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Wang Z, Dong S, Zhou W. Pancreatic stellate cells: Key players in pancreatic health and diseases (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 30:109. [PMID: 38695254 PMCID: PMC11082724 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13233] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
As a pluripotent cell, activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) can differentiate into various pancreatic parenchymal cells and participate in the secretion of extracellular matrix and the repair of pancreatic damage. Additionally, PSCs characteristics allow them to contribute to pancreatic inflammation and carcinogenesis. Moreover, a detailed study of the pathogenesis of activated PSCs in pancreatic disease can offer promise for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and improved patient prognoses. Therefore, the present study review aimed to examine the involvement of activated PSCs in pancreatic diseases and elucidate the underlying mechanisms to provide a viable therapeutic strategy for the management of pancreas‑related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengfeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Shi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Wence Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
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Wang Y, Li HT, Liu G, Jiang CS, Ni YH, Zeng JH, Lin X, Wang QY, Li DZ, Wang W, Zeng XP. COMP promotes pancreatic fibrosis by activating pancreatic stellate cells through CD36-ERK/AKT signaling pathways. Cell Signal 2024; 118:111135. [PMID: 38479555 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111135] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic fibrosis is one of the most important pathological features of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the key cells of fibrosis. As an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is critical for collagen assembly and ECM stability and recent studies showed that COMP exert promoting fibrosis effect in the skin, lungs and liver. However, the role of COMP in activation of PSCs and pancreatic fibrosis remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the role and specific mechanisms of COMP in regulating the profibrotic phenotype of PSCs and pancreatic fibrosis. METHODS ELISA method was used to determine serum COMP in patients with CP. Mice model of CP was established by repeated intraperitoneal injection of cerulein and pancreatic fibrosis was evaluated by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining (H&E) and Sirius red staining. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression changes of COMP and fibrosis marker such as α-SMA and Fibronectin in pancreatic tissue of mice. Cell Counting Kit-8, Wound Healing and Transwell assessed the proliferation and migration of human pancreatic stellate cells (HPSCs). Western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the expression of fibrosis marker, AKT and MAPK family proteins in HPSCs. RNA-seq omics analysis as well as small interfering RNA of COMP, recombinant human COMP (rCOMP), MEK inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors were used to study the effect and mechanism of COMP on activation of HPSCs. RESULTS ELISA showed that the expression of COMP significantly increased in the serum of CP patients. H&E and Sirius red staining analysis showed that there was a large amount of collagen deposition in the mice in the CP model group and high expression of COMP, α-SMA, Fibronectin and Vimentin were observed in fibrotic tissues. TGF-β1 stimulates the activation of HPSCs and increases the expression of COMP. Knockdown of COMP inhibited proliferation and migration of HPSCs. Further, RNA-seq omics analysis and validation experiments in vitro showed that rCOMP could significantly promote the proliferation and activation of HPSCs, which may be due to promoting the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT through membrane protein receptor CD36. rCOMP simultaneously increased the expression of α-SMA, Fibronectin and Collagen I in HPSCs. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study showed that COMP was up-regulated in CP fibrotic tissues and COMP induced the activation, proliferation and migration of PSCs through the CD36-ERK/AKT signaling pathway. COMP may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of CP. Interfering with the expression of COMP or the communication between COMP and CD36 on PSCs may be the next direction for therapeutic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hai-Tao Li
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chuan-Shen Jiang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan-Hong Ni
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jing-Hui Zeng
- Department of Presbyatrics, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qing-Yun Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Da-Zhou Li
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Wen Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Xiang-Peng Zeng
- Department of Digestive Diseases, 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; College of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Digestive Diseases, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, China.
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Qi X, Liu Q, Wei Z, Hou X, Jiang Y, Sun Y, Xu S, Yang L, He J, Liu K. Chronic exposure to BDE-47 aggravates acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis by promoting acinar cell apoptosis and inflammation. Toxicol Sci 2024; 199:120-131. [PMID: 38407484 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae024] [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] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), a persistent environmental pollutant commonly used as a flame retardant in various consumer products, on pancreatitis has not been clearly elucidated, although it has been reported to be toxic to the liver, nervous system, and reproductive system. Acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) models were induced in this study by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein. The aim was to investigate the impact of BDE-47 on pancreatitis by exposing the animals to acute (1 week) or chronic (8 weeks) doses of BDE-47 (30 mg/kg in the low-concentration group and 100 mg/kg in the high-concentration group). Additionally, BDE-47 was utilized to stimulate mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, pancreatic primary stellate cells, and acinar cells in order to investigate the impact of BDE-47 on pancreatitis. In vivo experiments conducted on mice revealed that chronic exposure to BDE-47, rather than acute exposure, exacerbated the histopathological damage of AP and CP, leading to elevated fibrosis in pancreatic tissue and increased infiltration of inflammatory cells in the pancreas. In vitro experiments showed that BDE-47 can promote the expression of the inflammatory cytokines Tnf-α and Il-6 in M1 macrophages, as well as promote acinar cell apoptosis through the activation of the PERK and JNK pathways via endoplasmic reticulum stress. The findings of this study imply chronic exposure to BDE-47 may exacerbate the progression of both AP and CP by inducing acinar cell apoptosis and dysregulating inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Qi
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zuxing Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xuyang Hou
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yuhong Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yin Sun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421200, China
| | - Shu Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Leping Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Kuijie Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
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Guo HL, Liang XS, Zeng XP, Liu Y, Li ZS, Wang LJ, Hu LH. Pirfenidone alleviates chronic pancreatitis via suppressing the activation of pancreatic stellate cells and the M1 polarization of macrophages. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111691. [PMID: 38367466 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111691] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
In the realm of fibroinflammatory conditions, chronic pancreatitis (CP) stands out as a particularly challenging ailment, lacking a dedicated, approved treatment. The potential of Pirfenidone (PFD), a drug originally used for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), in addressing CP's fibrotic aspects has sparked new interest. This investigation focused on the role of PFD in diminishing fibrosis and immune response in CP, using a mouse model induced by caerulein. The research extended to in vitro studies examining the influence of PFD on pancreatic stellate cells' (PSCs) behavior and the polarization of macrophages into M1 and M2 types. Advanced techniques like RNA sequencing and comprehensive data analyses were employed to decode the molecular interactions of PFD with PSCs. Supplementary experiments using techniques such as quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were also implemented. Results showed a notable reduction in pancreatic damage in PFD-treated mice, manifested through decreased acinar cell atrophy, lower collagen deposition, and a reduction in macrophage presence. Further investigation revealed PFD's capacity to hinder PSCs' migration, growth, and activation, alongside a reduction in the production and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins. This effect is primarily achieved by interfering with signaling pathways such as TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, and JAK/STAT. Additionally, PFD selectively hampers M1 macrophage polarization through the STAT3 pathway, without impacting M2 polarization. These outcomes highlight PFD's dual mechanism in moderating PSC activity and M1 macrophage polarization, positioning it as a promising candidate for CP therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Lei Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue-Song Liang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Peng Zeng
- Department of Digestive Diseases, No. 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhao-Shen Li
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, China; Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Juan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, China; Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liang-Hao Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, China; Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Sun L, Zheng M, Gao Y, Brigstock DR, Gao R. Retinoic acid signaling pathway in pancreatic stellate cells: Insight into the anti-fibrotic effect and mechanism. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 967:176374. [PMID: 38309676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176374] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated following loss of cytoplasmic vitamin A (retinol)-containing lipid droplets, which is a key event in the process of fibrogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDCA). PSCs are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that produce stroma to induce PDAC cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. As an active metabolite of retinol, retinoic acid (RA) can regulate target gene expression in PSCs through its nuclear receptor complex (RAR/RXR or RXR/RXR) or transcriptional intermediary factor. Additionally, RA also has extranuclear and non-transcriptional effects. In vitro studies have shown that RA induces PSC deactivation which reduces extracellular matrix production through multiple modes of action, such as inhibiting TβRⅡ, PDGFRβ, β-catenin and Wnt production, downregulating ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation and suppressing active TGF-β1 release. RA alone or in combination with other reagents have been demonstrated to have an effective anti-fibrotic effect on cerulein-induced mouse CP models in vivo studies. Clinical trial data have shown that repurposing all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as a stromal-targeting agent for human pancreatic cancer is safe and tolerable, suggesting the possibility of using RA for the treatment of CP and PDCA in humans. This review focuses on RA signaling pathways in PSCs and the effects and mechanisms of RA in PSC-mediated fibrogenesis as well as the anti-fibrotic and anti-tumor effects of RA targeting PSCs or CAFs in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the potential therapies of RA against CP and PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Sun
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Pathology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meifang Zheng
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - David R Brigstock
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Runping Gao
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Ando R, Shiraki Y, Miyai Y, Shimizu H, Furuhashi K, Minatoguchi S, Kato K, Kato A, Iida T, Mizutani Y, Ito K, Asai N, Mii S, Esaki N, Takahashi M, Enomoto A. Meflin is a marker of pancreatic stellate cells involved in fibrosis and epithelial regeneration in the pancreas. J Pathol 2024; 262:61-75. [PMID: 37796386 DOI: 10.1002/path.6211] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are stromal cells in the pancreas that play an important role in pancreatic pathology. In chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), PSCs are known to get activated to form myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that promote stromal fibroinflammatory reactions. However, previous studies on PSCs were mainly based on the findings obtained using ex vivo expanded PSCs, with few studies that addressed the significance of in situ tissue-resident PSCs using animal models. Their contributions to fibrotic reactions in CP and PDAC are also lesser-known. These limitations in our understanding of PSC biology have been attributed to the lack of specific molecular markers of PSCs. Herein, we established Meflin (Islr), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein, as a PSC-specific marker in both mouse and human by using human pancreatic tissue samples and Meflin reporter mice. Meflin-positive (Meflin+ ) cells contain lipid droplets and express the conventional PSC marker Desmin in normal mouse pancreas, with some cells also positive for Gli1, the marker of pancreatic tissue-resident fibroblasts. Three-dimensional analysis of the cleared pancreas of Meflin reporter mice showed that Meflin+ PSCs have long and thin cytoplasmic protrusions, and are localised on the abluminal side of vessels in the normal pancreas. Lineage tracing experiments revealed that Meflin+ PSCs constitute one of the origins of fibroblasts and CAFs in CP and PDAC, respectively. In these diseases, Meflin+ PSC-derived fibroblasts showed a distinctive morphology and distribution from Meflin+ PSCs in the normal pancreas. Furthermore, we showed that the genetic depletion of Meflin+ PSCs accelerated fibrosis and attenuated epithelial regeneration and stromal R-spondin 3 expression, thereby implying that Meflin+ PSCs and their lineage cells may support tissue recovery and Wnt/R-spondin signalling after pancreatic injury and PDAC development. Together, these data indicate that Meflin may be a marker specific to tissue-resident PSCs and useful for studying their biology in both health and disease. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Ando
