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Bogdanova DA, Kolosova ED, Pukhalskaia TV, Levchuk KA, Demidov ON, Belotserkovskaya EV. The Differential Effect of Senolytics on SASP Cytokine Secretion and Regulation of EMT by CAFs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4031. [PMID: 38612842 PMCID: PMC11012227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074031] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in tumor progression and in modulating tumor response to anticancer therapy. Cellular senescence leads to a switch in the cell secretome, characterized by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which may regulate tumorigenesis. Senolytic therapy is considered a novel anticancer strategy that eliminates the deleterious effects of senescent cells in the TME. Here, we show that two different types of senolytic drugs, despite efficiently depleting senescent cells, have opposite effects on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their ability to regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We found that senolytic drugs, navitoclax and the combination of dasatinib/quercetin, reduced the number of spontaneously senescent and TNF-induced senescent CAFs. Despite the depletion of senescent cells, the combination of dasatinib/quercetin versus navitoclax increased the secretion of the SASP pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. This differential effect correlated with the promotion of enhanced migration and EMT in MC38 colorectal cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that some senolytics may have side effects unrelated to their senolytic activity and may promote tumorigenesis. We argue for more careful and extensive studies of the effects of senolytics on various aspects of tumor progression and tumor resistance to therapy before the senolytic strategy is implemented in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria A. Bogdanova
- Division of Immunobiology and Biomedicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, Krasndarsky Krai, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Institute of Cytology RAS, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Tamara V. Pukhalskaia
- Division of Immunobiology and Biomedicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, Krasndarsky Krai, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Institute of Cytology RAS, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ksenia A. Levchuk
- World-Class Research Centre for Personalized Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Oleg N. Demidov
- Division of Immunobiology and Biomedicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, Krasndarsky Krai, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Institute of Cytology RAS, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- INSERM UMR1231, University of Burgundy, 21078 Dijon, France
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Piñeiro R. Editorial: Mechanisms of metastasis from circulating and disseminated tumor cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1386050. [PMID: 38476261 PMCID: PMC10927939 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1386050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Piñeiro
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
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Jiang B, Xiao S, Zhang S, Xiao F. The miR-1290/OGN axis in ovarian cancer-associated fibroblasts modulates cancer cell proliferation and invasion. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:52. [PMID: 38402185 PMCID: PMC10893657 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01364-w] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite receiving first-line treatment, ovarian cancer patients continue to experience a high rate of recurrence; nearly all women with ovarian cancer develop chemoresistance and succumb to the disease. In this study, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from tumor-containing and normal omenta, respectively, and the downregulation of osteoglycin (OGN) in CAFs was observed. OGN overexpression in CAFs significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell viability, DNA synthesis, and cell invasion. OGN overexpression also changed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and promoted mTOR and Akt phosphorylation in ovarian cancer cells. miR-1290 targeted OGN and inhibited OGN expression. miR-1290 overexpression in CAFs significantly promoted ovarian cancer cell viability, DNA synthesis, and cell invasion. Moreover, miR-1290 overexpression in CAFs also changed EMT markers and promoted mTOR and Akt phosphorylation within ovarian carcinoma cells. Finally, when ovarian cancer cells in a conditioned medium derived from CAFs co-transduced with miR-1290 mimics and OGN-OE were cultured, the effects of miR-1290 overexpression were partially reversed by OGN overexpression. In nude mouse xenograft tumor models, OGN overexpression in CAFs suppressed tumor growth, whereas miR-1290 overexpression in CAFs increased tumor growth. In conclusion, a miRNA/mRNA axis in ovarian cancer CAFs modulating the proliferative and invasive abilities of ovarian cancer cells, possibly via the Akt/mTOR pathway, was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyao Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, NO.138 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Songshu Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, NO.138 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, NO.138 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Fang Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, NO.138 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China.
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Cao L, Ouyang H. Intercellular crosstalk between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts via exosomes in gastrointestinal tumors. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1374742. [PMID: 38463229 PMCID: PMC10920350 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1374742] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors are a significant global health threat, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Exosomes contain various biologically active molecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids and can serve as messengers for intercellular communication. They play critical roles in the exchange of information between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME consists of mesenchymal cells and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with fibroblasts being the most abundant cell type in the tumor mesenchyme. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are derived from normal fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells that are activated in the TME. CAFs can secrete exosomes to modulate cell proliferation, invasion, migration, drug resistance, and other biological processes in tumors. Additionally, tumor cells can manipulate the function and behavior of fibroblasts through direct cell-cell interactions. This review provides a summary of the intercellular crosstalk between GI tumor cells and CAFs through exosomes, along with potential underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyang Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Linan District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Ouyang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Linan District, Hangzhou, China
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Lekan AA, Weiner LM. The Role of Chemokines in Orchestrating the Immune Response to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:559. [PMID: 38339310 PMCID: PMC10854906 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030559] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are small molecules that function as chemotactic factors which regulate the migration, infiltration, and accumulation of immune cells. Here, we comprehensively assess the structural and functional role of chemokines, examine the effects of chemokines that are present in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME), specifically those produced by cancer cells and stromal components, and evaluate their impact on immune cell trafficking, both in promoting and suppressing anti-tumor responses. We further explore the impact of chemokines on patient outcomes in PDAC and their role in the context of immunotherapy treatments, and review clinical trials that have targeted chemokine receptors and ligands in the treatment of PDAC. Lastly, we highlight potential strategies that can be utilized to harness chemokines in order to increase cytotoxic immune cell infiltration and the anti-tumor effects of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louis M. Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3970 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
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Jiang L, Khawaja H, Tahsin S, Clarkson TA, Miranti CK, Zohar Y. Microfluidic-based human prostate-cancer-on-chip. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1302223. [PMID: 38322789 PMCID: PMC10844564 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1302223] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Lack of adequate models significantly hinders advances in prostate cancer treatment, where resistance to androgen-deprivation therapies and bone metastasis remain as major challenges. Current in vitro models fail to faithfully mimic the complex prostate physiology. In vivo animal models can shed light on the oncogenes involved in prostate cancer development and progression; however, the animal prostate gland is fundamentally different from that of human, and the underlying genetic mechanisms are different. To address this problem, we developed the first in vitro microfluidic human Prostate-Cancer-on-Chip (PCoC) model, where human prostate cancer and stromal fibroblast cells were co-cultivated in two channels separated by a porous membrane under culture medium flow. The established microenvironment enables soluble signaling factors secreted by each culture to locally diffuse through the membrane pores affecting the neighboring culture. We particularly explored the conversion of the stromal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) due to the interaction between the 2 cell types. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that tumor cells induced CAF biomarkers, αSMA and COL1A1, in stromal fibroblasts. The stromal CAF conversion level was observed to increase along the flow direction in response to diffusion agents, consistent with simulations of solute concentration gradients. The tumor cells also downregulated androgen receptor (AR) expression in stromal fibroblasts, while an adequate level of stromal AR expression is maintained in normal prostate homeostasis. We further investigated tumor invasion into the stroma, an early step in the metastatic cascade, in devices featuring a serpentine channel with orthogonal channel segments overlaying a straight channel and separated by an 8 µm-pore membrane. Both tumor cells and stromal CAFs were observed to cross over into their neighboring channel, and the stroma's role seemed to be proactive in promoting cell invasion. As control, normal epithelial cells neither induced CAF conversion nor promoted cell invasion. In summary, the developed PCoC model allows spatiotemporal analysis of the tumor-stroma dynamic interactions, due to bi-directional signaling and physical contact, recapitulating tissue-level multicellular responses associated with prostate cancer in vivo. Hence, it can serve as an in vitro model to dissect mechanisms in human prostate cancer development and seek advanced therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linan Jiang
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Hunain Khawaja
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Shekha Tahsin
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - Cindy K Miranti
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Tucson, AZ, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yitshak Zohar
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Tucson, AZ, United States
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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7
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Sari D, Gozuacik D, Akkoc Y. Role of autophagy in cancer-associated fibroblast activation, signaling and metabolic reprograming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1274682. [PMID: 38234683 PMCID: PMC10791779 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274682] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors not only consist of cancerous cells, but they also harbor several normal-like cell types and non-cellular components. cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of these cellular components that are found predominantly in the tumor stroma. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation and quality control mechanism, and recent studies provided evidence that autophagy played a critical role in CAF formation, metabolic reprograming and tumor-stroma crosstalk. Therefore, shedding light on the autophagy and its role in CAF biology might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the exploitation of more efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we provide an overview about the involvement of autophagy in CAF-related pathways, including transdifferentiation and activation of CAFs, and further discuss the implications of targeting tumor stroma as a treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyana Sari
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Devrim Gozuacik
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Biotechnology, SUNUM Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Yunus Akkoc
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
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Shih JW, Wu ATH, Mokgautsi N, Wei PL, Huang YJ. Preclinical Repurposing of Sitagliptin as a Drug Candidate for Colorectal Cancer by Targeting CD24/ CTNNB1/ SOX4-Centered Signaling Hub. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:609. [PMID: 38203779 PMCID: PMC10778938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010609] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in treatment modalities, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a poorly understood and highly lethal malignancy worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been shown to play critical roles in initiating and promoting CRC progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to the generation and maintenance of CSCs is crucial to developing CSC-specific therapeutics and improving the current standard of care for CRC patients. To this end, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify increased CD24/SOX4 expression in CRC samples associated with poor prognosis. We also discovered a novel population of tumor-infiltrating CD24+ cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), suggesting that the CD24/SOX4-centered signaling hub could be a potential therapeutic target. Pathway networking analysis revealed a connection between the CD24/SOX4-centered signaling, β-catenin, and DPP4. Emerging evidence indicates that DPP4 plays a role in CRC initiation and progression, implicating its involvement in generating CSCs. Based on these bioinformatics data, we investigated whether sitagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor and diabetic drug, could be repurposed to inhibit colon CSCs. Using a molecular docking approach, we demonstrated that sitagliptin targeted CD24/SOX4-centered signaling molecules with high affinity. In vitro experimental data showed that sitagliptin treatment suppressed CRC tumorigenic properties and worked in synergy with 5FU and this study thus provided preclinical evidence to support the alternative use of sitagliptin for treating CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wen Shih
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (J.-W.S.); (N.M.)
