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Ávila-Fernández P, Etayo-Escanilla M, Sánchez-Porras D, Blanco-Elices C, Campos F, Carriel V, García-García ÓD, Chato-Astrain J. A Novel In Vitro Pathological Model for Studying Neural Invasion in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer. Gels 2024; 10:252. [PMID: 38667671 PMCID: PMC11049316 DOI: 10.3390/gels10040252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural Invasion (NI) is a key pathological feature of cancer in the colonization of distant tissues, and its underlying biological mechanisms are still scarcely known. The complex interactions between nerve and tumor cells, along with the stroma, make it difficult to reproduce this pathology in effective study models, which in turn has limited the understanding of NI pathogenesis. In this study, we have designed a three-dimensional model of NI squamous cell carcinoma combining human epidermoid carcinoma cells (hECCs) with a complete peripheral nerve segment encapsulated in a fibrine-agarose hydrogel. We recreated two vital processes of NI: a pre-invasive NI model in which hECCs were seeded on the top of the nerve-enriched stroma, and an invasive NI model in which cancer cells were immersed with the nerve in the hydrogel. Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to validate the model. Results showed that the integration of fibrin-agarose advanced hydrogel with a complete nerve structure and hECCs successfully generated an environment in which tumor cells and nerve components coexisted. Moreover, this model correctly preserved components of the neural extracellular matrix as well as allowing the proliferation and migration of cells embedded in hydrogel. All these results suggest the suitability of the model for the study of the mechanisms underlaying NI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ávila-Fernández
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Biomedicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Etayo-Escanilla
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - David Sánchez-Porras
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Blanco-Elices
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Fernando Campos
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Víctor Carriel
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Óscar Darío García-García
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Jesús Chato-Astrain
- Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (P.Á.-F.); (M.E.-E.); (D.S.-P.); (C.B.-E.); (F.C.); (J.C.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
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Lan H, Wu B, Jin K, Chen Y. Beyond boundaries: unraveling innovative approaches to combat bone-metastatic cancers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1260491. [PMID: 38260135 PMCID: PMC10800370 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1260491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence demonstrated that bones, liver, and lungs are the most common metastasis sites in some human malignancies, especially in prostate and breast cancers. Bone is the third most frequent target for spreading tumor cells among these organs and tissues. Patients with bone-metastatic cancers face a grim prognosis characterized by short median survival time. Current treatments have proven insufficient, as they can only inhibit metastasis or tumor progression within the bone tissues rather than providing a curative solution. Gaining a more profound comprehension of the interplay between tumor cells and the bone microenvironment (BME) is of utmost importance in tackling this issue. This knowledge will pave the way for developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying bone metastasis and discusses the clinical aspects of this pathologic condition. Additionally, it highlights emerging therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for patients affected by bone-metastatic cancers. By synthesizing current research, this review seeks to shed light on the complexities of bone metastasis and offer insights for future advancements in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanrong Lan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hosptial, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yefeng Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shaoxing People’s Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
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Panuganti BA, Carico C, Jeyarajan H, Flagg M, Tamayo P. Transcriptional subtypes of glottic cancer characterized by differential activation of canonical oncogenic programming. Head Neck 2023; 45:2851-2861. [PMID: 37682073 PMCID: PMC10901072 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a paucity of data concerning molecular heterogeneity among glottic squamous cell carcinoma, and the clinical implications thereof. METHODS Data corresponding to glottic squamous cell carcinoma were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The Onco-GPS computational methodology was levied to derive four patterns of transcriptional activity and three functional subtypes of glottic cancer. RESULTS Thirty glottic cancer samples stratified to three distinct oncogenic states (S0-S2) based on a Onco-GPS model containing four transcriptional components (F0-F3). Membership in S2 and association with transcriptional component F0 conveyed an invasive phenotype, with transcriptional activity strongly reflecting EMT programming (including TGF-B and NF-KB signaling). S2 membership also correlated with inferior disease-specific survival (HR 9.027, 95% CI 1.021-79.767), and higher incidences of extracapsular spread and perineural invasion. CONCLUSIONS We present a functional taxonomy of glottic cancer, with subtypes demonstrating differential upregulation of canonical oncogenic networks and survival implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat A Panuganti
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Birmingham Veteran Affairs Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Christine Carico
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Harishanker Jeyarajan
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mitchell Flagg