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Shimizu
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Furuhashi
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shun Minatoguchi
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Kato
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Kato
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Iida
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kisuke Ito
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoya Asai
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Esaki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- Division of International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu, Japan
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Aguirre GA, Goulart MR, Dalli J, Kocher HM. Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase-mediated production of Resolvin D5 n-3 DPA abrogates pancreatic stellate cell-induced cancer cell invasion. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1248547. [PMID: 38035115 PMCID: PMC10687150 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1248547] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is responsible for the extensive desmoplastic reaction observed in PDAC stroma: a key driver of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) chemoresistance leading to poor prognosis. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are prime modulators of inflammation and its resolution, traditionally thought to be produced by immune cells. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based lipid mediator profiling PSCs as well as primary human CAFs express enzymes and receptors to produce and respond to SPMs. Human PSC/CAF SPM secretion profile can be modulated by rendering these cells activated [transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)] or quiescent [all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)]. ATRA-induced nuclear translocation of arachidonate-15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) was linked to increased production of n-3 docosapentaenoic acid-derived Resolvin D5 (RvD5n-3 DPA), among other SPMs. Inhibition of RvD5n-3 DPA formation increases cancer cell invasion, whereas addback of this molecule reduced activated PSC-mediated cancer cell invasion. We also observed that circulating concentrations of RvD5n-3 DPA levels were decreased in peripheral blood of metastatic PDAC patients when compared with those measured in plasma of non-metastatic PDAC patients. Together, these findings indicate that RvD5n-3 DPA may regulate cancer-stroma cross-talk and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel A. Aguirre
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jesmond Dalli
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hemant M. Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
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Pethő Z, Najder K, Beel S, Fels B, Neumann I, Schimmelpfennig S, Sargin S, Wolters M, Grantins K, Wardelmann E, Mitkovski M, Oeckinghaus A, Schwab A. Acid-base homeostasis orchestrated by NHE1 defines the pancreatic stellate cell phenotype in pancreatic cancer. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e170928. [PMID: 37643024 PMCID: PMC10619433 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170928] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progresses in an organ with a unique pH landscape, where the stroma acidifies after each meal. We hypothesized that disrupting this pH landscape during PDAC progression triggers pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to induce PDAC fibrosis. We revealed that alkaline environmental pH was sufficient to induce PSC differentiation to a myofibroblastic phenotype. We then mechanistically dissected this finding, focusing on the involvement of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1. Perturbing cellular pH homeostasis by inhibiting NHE1 with cariporide partially altered the myofibroblastic PSC phenotype. To show the relevance of this finding in vivo, we targeted NHE1 in murine PDAC (KPfC). Indeed, tumor fibrosis decreased when mice received the NHE1-inhibitor cariporide in addition to gemcitabine treatment. Moreover, the tumor immune infiltrate shifted from granulocyte rich to more lymphocytic. Taken together, our study provides mechanistic evidence on how the pancreatic pH landscape shapes pancreatic cancer through tuning PSC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephanie Beel
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Benedikt Fels
- Institute of Physiology II and
- Institute of Physiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Maria Wolters
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Klavs Grantins
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Miso Mitkovski
- City Campus Light Microscopy Facility, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Oeckinghaus
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Wang R, Hong K, Zhang Q, Cao J, Huang T, Xiao Z, Wang Y, Shuai X. A nanodrug simultaneously inhibits pancreatic stellate cell activation and regulatory T cell infiltration to promote the immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Acta Biomater 2023; 169:451-463. [PMID: 37572982 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.007] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense extracellular matrix flooded with immune suppressive cells, resulting in extremely poor clinical response to immunotherapy. It has been revealed that the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) makes considerable contributions to the immunological "cold" tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we developed a polyamino acid-based nanodrug incorporating the PSC activation inhibitor calcipotriol and anti-CXCL12 siRNA. The nanodrug was easily prepared with a small particle size and is capable of penetrating pancreatic tumors to inactivate PSCs and downregulate CXCL12. The in vivo results of orthotopic pancreatic tumor treatment demonstrated that codelivery of calcipotriol and anti-CXCL12 siRNA remodeled the PDAC TME with reduced extracellular matrix and decreased immunosuppressive T cells. Eventually, the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells was increased, thereby acting with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for immunologically "cold" pancreatic tumors. In the present study, we propose a promising paradigm to improve the immunotherapy outcome of PDAC using nanodrugs that synchronously inhibit PSC activation and regulatory T-cell infiltration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) that impedes the tumor infiltration of therapeutic agents and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, resulting in a poor clinical response to immunotherapy. In the present study, we proposed a promising approach for enhanced immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Specifically, a nanodrug incorporating calcipotriol and anti-CXCL12 siRNA was synthesized to synchronously inactivate matrix-producing pancreatic stellate cells and suppress the infiltration of regulatory T cells. The reduced ECM removed the pathological barrier, preventing nanodrug penetration and effector T-cell infiltration, leading to a conversion of the immunosuppressive "cold" microenvironment to a "hot" microenvironment, which eventually boosted the immunotherapy of anti-PD-1 antibodies in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongze Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Keze Hong
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Qiaoyun Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jianrong Cao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Tao Huang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zecong Xiao
- Nanomedicine Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
| | - Yong Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Xintao Shuai
- Nanomedicine Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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10
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Han C, Wang LJ, Dong ZQ, Wang PY, Lv YW, Wang D, Hu LH. Nintedanib Alleviates Chronic Pancreatitis by Inhibiting the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells via the JAK/STAT3 and ERK1/2 Pathways. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:3644-3659. [PMID: 37526905 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-08052-7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nintedanib (Ninte) has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, and whether it can ameliorate chronic pancreatitis (CP) is unknown. AIMS This study was conducted to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of Ninte on pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation in vivo and in vitro. METHODS The caerulein-induced CP model of murine was applied, and Ninte was orally administered. Pathological changes in pancreas were evaluated using hematoxylin & eosin, Sirius Red, Masson's trichrome, and anti-Ki-67 staining. For in vitro studies, the effects of Ninte on cell viability, apoptosis, and migration of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were determined by CCK-8, flow cytometry, and wound healing assays, respectively. The potential molecular mechanisms of the effects of Ninte on PSCs were analyzed by RNA-Seq and verified at the gene expression and protein activity levels by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. RESULTS Ninte significantly alleviated the weight loss in mice with caerulein-induced CP and simultaneously attenuated the pancreatic damage, as evidenced by reduced acinar atrophy, collagen deposition, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and inhibited cell proliferation/regeneration. Besides, Ninte markedly suppressed the transcription of fibrogenic and proinflammatory genes in pancreatic tissues. Further in vitro studies showed that Ninte significantly inhibited the transcription and protein expression of genes corresponding to fibrogenesis and proliferation in PSCs. The results of RNA-Seq analysis and subsequent verification assays indicated that Ninte inhibited the activation and proliferation of PSCs via the JAK/STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that Ninte may be a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapeutic agent for CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- The Hospital of 91876 Troops of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Qinhuangdao, 066299, Hebei, China
| | - Li-Juan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhi-Qi Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200434, China
| | - Peng-Yuan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yan-Wei Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Liang-Hao Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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11
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Sarkar R, Xu Z, Perera CJ, Apte MV. Emerging role of pancreatic stellate cell-derived extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:114-122. [PMID: 37225047 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer that is characterised by a prominent collagenous stromal reaction/desmoplasia surrounding tumour cells. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for the production of this stroma and have been shown to facilitate PDAC progression. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), in particular, small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) have been a topic of interest in the field of cancer research for their emerging roles in cancer progression and diagnosis. EVs act as a form of intercellular communication by carrying their molecular cargo from one cell to another, regulating functions of the recipient cells. Although the knowledge of the bi-directional interactions between the PSCs and cancer cells that promote disease progression has advanced significantly over the past decade, studies on PSC-derived EVs in PDAC are currently rather limited. This review provides an overview of PDAC, pancreatic stellate cells and their interactions with cancer cells, as well as the currently known role of extracellular vesicles derived from PSCs in PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sarkar
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Chamini J Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia.
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
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12
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Mohta S, Goswami P, Das P, Dash NR, Singh N, Gunjan D, Saraya A. Differential location of growth factors and pancreatic stellate cell activation in chronic pancreatitis. Indian J Gastroenterol 2023; 42:558-561. [PMID: 37418051 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-023-01369-1] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic fibrosis is characterized by the activation of pancreatic stellate cells leading to the expression of smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Normal pancreatic tissue has predominantly quiescent stellate cells in periductal and perivascular locations, which do not express α-SMA. We aimed at studying the immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression pattern of α-SMA, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) in the resected specimen of chronic pancreatitis. Twenty biopsies from resected specimens of patients with chronic pancreatitis were included. The expression was measured in comparison to positive control biopsies (breast carcinoma for PDGF-BB and TGF-β and appendicular tissue for α-SMA) and scored based on a semi-quantitative system based on staining intensity. The percentage of positive cells was used for objective scoring, which ranged from 0 to 15. The scoring was done separately for acini, ducts, stroma and islet cell. All patients had undergone surgery for refractory pain and the median duration of symptoms was 48 months. On IHC, α-SMA was not expressed in the acini, ducts or islets, but had high expression in the stromal regions (vs. acini, ducts and islet, p < 0.05), TGF-β1 was also expressed maximally in islet cells; however, the distribution among all locations was statistically similar. α-SMA expression in the pancreatic stroma is an indicator of the concentration of activated stellate cells in the stroma, a site for genesis of fibrosis under the influence of growth factors in the local milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikant Mohta
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - Pooja Goswami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - Prasenjit Das
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India
| | - N R Dash
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110 029, India
| | - Namrata Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - Deepak Gunjan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - Anoop Saraya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110 029, India.