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Alexander T. H. Wu
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Ntlotlang Mokgautsi
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (J.-W.S.); (N.M.)
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Po-Li Wei
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Jiun Huang
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
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Mierke CT. Extracellular Matrix Cues Regulate Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction of Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:96. [PMID: 38201302 PMCID: PMC10777970 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010096] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular biophysical properties have particular implications for a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors and functions, including growth, motility, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, and signal transduction including mechanotransduction. Cells not only react to unambiguously mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), but can occasionally manipulate the mechanical features of the matrix in parallel with biological characteristics, thus interfering with downstream matrix-based cues in both physiological and pathological processes. Bidirectional interactions between cells and (bio)materials in vitro can alter cell phenotype and mechanotransduction, as well as ECM structure, intentionally or unintentionally. Interactions between cell and matrix mechanics in vivo are of particular importance in a variety of diseases, including primarily cancer. Stiffness values between normal and cancerous tissue can range between 500 Pa (soft) and 48 kPa (stiff), respectively. Even the shear flow can increase from 0.1-1 dyn/cm2 (normal tissue) to 1-10 dyn/cm2 (cancerous tissue). There are currently many new areas of activity in tumor research on various biological length scales, which are highlighted in this review. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between ECM and cancer cells is reduced to common features of different tumors and the characteristics are highlighted to identify the main pathways of interaction. This all contributes to the standardization of mechanotransduction models and approaches, which, ultimately, increases the understanding of the complex interaction. Finally, both the in vitro and in vivo effects of this mechanics-biology pairing have key insights and implications for clinical practice in tumor treatment and, consequently, clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Feng X, Liu X, Xiang J, Xu J, Yin N, Wang L, Liu C, Liu Y, Zhao T, Zhao Z, Gao Y. Exosomal ITGB6 from dormant lung adenocarcinoma cells activates cancer-associated fibroblasts by KLF10 positive feedback loop and the TGF-β pathway. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2023; 12:2520-2537. [PMID: 38205211 PMCID: PMC10775012 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-23-707] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Dormant cancer cells are commonly known to play a pivotal role in cancer recurrence and metastasis. However, the mechanism of tumor dormancy and recurrence remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which exosomes derived from dormant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells activate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to reconstruct the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing a novel idea for decoding the mechanism of tumor dormancy. Methods In this study, high-dose cisplatin was used to induce the dormant LUAD cells. Exosomes were extracted from the culture supernatant of normal and dormant cancer cells. The effects of selected exosomal proteins on the fibroblasts were evaluated. RNA-seq for fibroblasts and exosomal proteomics for normal and dormant cancer cells were used to identify and verify the mechanism of activating fibroblasts. Results We demonstrated that exosomes derived from dormant A549 cells could be taken by fibroblasts. Exosomal ITGB6 transferred into fibroblasts induced the activation of CAFs by activating the KLF10 positive feedback loop and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway. High ITGB6 expression was associated with activation of the TGF-β pathway and ECM remodeling. Conclusions In all, we demonstrated that CAFs were activated by exosomes from dormant lung cancer cells and reconstruct ECM. ITGB6 may be a critical molecule for activating the TGF-β pathway and remodeling ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Feng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianling Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juanjuan Xiang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Xu
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Na Yin
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lujuan Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chaoyuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuyao Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zengyi Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yawen Gao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Gamradt P, Thierry K, Masmoudi M, Wu Z, Hernandez-Vargas H, Bachy S, Antonio T, Savas B, Hussain Z, Tomasini R, Milani P, Bertolino P, Hennino A. Stiffness-induced cancer-associated fibroblasts are responsible for immunosuppression in a platelet-derived growth factor ligand-dependent manner. PNAS Nexus 2023; 2:pgad405. [PMID: 38111825 PMCID: PMC10727001 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad405] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with a vast stromal reaction that arises mainly from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and promotes both immune escape and tumor growth. Here, we used a mouse model with deletion of the activin A receptor ALK4 in the context of the KrasG12D mutation, which strongly drives collagen deposition that leads to tissue stiffness. By ligand-receptor analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data, we identified that, in stiff conditions, neoplastic ductal cells instructed CAFs through sustained platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling. Tumor-associated tissue rigidity resulted in the emergence of stiffness-induced CAFs (siCAFs) in vitro and in vivo. Similar results were confirmed in human data. siCAFs were able to strongly inhibit CD8+ T-cell responses in vitro and in vivo, promoting local immunosuppression. More importantly, targeting PDGF signaling led to diminished siCAF and reduced tumor growth. Our data show for the first time that early paracrine signaling leads to profound changes in tissue mechanics, impacting immune responses and tumor progression. Our study highlights that PDGF ligand neutralization can normalize the tissue architecture independent of the genetic background, indicating that finely tuned stromal therapy may open new therapeutic avenues in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Gamradt
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Kevin Thierry
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Melissa Masmoudi
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
- StromaCare, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Zhichong Wu
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hector Hernandez-Vargas
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Sophie Bachy
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
- StromaCare, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Tiffanie Antonio
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Berkan Savas
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
| | | | | | | | - Philippe Bertolino
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Ana Hennino
- Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon F-69373, France
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon F-69000, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon F-69008, France
- StromaCare, Lyon F-69008, France
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12
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Lee S, Son JY, Lee J, Cheong H. Unraveling the Intricacies of Autophagy and Mitophagy: Implications in Cancer Biology. Cells 2023; 12:2742. [PMID: 38067169 PMCID: PMC10706449 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232742] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an essential lysosome-mediated degradation pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis and viability in response to various intra- and extracellular stresses. Mitophagy is a type of autophagy that is involved in the intricate removal of dysfunctional mitochondria during conditions of metabolic stress. In this review, we describe the multifaceted roles of autophagy and mitophagy in normal physiology and the field of cancer biology. Autophagy and mitophagy exhibit dual context-dependent roles in cancer development, acting as tumor suppressors and promoters. We also discuss the important role of autophagy and mitophagy within the cancer microenvironment and how autophagy and mitophagy influence tumor host-cell interactions to overcome metabolic deficiencies and sustain the activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in a stromal environment. Finally, we explore the dynamic interplay between autophagy and the immune response in tumors, indicating their potential as immunomodulatory targets in cancer therapy. As the field of autophagy and mitophagy continues to evolve, this comprehensive review provides insights into their important roles in cancer and cancer microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmi Lee
- Branch of Molecular Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (J.-Y.S.)
| | - Ji-Yoon Son
- Branch of Molecular Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (J.-Y.S.)
| | - Jinkyung Lee
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science & Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si 10408, Republic of Korea;
| | - Heesun Cheong
- Branch of Molecular Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.L.); (J.-Y.S.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science & Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si 10408, Republic of Korea;
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13
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Zhang C, Sun R, Kong B, Hu R, Du Q. Editorial: Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment: an emerging target of anti-cancer immunotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1256643. [PMID: 37601054 PMCID: PMC10436741 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1256643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Runbin Sun
- Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing, University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Kong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Rong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianming Du
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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14
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Barb AC, Fenesan MP, Pirtea M, Margan MM, Tomescu L, Ceban E, Cimpean AM, Melnic E. Reassessing Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) Interactions with Other Stromal Components and Clinico-Pathologic Parameters by Using Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis (DIA). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3823. [PMID: 37568639 PMCID: PMC10417678 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153823] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) stroma has CD34- and αSMA-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) differently distributed. During malignant transformation, CD34-positive fibroblasts decrease while αSMA-positive CAFs increase. The prevalence of αSMA-positive CAFs in BC stroma makes microscopic examination difficult without digital image analysis processing (DIA). DIA was used to compare CD34- and αSMA-positive CAFs among breast cancer molecular subgroups. DIA-derived data were linked to age, survival, tumor stroma vessels, tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), invasion, and recurrence. METHODS Double immunostaining for CD34 and αSMA showed different CAF distribution patterns in normal and BC tissues. Single CD34 immunohistochemistry on supplemental slides quantified tumor stroma CD34_CAFs. Digital image analysis (DIA) data on CAF density, intensity, stromal score, and H-score were correlated with clinico-pathologic factors. RESULTS CD34/αSMA CAF proportion was significantly related to age in Luminal A (LA), Luminal B (LB), and HER2 subtypes. CD34_CAF influence on survival, invasion, and recurrence of LA, LB-HER2, and TNBC subtypes was found to be significant. The CD34/αSMA-expressing CAFs exhibited a heterogeneous impact on stromal vasculature and TLS. CONCLUSION BC stromal CD34_CAFs/αSMA_CAFs have an impact on survival, invasion, and recurrence differently between BC molecular subtypes. The tumor stroma DIA assessment may have predictive potential to prognosis and long-term follow-up of patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Cristina Barb
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
- Doctoral School in Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Clinical Oncology, OncoHelp Hospital, 300239 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mihaela Pasca Fenesan
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
- Doctoral School in Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Clinical Oncology, OncoHelp Hospital, 300239 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marilena Pirtea
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Mădălin-Marius Margan
- Department of Functional Sciences/Discipline of Public Health, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Larisa Tomescu
- Doctoral School in Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Emil Ceban
- Department of Urology and Surgical Nephrology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova;
- Laboratory of Andrology, Functional Urology and Sexual Medicine, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Anca Maria Cimpean
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.C.B.); (M.P.F.); (M.P.)
