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Sun Y, Li H, Chen Q, Luo Q, Song G. The distribution of liver cancer stem cells correlates with the mechanical heterogeneity of liver cancer tissue. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 156:47-58. [PMID: 33710418 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-021-01979-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The survival of cancer stem cells is usually limited to a specific tumor microenvironment, and this microenvironment plays a vital role in the development of tumors. The mechanical properties of the microenvironment differ in different regions of solid tumors. However, in solid tumors, whether the distribution of cancer stem cells relates to the mechanical microenvironment of different regions is still unclear. In this study, we undertook a biophysical and biochemical assessment of the changes in the mechanical properties of liver tissue during the progression of liver cancer and explored the distribution of liver cancer stem cells in liver cancer tissues. Our analysis confirmed previous observations that the stiffness of liver tissue gradually increased with the progress of fibrosis. In liver cancer tissues, we found obvious mechanical heterogeneity: the core of the tumor was soft, the invasive front tissue was the hardest, and the para-cancer tissue was in an intermediate state. Interestingly, the greatest number of liver cancer stem cells was found in the invasive front part of the tumor. We finally established that stroma stiffness correlated with the number of liver cancer stem cells. These findings indicate that the distribution of liver cancer stem cells correlates with the mechanical heterogeneity of liver cancer tissue. This result provides a theoretical basis for the development of targeted therapies against the mechanical microenvironment of liver cancer stem cells.
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Barry AE, Baldeosingh R, Lamm R, Patel K, Zhang K, Dominguez DA, Kirton KJ, Shah AP, Dang H. Hepatic Stellate Cells and Hepatocarcinogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:709. [PMID: 32850829 PMCID: PMC7419619 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a significant component of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor microenvironment (TME). Activated HSCs transform into myofibroblast-like cells to promote fibrosis in response to liver injury or chronic inflammation, leading to cirrhosis and HCC. The hepatic TME is comprised of cellular components, including activated HSCs, tumor-associated macrophages, endothelial cells, immune cells, and non-cellular components, such as growth factors, proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors, and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Interactions between HCC cells and their microenvironment have become topics under active investigation. These interactions within the hepatic TME have the potential to drive carcinogenesis and create challenges in generating effective therapies. Current studies reveal potential mechanisms through which activated HSCs drive hepatocarcinogenesis utilizing matricellular proteins and paracrine crosstalk within the TME. Since activated HSCs are primary secretors of ECM proteins during liver injury and inflammation, they help promote fibrogenesis, infiltrate the HCC stroma, and contribute to HCC development. In this review, we examine several recent studies revealing the roles of HSCs and their clinical implications in the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis within the hepatic TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Barry
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rajkumar Baldeosingh
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ryan Lamm
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Keyur Patel
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dana A Dominguez
- Department of General Surgery, UCSF East Bay, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Kayla J Kirton
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ashesh P Shah
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hien Dang
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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