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13
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Almanzar VMD, Shah K, LaComb JF, Mojumdar A, Patel HR, Cheung J, Tang M, Ju J, Bialkowska AB. 5-FU-miR-15a Inhibits Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells by Reducing YAP1 and BCL-2 Levels In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3954. [PMID: 36835366 PMCID: PMC9961454 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, processes heightened by activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Recent publications have demonstrated that miR-15a, which targets YAP1 and BCL-2, is significantly downregulated in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared to healthy controls. We have utilized a miRNA modification strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of miR-15a by replacing uracil with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). We demonstrated increased levels of YAP1 and BCL-2 (both targets of miR-15a) in pancreatic tissues obtained from Ptf1aCreERTM and Ptf1aCreERTM;LSL-KrasG12D mice after chronic pancreatitis induction as compared to controls. In vitro studies showed that delivery of 5-FU-miR-15a significantly decreased viability, proliferation, and migration of PSCs over six days compared to 5-FU, TGFβ1, control miR, and miR-15a. In addition, treatment of PSCs with 5-FU-miR-15a in the context of TGFβ1 treatment exerted a more substantial effect than TGFβ1 alone or when combined with other miRs. Conditioned medium obtained from PSC cells treated with 5-FU-miR-15a significantly inhibits the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells compared to controls. Importantly, we demonstrated that treatment with 5-FU-miR-15a reduced the levels of YAP1 and BCL-2 observed in PSCs. Our results strongly suggest that ectopic delivery of miR mimetics is a promising therapeutic approach for pancreatic fibrosis and that 5-FU-miR-15a shows specific promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M. Diaz Almanzar
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Kunal Shah
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Joseph F. LaComb
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Aisharja Mojumdar
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Hetvi R. Patel
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jacky Cheung
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Meiyi Tang
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jingfang Ju
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Agnieszka B. Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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14
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Coetzee AS, Carter EP, Rodríguez-Fernández L, Heward J, Wang Q, Karim SA, Boughetane L, Milton C, Uyulur F, Morton JP, Kocher HM, Grose RP. Nuclear FGFR1 promotes pancreatic stellate cell-driven invasion through up-regulation of Neuregulin 1. Oncogene 2023; 42:491-500. [PMID: 36357571 PMCID: PMC9918430 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are key to the treatment-refractory desmoplastic phenotype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and have received considerable attention as a stromal target for cancer therapy. This approach demands detailed understanding of their pro- and anti-tumourigenic effects. Interrogating PSC-cancer cell interactions in 3D models, we identified nuclear FGFR1 as critical for PSC-led invasion of cancer cells. ChIP-seq analysis of FGFR1 in PSCs revealed a number of FGFR1 interaction sites within the genome, notably NRG1, which encodes the ERBB ligand Neuregulin. We show that nuclear FGFR1 regulates transcription of NRG1, which in turn acts in autocrine fashion through an ERBB2/4 heterodimer to promote invasion. In support of this, recombinant NRG1 in 3D model systems rescued the loss of invasion incurred by FGFR inhibition. In vivo we demonstrate that, while FGFR inhibition does not affect the growth of pancreatic tumours in mice, local invasion into the pancreas is reduced. Thus, FGFR and NRG1 may present new stromal targets for PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail S Coetzee
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Edward P Carter
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Lucía Rodríguez-Fernández
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - James Heward
- Centre for Cancer Genomics and Computational Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Qiaoying Wang
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Saadia A Karim
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Lina Boughetane
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Christopher Milton
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Firat Uyulur
- Centre for Cancer Genomics and Computational Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Richard P Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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15
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Sarcar B, Fang B, Izumi V, O Nunez Lopez Y, Tassielli A, Pratley R, Jeong D, Permuth JB, Koomen JM, Fleming JB, Stewart PA. A comparative Proteomics Analysis Identified Differentially Expressed Proteins in Pancreatic Cancer-Associated Stellate Cell Small Extracellular Vesicles. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100438. [PMID: 36332889 PMCID: PMC9792568 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100438] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pancreatic stellate cells (HPSCs) are an essential stromal component and mediators of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles involved in cell-to-cell communications and are released from stromal cells within PDAC. A detailed comparison of sEVs from normal pancreatic stellate cells (HPaStec) and from PDAC-associated stellate cells (HPSCs) remains a gap in our current knowledge regarding stellate cells and PDAC. We hypothesized there would be differences in sEVs secretion and protein expression that might contribute to PDAC biology. To test this hypothesis, we isolated sEVs using ultracentrifugation followed by characterization by electron microscopy and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. We report here our initial observations. First, HPSC cells derived from PDAC tumors secrete a higher volume of sEVs when compared to normal pancreatic stellate cells (HPaStec). Although our data revealed that both normal and tumor-derived sEVs demonstrated no significant biological effect on cancer cells, we observed efficient uptake of sEVs by both normal and cancer epithelial cells. Additionally, intact membrane-associated proteins on sEVs were essential for efficient uptake. We then compared sEV proteins isolated from HPSCs and HPaStecs cells using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Most of the 1481 protein groups identified were shared with the exosome database, ExoCarta. Eighty-seven protein groups were differentially expressed (selected by 2-fold difference and adjusted p value ≤0.05) between HPSC and HPaStec sEVs. Of note, HPSC sEVs contained dramatically more CSE1L (chromosome segregation 1-like protein), a described marker of poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Based on our results, we have demonstrated unique populations of sEVs originating from stromal cells with PDAC and suggest that these are significant to cancer biology. Further studies should be undertaken to gain a deeper understanding that could drive novel therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaswati Sarcar
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Victoria Izumi
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Tassielli
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Richard Pratley
- Translational Research Institute, Advent Health, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Jeong
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer B Permuth
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA; Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - John M Koomen
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jason B Fleming
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.
| | - Paul A Stewart
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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16
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Deng D, Patel R, Chiang CY, Hou P. Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Regulating Pancreatic Cancer Therapy Resistance. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192952. [PMID: 36230914 PMCID: PMC9563251 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a notoriously poor prognosis, exhibits persistent drug resistance, and lacks a cure. Unique features of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment exacerbate tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Recent studies emphasize the importance of exploiting cells in the tumor microenvironment to thwart cancers. In this review, we summarize the hallmarks of the multifaceted pancreatic tumor microenvironment, notably pancreatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils, in the regulation of chemo-, radio-, immuno-, and targeted therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. The molecular insight will facilitate the development of novel therapeutics against pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiyong Deng
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Riya Patel
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Cheng-Yao Chiang
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pingping Hou
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
- Correspondence:
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17
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Yao W, Luo D, Lv Z, Yang Y, Wang L, Ma B, Xue D, Hao C, Zhang Y. The Rabep1-Mediated Endocytosis and Activation of Trypsinogen to Promote Pancreatic Stellate Cell Activation. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081063. [PMID: 36008957 PMCID: PMC9406084 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081063] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis is still unclear. Trypsinogen activation is an active factor in acute pancreatitis that has not been studied in the occurrence of chronic pancreatitis. Methods: Immunofluorescence was used to detect the location and expression of trypsinogen in chronic pancreatitis and normal tissues. Microarray and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) were used to screen core genes and pathways in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to verify trypsinogen expression in PSCs after silencing Rabep1. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to validate trypsinogen activation and PSC activation after intervening in the endocytosis pathway. Results: Endocytosed trypsinogen was found in PSCs in CP clinical samples. Bioinformatic analysis showed that Rabep1 is a core gene that regulates trypsinogen endocytosis through the endocytosis pathway, verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analyses confirmed the activation of trypsinogen and PSCs through the endocytosis pathway in PSCs. Conclusion: This study discovered a new mechanism by which trypsinogen affects the activation of PSCs and the occurrence and development of CP. Through communication between pancreatic acinar cells and PSCs, trypsinogen can be endocytosed by PSCs and activated by the Rabep1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Yao
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Dankun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Zhenyi Lv
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Liyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Biao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Dongbo Xue
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Chenjun Hao
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (Y.Z.)
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18
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Ng B, Viswanathan S, Widjaja AA, Lim WW, Shekeran SG, Goh JWT, Tan J, Kuthubudeen F, Lim SY, Xie C, Schafer S, Adami E, Cook SA. IL11 Activates Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Causes Pancreatic Inflammation, Fibrosis and Atrophy in a Mouse Model of Pancreatitis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073549. [PMID: 35408908 PMCID: PMC8999048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-11 (IL11) is important for fibrosis and inflammation, but its role in the pancreas is unclear. In pancreatitis, fibrosis, inflammation and organ dysfunction are associated with pancreatic stellate cell (PSC)-to-myofibroblast transformation. Here, we show that IL11 stimulation of PSCs, which specifically express IL11RA in the pancreas, results in transient STAT3 phosphorylation, sustained ERK activation and PSC activation. In contrast, IL6 stimulation of PSCs caused sustained STAT3 phosphorylation but did not result in ERK activation or PSC transformation. Pancreatitis factors, including TGFβ, CTGF and PDGF, induced IL11 secretion from PSCs and a neutralising IL11RA antibody prevented PSC activation by these stimuli. This revealed an important ERK-dependent role for autocrine IL11 activity in PSCs. In mice, IL11 was increased in the pancreas after pancreatic duct ligation, and in humans, IL11 and IL11RA levels were elevated in chronic pancreatitis. Following pancreatic duct ligation, administration of anti-IL11RA to mice reduced pathologic (ERK, STAT, NF-κB) signalling, pancreatic atrophy, fibrosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNFα, IL6 and IL1β) levels. This is the first description of IL11-mediated activation of PSCs, and the data suggest IL11 as a stromal therapeutic target in pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ng
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (E.A.)
| | - Sivakumar Viswanathan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Anissa A. Widjaja
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Wei-Wen Lim
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Shamini G. Shekeran
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Joyce Wei Ting Goh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Jessie Tan
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
| | - Fathima Kuthubudeen
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Sze Yun Lim
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Chen Xie
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Eleonora Adami
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.N.); (E.A.)
| | - Stuart A. Cook
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore; (W.-W.L.); (J.T.); (C.X.); (S.A.C.)
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (S.V.); (A.A.W.); (S.G.S.); (J.W.T.G.); (F.K.); (S.Y.L.); (S.S.)