- Center of Expertise for Rare Vascular Disease in Children, Emergency Hospital for Children Louis Turcanu, 300011 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Eugen Melnic
- Department of Pathology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2004 Chisinau, Moldova;
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15
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Morgan A, Griffin M, Kameni L, Wan DC, Longaker MT, Norton JA. Medical Biology of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1044. [PMID: 37626931 PMCID: PMC10451924 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081044] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer with one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all cancer types. A defining characteristic of pancreatic cancer is the existence of dense desmoplastic stroma that, when exposed to stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, generate a tumor-promoting environment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated during the progression of pancreatic cancer and are a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs are primarily pro-tumorigenic in their activated state and function as promoters of cancer invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and immune modulation. Aided by many signaling pathways, cytokines, and chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, CAFs can originate from many cell types including resident fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, pancreatic stellate cells, adipocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous cell type expressing a variety of surface markers and performing a wide range of tumor promoting and inhibiting functions. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses have revealed a high degree of specialization among CAFs. Some examples of CAF subpopulations include myofibrotic CAFs (myCAFs), which exhibit a matrix-producing contractile phenotype; inflammatory CAFs (iCAF) that are classified by their immunomodulating, secretory phenotype; and antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), which have antigen-presenting capabilities and express Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC II). Over the last several years, various attempts have been undertaken to describe the mechanisms of CAF-tumor cell interaction, as well as CAF-immune cell interaction, that contribute to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Although our understanding of CAF biology in cancer has steadily increased, the extent of CAFs heterogeneity and their role in the pathobiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this regard, it becomes increasingly evident that further research on CAFs in pancreatic cancer is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annah Morgan
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Michelle Griffin
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lionel Kameni
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Derrick C. Wan
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael T. Longaker
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Norton
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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16
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Li Y, Wang C, Huang T, Yu X, Tian B. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer metastasis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1194835. [PMID: 37496657 PMCID: PMC10367093 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1194835] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer deaths are primarily caused by metastasis. There are several treatment options that can be used to treat breast cancer. There are, however, a limited number of treatments that can either prevent or inhibit the spread of breast tumor metastases. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Studies have increasingly focused on the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in metastasis of breast cancer. As the most abundant cells in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer pathogenesis. They can remodel the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and engage in crosstalk with cancer cells or other stroma cells by secreting growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, as well as components of the ECM, which assist the tumor cells to invade through the TME and cause distant metastasis. Clinically, CAFs not only foster the initiation, growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer but also serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, therapy, and prediction of prognosis. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics and subtypes of CAFs and their functions in breast cancer metastasis, focusing on their important roles in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that CAFs are vital partners of breast cancer cells that assist metastasis and may represent ideal targets for prevention and treatment of breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Changyuan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department II, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xijie Yu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bole Tian
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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17
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Nihashi Y, Song X, Yamamoto M, Setoyama D, Kida YS. Decoding Metabolic Symbiosis between Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Using Cultured Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11015. [PMID: 37446193 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311015] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis, largely due to its unique tumor microenvironment (TME) and dense fibrotic stroma. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in promoting tumor growth and metastasis, contributing to the metabolic adaptation of PDAC cells. However, the metabolic interactions between PDAC cells and CAFs are not well-understood. In this study, an in vitro co-culture model was used to investigate these metabolic interactions. Metabolomic analysis was performed under monoculture conditions of Capan-1 PDAC cells and CAF precursor cells, as well as co-culture conditions of PDAC cells and differentiated inflammatory CAF (iCAF). Co-cultured Capan-1 cells displayed significant metabolic changes, such as increased 2-oxoglutaric acid and lauric acid and decreased amino acids. The metabolic profiles of co-cultured Capan-1 and CAFs revealed differences in intracellular metabolites. Analysis of extracellular metabolites in the culture supernatant showed distinct differences between Capan-1 and CAF precursors, with the co-culture supernatant exhibiting the most significant changes. A comparison of the culture supernatants of Capan-1 and CAF precursors revealed different metabolic processes while co-culturing the two cell types demonstrated potential metabolic interactions. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of metabolic interactions between cancer cells and CAFs in tumor progression and highlights the role of TME in metabolic reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Nihashi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
- Tsukuba Life Science Innovation Program (T-LSI), School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Masamichi Yamamoto
- Department of Research Promotion and Management, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita 564-8565, Japan
| | - Daiki Setoyama
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki S Kida
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
- School of Integrative & Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
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18
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Bendre S, Kuo HT, Merkens H, Zhang Z, Wong AAWL, Bénard F, Lin KS. Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of Novel 68Ga-Labeled ( R)-Pyrrolidin-2-yl-boronic Acid-Based PET Tracers for Fibroblast Activation Protein-Targeted Cancer Imaging. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:798. [PMID: 37375746 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060798] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a membrane-tethered serine protease overexpressed in the reactive stromal fibroblasts of >90% human carcinomas, which makes it a promising target for developing radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of carcinomas. Here, we synthesized two novel (R)-pyrrolidin-2-yl-boronic acid-based FAP-targeted ligands: SB02055 (DOTA-conjugated (R)-(1-((6-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)propoxy)quinoline-4-carbonyl)glycyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)boronic acid) and SB04028 (DOTA-conjugated ((R)-1-((6-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)propoxy)quinoline-4-carbonyl)-D-alanyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)boronic acid). natGa- and 68Ga-complexes of both ligands were evaluated in preclinical studies and compared to previously reported natGa/68Ga-complexed PNT6555. Enzymatic assays showed that FAP binding affinities (IC50) of natGa-SB02055, natGa-SB04028 and natGa-PNT6555 were 0.41 ± 0.06, 13.9 ± 1.29 and 78.1 ± 4.59 nM, respectively. PET imaging and biodistribution studies in HEK293T:hFAP tumor-bearing mice showed that while [68Ga]Ga-SB02055 presented with a nominal tumor uptake (1.08 ± 0.37 %ID/g), [68Ga]Ga-SB04028 demonstrated clear tumor visualization with ~1.5-fold higher tumor uptake (10.1 ± 0.42 %ID/g) compared to [68Ga]Ga-PNT6555 (6.38 ± 0.45 %ID/g). High accumulation in the bladder indicated renal excretion of all three tracers. [68Ga]Ga-SB04028 displayed a low background level uptake in most normal organs, and comparable to [68Ga]Ga-PNT6555. However, since its tumor uptake was considerably higher than [68Ga]Ga-PNT6555, the corresponding tumor-to-organ uptake ratios for [68Ga]Ga-SB04028 were also significantly greater than [68Ga]Ga-PNT6555. Our data demonstrate that (R)-(((quinoline-4-carbonyl)-d-alanyl)pyrrolidin-2-yl)boronic acid is a promising pharmacophore for the design of FAP-targeted radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and radioligand therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Bendre
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Hsiou-Ting Kuo
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Helen Merkens
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Zhengxing Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Antonio A W L Wong
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - François Bénard
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Functional Imaging, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Kuo-Shyan Lin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Functional Imaging, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
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Sun S, Zhang Y, Li Y, Wei L. Crosstalk between colorectal cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment mediated by exosomal noncoding RNAs. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1161628. [PMID: 37234178 PMCID: PMC10206140 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1161628] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system, and its morbidity rates are increasing worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as part of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are not only closely linked to normal fibroblasts, but also can secrete a variety of substances (including exosomes) to participate in the regulation of the TME. Exosomes can play a key role in intercellular communication by delivering intracellular signaling substances (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, non-coding RNAs), and an increasing number of studies have shown that non-coding RNAs of exosomal origin from CAFs are not only closely associated with the formation of the CRC microenvironment, but also increase the ability of CRC to grow in metastasis, mediate tumor immunosuppression, and are involved in the mechanism of drug resistance in CRC patients receiving. It is also involved in the mechanism of drug resistance after radiotherapy in CRC patients. In this paper, we review the current status and progress of research on CAFs-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Linlin Wei
- Department of Radiotherapy, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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20
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Guo Y, Li H, Sun C. Exosomal miR-125b-5p derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes the growth, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by decreasing adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) expression. J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 14:1064-1076. [PMID: 37201069 PMCID: PMC10186528 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-23-198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A significant desmoplastic response, particularly in the fibroblasts, is a characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Increasing evidence has shown that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) assist tumor development, invasion, and metastasis in PDAC. However, CAFs-derived molecular determinants that regulate the molecular mechanisms of PDAC have not been fully characterized. Methods The expression of microRNA 125b-5p (miR-125b-5p) in Pancreas Cancer (PC) tissue and para-cancerous normal tissue was examined using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), wound healing, and transwell experiments were utilized to assess the effect of miR-125b-5p. Using a cell luciferase activity test and bioinformatics, it was demonstrated that miR-125b-5p may bind to the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), thereby limiting the progression of pancreatic cancer. Results PDAC cells are prompted to proliferate, undergo the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and spread. Importantly, CAFs release exosomes into PDAC cells, which significantly increase the level of miR-125b-5p in those cells. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer cell lines and PDAC tissues have considerably higher miR-125b-5p expression. MiR-125b-5p's elevated expression mechanically suppresses the expression of APC and accelerates the spread of pancreatic cancer. Conclusions Exosomes released by CAFs promote PDAC growth, invasion, and metastasis. Exosomal miR-125b-5p inhibition offers an alternate strategy for combating the basic malady of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Haiyang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chengyi Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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21
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Cheng SH, Chiou HYC, Wang JW, Lin MH. Reciprocal Regulation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Tumor Microenvironment in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Implications for Cancer Dormancy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092513. [PMID: 37173977 PMCID: PMC10177044 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the progress made in current treatments, patients with GI cancers still have high recurrence rates after initial treatment. Cancer dormancy, which involves the entry and escape of cancer cells from dormancy, is linked to treatment resistance, metastasis, and disease relapse. Recently, the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in disease progression and treatment has received increasing attention. The crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)-secreted cytokines/chemokines and other TME components, for example, extracellular matrix remodeling and immunomodulatory functions, play crucial roles in tumorigenesis. While there is limited direct evidence of a relationship between CAFs and cancer cell dormancy, this review explores the potential of CAF-secreted cytokines/chemokines to either promote cancer cell dormancy or awaken dormant cancer cells under different conditions, and the therapeutic strategies that may be applicable. By understanding the interactions between cytokines/chemokines released by CAFs and the TME, and their impact on the entry/escape of cancer dormancy, researchers may develop new strategies to reduce the risk of therapeutic relapse in patients with GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsuan Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Ying Clair Chiou
- Teaching and Research Center, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Wei Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Post Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Master of Science Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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22
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Rebelo R, Xavier CPR, Giovannetti E, Vasconcelos MH. Fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer: molecular and clinical perspectives. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:439-453. [PMID: 37100646 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are highly abundant cells in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME) that modulate desmoplasia. The formation of a dense stroma leads to immunosuppression and therapy resistance that are major causes of treatment failure in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent evidence suggests that several subpopulations of CAFs in the TME can interconvert, explaining the dual roles (antitumorigenic and protumorigenic) of CAFs in PDAC and the contradictory results of CAF-targeted therapies in clinical trials. This highlights the need to clarify CAF heterogeneity and their interactions with PDAC cells. This review focuses on the communication between activated PSCs/CAFs and PDAC cells, as well as on the mechanisms underlying this crosstalk. CAF-focused therapies and emerging biomarkers are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rebelo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina P R Xavier
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Helena Vasconcelos
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cancer Drug Resistance Group, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal.