- University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, Center for Novel Therapeutics and Division of Genomics and Precision Medicine, University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
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González-Castrillón LM, Wurmser M, Öhlund D, Wilson SI. Dysregulation of core neurodevelopmental pathways-a common feature of cancers with perineural invasion. Front Genet 2023; 14:1181775. [PMID: 37719704 PMCID: PMC10501147 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1181775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: High nerve density in tumors and metastasis via nerves (perineural invasion-PNI) have been reported extensively in solid tumors throughout the body including pancreatic, head and neck, gastric, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers. Ablation of tumor nerves results in improved disease outcomes, suggesting that blocking nerve-tumor communication could be a novel treatment strategy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this remain poorly understood. Thus, the aim here was to identify molecular pathways underlying nerve-tumor crosstalk and to determine common molecular features between PNI-associated cancers. Results: Analysis of head and neck (HNSCC), pancreatic, and gastric (STAD) cancer Gene Expression Omnibus datasets was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). This revealed extracellular matrix components as highly dysregulated. To enrich for pathways associated with PNI, genes previously correlated with PNI in STAD and in 2 HNSCC studies where tumor samples were segregated by PNI status were analyzed. Neurodevelopmental genes were found to be enriched with PNI. In datasets where tumor samples were not segregated by PNI, neurodevelopmental pathways accounted for 12%-16% of the DEGs. Further dysregulation of axon guidance genes was common to all cancers analyzed. By examining paralog genes, a clear pattern emerged where at least one family member from several axon guidance pathways was affected in all cancers examined. Overall 17 different axon guidance gene families were disrupted, including the ephrin-Eph, semaphorin-neuropilin/plexin, and slit-robo pathways. These findings were validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas and cross-referenced to other cancers with a high incidence of PNI including colon, cholangiocarcinoma, prostate, and breast cancers. Survival analysis revealed that the expression levels of neurodevelopmental gene families impacted disease survival. Conclusion: These data highlight the importance of the tumor as a source of signals for neural tropism and neural plasticity as a common feature of cancer. The analysis supports the hypothesis that dysregulation of neurodevelopmental programs is a common feature associated with PNI. Furthermore, the data suggested that different cancers may have evolved to employ alternative genetic strategies to disrupt the same pathways. Overall, these findings provide potential druggable targets for novel therapies of cancer management and provide multi-cancer molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maud Wurmser
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Daniel Öhlund
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sara Ivy Wilson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Abe T, Kanno SI, Niihori T, Terao M, Takada S, Aoki Y. LZTR1 deficiency exerts high metastatic potential by enhancing sensitivity to EMT induction and controlling KLHL12-mediated collagen secretion. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:556. [PMID: 37626065 PMCID: PMC10457367 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Leucine zipper-like transcriptional regulator 1 (LZTR1), a substrate adaptor of Cullin 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates proteostasis of the RAS subfamily. Mutations in LZTR1 have been identified in patients with several types of cancer. However, the role of LZTR1 in tumor metastasis and the target molecules of LZTR1, excluding the RAS subfamily, are not clearly understood. Here, we show that LZTR1 deficiency increases tumor growth and metastasis. In lung adenocarcinoma cells, LZTR1 deficiency induced the accumulation of the RAS subfamily and enhanced cell proliferation, invasion, and xenograft tumor growth. Multi-omics analysis to clarify the pathways related to tumor progression showed that MAPK signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling-related gene ontology terms were enriched in LZTR1 knockout cells. Indeed, LZTR1 deficiency induced high expression of EMT markers under TGF-β1 treatment. Our search for novel substrates that interact with LZTR1 resulted in the discovery of a Kelch-like protein 12 (KLHL12), which is involved in collagen secretion. LZTR1 could inhibit KLHL12-mediated ubiquitination of SEC31A, a component of coat protein complex II (COPII), whereas LZTR1 deficiency promoted collagen secretion. LZTR1-RIT1 and LZTR1-KLHL12 worked independently regarding molecular interactions and did not directly interfere with each other. Further, we found that LZTR1 deficiency significantly increases lung metastasis and promotes ECM deposition around metastatic tumors. Since collagen-rich extracellular matrix act as pathways for migration and facilitate metastasis, increased expression of RAS and collagen deposition may exert synergistic or additive effects leading to tumor progression and metastasis. In conclusion, LZTR1 deficiency exerts high metastatic potential by enhancing sensitivity to EMT induction and promoting collagen secretion. The functional inhibition of KLHL12 by LZTR1 provides important evidence that LZTR1 may be a repressor of BTB-Kelch family members. These results provide clues to the mechanism of LZTR1-deficiency carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Abe
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kanno
- Division of Dynamic Proteome, Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Niihori
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Miho Terao
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Takada
- Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Aoki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
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