factor-β, vascular endothelial growth factor, and FGF23. In healthy mice, divergent effects of vitamin D3 supplementation/deficiency were observed, which lead to the creation of various body microenvironments depending on the mouse strain. Tumors developing in such microenvironments themselves modified the microenvironments by producing, for example, higher concentrations of OPN and stromal-cell-derived factor 1 (4T1), which influences the response to vitamin D3 supplementation/deficiency and calcitriol administration.
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