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23
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Bendre S, Zhang Z, Colpo N, Zeisler J, Wong AAWL, Bénard F, Lin KS. Synthesis and Evaluation of 68Ga-Labeled (2 S,4 S)-4-Fluoropyrrolidine-2-Carbonitrile and (4 R)-Thiazolidine-4-Carbonitrile Derivatives as Novel Fibroblast Activation Protein-Targeted PET Tracers for Cancer Imaging. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083481. [PMID: 37110717 PMCID: PMC10145249 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083481] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP-α) is a cell-surface protein overexpressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts that constitute a substantial component of tumor stroma and drive tumorigenesis. FAP is minimally expressed by most healthy tissues, including normal fibroblasts. This makes it a promising pan-cancer diagnostic and therapeutic target. In the present study, we synthesized two novel tracers, [68Ga]Ga-SB03045 and [68Ga]Ga-SB03058, bearing a (2S,4S)-4-fluoropyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile or a (4R)-thiazolidine-4-carbonitrile pharmacophore, respectively. [68Ga]Ga-SB03045 and [68Ga]Ga-SB03058 were evaluated for their FAP-targeting capabilities using substrate-based in vitro binding assays, and in PET/CT imaging and ex vivo biodistribution studies in an HEK293T:hFAP tumor xenograft mouse model. The IC50 values of natGa-SB03045 (1.59 ± 0.45 nM) and natGa-SB03058 (0.68 ± 0.09 nM) were found to be lower than those of the clinically validated natGa-FAPI-04 (4.11 ± 1.42 nM). Contrary to the results obtained in the FAP-binding assay, [68Ga]Ga-SB03058 demonstrated a ~1.5 fold lower tumor uptake than that of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 (7.93 ± 1.33 vs. 11.90 ± 2.17 %ID/g), whereas [68Ga]Ga-SB03045 (11.8 ± 2.35 %ID/g) exhibited a tumor uptake comparable to that of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04. Thus, our data suggest that the (2S,4S)-4-fluoropyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile scaffold holds potential as a promising pharmacophore for the design of FAP-targeted radioligands for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Bendre
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Zhengxing Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Nadine Colpo
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Jutta Zeisler
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Antonio A W L Wong
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - François Bénard
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Functional Imaging, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Kuo-Shyan Lin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Functional Imaging, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
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24
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Bai J, Liu T, Tu B, Yuan M, Shu Z, Fan M, Huo S, Guo Y, Wang L, Wang H, Zhao Y. Autophagy loss impedes cancer-associated fibroblast activation via downregulating proline biosynthesis. Autophagy 2023; 19:632-643. [PMID: 35786294 PMCID: PMC9851237 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2093026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are considered one of the most critical stromal cells that interact with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and promote tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Previous studies illustrated macroautophagy/autophagy contributes to CAF activation during tumor progression. Here in our study, we found that autophagy deficiency in CAFs impedes CAF activation by inhibiting proline biosynthesis and collagen production. Furthermore, we uncovered that autophagy promotes proline biosynthesis through mitophagy-mediated regulation of NADK2 (NAD kinase 2, mitochondrial), an enzyme responsible for production of mitochondrial NADP(H). Using an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC, we found that inhibiting mitophagy by targeting PRKN (parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase) in the stroma reduced tumor weight. Thus, inhibition of CAFs mitophagy might be an attractive strategy for stroma-focused anti-cancer intervention. Abbreviations: ACTA2/α-SMA: actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; ACTB/β-actin: actin, beta; ALDH18A1/P5CS: aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family, member A1; ATG3: autophagy related 3; ATG5: autophagy related 5; BNIP3L: BCL2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3-like; CAFs:cancer-associated fibroblasts; COL1A1: collagen, type I, alpha 1; DES: desmin; ECM: extracellular matrix; FABP4: fatty acid binding protein 4, adipocyte; FAP/FAPα: fibroblast activation protein; IHC: immunohistochemical staining; LAMP1: lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1; NADK2: NAD kinase 2, mitochondrial; PC1: pro-collagen 1; PDAC: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; PDGFR: platelet derived growth factor receptor; PDPN: podoplanin; PRKN: parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase; PSCs: pancreatic stellate cells; VIM: vimentin; WT: wild-type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Bai
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Tu
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Meng Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoqi Shu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Minghe Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Sihan Huo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyao Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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25
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Ueki A, Komura M, Koshino A, Wang C, Nagao K, Homochi M, Tsukada Y, Ebi M, Ogasawara N, Tsuzuki T, Kasai K, Kasugai K, Takahashi S, Inaguma S. Stromal POSTN Enhances Motility of Both Cancer and Stromal Cells and Predicts Poor Survival in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030606. [PMID: 36765564 PMCID: PMC9913098 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030606] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence for the tumor-supporting capacities of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has rapidly been accumulating. To uncover clinicopathological importance of periostin (POSTN) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC), the present study immunohistochemically examined its expression status. Furthermore, to reveal its mechanisms involved, molecular experiments were performed. In CRC tissues, 44% of the cases (119/269) exhibited POSTN expression in the CAFs. In contrast, CRC cells expressed POSTN at almost undetectable levels. Survival analyses identified that patients with POSTN-positive CRC had a significantly worse 5-year survival rate (63.2% vs. 81.2%; p = 0.011). Univariate analyses revealed that POSTN positivity was associated with peritoneal (p = 0.0031) and distant organ metastasis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analyses identified a significant association between POSTN and p53 complete loss status in CRC cells. Decorin and fibroblast activation protein expression in CAFs was also associated with POSTN. POSTN significantly enhanced the migration of both CRC cells and fibroblasts with FAK and AKT or STAT3 activation, and co-culture assays demonstrated the communication between CRC cells and fibroblasts, which enhanced STAT3 activation in fibroblasts. On the basis of our results, we speculated that stromal POSTN accelerated metastasis via stromal remodeling capacity and activated the migration of both tumor and stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akane Ueki
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Masayuki Komura
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Akira Koshino
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Chengbo Wang
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nagao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Mai Homochi
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yuki Tsukada
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Masahide Ebi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Naotaka Ogasawara
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Toyonori Tsuzuki
- Surgical Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Kenji Kasai
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Kunio Kasugai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Shingo Inaguma
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute 408-1195, Japan
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya City University East Medical Center, Nagoya 464-8547, Japan
- Correspondence:
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26
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [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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27
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Lin KC, Wu CC, Mokgautsi N, Lawal B, Wu CZ, Wu ATH, Shen YK, Liu MC. In silico repurposing of midostaurin as a therapeutic candidate for head and neck cancer via targeting SPARC/MMP9/CD44 Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) oncogenic signature. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:1004-1025. [PMID: 37034220 PMCID: PMC10077027] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) affects more than half a million individuals and ranks the ninth leading cause of death globally each year. Many patients develop treatment resistance leading to poor clinical outcomes. The poor treatment responses are in part due to the heterogeneity of HNSCC tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME). The interaction of tumor cells with their TME has been studied vigorously in recent years because of their pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and determining the treatment response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most abundant tumor-infiltrating cells, which have been shown to associate with the aggressive behavior of HNSCC. Hence, targeting and disrupting the tumor-CAFs interactions represents a rational therapeutic approach. To develop targeted therapeutic drugs against CAFs, the identification of CAF-associated gene signature is essential. Here, we analyzed multiple sequencing databases including microarrays and single-cell RNA-sequencing databases and identified SPARC/MMP9/CD44 as HNSCC targetable gene signatures encompassing cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We found SPARC/MMP9CD44 signature was highly expressed in HNSC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Increased SPARC/MMP9/CD44 signature levels strongly correlated with tumor-infiltrating CAFs, suggesting the functional importance of this signature for HNSCC-CAFs interaction and progression. Subsequently, we utilized a genomics approach and identified midostaurin as the top-ranking drug candidate for targeting SPARC/MMP9/CD44 signature. For validation, we performed molecular docking of midostaurin in complex with SPARC/MMP9/CD44 and demonstrated midostaurin's high binding affinities compared to their respective standard inhibitors. In summary, our study provided a rapid genomics approach for identifying targetable gene signature and drug candidate for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Chou Lin
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial HospitalTaipei, Taiwan
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Che Wu
- Taipei Medical University, School of Medicine, Department of OtorhinolaryngologyTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- Taipei Medical University, Wang Fang Hospital, Department of OtorhinolaryngologyTaipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ntlotlang Mokgautsi
- Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia SinicaTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Bashir Lawal
- Department of Pathology, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Ching-Zong Wu
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Alexander TH Wu
- The PhD Program of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Kang Shen
- School of Dental Technology, College of oral Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Che Liu
- School of Dental Technology, College of oral Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei 11031,Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei 11031, Taiwan
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28
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Zhou S, Lu J, Liu S, Shao J, Liu Z, Li J, Xiao W. Role of the tumor microenvironment in malignant melanoma organoids during the development and metastasis of tumors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1166916. [PMID: 37152280 PMCID: PMC10154581 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1166916] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most metastatic and aggressive form of skin cancer, and carries a high risk of death. Immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy and molecular-targeted therapy can prolong the survival of patients with advanced MM significantly. However, the low response rate and inevitable drug resistance prevent further improvements in efficacy, which is closely related to the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME refers to the tumor stroma, including fibroblasts, keratinocytes, immune cells, soluble molecules, and extracellular matrix (ECM). The dynamic interaction between the TME and tumor cells is very important for the growth, local invasion, and metastatic spread of tumor cells. A patient-derived organoid (PDO) model involves isolation of tumor tissue from patients with MM and culturing it in vitro in a three-dimensional pattern. Compared with traditional cultivation methods, the PDO model preserves the heterogeneity of the tissue structure of MM and demonstrates the interaction between MM cells and the TME. It can reproduce the characteristics of proliferation, migration, and invasion of MM cells, and better simulate the structural function of MM in vivo. This review explores the role of each TME component in development of the PDO model. This review will provide a reference for research on the drug screening and targeted treatment using PDOs, particularly for the immunotherapy of MM.