- MRC-London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
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19
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Geleta B, Tout FS, Lim SC, Sahni S, Jansson PJ, Apte MV, Richardson DR, Kovačević Ž. Targeting Wnt/tenascin C-mediated cross talk between pancreatic cancer cells and stellate cells via activation of the metastasis suppressor NDRG1. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101608. [PMID: 35065073 PMCID: PMC8881656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A major barrier to successful pancreatic cancer (PC) treatment is the surrounding stroma, which secretes growth factors/cytokines that promote PC progression. Wnt and tenascin C (TnC) are key ligands secreted by stromal pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that then act on PC cells in a paracrine manner to activate the oncogenic β-catenin and YAP/TAZ signaling pathways. Therefore, therapies targeting oncogenic Wnt/TnC cross talk between PC cells and PSCs constitute a promising new therapeutic approach for PC treatment. The metastasis suppressor N-myc downstream-regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) inhibits tumor progression and metastasis in numerous cancers, including PC. We demonstrate herein that targeting NDRG1 using the clinically trialed anticancer agent di-2-pyridylketone-4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC) inhibited Wnt/TnC-mediated interactions between PC cells and the surrounding PSCs. Mechanistically, NDRG1 and DpC markedly inhibit secretion of Wnt3a and TnC by PSCs, while also attenuating Wnt/β-catenin and YAP/TAZ activation and downstream signaling in PC cells. This antioncogenic activity was mediated by direct inhibition of β-catenin and YAP/TAZ nuclear localization and by increasing the Wnt inhibitor, DKK1. Expression of NDRG1 also inhibited transforming growth factor (TGF)-β secretion by PC cells, a key mechanism by which PC cells activate PSCs. Using an in vivo orthotopic PC mouse model, we show DpC downregulated β-catenin, TnC, and YAP/TAZ, while potently increasing NDRG1 expression in PC tumors. We conclude that NDRG1 and DpC inhibit Wnt/TnC-mediated interactions between PC cells and PSCs. These results further illuminate the antioncogenic mechanism of NDRG1 and the potential of targeting this metastasis suppressor to overcome the oncogenic effects of the PC-PSC interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bekesho Geleta
- Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Faten S Tout
- Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Syer Choon Lim
- Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Patric J Jansson
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Cancer Drug Resistance & Stem Cell Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Pancreatic Research Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Des R Richardson
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Žaklina Kovačević
- Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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20
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Murray ER, Menezes S, Henry JC, Williams JL, Alba-Castellón L, Baskaran P, Quétier I, Desai A, Marshall JJT, Rosewell I, Tatari M, Rajeeve V, Khan F, Wang J, Kotantaki P, Tyler EJ, Singh N, Reader CS, Carter EP, Hodivala-Dilke K, Grose RP, Kocher HM, Gavara N, Pearce O, Cutillas P, Marshall JF, Cameron AJM. Disruption of pancreatic stellate cell myofibroblast phenotype promotes pancreatic tumor invasion. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110227. [PMID: 35081338 PMCID: PMC8810397 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [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: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), differentiation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) into myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can both promote and suppress tumor progression. Here, we show that the Rho effector protein kinase N2 (PKN2) is critical for PSC myofibroblast differentiation. Loss of PKN2 is associated with reduced PSC proliferation, contractility, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) stress fibers. In spheroid co-cultures with PDAC cells, loss of PKN2 prevents PSC invasion but, counter-intuitively, promotes invasive cancer cell outgrowth. PKN2 deletion induces a myofibroblast to inflammatory CAF switch in the PSC matrisome signature both in vitro and in vivo. Further, deletion of PKN2 in the pancreatic stroma induces more locally invasive, orthotopic pancreatic tumors. Finally, we demonstrate that a PKN2KO matrisome signature predicts poor outcome in pancreatic and other solid human cancers. Our data indicate that suppressing PSC myofibroblast function can limit important stromal tumor-suppressive mechanisms, while promoting a switch to a cancer-supporting CAF phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Murray
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Shinelle Menezes
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jack C Henry
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Josie L Williams
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Lorena Alba-Castellón
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Priththivika Baskaran
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Ivan Quétier
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Ami Desai
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jacqueline J T Marshall
- Protein Phosphorylation Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ian Rosewell
- Transgenic Services, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Marianthi Tatari
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Vinothini Rajeeve
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Faraz Khan
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jun Wang
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Panoraia Kotantaki
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Eleanor J Tyler
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Namrata Singh
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Claire S Reader
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Edward P Carter
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Richard P Grose
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; Barts and the London HPB Centre, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK
| | - Nuria Gavara
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oliver Pearce
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Pedro Cutillas
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - John F Marshall
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Angus J M Cameron
- Kinase Biology Laboratory, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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21
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Guan W, Nakata K, Sagara A, Iwamoto C, Endo S, Matsuda R, Matsumoto S, Ikenaga N, Shindo K, Moriyama T, Onishi H, Ohuchida K, Oda Y, Nakamura M. ERAP2 is a novel target involved in autophagy and activation of pancreatic stellate cells via UPR signaling pathway. Pancreatology 2022; 22:9-19. [PMID: 34642112 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by excessive desmoplasia and autophagy-dependent tumorigenic growth. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) as a predominant stromal cell type play a critical role in PDAC biology. We have previously reported that autophagy facilitates PSC activation, however, the mechanism remains unknown. We investigated the mechanism of autophagy in PSC activation. METHODS We compared gene expression profiles between patient-derived PSCs from pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis using a microarray. The stromal expression of target gene in specimen of PDAC patients (n = 63) was analyzed. The effect of target gene on autophagy and activation of PSCs was investigated by small interfering RNAs transfection, and the relationship between autophagy and ER stress was investigated. We analyzed the growth and fibrosis of xenografted tumor by orthotopic models. RESULTS In analysis of gene expression microarray, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) upregulated in cancer-associated PSCs was identified as the target gene. High stromal ERAP2 expression is associated with a poor prognosis of PDAC patients. Knockdown of ERAP2 inhibited unfolded protein response mediated autophagy, and led to inactivation of PSCs, thereby attenuating tumor-stromal interactions by inhibiting production of IL-6 and fibronectin. In vivo, the promoting effect of PSCs on xenografted tumor growth and fibrosis was inhibited by ERAP2 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism of PSCs activation regulated by autophagy. ERAP2 as a promising therapeutic target may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyu Guan
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kohei Nakata
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Akiko Sagara
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Chika Iwamoto
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sho Endo
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryota Matsuda
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Sokichi Matsumoto
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Naoki Ikenaga
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koji Shindo
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Taiki Moriyama
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideya Onishi
- Department of Cancer Therapy and Research, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenoki Ohuchida
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nakamura
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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22
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Lee BY, Hogg EKJ, Below CR, Kononov A, Blanco-Gomez A, Heider F, Xu J, Hutton C, Zhang X, Scheidt T, Beattie K, Lamarca A, McNamara M, Valle JW, Jørgensen C. Heterocellular OSM-OSMR signalling reprograms fibroblasts to promote pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7336. [PMID: 34921158 PMCID: PMC8683436 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27607-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal malignancy with a complex microenvironment. Dichotomous tumour-promoting and -restrictive roles have been ascribed to the tumour microenvironment, however the effects of individual stromal subsets remain incompletely characterised. Here, we describe how heterocellular Oncostatin M (OSM) - Oncostatin M Receptor (OSMR) signalling reprograms fibroblasts, regulates tumour growth and metastasis. Macrophage-secreted OSM stimulates inflammatory gene expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which in turn induce a pro-tumourigenic environment and engage tumour cell survival and migratory signalling pathways. Tumour cells implanted in Osm-deficient (Osm-/-) mice display an epithelial-dominated morphology, reduced tumour growth and do not metastasise. Moreover, the tumour microenvironment of Osm-/- animals exhibit increased abundance of α smooth muscle actin positive myofibroblasts and a shift in myeloid and T cell phenotypes, consistent with a more immunogenic environment. Taken together, these data demonstrate how OSM-OSMR signalling coordinates heterocellular interactions to drive a pro-tumourigenic environment in PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Y Lee
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Elizabeth K J Hogg
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Christopher R Below
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander Kononov
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Adrian Blanco-Gomez
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Felix Heider
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Jingshu Xu
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Colin Hutton
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK
| | - Tamara Scheidt
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Kenneth Beattie
- FingerPrints Proteomics Facility, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Angela Lamarca
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK
| | - Mairéad McNamara
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK
| | - Juan W Valle
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK
| | - Claus Jørgensen
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, Manchester, UK.
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23
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Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic disease of the pancreas, and activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a vital role in the progression of pancreatic fibrosis in CP. It has been reported that long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 11 (SNHG11) is highly expressed in chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients. However, the role of SNHG11 in CP progression is unclear. The purport of the study was to survey the role of SNHG11 in CP. We employed transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 (TGF-β1) to activate human pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Expression of SNHG11 was assessed with qRT-PCR. Loss-of-function experiments were executed to evaluate the effects of SNHG11 on the proliferation and migration of TGF-β1-treated PSCs. Some protein levels were detected by western blotting. The regulatory mechanism of SNHG11 was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assays. As a result, SNHG11 was upregulated in plasma of CP patients and TGF-β1-treated PSCs. Also, SNHG11 inhibition reduced TGF-β1-induced proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation in PSCs. Mechanistically, SNHG11 regulated leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression by sponging miR-34b. Furthermore, miR-34b inhibitor abolished SNHG11 silencing-mediated effects on TGF-β1-treated PSC proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation. LIF overexpression counteracted the repressive influence of miR-34b mimic on proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation of TGF-β1-treated PSCs. In conclusion, SNHG11 knockdown reduced TGF-β1-induced PSC proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation by the miR-34b/LIF axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desheng Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - Jin Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - Benquan Qi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - Heng Xiao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
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24
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Li Z, Lu D, Jin T, Liu X, Hao J. Nicotine facilitates pancreatic fibrosis by promoting activation of pancreatic stellate cells via α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in rats. Toxicol Lett 2021; 349:84-91. [PMID: 34153408 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.06.012] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM Smoking has been considered as a risk factor of chronic pancreatitis (CP), but the potential mechanism is still unknown. The major pathological feature of CP is pancreatic fibrosis, whose major functional cells are pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Nicotine is the major component of cigarette smoke, our recent study suggested that nicotine has the potential to facilitate pancreatic fibrosis in CP. This study was aimed to analyze the function and mechanism of nicotine on PSCs and pancreatic fibrosis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vivo, a rat CP model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 20 % L-arginine hydrochloride (200 mg/100 g) at 1 h intervals twice per week, nicotine was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight per day. After four weeks, the pancreatic tissue was collected for H&E, Masson and immunohistochemical staining. In vitro, primary rPSCs were isolated from rats and treated with nicotine (0.1 μM and 1 μM). The proliferation、apoptosis、α-SMA expression、extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism and α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway of rPSCs were detected by CCK-8 assay、flow cytometry、real-time Q-PCR and western blotting analysis. The α7nAChR antagonist α-bungarotoxin (α-BTX) was used to perform inhibition experiments. KEY FINDINGS Nicotine increased pancreatic damage, collagen deposition and activation of PSCs in the CP rat model. In rPSCs, the proliferation, α-SMA expression and ECM formation were significantly promoted by nicotine in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of rPSCs was significantly reduced after nicotine treatment. Moreover, nicotine also activated the α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in rPSCs. These effects of nicotine on rPSCs were blocked by α-BTX. SIGNIFICANCE Our finding in this research suggests that nicotine facilitates pancreatic fibrosis by promoting activation of pancreatic stellate cells via α7nAChR-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in rats, partly revealing the mechanism of smoking on chronic pancreatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiren Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Tong Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Xinjuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Jianyu Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China.
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Ahmad RS, Eubank TD, Lukomski S, Boone BA. Immune Cell Modulation of the Extracellular Matrix Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Cancer. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11060901. [PMID: 34204306 PMCID: PMC8234537 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a five-year survival rate of only 9%. PDAC is characterized by a dense, fibrotic stroma composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. This desmoplastic stroma is a hallmark of PDAC, representing a significant physical barrier that is immunosuppressive and obstructs penetration of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, dense ECM promotes hypoxia, making tumor cells refractive to radiation therapy and alters their metabolism, thereby supporting proliferation and survival. In this review, we outline the significant contribution of fibrosis to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on the cross talk between immune cells and pancreatic stellate cells that contribute to ECM deposition. We emphasize the cellular mechanisms by which neutrophils and macrophages, specifically, modulate the ECM in favor of PDAC-progression. Furthermore, we investigate how activated stellate cells and ECM influence immune cells and promote immunosuppression in PDAC. Finally, we summarize therapeutic strategies that target the stroma and hinder immune cell promotion of fibrogenesis, which have unfortunately led to mixed results. An enhanced understanding of the complex interactions between the pancreatic tumor ECM and immune cells may uncover novel treatment strategies that are desperately needed for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiz S. Ahmad
- Department of Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
| | - Timothy D. Eubank
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.D.E.); (S.L.)
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Slawomir Lukomski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.D.E.); (S.L.)
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Brian A. Boone
- Department of Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.D.E.); (S.L.)