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29
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Xu A, Xu XN, Luo Z, Huang X, Gong RQ, Fu DY. Identification of prognostic cancer-associated fibroblast markers in luminal breast cancer using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1191660. [PMID: 37207166 PMCID: PMC10191114 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1191660] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in cancer progression and are known to mediate endocrine and chemotherapy resistance through paracrine signaling. Additionally, they directly influence the expression and growth dependence of ER in Luminal breast cancer (LBC). This study aims to investigate stromal CAF-related factors and develop a CAF-related classifier to predict the prognosis and therapeutic outcomes in LBC. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized to obtain mRNA expression and clinical information from 694 and 101 LBC samples, respectively. CAF infiltrations were determined by estimating the proportion of immune and cancer cells (EPIC) method, while stromal scores were calculated using the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumors using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify stromal CAF-related genes. A CAF risk signature was developed through univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method (LASSO) Cox regression model. The Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlation between CAF risk score, CAF markers, and CAF infiltrations estimated through EPIC, xCell, microenvironment cell populations-counter (MCP-counter), and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithms. The TIDE algorithm was further utilized to assess the response to immunotherapy. Additionally, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the findings. Results We constructed a 5-gene prognostic model consisting of RIN2, THBS1, IL1R1, RAB31, and COL11A1 for CAF. Using the median CAF risk score as the cutoff, we classified LBC patients into high- and low-CAF-risk groups and found that those in the high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis. Spearman correlation analyses demonstrated a strong positive correlation between the CAF risk score and stromal and CAF infiltrations, with the five model genes showing positive correlations with CAF markers. In addition, the TIDE analysis revealed that high-CAF-risk patients were less likely to respond to immunotherapy. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified significant enrichment of ECM receptor interaction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and TGF-β signaling pathway gene sets in the high-CAF-risk group patients. Conclusion The five-gene prognostic CAF signature presented in this study was not only reliable for predicting prognosis in LBC patients, but it was also effective in estimating clinical immunotherapy response. These findings have significant clinical implications, as the signature may guide tailored anti-CAF therapy in combination with immunotherapy for LBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Xu
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang-Nan Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhou Luo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Huang
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong-Quan Gong
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - De-Yuan Fu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: De-Yuan Fu,
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30
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Hurtado P, Martínez-Pena I, Yepes-Rodríguez S, Bascoy-Otero M, Abuín C, Fernández-Santiago C, Sánchez L, López-López R, Piñeiro R. Modelling metastasis in zebrafish unveils regulatory interactions of cancer-associated fibroblasts with circulating tumour cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1076432. [PMID: 36949770 PMCID: PMC10025339 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1076432] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic intercommunication between tumour cells and cells from the microenvironment, such as cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs), is a key factor driving breast cancer (BC) metastasis. Clusters of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), known to bare a higher efficiency at establishing metastases, are found in the blood of BC patients, often accompanied by CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters. Previously we have shown the utility of CTC-clusters models and the zebrafish embryo as a model of metastasis to understand the biology of breast cancer CTC-clusters. In this work, we use the zebrafish embryo to study the interactions between CTCs in homotypic clusters and CTC-CAFs in heterotypic CTC-clusters to identify potential pro-metastatic traits derived from CTC-CAF communication. We found that upon dissemination CAFs seem to exert a pro-survival and pro-proliferative effect on the CTCs, but only when CTCs and CAFs remain joined as cell clusters. Our data indicate that the clustering of CTC and CAF allows the establishment of physical interactions that when maintained over time favour the selection of CTCs with a higher capacity to survive and proliferate upon dissemination. Importantly, this effect seems to be dependent on the survival of disseminated CAFs and was not observed in the presence of normal fibroblasts. Moreover, we show that CAFs can exert regulatory effects on the CTCs without being involved in promoting tumour cell invasion. Lastly, we show that the physical communication between BC cells and CAFs leads to the production of soluble factors involved in BC cell survival and proliferation. These findings suggest the existence of a CAF-regulatory effect on CTC survival and proliferation sustained by cell-to-cell contacts and highlight the need to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate the interaction between the CTCs and CAFs in clusters enhancing the metastatic capacity of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Hurtado
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Martínez-Pena
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Yepes-Rodríguez
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel Bascoy-Otero
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Abuín
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristóbal Fernández-Santiago
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Departamento de Zoología, Genética y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Rafael López-López
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago (IDIS), University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- *Correspondence: Roberto Piñeiro, ; Rafael López-López,
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group (Oncomet), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Roberto Piñeiro, ; Rafael López-López,
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Tong Y, Zhao Z, Zhang J, Wang W, Zhu Y. High expressions of CD10, FAP and GPR77 in CAFs are associated with chemoresistance and worse prognosis in gastric cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:984817. [PMID: 36387219 PMCID: PMC9650088 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.984817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) has been successfully introduced in gastric cancer (GC), more biomarkers are needed to evaluate the efficacy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is associated with chemoresistance and prognosis. Three biomarkers, CD10, fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) and G-protein-coupled receptor 77 (GPR77), have been proved to express in CAFs. However, their predictive values for efficacy of NCT and prognosis in gastric cancer is unknown. METHODS Totally, specimens of 171 locally advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent NCT and D2 radical gastrectomy and matched preoperative biopsy specimens were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor regression grade (TRG) is reevaluated according to Mandard TRG. Expressions of CD10, FAP and GPR77 in CAFs before NCT (pre-) and after NCT (post-) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Survival curves on overall survival (OS) were obtained by Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were analyzed by log-rank test. Associations between categorical variables were explored by chi-square test or Fisher's exact method. Univariable and multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression model and Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS High expressions of post-CD10, post-FAP, post-GPR77 and pre-CD10 were related to worse TRG (all p<0.05). In multivariable analysis, post- and pre-FAP were independent predictive factors to TRG (p<0.010). Post-CD10 (p=0.032) and post-FAP (p=0.013) were related to OS in univariable analysis, but none of biomarkers were independent prognostic factors in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS Expressions of CD10, FAP and GPR77 in CAFs were related to chemoresistance and overall survival, and these biomarkers have predictive values for tumor regression and prognosis in locally advanced gastric cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Tong
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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Lu T, Li C, Xiang C, Gong Y, Peng W, Hou F, Chen C. Over-expression of NFYB affects stromal cells reprogramming and predicts worse survival in gastric cancer patients. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:7851-7865. [PMID: 36152055 PMCID: PMC9596197 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204294] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third most fatal. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an essential role in promoting the occurrence and development of gastric cancer in all stages. NFYB is highly expressed in multiple tumors and promotes tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance, but its role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer remains unclear. Hence, we used TCGA, TIMER, Kaplan-Meier Plot, and UALCAN databases to analyze the expression of NFYB in pan-cancers and assess its clinical prognostic value. We found that high expression of NFYB may be a promising prognostic biomarker in patients with gastric cancer. High expression of NFYB was associated with high T stage, high histological grade, diffuse gastric cancer, and early-onset GC. Moreover, High expression of NFYB was associated with CAFs infiltration in the GC microenvironment. The prognosis of GC patients with high expression of NFYB and high infiltration of CAFs was worse. Therefore, NFYB may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tailiang Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chenglong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Cailing Xiang
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yongqiang Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Futao Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chaowu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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Götze J, Nitschke C, Uzunoglu FG, Pantel K, Sinn M, Wikman H. Tumor-Stroma Interaction in PDAC as a New Approach for Liquid Biopsy and its Potential Clinical Implications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:918795. [PMID: 35712663 PMCID: PMC9197075 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.918795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The extremely poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained unchanged for decades. As a hallmark of PDAC histology, the distinct desmoplastic response in the tumor microenvironment is considered a key factor exerting pro- and antitumor effects. Increasing emphasis has been placed on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), whose heterogeneity and functional diversity is reflected in the numerous subtypes. The myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) and antigen presenting CAFs (apCAFs) are functionally divergent CAF subtypes with tumor promoting as well as repressing effects. Precise knowledge of the underlying interactions is the basis for a variety of treatment approaches, which are subsumed under the term antistromal therapy. Clinical implementation is still pending due to the lack of benefit-as well as paradoxical preclinical findings. While the prominent significance of CAFs in the immediate environment of the tumor is becoming clear, less is known about the circulating (c)CAFs. cCAFs are of particular interest as they seem not only to be potential new liquid biopsy biomarkers but also to support the survival of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the bloodstream. In PDAC, CTCs correlate with an unfavorable outcome and can also be employed to monitor treatment response, but the current clinical relevance is limited. In this review, we discuss CTCs, cCAFs, secretomes that include EVs or fragments of collagen turnover as liquid biopsy biomarkers, and clinical approaches to target tumor stroma in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Götze
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Nitschke
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Faik G Uzunoglu
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marianne Sinn
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Harriet Wikman
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Almasabi S, Boyd R, Ahmed AU, Williams BRG. Integrin-Linked Kinase Expression Characterizes the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer and Regulates PD-L1 Expression and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:836005. [PMID: 35692780 PMCID: PMC9174997 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.836005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has been implicated as a molecular driver and mediator in both inflammation and tumorigenesis of the colon. However, a role for ILK in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune evasion has not been investigated. Here, we show a correlation of ILK expression with the immunosuppressive TME and cancer prognosis. We also uncover a role for ILK in the regulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and immune cell cytotoxicity. Interrogation of web-based data-mining platforms, showed upregulation of ILK expression in tumors and adjacent-non tumor tissue of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with poor survival and advanced stages. ILK expression was correlated with cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) and immunosuppressive cell infiltration including regulatory T cells (Treg) and M2 macrophages (M2) in addition to their gene markers. ILK expression was also significantly correlated with the expression of different cytokines and chemokines. ILK expression showed pronounced association with different important immune checkpoints including PD-L1. Deletion of the ILK gene in PD-L1 positive CRC cell lines using a doxycycline inducible-CRISPR/Cas9, resulted in suppression of both the basal and IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression via downregulating NF-κB p65. This subsequently sensitized the CRC cells to NK92 immune cell cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that ILK can be used as a biomarker for prognosis and immune cell infiltration in colon cancer. Moreover, ILK could provide a therapeutic target to prevent immune evasion mediated by the expression of PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Almasabi
- Cancer and Innate Immunity, Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Cartherics, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Richard Boyd
- Cartherics, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Afsar U Ahmed
- Cancer and Innate Immunity, Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Bryan R G Williams
- Cancer and Innate Immunity, Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Ti W, Wang J, Cheng Y. The Interaction Between Long Non-Coding RNAs and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Lung Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:714125. [PMID: 35087824 PMCID: PMC8787156 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great advances in research and treatment, lung cancer is still one of the most leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Evidence is mounting that dynamic communication network in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play an integral role in tumor initiation and development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which promote tumor growth and metastasis, are the most important stroma component in the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, in-depth identification of relevant molecular mechanisms and biomarkers related to CAFs will increase understanding of tumor development process, which is of great significance for precise treatment of lung cancer. With the development of sequencing technologies such as microarray and next-generation sequencing, lncRNAs without protein-coding ability have been found to act as communicators between tumor cells and CAFs. LncRNAs participate in the activation of normal fibroblasts (NFs) to CAFs. Moreover, activated CAFs can influence the gene expression and secretion characteristics of cells through lncRNAs, enhancing the malignant biological process in tumor cells. In addition, lncRNA-loaded exosomes are considered to be another important form of crosstalk between tumor cells and CAFs. In this review, we focus on the interaction between tumor cells and CAFs mediated by lncRNAs in the lung cancer microenvironment, and discuss the analysis of biological function and molecular mechanism. Furthermore, it contributes to paving a novel direction for the clinical treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Ti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianbo Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yufeng Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Le TTH, Hsieh CL, Lin IH, Chu CY, Do AD, Chen SH, Shigemura K, Kitagawa K, Fujisawa M, Liu MC, Chen KC, Sung SY. The ADAM9/UBN2/AKR1C3 axis promotes resistance to androgen-deprivation in prostate cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:176-197. [PMID: 35141012 PMCID: PMC8822277] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic and castration-resistant disease is a fatal manifestation of prostate cancer (PCa). The mechanism through which resistance to androgen deprivation in PCa is developed remains largely unknown. Our understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and key signaling pathways between tumors and their TME is currently changing in light of the generation of new knowledge with regard to cancer progression. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 9 (ADAM9) is a membranous bridge forming cell-cell and cell-matrix connections that regulate tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. However, it is not known whether ADAM9 expressed in the TME contributes to the CRPC phenotype. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression patterns of ADAM9 in prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We also intended to elucidate the effects of both stromal cell- and cancer cell-derived ADAM9 on the progression of CRPC and the implicated molecular pathways. By using both clinical specimens and cell lines, we herein showed that unlike the membrane anchored ADAM9 overexpressed by both PCa cells and prostate CAFs, the secreted isoform of ADAM9 (sADAM9) was strongly detected in CAFs, but rarely in tumor cells, and that could be a serum marker for PCa patients. We demonstrated that functionally sADAM9 are characterized as chemoattractant for the directed movement of androgen-independent PCa cells through integrin downstream FAK/AKT pathway, supporting that elevated sADAM9 by prostate CAFs could be responsible for the promotion of CRPC metastasis. Moreover, by stimulating PCa cells with sADAM9, we found that ubinuclein-2 (UBN2) expression was increased. A positive correlation of ADAM9 and UBN2 expression was observed in androgen receptor-expressing PCa cell lines and further confirmed in clinical PCa specimens. Using a genetic modification approach, we identified UBN2 as a downstream target gene of ADAM9 that is critical for the survival of androgen-dependent PCa cells in response to androgen deprivation, through the induction and effect of the aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3). Collectively, our results reveal a novel action of ADAM9 on the transition of androgen-dependent PCa cells into an androgen-independent manner through the UBN2/AKR1C3 axis; the aforementioned action could contribute to the clinically-observed acquired androgen-deprivation therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Thi-Huynh Le
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Hsieh
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaiwan
| | - I-Hsuan Lin
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ying Chu
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- CRISPR Gene Targeting Core Lab, Office of Research and Development, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Anh Duy Do
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of MedicineHo Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Seu-Hwa Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Katsumi Shigemura
- Division of Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of MedicineKobe, Japan
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health ScienceKobe, Japan
| | - Koichi Kitagawa
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health ScienceKobe, Japan
| | - Masato Fujisawa
- Division of Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of MedicineKobe, Japan
| | - Ming-Che Liu
- Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei, Taiwan
- Office of Human Research, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- TMU-Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Chou Chen
- Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho HospitalTaipei, Taiwan
- TMU-Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Shian-Ying Sung
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaiwan
- Office of Human Research, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- TMU-Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University HospitalTaipei, Taiwan
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Gong F, Yang Y, Wen L, Wang C, Li J, Dai J. An Overview of the Role of Mechanical Stretching in the Progression of Lung Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:781828. [PMID: 35004682 PMCID: PMC8740071 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.781828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and tissues in the human body are subjected to mechanical forces of varying degrees, such as tension or pressure. During tumorigenesis, physical factors, especially mechanical factors, are involved in tumor development. As lung tissue is influenced by movements associated with breathing, it is constantly subjected to cyclical stretching and retraction; therefore, lung cancer cells and lung cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are constantly exposed to mechanical load. Thus, to better explore the mechanisms involved in lung cancer progression, it is necessary to consider factors involved in cell mechanics, which may provide a more comprehensive analysis of tumorigenesis. The purpose of this review is: 1) to provide an overview of the anatomy and tissue characteristics of the lung and the presence of mechanical stimulation; 2) to summarize the role of mechanical stretching in the progression of lung cancer; and 3) to describe the relationship between mechanical stretching and the lung cancer microenvironment, especially CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengying Gong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuchao Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics and Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application and National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liangtao Wen
- Shiyue City Community Health Service Center, Shenzhen Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Congrong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingjun Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxing Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics and Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application and National Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Dong W, Xie Y, Huang H. Prognostic Value of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Related Gene Signatures in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:884777. [PMID: 35733776 PMCID: PMC9207215 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.884777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health challenge with an increasing incidence worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) function critically in HCC initiation and development. However, the prognostic significance of CAF-related gene signatures in HCC remains unknown. Therefore, the specific functions of CAF-related genes in HCC were investigated to help develop potential therapeutic strategies. In this study, CAF-related genes were screened from three CAF-related gene sets. HCC data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was applied to verify the screened CAF-related genes. Cluster analysis was used to identify clusters based on the expression pattern of CAF-related genes and two identified clusters were found to have a significant difference in overall survival (OS) and progression free intervals (PFI). The prognosis of HCC patients was predicted using the prognostic risk score model developed based on HCC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. High-risk group patients had a worse OS than those in low-risk group in TCGA. These results were validated in International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database. Moreover, combining the clinicopathological characteristics related to prognosis with the model, a nomogram was built for a more accurate prediction of OS of HCC patients. In addition, analyses of immune infiltration characteristics of tumor microenvironment (TME), chemosensitivity, and immunotherapy response were conducted to further evaluate the prognostic value of CAF-related genes. Patients with low-risk scores were found to have higher chemosensitivity to cisplatin, doxorubicin, and sorafenib. Individuals with high-risk scores were found with a higher expression of most immune checkpoints which indicated patients with high-risk scores may benefit more from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, a correlation between immune infiltration characteristics of TME and patients with different risk levels was found. These findings provide a possibility for the further development of personalized treatments in HCC.