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- Correspondence:
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Chen Y, Kim J, Yang S, Wang H, Wu CJ, Sugimoto H, LeBleu VS, Kalluri R. Type I collagen deletion in αSMA + myofibroblasts augments immune suppression and accelerates progression of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:548-565.e6. [PMID: 33667385 PMCID: PMC8423173 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stromal desmoplastic reaction in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) involves significant accumulation of type I collagen (Col1). However, the precise molecular and mechanistic contribution of Col1 in PDAC progression remains unknown. Activated pancreatic stellate cells/αSMA+ myofibroblasts are major contributors of Col1 in the PDAC stroma. We use a dual-recombinase genetic mouse model of spontaneous PDAC to delete Col1 specifically in myofibroblasts. This results in significant reduction of total stromal Col1 content and accelerates the emergence of PanINs and PDAC, decreasing overall survival. Col1 deletion leads to Cxcl5 upregulation in cancer cells via SOX9. Increase in Cxcl5 is associated with recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and suppression of CD8+ T cells, which can be attenuated with combined targeting of CXCR2 and CCR2 to restrain accelerated PDAC progression in the setting of stromal Col1 deletion. Our results unravel the fundamental role of myofibroblast-derived Co1l in regulating tumor immunity and restraining PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Jiha Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Sujuan Yang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Chang-Jiun Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Hikaru Sugimoto
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Valerie S LeBleu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
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Zhang Y, Ware MB, Zaidi MY, Ruggieri AN, Olson BM, Komar H, Farren MR, Nagaraju GP, Zhang C, Chen Z, Sarmiento JM, Ahmed R, Maithel SK, El-Rayes BF, Lesinski GB. Heat Shock Protein-90 Inhibition Alters Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Enhances the Efficacy of PD-1 Blockade in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:150-160. [PMID: 33037138 PMCID: PMC7790996 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [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: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a prominent fibrotic stroma, which is a result of interactions between tumor, immune and pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Targeting inflammatory pathways present within the stroma may improve access of effector immune cells to PDAC and response to immunotherapy. Heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) is a chaperone protein and a versatile target in pancreatic cancer. Hsp90 regulates a diverse array of cellular processes of relevance to both the tumor and the immune system. However, to date the role of Hsp90 in PSC/CAF has not been explored in detail. We hypothesized that Hsp90 inhibition would limit inflammatory signals, thereby reprogramming the PDAC tumor microenvironment to enhance sensitivity to PD-1 blockade. Treatment of immortalized and primary patient PSC/CAF with the Hsp90 inhibitor XL888 decreased IL6, a key cytokine that orchestrates immune changes in PDAC at the transcript and protein level in vitro XL888 directly limited PSC/CAF growth and reduced Jak/STAT and MAPK signaling intermediates and alpha-SMA expression as determined via immunoblot. Combined therapy with XL888 and anti-PD-1 was efficacious in C57BL/6 mice bearing syngeneic subcutaneous (Panc02) or orthotopic (KPC-Luc) tumors. Tumors from mice treated with both XL888 and anti-PD-1 had a significantly increased CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell infiltrate and a unique transcriptional profile characterized by upregulation of genes associated with immune response and chemotaxis. These data demonstrate that Hsp90 inhibition directly affects PSC/CAF in vitro and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-1 blockade in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - Michael B Ware
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mohammad Y Zaidi
- Department of Surgery, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amanda N Ruggieri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brian M Olson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hannah Komar
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Matthew R Farren
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhengjia Chen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Juan M Sarmiento
- Department of Surgery, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Shishir K Maithel
- Department of Surgery, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Novak I, Yu H, Magni L, Deshar G. Purinergic Signaling in Pancreas-From Physiology to Therapeutic Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8781. [PMID: 33233631 PMCID: PMC7699721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The purinergic signaling has an important role in regulating pancreatic exocrine secretion. The exocrine pancreas is also a site of one of the most serious cancer forms, the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we explore how the network of purinergic and adenosine receptors, as well as ecto-nucleotidases regulate normal pancreatic cells and various cells within the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. In particular, we focus on the P2X7 receptor, P2Y2 and P2Y12 receptors, as well as A2 receptors and ecto-nucleotidases CD39 and CD73. Recent studies indicate that targeting one or more of these candidates could present new therapeutic approaches to treat pancreatic cancer. In pancreatic cancer, as much as possible of normal pancreatic function should be preserved, and therefore physiology of purinergic signaling in pancreas needs to be considered.
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MESH Headings
- 5'-Nucleotidase/genetics
- 5'-Nucleotidase/immunology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Apyrase/genetics
- Apyrase/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics
- GPI-Linked Proteins/immunology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Pancreas/drug effects
- Pancreas/immunology
- Pancreas/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Stellate Cells/drug effects
- Pancreatic Stellate Cells/immunology
- Pancreatic Stellate Cells/pathology
- Receptors, Adenosine A2/genetics
- Receptors, Adenosine A2/immunology
- Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/genetics
- Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/immunology
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12/genetics
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12/immunology
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2/genetics
- Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2/immunology
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Novak
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; (H.Y.); (L.M.); (G.D.)
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Turaga RC, Sharma M, Mishra F, Krasinskas A, Yuan Y, Yang JJ, Wang S, Liu C, Li S, Liu ZR. Modulation of Cancer-Associated Fibrotic Stroma by An Integrin α vβ 3 Targeting Protein for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:161-179. [PMID: 32810598 PMCID: PMC7674520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is resistant to most therapeutics owing to dense fibrotic stroma orchestrated by cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells (CAPaSC). CAPaSC also support cancer cell growth, metastasis, and resistance to apoptosis. Currently, there is no effective therapy for PDAC that specifically targets CAPaSC. We previously reported a rationally designed protein, ProAgio, that targets integrin αvβ3 at a novel site and induces apoptosis in integrin αvβ3-expressing cells. Because both CAPaSC and angiogenic endothelial cells express high levels of integrin αvβ3, we aimed to analyze the effects of ProAgio in PDAC tumor. METHODS Expression of integrin αvβ3 was examined in both patient tissue and cultured cells. The effects of ProAgio on CAPaSC were analyzed using an apoptosis assay kit. The effects of ProAgio in PDAC tumor were studied in 3 murine tumor models: subcutaneous xenograft, genetic engineered (KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx1-Cre, GEM-KPC) mice, and an orthotopic KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx1-Cre (KPC) model. RESULTS ProAgio induces apoptosis in CAPaSC. ProAgio treatment significantly prolonged survival of a genetically engineered mouse-KPC and orthotopic KPC mice alone or in combination with gemcitabine (Gem). ProAgio specifically induced apoptosis in CAPaSC, resorbed collagen, and opened collapsed tumor vessels without an increase in angiogenesis in PDAC tumor, enabling drug delivery into the tumor. ProAgio decreased intratumoral insulin-like growth factor 1 levels as a result of depletion of CAPaSC and consequently decreased cytidine deaminase, a Gem metabolism enzyme in cancer cells, and thereby reduced resistance to Gem-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that ProAgio is an effective PDAC treatment agent because it specifically depletes CAPaSC and eliminates tumor angiogenesis, thereby enhancing drug delivery and Gem efficacy in PDAC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malvika Sharma
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Falguni Mishra
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Yi Yuan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shiyuan Wang
- Research and Development Division, Amoytop Biotech, Inc, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfeng Liu
- Research and Development Division, Amoytop Biotech, Inc, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Sun Li
- Research and Development Division, Amoytop Biotech, Inc, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Dey S, Liu S, Factora TD, Taleb S, Riverahernandez P, Udari L, Zhong X, Wan J, Kota J. Global targetome analysis reveals critical role of miR-29a in pancreatic stellate cell mediated regulation of PDAC tumor microenvironment. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:651. [PMID: 32660466 PMCID: PMC7359459 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07135-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive forms of malignancies with a nearly equal incidence and mortality rates in patients. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are critical players in PDAC microenvironment to promote the aggressiveness and pathogenesis of the disease. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a significant role in progression of PDAC. Earlier, we observed a PSC-specific downregulation of miR-29a in PDAC pancreas, however, the mechanism of action of the molecule in PSCs is still to be elucidated. The current study aims to clarify the regulation of miR-29a in PSCs and identifies functionally important downstream targets that contribute to tumorigenic activities during PDAC progression. METHODS In this study, using RNAseq approach, we performed transcriptome analysis of paired miR-29a overexpressing and control human PSCs (hPSCs). Enrichment analysis was performed with the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). miR-29a targets in the dataset were identified, which were utilized to create network interactions. Western blots were performed with the top miR-29a candidate targets in hPSCs transfected with miR-29a mimic or scramble control. RESULTS RNAseq analysis identified 202 differentially expressed genes, which included 19 downregulated direct miR-29a targets. Translational repression of eight key pro-tumorigenic and -fibrotic targets namely IGF-1, COL5A3, CLDN1, E2F7, MYBL2, ITGA6 and ADAMTS2 by miR-29a was observed in PSCs. Using pathway analysis, we find that miR-29a modulates effectors of IGF-1-p53 signaling in PSCs that may hinder carcinogenesis. We further observe a regulatory role of the molecule in pathways associated with PDAC ECM remodeling and tumor-stromal crosstalk, such as INS/IGF-1, RAS/MAPK, laminin interactions and collagen biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS Together, our study presents a comprehensive understanding of miR-29a regulation of PSCs, and identifies essential pathways associated with PSC-mediated PDAC pathogenesis. The findings suggest an anti-tumorigenic role of miR-29a in the context of PSC-cancer cell crosstalk and advocates for the potential of the molecule in PDAC targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatovisha Dey
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tricia D Factora
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Solaema Taleb
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Primavera Riverahernandez
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lata Udari
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xiaoling Zhong
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Janaiah Kota
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- The Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Ji T, Feng W, Zhang X, Zang K, Zhu X, Shang F. HDAC inhibitors promote pancreatic stellate cell apoptosis and relieve pancreatic fibrosis by upregulating miR-15/16 in chronic pancreatitis. Hum Cell 2020; 33:1006-1016. [PMID: 32524326 PMCID: PMC7505886 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-020-00387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In chronic pancreatitis, PSCs are activated by proinflammatory cytokines to induce pancreatic fibrogenesis. HDAC inhibition protected against the pancreatic fibrosis and the apoptosis of PSCs through induced apoptosis and depressed inflammation. In our study, we found that miR-15 and miR-16 decreased significantly in chronic pancreatitis and HDAC inhibition could recover the levels of these two miRNAs. HDAC regulated the transcription of miR-15 and miR-16, which then modulate the apoptosis and fibrosis of PSCs. And we proved that Bcl-2 and Smad5 were the target genes of miR-15 and miR-16, which illustrated how HDAC inhibition alleviated the apoptosis and fibrogenesis of PSCs in chronic pancreatitis. These results suggested that HDAC inhibition protects against CP by promoting apoptosis and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathways, and indicated that HDAC inhibition is a potential therapy to alleviate CP patients in clinic, and these need to be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Ji
- Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Beijing West Road, Huaiyin District, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiguang Feng
- Intensive Care Unit, Huai'an No 4 People's Hospital, 128 Yan'an East Road, Qingjiangpu District, Huai'an, 223002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangcheng Zhang
- Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Beijing West Road, Huaiyin District, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kui Zang
- Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Beijing West Road, Huaiyin District, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingxing Zhu
- Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Beijing West Road, Huaiyin District, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Futai Shang
- Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Beijing West Road, Huaiyin District, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China.