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Jia W, Liang S, Cheng B, Ling C. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Value of Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:763519. [PMID: 34868982 PMCID: PMC8636329 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.763519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasion and metastasis are the main reasons for the high mortality of liver cancer, which involve the interaction of tumor stromal cells and malignant cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major constituents of tumor stromal cells affecting tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The heterogeneous properties and sources of CAFs make both tumor-supporting and tumor-suppression effects possible. The mechanisms for CAFs in supporting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression can be categorized into upregulated aggressiveness and stemness, transformed metabolism toward glycolysis and glutamine reductive carboxylation, polarized tumor immunity toward immune escape of HCC cells, and increased angiogenesis. The tumor-suppressive effect of fibroblasts highlights the functional heterogenicity of CAF populations and provides new insights into tumor–stromal interplay mechanisms. In this review, we introduced several key inflammatory signaling pathways in the transformation of CAFs from normal stromal cells and the heterogeneous biofunctions of activated CAFs. In view of the pleiotropic regulation properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and heterogeneous effects of CAFs, we also introduced the application and values of TCM in the treatment of HCC through targeting CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jia
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changquan Ling
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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40
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Mancini SJC, Balabanian K, Corre I, Gavard J, Lazennec G, Le Bousse-Kerdilès MC, Louache F, Maguer-Satta V, Mazure NM, Mechta-Grigoriou F, Peyron JF, Trichet V, Herault O. Deciphering Tumor Niches: Lessons From Solid and Hematological Malignancies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:766275. [PMID: 34858421 PMCID: PMC8631445 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.766275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge about the hematopoietic niche has evolved considerably in recent years, in particular through in vitro analyzes, mouse models and the use of xenografts. Its complexity in the human bone marrow, in particular in a context of hematological malignancy, is more difficult to decipher by these strategies and could benefit from the knowledge acquired on the niches of solid tumors. Indeed, some common features can be suspected, since the bone marrow is a frequent site of solid tumor metastases. Recent research on solid tumors has provided very interesting information on the interactions between tumoral cells and their microenvironment, composed notably of mesenchymal, endothelial and immune cells. This review thus focuses on recent discoveries on tumor niches that could help in understanding hematopoietic niches, with special attention to 4 particular points: i) the heterogeneity of carcinoma/cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), ii) niche cytokines and chemokines, iii) the energy/oxidative metabolism and communication, especially mitochondrial transfer, and iv) the vascular niche through angiogenesis and endothelial plasticity. This review highlights actors and/or pathways of the microenvironment broadly involved in cancer processes. This opens avenues for innovative therapeutic opportunities targeting not only cancer stem cells but also their regulatory tumor niche(s), in order to improve current antitumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane J C Mancini
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,INSERM UMR1236, Rennes 1 University, Etablissement Français du Sang Bretagne, Rennes, France.,Cancéropole Grand-Ouest, NET network "Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors", Nantes, France
| | - Karl Balabanian
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Saint-Louis Research Institute, University of Paris, EMiLy, INSERM U1160, Paris, France.,The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia (OPALE) Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Corre
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Cancéropole Grand-Ouest, NET network "Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors", Nantes, France.,Center for Research in Cancerology and Immunology Nantes-Angers (CRCINA), Signaling in Oncogenesis Angiogenesis and Permeability (SOAP), INSERM UMR1232, Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) ERL600, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Julie Gavard
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Cancéropole Grand-Ouest, NET network "Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors", Nantes, France.,Center for Research in Cancerology and Immunology Nantes-Angers (CRCINA), Signaling in Oncogenesis Angiogenesis and Permeability (SOAP), INSERM UMR1232, Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) ERL600, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Integrated Center for Oncology, St. Herblain, France
| | - Gwendal Lazennec
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) UMR9005, SYS2DIAG-ALCEDIAG, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie-Caroline Le Bousse-Kerdilès
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,INSERM UMRS-MD1197, Paris-Saclay University, Paul-Brousse Hospital, Villejuif, France
| | - Fawzia Louache
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,INSERM UMRS-MD1197, Paris-Saclay University, Paul-Brousse Hospital, Villejuif, France
| | - Véronique Maguer-Satta
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), CNRS UMR5286, INSERM U1052, Lyon 1 university, Lean Bérard Center, Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie M Mazure
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,INSERM U1065, C3M, University of Côte d'Azur (UCA), Nice, France
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Institut Curie, INSERM U830, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Team Babelized Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (LNCC), Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Peyron
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,INSERM U1065, C3M, University of Côte d'Azur (UCA), Nice, France
| | - Valérie Trichet
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Cancéropole Grand-Ouest, NET network "Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors", Nantes, France.,INSERM UMR1238 Phy-Os, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Olivier Herault
- Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) GDR3697, Micronit "Microenvironment of Tumor Niches", Tours, France.,Cancéropole Grand-Ouest, NET network "Niches and Epigenetics of Tumors", Nantes, France.,The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia (OPALE) Carnot Institute, The Organization for Partnerships in Leukemia, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche scientifique (CNRS) ERL7001 LNOx, EA7501, Tours University, Tours, France.,Department of Biological Hematology, Tours University Hospital, Tours, France
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Huang WC, Yadav VK, Cheng WH, Wang CH, Hsieh MS, Huang TY, Lin SF, Yeh CT, Kuo KT. The MEK/ERK/miR-21 Signaling Is Critical in Osimertinib Resistance in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236005. [PMID: 34885115 PMCID: PMC8657072 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our study provided data that the inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling could overcome Osimertinib resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, MEK inhibitor Trametinib suppressed the tumorigenic properties of NSCLC cells by reducing the generation of CAFs. The trametinib-mediated anti-cancer function was also associated with the significantly suppressed level of miR-21, of which primary targets included PDCD4, as shown in this study and MEK inhibitor Trametinib significantly suppressed Osimertinib-resistant NSCLC tumor growth by abolishing both processes. Abstract Background: The third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, Osimertinib, is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance caused by acquired EGFR T790M mutation. However, patients eventually develop resistance against Osimertinib with mechanisms not yet fully clarified. Activated alternative survival pathways within the tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been proposed to contribute to Osimertinib resistance. MET and MEK inhibitors may overcome EGFR-independent resistance. Another acquired resistance mechanism of EGFR-TKI is the up-regulation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, which is the key to cell survival and proliferation; this may occur downstream of various other signaling pathways. In this report, we reveal the possible regulatory mechanism and inhibitory effect of the MEK inhibitor trametinib applied to MEK/ERK/miR-21 axis and PDCD4 in Osimertinib resistance. We found a possible regulatory role of PDCD4 in ERK signaling. PDCD4 is a new type of tumor suppressor that has multiple functions of inhibiting cell growth, tumor invasion, metastasis, and inducing apoptosis. Previous bioinformatics analysis has confirmed that PDCD4 contains the binding site of miR-21 and acts as a tumor suppressor in the regulation of various processes associated with the development of cancer, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and neoplastic transformation. Based on the above analysis, we hypothesized that the tumor suppressor PDCD4 is one of the effective inhibitory targets of miR-21-5p. Methods: The expression between EGFR and ERK2 in lung adenocarcinoma was evaluated from the TCGA database. Osimertinib-sensitive and resistant NSCLC cells obtained from patients were used to co-culture with human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) to generate CAF cells (termed CAF_R1 and CAF_S1), and the functional roles of these CAF cells plus the regulatory mechanisms were further explored. Then, MEK inhibitor Trametinib with or without Osimertinib was applied in xenograft model derived from patients to validate the effects on growth inhibition of Osimertinib-resistant NSCLC tumors. Result: ERK2 expression correlated with EGFR expression and higher ERK2 level was associated with worse prognosis of patients and Osimertinib resistance. CAFs derived from Osimertinib-resistant cells secreted more IL-6, IL-8, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), expressed stronger CAF markers including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast activation protein (FAP) plus platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and enhanced stemness and Osimertinib resistance in NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, increased MEK/ERK/miR-21 expressions were found in both CAFs and NSCLC cells. MEK inhibitor Trametinib significantly abrogated the abovementioned effects by modulating β-catenin, STAT3, and ERK. The xenograft model showed combining Osimertinib and Trametinib resulted in the most prominent growth inhibition of Osimertinib-resistant NSCLC tumors. Conclusions: Our results suggested that MEK/ERK/miR-21 signaling is critical in Osimertinib resistance and CAF transformation of NSCLC cells, and MEK inhibitor Trametinib significantly suppressed Osimertinib-resistant NSCLC tumor growth by abolishing both processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chien Huang
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 252, Taiwan
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Vijesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hong Cheng
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hua Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, 231, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shou Hsieh
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yi Huang
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Fu Lin
- Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Tai Yeh
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Tai Kuo
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
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Es HA, Cox TR, Sarafraz-Yazdi E, Thiery JP, Warkiani ME. Pirfenidone Reduces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Spheroid Formation in Breast Carcinoma through Targeting Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs). Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5118. [PMID: 34680267 PMCID: PMC8533995 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pirfenidone (PFD) on promoting epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and stemness features in breast carcinoma cells through targeting cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs). Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we analyzed the association between stromal index, EMT, and stemness-related genes across 1084 breast cancer patients, identifying positive correlation between YAP1, EMT, and stemness genes in samples with a high-stromal index. We monitored carcinoma cell invasion and spheroid formation co-cultured with CAFs in a 3D microfluidic device, followed by exposing carcinoma cells, spheroids, and CAFs with PFD. We depicted a positive association between the high-stromal index and the expression of EMT and stemness genes. High YAP1 expression in samples correlated with more advanced EMT status and stromal index. Additionally, we found that CAFs promoted spheroid formation and induced the expression of YAP1, VIM, and CD44 in spheroids. Treatment with PFD reduced carcinoma cell migration and decreased the expression of these genes at the protein level. The cytokine profiling showed significant depletion of various EMT- and stemness-regulated cytokines, particularly IL8, CCL17, and TNF-beta. These data highlight the potential application of PFD on inhibiting EMT and stemness in carcinoma cells through the targeting of critical cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Aboulkheyr Es
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia;
| | - Thomas R Cox
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia;
| | | | - Jean Paul Thiery
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France;
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Center of Biomedical Engineering, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia;
- Center of Biomedical Engineering, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
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Gorchs L, Kaipe H. Interactions between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and T Cells in the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment and the Role of Chemokines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2995. [PMID: 34203869 PMCID: PMC8232575 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Less than 10% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) survive 5 years or more, making it one of the most fatal cancers. Accumulation of T cells in pancreatic tumors is associated with better prognosis, but immunotherapies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of infiltrating T cells are failing in this devastating disease. Pancreatic tumors are characterized by a desmoplastic stroma, which mainly consists of activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Pancreatic CAFs have emerged as important regulators of the tumor microenvironment by contributing to immune evasion through the release of chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors, which alters T-cell migration, differentiation and cytotoxic activity. However, recent discoveries have also revealed that subsets of CAFs with diverse functions can either restrain or promote tumor progression. Here, we discuss our current knowledge about the interactions between CAFs and T cells in PDAC and summarize different therapy strategies targeting the CAF-T cell axis with focus on CAF-derived soluble immunosuppressive factors and chemokines. Identifying the functions of different CAF subsets and understanding their roles in T-cell trafficking within the tumor may be fundamental for the development of an effective combinational treatment for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Gorchs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Kaipe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
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Berzaghi R, Tornaas S, Lode K, Hellevik T, Martinez-Zubiaurre I. Ionizing Radiation Curtails Immunosuppressive Effects From Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts on Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:662594. [PMID: 34177901 PMCID: PMC8221608 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.662594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) participate actively in tumor development and affect treatment responses, by among other mechanisms, promoting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In contrast to normal fibroblasts, reactive CAFs secrete a myriad of immunomodulatory soluble factors at high levels, i.e. growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, which directly influence tumor immunity and inflammation. CAFs have been identified as important players in tumor radioresistance. However, knowledge on the immunomodulatory functions of CAFs during/after radiotherapy is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of ionizing radiation on CAF-mediated regulation of dendritic cells (DCs). CAFs were obtained from freshly operated lung cancer tissues, while DCs were procured from peripheral blood of healthy donors. Experimental settings comprised both co-cultures and incubations with conditioned medium from control and irradiated CAFs. Functional assays to study DC differentiation/activation consisted on cytokine release, expression of cell-surface markers, antigen uptake, migration rates, T cell priming, and DC-signaling analysis. We demonstrate that CAFs induce a tolerogenic phenotype in DCs by promoting down-regulation of: i) signature DC markers (CD14, CD1a, CD209); ii) activation markers (CD80, CD86, CD40, and HLA-DR) and iii) functional properties (migration, antigen uptake, and CD4+ T cell priming). Notably, some of these effects were lost in conditioned medium from CAFs irradiated at fractionated medium-dose regimens (3x6 Gy). However, the expression of relevant CAF-derived regulatory agents like thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) was unchanged upon irradiation. This study demonstrates that CAFs interfere with DC immune functions and unveil that certain radiation regimens may reverse CAF-mediated immunosuppressive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Berzaghi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Stian Tornaas
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristin Lode
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Turid Hellevik
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Inigo Martinez-Zubiaurre
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Zhang Q, Wang Y, Xia C, Ding L, Pu Y, Hu X, Cai H, Hu Q. Integrated analysis of single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq reveals distinct cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Ann Transl Med 2021; 9:1017. [PMID: 34277817 PMCID: PMC8267303 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been widely acknowledged, but has not yet been elucidated. The potential roles and clinical relevance of CAFs subclusters in HNSCC progression remain obscure. Methods In this study, we combined single-cell and bulk tissue transcriptome profiles of HNSCC with clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The Seurat package was used to perform single-cell RNA-seq analysis to distinguish distinct CAFs subtypes. Prognostic relevance of several CAFs markers was assessed and functional analysis was also performed. Results We identified eight CAFs subclusters; of these, seven showed enhanced expression levels in HNSCC tumor tissues compared to normal tissue, and three (clusters 0, 3, and 4) were associated with poorer overall survival. Further functional analysis revealed that cluster 0 was characterized by myofibroblasts with high alpha smooth muscle actin (aSMA) expression and enrichment in smooth muscle contraction. The cluster 3 exhibited expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes and was enriched in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene sets. Cluster 4 expressed high levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II family, which was characterized as antigen-presenting CAFs. Conclusions We determined CAFs heterogeneity in HNSCC. 8 CAFs subclusters were recognized and 3 of which were prognosis related. The 3 CAFs subclusters showed distinct phenotypes enriched in myofibroblast function, ECM remodeling and antigen-presenting function respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengwan Xia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Ding
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yumei Pu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaobei Hu
- Department of Orthodontics, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiming Cai
- Nanjing Nuoyuan Medical Devices Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Qingang Hu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Berzaghi R, Islam A, Hellevik T, Martinez-Zubiaurre I. Secretion rates and protein composition of extracellular vesicles released by cancer-associated fibroblasts after radiation. J Radiat Res 2021; 62:401-413. [PMID: 33899109 PMCID: PMC8127688 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Reciprocal communication between the malignant and non-malignant cellular elements in tumors is essential for cancer sustainability and plays an important role in the response of cancers to treatments. Some of this cellular crosstalk takes place via secretion of vesicles that are actively released into the extracellular space by most cell types in tumors. Recent studies have demonstrated radiation-induced changes in the secretion rate and composition of extracellular vesicles (EVs), with impact on radiation-related cellular communication. However, little is known about the effects of different radiation regimens on the release of EVs by cells of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we provide a comprehensive molecular characterization of EVs released by cultured primary lung tumor fibroblasts. We explore the quantitative and morphological changes triggered by ionizing radiation (IR), delivered as a single dose of 18 Gy or three consecutive daily medium-doses of 6 Gy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) secrete EVs with sizes ranging from 80 to 200 nm, expressing some of the classical exosome markers. Exposing CAFs to a single-high radiation dose (1 × 18 Gy) or fractionated medium-dose did not alter the release of CAF-EVs. The protein composition of CAF-EVs was analyzed by LC-MS/MS proteomics and revealed that CAF-EVs are enriched with heat shock proteins, integrins, tetraspanins, proteinases, collagens, growth factors and an array of molecules involved in the regulation of cell migration and the immune system. Quantitative proteomic analyses revealed minor changes in the protein composition of CAF-EVs after radiation exposure. Taken together, this study presents original data on lung tumor CAF-EV composition and reveals that release and protein cargo of CAF-EVs are largely unaltered after exposing CAFs to IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Berzaghi
- Corresponding author. Rodrigo Berzaghi, PhD, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway. E-mail:
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Turid Hellevik
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Inigo Martinez-Zubiaurre
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
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Zhu K, Lv Z, Xiong J, Zheng H, Zhang S, Jin H, Yu L, Li Z, Zhang J, Li C, Liang P. MET inhibitor, capmatinib overcomes osimertinib resistance via suppression of MET/Akt/snail signaling in non-small cell lung cancer and decreased generation of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:6890-903. [PMID: 33621951 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) initially responding to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) eventually develop resistance due to accumulating mutations in the EGFR and additional lesser investigated mechanisms such as the participation of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods: Here, we examined the potential for MET inhibitor capmatinib for the treatment of osimertinib-resistant NSCLCs and normalizing the TME. Results: We first established that HCC827 and H1975 cells showed increased resistance against osimertinib when co-cultured with CAFs isolated from osimertinib-resistant patients. Additionally, we showed that CAFs promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and self-renewal ability in both HCC827 and H1975 cells. We subsequently found that both CAF-cultured HCC827 and H1975 showed a significantly higher expression of MET, Akt, Snail and IL-1β, which were associated with survival and inflammatory responses. These cells in turn, promoted the generation of CAFs from normal lung fibroblasts. Subsequently, we observed that the treatment of capmatinib resulted in the re-sensitization of CAF-co-cultured H1975 and HCC827 to osimertinib, in association with reduced EMT and self-renewal ability. MET-silencing experiment using siRNA supported the observations made with capmatinib while with a greater magnitude. MET-silenced cell exhibited a severely hindered expression of inflammatory markers, IL-1β and NF-κB; EMT markers, Snail and Vimentin, while increased E-cadherin. Finally, we demonstrated that the combination of capmatinib and osimertinib led to an increased tumor inhibition and significantly lower number of CAFs within the patient derived xenograft (PDX) model. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings suggested that an increased MET/Akt/Snail signaling was induced between the NSCLC cells and their TME (CAFs), resulting in osimertinib resistance. Suppression of this pathway by capmatinib may bypass the EGFR activating mutation and overcomes osimertinib resistance by targeting both tumor cells and CAFs.
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Karta J, Bossicard Y, Kotzamanis K, Dolznig H, Letellier E. Mapping the Metabolic Networks of Tumor Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Cells 2021; 10:304. [PMID: 33540679 PMCID: PMC7912987 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolism is considered to be the core of all cellular activity. Thus, extensive studies of metabolic processes are ongoing in various fields of biology, including cancer research. Cancer cells are known to adapt their metabolism to sustain high proliferation rates and survive in unfavorable environments with low oxygen and nutrient concentrations. Hence, targeting cancer cell metabolism is a promising therapeutic strategy in cancer research. However, cancers consist not only of genetically altered tumor cells but are interwoven with endothelial cells, immune cells and fibroblasts, which together with the extracellular matrix (ECM) constitute the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are linked to poor prognosis in different cancer types, are one important component of the TME. CAFs play a significant role in reprogramming the metabolic landscape of tumor cells, but how, and in what manner, this interaction takes place remains rather unclear. This review aims to highlight the metabolic landscape of tumor cells and CAFs, including their recently identified subtypes, in different tumor types. In addition, we discuss various in vitro and in vivo metabolic techniques as well as different in silico computational tools that can be used to identify and characterize CAF-tumor cell interactions. Finally, we provide our view on how mapping the complex metabolic networks of stromal-tumor metabolism will help in finding novel metabolic targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Karta
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belval, Luxembourg; (J.K.); (Y.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Ysaline Bossicard
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belval, Luxembourg; (J.K.); (Y.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Konstantinos Kotzamanis
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belval, Luxembourg; (J.K.); (Y.B.); (K.K.)
| | - Helmut Dolznig
- Tumor Stroma Interaction Group, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Strasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Elisabeth Letellier
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belval, Luxembourg; (J.K.); (Y.B.); (K.K.)
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Malchiodi ZX, Weiner LM. Understanding and Targeting Natural Killer Cell-Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Interactions in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030405. [PMID: 33499238 PMCID: PMC7865209 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Current therapies can be ineffective due to immune suppression and fibrosis (tissue scarring) that prevents cancer cells from being killed. This review article discusses the relevance of examining how natural killer (NK) cells, immune cells involved in the anti-cancer immune response, interact with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which cause fibrosis, in pancreatic cancer. Understanding how these cell types interact may provide insights to guide the development of novel targeted therapies to increase immune response and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Abstract Interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) comprise a relevant but relatively understudied crosstalk relationship within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review discusses the relevance of both natural killer cell and cancer-associated fibroblast function and activity in cancers, with an emphasis on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), incorporating additional insights from other malignancies to inform future directions for research. We describe what is currently known about NK cell-CAF crosstalk and their molecular interactions, how it is possible to exploit NK cell cytotoxicity in tumors and how to target CAFs to enhance efficacy of cancer therapies and cytotoxic immune cells. Although not previously tested in combination, there is an abundance of evidence demonstrating that targeting tumor-promoting CAFs and exploiting NK cells, separately, are beneficial as therapeutic strategies. This raises the possibility that a novel combination regimen addressing these two cell targets may be even more beneficial to eradicate PDAC and other solid tumors.
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Kapusta P, Dulińska-Litewka J, Totoń-Żurańska J, Borys A, Konieczny PS, Wołkow PP, Seweryn MT. Dysregulation of Transcription Factor Activity During Formation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8749. [PMID: 33228208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and the quiescent fibroblasts leading to the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) serve an important role in cancer progression. Here, we investigated the activation of transcription factors (TFs) in prostate fibroblasts (WPMY cell line) co-cultured with normal prostate or tumorous cells (RWPE1 and RWPE2 cell lines, respectively). After indirect co-cultures, we performed mRNA-seq and predicted TF activity using mRNA expression profiles with the Systems EPigenomics Inference of Regulatory Activity (SEPIRA) package and the GTEx and mRNA-seq data of 483 cultured fibroblasts. The initial differential expression analysis between time points and experimental conditions showed that co-culture with normal epithelial cells mainly promotes an inflammatory response in fibroblasts, whereas with the cancerous epithelial, it stimulates transformation by changing the expression of the genes associated with microfilaments. TF activity analysis revealed only one positively regulated TF in the RWPE1 co-culture alone, while we observed dysregulation of 45 TFs (7 decreased activity and 38 increased activity) uniquely in co-culture with RWPE2. Pathway analysis showed that these 45 dysregulated TFs in fibroblasts co-cultured with RWPE2 cells may be associated with the RUNX1 and PTEN pathways. Moreover, we showed that observed dysregulation could be associated with FER1L4 expression. We conclude that phenotypic changes in fibroblast responses to co-culturing with cancer epithelium result from orchestrated dysregulation of signaling pathways that favor their transformation and motility rather than proinflammatory status. This dysregulation can be observed both at the TF and transcriptome levels.
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