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Elechalawar CK, Hossen MN, Shankarappa P, Peer CJ, Figg WD, Robertson JD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P. Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Stellate Cells Using Designer Nanotherapeutics in vitro. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:991-1003. [PMID: 32103952 PMCID: PMC7025663 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s234112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by a robust desmoplastic environment, which limits the uptake of the standard first-line chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine. Enhancing gemcitabine delivery to the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major clinical challenge. Molecular crosstalk between pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) plays a critical role in desmoplastic reaction in PCs. Herein, we report the development of a targeted drug delivery system to inhibit the proliferation of PCCs and PSCs in vitro. Using gold nanoparticles as the delivery vehicle, the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab (C225/C) as a targeting agent, gemcitabine as drug and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a stealth molecule, we created a series of targeted drug delivery systems. METHODS Fabricated nanoconjugates were characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as UV-Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, HPLC and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Targeted gemcitabine delivery systems containing mPEG-SH having molecular weights of 550 Da or 1000 Da demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing the viability of both PCCs and PSCs as compared to their non-targeted counterparts. EGFR-targeted pathway was further validated by pre-treating cells with C225 followed by determining cellular viability. Taken together, in our current study we have developed a PEGylated targeted nanoconjugate ACG44P1000 that showed enhanced selectivity towards pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells, among others, for gemcitabine delivery. We will investigate the ability of these optimized conjugates to inhibit desmoplasia and tumor growth in vivo in our future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Kumar Elechalawar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104, USA
| | - Md Nazir Hossen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104, USA
| | - Priya Shankarappa
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD20892, USA
| | - Cody J Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD20892, USA
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD20892, USA
| | - J David Robertson
- Department of Chemistry and University of Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65211, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK73104, USA
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Amrutkar M, Larsen EK, Aasrum M, Finstadsveen AV, Andresen PA, Verbeke CS, Gladhaug IP. Establishment and Characterization of Paired Primary Cultures of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Stellate Cells Derived from the Same Tumor. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010227. [PMID: 31963309 PMCID: PMC7016771 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an extremely poor prognosis, and its treatment remains a challenge. As the existing in vitro experimental models offer only a limited resemblance to human PDAC, there is a strong need for additional research tools to better understand PDAC tumor biology, particularly the impact of the tumor stroma. Here, we report for the first time the establishment and characterization of human PDAC-derived paired primary monolayer cultures of (epithelial) cancer cells (PCCs) and mesenchymal stellate cells (PSCs) derived from the same tumor by the outgrowth method. Characterization of cell morphology, cytostructural, and functional profiles and proteomics-based secretome analysis were performed. All PCCs harbored KRAS and TP53 mutations, and expressed cytokeratin 19, ki-67, and p53, while the expression of EpCAM and vimentin was variable. All PSCs expressed α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin. PCCs showed a significantly higher growth rate and proliferation than PSCs. Secretome analysis confirmed the distinct nature of PCCs as compared to PSCs and allowed identification of potential molecular regulators of PSC-conditioned medium (PSC-CM)-induced migration of PCCs. Paired primary cultures of PCCs and PSCs derived from the same tumor specimen represent a novel experimental model for basic research in PDAC tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Amrutkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (E.K.L.); (M.A.)
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +47-409-94-132
| | - Emma Kristine Larsen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (E.K.L.); (M.A.)
| | - Monica Aasrum
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway; (E.K.L.); (M.A.)
| | - Anette Vefferstad Finstadsveen
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway; (A.V.F.); (P.A.A.); (C.S.V.)
| | - Per Arne Andresen
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway; (A.V.F.); (P.A.A.); (C.S.V.)
| | - Caroline S. Verbeke
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway; (A.V.F.); (P.A.A.); (C.S.V.)
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ivar P. Gladhaug
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway;
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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Zhao H, Jiang X, Duan L, Yang L, Wang W, Ren Z. Liraglutide suppresses the metastasis of PANC-1 co-cultured with pancreatic stellate cells through modulating intracellular calcium content. Endocr J 2019; 66:1053-1062. [PMID: 31474673 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej19-0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aim to explore the anti-tumor effect of liraglutide (Lira), an anti-diabetic medicine, on pancreatic cancer cell PANC-1 co-cultured with or without pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). The chemical count kit-8 and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection were conducted to investigate the effect of Lira on cell viability and proliferation of PANC-1 with or without PSCs co-culture. Then, the wound healing and transwell experiments were performed to explore the influence of Lira on PANC-1 cells' migration and invasion capabilities. To identify the potential action mechanism of Lira on PANC-1, the expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin and the intracellular calcium content in PANC-1, after Lira administration, were detected. The results indicated that Lira in 100 and 1,000 nmol/L, effectively decreased the cell viability and dose-dependently promoted cell apoptosis of PANC-1 co-cultured with or without PSCs. Lira significantly reduced the migration and invasion of PANC-1 and also reduced the inducing effect of PSCs to PANC-1. Lira effectively induced the expression of E-cadherin and suppressed the expression of N-cadherin with a dose-dependent manner. Otherwise, Lira significantly reduced the abnormal high content of calcium in PANC-1 and also weakened the elevation of calcium in PANC-1 induced by cell-cell interaction. The current study firstly indicated that Lira suppressed the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of PANC-1 with or without PSCs co-culture. This effect was partially due to the calcium modulation of Lira and its influence on Ca2+-binding proteins, such as E-cadherin and N-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejun Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xia Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Lijun Duan
- Department of Endocrinology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Wenyi Wang
- International Medical Center, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Zhipeng Ren
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
- Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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Li Y, Zhao Z, Liu H, Fetse JP, Jain A, Lin CY, Cheng K. Development of a Tumor-Responsive Nanopolyplex Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Stroma. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:45390-45403. [PMID: 31769963 PMCID: PMC7372733 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b15116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Desmoplasia plays a pivotal role in promoting pancreatic cancer progression and is associated with poor clinical outcome. Targeting the desmoplastic tumor microenvironment in combination with chemotherapy is therefore a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy. Here, we report a novel biodegradable copolymer to codeliver LY2109761 (a TGF-β receptor I/II inhibitor) and CPI-613 (a novel chemotherapy agent) to desmoplastic stroma and tumor cells, respectively, in the tumor microenvironment. Hydrophobic CPI-613 is conjugated to the hydrophilic copolymer via a newly designed MMP-2-responsive linker to form a trigger-responsive nanopolyplex. LY2109761 is hydrophobic and encapsulated into the hydrophobic core of the nanopolyplex. The resulting nanopolyplex is modified with a plectin-1-targeting peptide to enhance the accumulation of the nanopolyplex in pancreatic tumors. The nanopolyplex aims to normalize the stroma by blocking the interaction between tumor cells and pancreatic stellate cells to inhibit the activation of pancreatic stellate cells and subsequently reduce the dense extracellular matrix. Normalized stroma increases the penetration of the nanopolyplex into the tumor. The nanopolyplex shows enhanced accumulation in xenograft pancreatic tumors in a biodistribution study. Moreover, the targeted nanopolyplex markedly inhibits tumor growth in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model by dual-targeting tumor cells and stroma. Overall, the multifunctional nanopolyplex is a promising platform for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kun Cheng
- Corresponding author: Kun Cheng, Ph.D., University of Missouri Curators’ Distinguished Professor, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, Phone: (816) 235-2425, Fax: (816) 235-5779,
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Kuninty PR, Bansal R, De Geus SWL, Mardhian DF, Schnittert J, van Baarlen J, Storm G, Bijlsma MF, van Laarhoven HW, Metselaar JM, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer AL, Östman A, Sier CFM, Prakash J. ITGA5 inhibition in pancreatic stellate cells attenuates desmoplasia and potentiates efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Sci Adv 2019; 5:eaax2770. [PMID: 31517053 PMCID: PMC6726450 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax2770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Abundant desmoplastic stroma is the hallmark for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which not only aggravates the tumor growth but also prevents tumor penetration of chemotherapy, leading to treatment failure. There is an unmet clinical need to develop therapeutic solutions to the tumor penetration problem. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of integrin α5 (ITGA5) receptor in the PDAC stroma. ITGA5 was overexpressed in the tumor stroma from PDAC patient samples, and overexpression was inversely correlated with overall survival. In vitro, knockdown of ITGA5 inhibited differentiation of human pancreatic stellate cells (hPSCs) and reduced desmoplasia in vivo. Our novel peptidomimetic AV3 against ITGA5 inhibited hPSC activation and enhanced the antitumor effect of gemcitabine in a 3D heterospheroid model. In vivo, AV3 showed a strong reduction of desmoplasia, leading to decompression of blood vasculature, enhanced tumor perfusion, and thereby the efficacy of gemcitabine in co-injection and patient-derived xenograft tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praneeth R. Kuninty
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Section: Targeted Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Section: Targeted Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | | | - Deby F. Mardhian
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Section: Targeted Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Jonas Schnittert
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Section: Targeted Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Joop van Baarlen
- Laboratory Pathology Oost Netherlands (LabPON), Hengelo, Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Section: Targeted Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maarten F. Bijlsma
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Josbert M. Metselaar
- ScarTec Therapeutics BV, Enschede, Netherlands
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH University Clinic, Forckenbeckstrasse 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Arne Östman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cornelis F. M. Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jai Prakash
- Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Section: Targeted Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
- ScarTec Therapeutics BV, Enschede, Netherlands
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Corresponding author.
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Auciello FR, Bulusu V, Oon C, Tait-Mulder J, Berry M, Bhattacharyya S, Tumanov S, Allen-Petersen BL, Link J, Kendsersky ND, Vringer E, Schug M, Novo D, Hwang RF, Evans RM, Nixon C, Dorrell C, Morton JP, Norman JC, Sears RC, Kamphorst JJ, Sherman MH. A Stromal Lysolipid-Autotaxin Signaling Axis Promotes Pancreatic Tumor Progression. Cancer Discov 2019; 9:617-627. [PMID: 30837243 PMCID: PMC6497553 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-18-1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [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: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) develops a pronounced stromal response reflecting an aberrant wound-healing process. This stromal reaction features transdifferentiation of tissue-resident pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) into activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, a process induced by PDAC cells but of unclear significance for PDAC progression. Here, we show that PSCs undergo a dramatic lipid metabolic shift during differentiation in the context of pancreatic tumorigenesis, including remodeling of the intracellular lipidome and secretion of abundant lipids in the activated, fibroblastic state. Specifically, stroma-derived lysophosphatidylcholines support PDAC cell synthesis of phosphatidylcholines, key components of cell membranes, and also facilitate production of the potent wound-healing mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) by the extracellular enzyme autotaxin, which is overexpressed in PDAC. The autotaxin-LPA axis promotes PDAC cell proliferation, migration, and AKT activation, and genetic or pharmacologic autotaxin inhibition suppresses PDAC growth in vivo. Our work demonstrates how PDAC cells exploit the local production of wound-healing mediators to stimulate their own growth and migration. SIGNIFICANCE: Our work highlights an unanticipated role for PSCs in producing the oncogenic LPA signaling lipid and demonstrates how PDAC tumor cells co-opt the release of wound-healing mediators by neighboring PSCs to promote their own proliferation and migration.See related commentary by Biffi and Tuveson, p. 578.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 565.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca R Auciello
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Vinay Bulusu
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Chet Oon
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jacqueline Tait-Mulder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mark Berry
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Sohinee Bhattacharyya
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Sergey Tumanov
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Jason Link
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Nicholas D Kendsersky
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Esmee Vringer
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michelle Schug
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David Novo
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rosa F Hwang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ronald M Evans
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Gene Expression Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Craig Dorrell
- Oregon Health & Science University Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - Jim C Norman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rosalie C Sears
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jurre J Kamphorst
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mara H Sherman
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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Ariza L, Rojas A, Muñoz-Chápuli R, Carmona R. The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene regulates pancreas homeostasis and repair. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007971. [PMID: 30763305 PMCID: PMC6392337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene (Wt1) encodes a zinc finger transcription factor that plays an essential role in the development of kidneys, gonads, spleen, adrenals and heart. Recent findings suggest that WT1 could also be playing physiological roles in adults. Systemic deletion of WT1 in mice provokes a severe deterioration of the exocrine pancreas, with mesothelial disruption, E-cadherin downregulation, disorganization of acinar architecture and accumulation of ascitic transudate. Despite this extensive damage, pancreatic stellate cells do not become activated and lose their canonical markers. We observed that pharmacological induction of pancreatitis in normal mice provokes de novo expression of WT1 in pancreatic stellate cells, concomitant with their activation. When pancreatitis was induced in mice after WT1 ablation, pancreatic stellate cells expressed WT1 and became activated, leading to a partial rescue of the acinar structure and the quiescent pancreatic stellate cell population after recovery from pancreatitis. We propose that WT1 modulates through the RALDH2/retinoic acid axis the restabilization of a part of the pancreatic stellate cell population and, indirectly, the repair of the pancreatic architecture, since quiescent pancreatic stellate cells are required for pancreas stability and repair. Thus, we suggest that WT1 plays novel and essential roles for the homeostasis of the adult pancreas and, through its upregulation in pancreatic stellate cells after a damage, for pancreatic regeneration. Due to the growing importance of the pancreatic stellate cells in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, these novel roles can be of translational relevance. The pancreas is largely composed by an exocrine tissue organized in acini, which secrete digestive enzymes. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are arranged around the acini and they can become activated by a damage and contribute to pancreas repair. The pancreas is externally covered by a mesothelium characterized by the expression of the transcription factor WT1. Loss of WT1 function in adult mice provokes a rapid and severe deterioration of the pancreas, with disorganization of the acinar tissue. Despite the extensive damage, PSC do not become activated. We first showed that a pharmacologically induced acute pancreatitis led to expression of WT1 in PSC concomitant to their activation. Then, we induced pancreatitis in mice where WT1 had been previously deleted, and the upregulation of WT1 in PSC partially rescued the repairing phenotype of the PSC and reduced the disorganization of the acinar tissue. Thus, we suggest that WT1 function is necessary to maintain the integrity of the pancreatic mesothelium and, at the same time, it is required for activation of the repairing phenotype in PSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ariza
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND), Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Anabel Rojas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Muñoz-Chápuli
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND), Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
- * E-mail: (RMC); (RC)
| | - Rita Carmona
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND), Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
- * E-mail: (RMC); (RC)
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Lenggenhager D, Amrutkar M, Sántha P, Aasrum M, Löhr JM, Gladhaug IP, Verbeke CS. Commonly Used Pancreatic Stellate Cell Cultures Differ Phenotypically and in Their Interactions with Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Cells 2019; 8:cells8010023. [PMID: 30621293 PMCID: PMC6356867 DOI: 10.3390/cells8010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a central role in the tumor stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Given the limited availability of patient-derived PSCs from PDAC, immortalized PSC cell lines of murine and human origin have been established; however, it is not elucidated whether differences in species, organ disease status, donor age, and immortalization alter the PSC phenotype and behavior compared to that of patient-derived primary PSC cultures. Therefore, a panel of commonly used PSC cultures was examined for important phenotypical and functional features: three primary cultures from human PDAC, one primary from normal human pancreas, and three immortalized (one from human, two from murine pancreas). Growth rate was considerably lower in primary PSCs from human PDAC. Basal collagen synthesis varied between the PSC cultures, and TGF-β stimulation increased collagen synthesis only in non-immortalized cultures. Differences in secretome composition were observed along with a divergence in the DNA synthesis, migration, and response to gemcitabine of PDAC cell lines that were grown in conditioned medium from the various PSC cultures. The findings reveal considerable differences in features and functions that are key to PSCs and in the interactions with PDAC. These observations may be relevant to researchers when selecting the most appropriate PSC culture for their experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lenggenhager
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, University of Zürich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Manoj Amrutkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1171 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Petra Sántha
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Monica Aasrum
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Johannes-Matthias Löhr
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, K 53, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ivar P Gladhaug
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1171 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Caroline S Verbeke
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.
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Cortes E, Sarper M, Robinson B, Lachowski D, Chronopoulos A, Thorpe SD, Lee DA, Del Río Hernández AE. GPER is a mechanoregulator of pancreatic stellate cells and the tumor microenvironment. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e46556. [PMID: 30538117 PMCID: PMC6322386 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201846556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment are emerging as attractive targets for the development of therapies. Tamoxifen, an agonist of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), is widely used to treat estrogen-positive breast cancer. Here, we show that tamoxifen mechanically reprograms the tumor microenvironment through a newly identified GPER-mediated mechanism. Tamoxifen inhibits the myofibroblastic differentiation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer in an acto-myosin-dependent manner via RhoA-mediated contractility, YAP deactivation, and GPER signaling. This hampers the ability of PSCs to remodel the extracellular matrix and to promote cancer cell invasion. Tamoxifen also reduces the recruitment and polarization to the M2 phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages. Our results highlight GPER as a mechanical regulator of the tumor microenvironment that targets the three hallmarks of pancreatic cancer: desmoplasia, inflammation, and immune suppression. The well-established safety of tamoxifen in clinics may offer the possibility to redirect the singular focus of tamoxifen on the cancer cells to the greater tumor microenvironment and lead a new strategy of drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Cortes
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Muge Sarper
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Benjamin Robinson
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Antonios Chronopoulos
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen D Thorpe
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - David A Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) continues to be one of the most lethal human malignancies with a poor prognosis due to systemic metastasis and a high recurrence rate. Interactions between tumor and stromal cells play a critical role in tumor progression. However, the interaction between PSCs and pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Coculture system with PSCs and PCCs is very useful technique platform for the in vitro and in vivo study of the interaction between these two cellular components. In this protocol, we aim to describe the cytokine profiling technique for in vitro study of PSC-PCC intercellular communication, and orthotopic xenografting animal model with coinjection of primary PSCs and PCC cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Qian
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zipeng Lu
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Miao
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Chen ST, Kuo TC, Liao YY, Lin MC, Tien YW, Huang MC. Silencing of MUC20 suppresses the malignant character of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells through inhibition of the HGF/MET pathway. Oncogene 2018; 37:6041-6053. [PMID: 29993037 PMCID: PMC6237765 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0403-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mucins are heavily glycosylated proteins that play critical roles in the pathogenesis of tumour malignancies. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by the aberrant expression of mucins. However, the role of mucin (MUC) 20 in PDAC remains unclear. PDAC is usually surrounded by a dense fibrotic stroma consisting of an extracellular matrix and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). The stroma creates a nutrient-deprived, hypoxic, and acidic microenvironment, and promotes the malignant behaviours of PDAC cells. In this study, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that high MUC20 expression correlated with poor progression-free survival and high local recurrence rate of PDAC patients (n = 61). The expression of MUC20 was induced by serum deprivation, hypoxia, and acidic pH in PDAC cells. MUC20 knockdown with siRNA decreased cell viability, as well as migration and invasion induced by PSCs in HPAC and HPAF-II cells. In intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and orthotopic injection models, MUC20 knockdown decreased tumour growth in immunodeficient mice. Phospho-RTK array and western blot analysis indicated that MUC20 knockdown decreased HGF-mediated phosphorylation of MET in PDAC cells. Moreover, HGF-induced malignant phenotypes could be suppressed by MUC20 knockdown. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed the physical association of MUC20 and MET. These findings suggest that MUC20 knockdown suppresses the malignant phenotypes of PDAC cells at least partially through the inhibition of the HGF/MET pathway and that MUC20 could act as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syue-Ting Chen
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Chun Kuo
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Yu Liao
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Chun Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsinchu, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Tien
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Min-Chuan Huang
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Zhou L, Husted H, Moore T, Lu M, Deng D, Liu Y, Ramachandran V, Arumugam T, Niehrs C, Wang H, Chiao P, Ling J, Curran MA, Maitra A, Hung MC, Lee JE, Logsdon CD, Hwang RF. Suppression of stromal-derived Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) inhibits tumor progression and prolongs survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Sci Transl Med 2018; 10:eaat3487. [PMID: 30355799 PMCID: PMC6752716 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat3487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis, and it is unclear whether its stromal infiltrate contributes to its aggressiveness. Here, we demonstrate that Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) is produced by pancreatic stellate cells and is present in most human PDAC. DKK3 stimulates PDAC growth, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy with both paracrine and autocrine mechanisms through NF-κB activation. Genetic ablation of DKK3 in an autochthonous model of PDAC inhibited tumor growth, induced a peritumoral infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and more than doubled survival. Treatment with a DKK3-blocking monoclonal antibody inhibited PDAC progression and chemoresistance and prolonged survival. The combination of DKK3 inhibition with immune checkpoint inhibition was more effective in reducing tumor growth than either treatment alone and resulted in a durable improvement in survival, suggesting that DKK3 neutralization may be effective as a single targeted agent or in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy for PDAC.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
- Autocrine Communication/drug effects
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Chemokines
- Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives
- Deoxycytidine/pharmacology
- Deoxycytidine/therapeutic use
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Gene Silencing
- Humans
- Immunotherapy
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Nude
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Neutralization Tests
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Stellate Cells/drug effects
- Pancreatic Stellate Cells/metabolism
- Pancreatic Stellate Cells/pathology
- Paracrine Communication/drug effects
- Survival Analysis
- Gemcitabine
- Pancreatic Neoplasms
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Affiliation(s)
- Liran Zhou
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongmei Husted
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Todd Moore
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mason Lu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Defeng Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vijaya Ramachandran
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thiruvengadam Arumugam
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Huamin Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paul Chiao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianhua Ling
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Lee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Craig D Logsdon
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rosa F Hwang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Ebine K, Kumar K, Pham TN, Shields MA, Collier KA, Shang M, DeCant BT, Urrutia R, Hwang RF, Grimaldo S, Principe DR, Grippo PJ, Bentrem DJ, Munshi HG. Interplay between interferon regulatory factor 1 and BRD4 in the regulation of PD-L1 in pancreatic stellate cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13225. [PMID: 30185888 PMCID: PMC6125340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31658-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The fibrotic reaction is a characteristic feature of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors. It is associated with activation and proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which are key regulators of fibrosis in vivo. While there is increasing interest in the regulation of PD-L1 expression in cancer and immune cells, the expression and regulation of PD-L1 in other stromal cells, such as PSCs, has not been fully evaluated. Here we show that PSCs in vitro express higher PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels compared to the levels present in PDAC cells. We show that inhibitors targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins and BRD4 knockdown decrease interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced PD-L1 expression in PSCs. We also show that c-MYC, one of the well-established targets of BET inhibitors, does not mediate IFN-γ-regulated PD-L1 expression in PSCs. Instead we show that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) mediates IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression in PSCs. Finally, while we show that BET inhibitors do not regulate IFN-γ-induced IRF1 expression in PSCs, BET inhibitors decrease binding of IRF1 and BRD4 to the PD-L1 promoter. Together, these results demonstrate the interplay between IRF1 and BRD4 in the regulation of PD-L1 in PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Ebine
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Krishan Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Thao N Pham
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mario A Shields
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, Cold Spring, NY, USA
| | - Katharine A Collier
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Meng Shang
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian T DeCant
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raul Urrutia
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Epigenomics Translational Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Rosa F Hwang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sam Grimaldo
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Paul J Grippo
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David J Bentrem
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
- The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Han X, Li Y, Xu Y, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Yang X, Wang Y, Zhao R, Anderson GJ, Zhao Y, Nie G. Reversal of pancreatic desmoplasia by re-educating stellate cells with a tumour microenvironment-activated nanosystem. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3390. [PMID: 30139933 PMCID: PMC6107580 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is characterised by a dense desmoplastic stroma composed of stromal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). This barrier severely impairs drug delivery and penetration. Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a key role in establishing this unique pathological obstacle, but also offer a potential target for anti-tumour therapy. Here, we construct a tumour microenvironment-responsive nanosystem, based on PEGylated polyethylenimine-coated gold nanoparticles, and utilise it to co-deliver all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA, an inducer of PSC quiescence) and siRNA targeting heat shock protein 47 (HSP47, a collagen-specific molecular chaperone) to re-educate PSCs. The nanosystem simultaneously induces PSC quiescence and inhibits ECM hyperplasia, thereby promoting drug delivery to pancreatic tumours and significantly enhancing the anti-tumour efficacy of chemotherapeutics. Our combination strategy to restore homoeostatic stromal function by targeting activated PSCs represents a promising approach to improving the efficacy of chemotherapy and other therapeutic modalities in a wide range of stroma-rich tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexiang Han
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yiye Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Yinlong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Yongwei Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, P.R. China
| | - Ruifang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China
| | - Gregory J Anderson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Yuliang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China.
| | - Guangjun Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P.R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China.
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46
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Masamune A, Hamada S, Yoshida N, Nabeshima T, Shimosegawa T. Pyruvate Kinase Isozyme M2 Plays a Critical Role in the Interactions Between Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Cancer Cells. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:1868-1877. [PMID: 29619774 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction between pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells plays a pivotal role in the progression of pancreatic cancer. Pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 is a key enzyme in glycolysis. Previous studies have shown that pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and that it regulates the aggressive behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells. AIMS To clarify the role of pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 in the interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells. METHODS Pyruvate kinase isozyme M2-knockdown pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1 and SUIT-2 cells) and pancreatic stellate cells were generated by the introduction of small interfering RNA-expressing vector against pyruvate kinase isozyme M2. Cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were examined in vitro. The impact of pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 knockdown on the growth of subcutaneous tumors was examined in nude mice in vivo. RESULTS Pyruvate kinase isozyme M2-kockdown pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells showed decreased proliferation and migration compared to their respective control cells. Pancreatic stellate cell-induced proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were inhibited when pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 expression was knocked down in pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo, co-injection of pancreatic stellate cells increased the size of the tumor developed by the control SUIT-2 cells, but the effects were less evident when pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 was knocked down in SUIT-2 cells or pancreatic stellate cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested a critical role of pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 in the interaction between pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
| | - Shin Hamada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Naoki Yoshida
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Tatsuhide Nabeshima
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Tooru Shimosegawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan
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47
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Tang D, Wu Q, Zhang J, Zhang H, Yuan Z, Xu J, Chong Y, Huang Y, Xiong Q, Wang S, Tian Y, Lu Y, Ge X, Shen W, Wang D. Galectin-1 expression in activated pancreatic satellite cells promotes fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis/pancreatic cancer via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Oncol Rep 2018; 39:1347-1355. [PMID: 29328490 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis/pancreatic cancer (CP/PC) is characterized by fibrous connective tissue proliferation induced by activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Galectin-1 is upregulated in activated PSCs and is important for the continuing activation of PSCs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of galectin-1 derived from activated PSCs on the progression of fibrosis in CP/PC. To this end, the expression of desmin, α-SMA, galectin-1, fibronectin and collagen type I in normal pancreatic, CP and PC tissues, as well as quiescent/activated PSCs, was investigated. The proliferation rate and migration ability of control, galectin-1-overexpressing and galectin-1-silenced PSCs were also evaluated, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, α-SMA, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, MMP-2, Smad2 and TGF-β1. Furthermore, the effect of adding a TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor on the expression of these proteins was examined. The results revealed that the expression profile of desmin, α-SMA, galectin-1, fibronectin and collagen type I in the normal pancreas was similar to that of quiescent PSCs and the expression profile in CP/PC tissues was similar to that of activated PSCs. Furthermore, galectin-1-overexpressing PSCs exhibited a significantly higher proliferation rate and migration ability, while galectin-1-silenced PSCs exhibited a significantly lower proliferation rate and migration ability than the control PSCs. The expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, α-SMA, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 was also significantly higher in the galectin-1-overexpressing PSCs than the control PSCs and this effect was found to be mediated by the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. The trends in the expression of these factors were reversed in the galectin-1-silenced PSCs. From these findings, it can be concluded that overexpression of galectin-1 promotes PSC activity (proliferation and migration) and stimulates fibrosis by increasing extracellular matrix synthesis and decreasing the MMP/TIMP ratio via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Thus, galectin-1 may be a novel candidate for reversing or halting fibrosis progression in CP/PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Jingqiu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Hongpeng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Zhongxu Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Second Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
| | - Jiaming Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yang Chong
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yuqin Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Qingquan Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Sen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Yongdie Lu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Ge
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Wenjing Shen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
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48
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Wiley SZ, Sriram K, Liang W, Chang SE, French R, McCann T, Sicklick J, Nishihara H, Lowy AM, Insel PA. GPR68, a proton-sensing GPCR, mediates interaction of cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells. FASEB J 2018; 32:1170-1183. [PMID: 29092903 PMCID: PMC5892729 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700834r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [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: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense fibrotic stroma (desmoplasia) generated by pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) derived from pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and pancreatic fibroblasts (PFs). Using an unbiased GPCRomic array approach, we identified 82 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) commonly expressed by CAFs derived from 5 primary PDAC tumors. Compared with PSCs and PFs, CAFs have increased expression of GPR68 (a proton-sensing GPCR), with the results confirmed by immunoblotting, The Cancer Genome Atlas data, and immunohistochemistry of PDAC tumors. Co-culture of PSCs with PDAC cells, or incubation with TNF-α, induced GPR68 expression. GPR68 activation (by decreasing the extracellular pH) enhanced IL-6 expression via a cAMP/PKA/cAMP response element binding protein signaling pathway. Knockdown of GPR68 by short interfering RNA diminished low pH-induced production of IL-6 and enhancement of PDAC cell proliferation by CAF conditioned media. CAFs from other gastrointestinal cancers also express GPR68. PDAC cells thus induce expression by CAFs of GPR68, which senses the acidic microenvironment, thereby increasing production of fibrotic markers and IL-6 and promoting PDAC cell proliferation. CAF-expressed GPR68 is a mediator of low-pH-promoted regulation of the tumor microenvironments, in particular to PDAC cell-CAF interaction and may be a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic and perhaps other types of cancers.-Wiley, S. Z., Sriram, K., Liang, W., Chang, S. E., French, R., McCann, T., Sicklick, J., Nishihara, H., Lowy, A. M., Insel, P. A. GPR68, a proton-sensing GPCR, mediates interaction of cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Z. Wiley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Krishna Sriram
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Wenjing Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Sarah E. Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Randall French
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Thalia McCann
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jason Sicklick
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nishihara
- Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics, Hokkaido Cancer Center, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Andrew M. Lowy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Paul A. Insel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA
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Fu Y, Liu S, Zeng S, Shen H. The critical roles of activated stellate cells-mediated paracrine signaling, metabolism and onco-immunology in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:62. [PMID: 29458370 PMCID: PMC5817854 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0815-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [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: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant diseases worldwide. It is refractory to conventional treatments, and consequently has a documented 5-year survival rate as low as 7%. Increasing evidence indicates that activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), one of the stromal components in tumor microenvironment (TME), play a crucial part in the desmoplasia, carcinogenesis, aggressiveness, metastasis associated with PDAC. Despite the current understanding of PSCs as a "partner in crime" to PDAC, detailed regulatory roles of PSCs and related microenvironment remain obscure. In addition to multiple paracrine signaling pathways, recent research has confirmed that PSCs-mediated tumor microenvironment may influence behaviors of PDAC via diverse mechanisms, such as rewiring metabolic networks, suppressing immune responses. These new activities are closely linked with treatment and prognosis of PDAC. In this review, we discuss the recent advances regarding new functions of activated PSCs, including PSCs-cancer cells interaction, mechanisms involved in immunosuppressive regulation, and metabolic reprogramming. It's clear that these updated experimental or clinical studies of PSCs may provide a promising approach for PDAC treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaojie Fu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
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Wallbaum P, Rohde S, Ehlers L, Lange F, Hohn A, Bergner C, Schwarzenböck SM, Krause BJ, Jaster R. Antifibrogenic effects of vitamin D derivatives on mouse pancreatic stellate cells. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:170-178. [PMID: 29375203 PMCID: PMC5768936 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i2.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To study the molecular effects of three different D-vitamins, vitamin D2, vitamin D3 and calcipotriol, in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs).
METHODS Quiescent PSCs were isolated from mouse pancreas and activated in vitro by seeding on plastic surfaces. The cells were exposed to D-vitamins as primary cultures (early-activated PSCs) and upon re-culturing (fully-activated cells). Exhibition of vitamin A-containing lipid droplets was visualized by oil-red staining. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of PSC activation, was monitored by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis. The rate of DNA synthesis was quantified by 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays. Real-time PCR was employed to monitor gene expression, and protein levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by ELISA. Uptake of proline was determined using 18F-proline.
RESULTS Sustained culture of originally quiescent PSCs induced cell proliferation, loss of lipid droplets and exhibition of stress fibers, indicating cell activation. When added to PSCs in primary culture, all three D-vitamins diminished expression of α-SMA (to 32%-39% of the level of control cells; P < 0.05) and increased the storage of lipids (scores from 1.97-2.15 on a scale from 0-3; controls: 1.49; P < 0.05). No such effects were observed when Dvitamins were added to fully-activated cells, while incorporation of BrdU remained unaffected under both experimental conditions. Treatment of re-cultured PSCs with Dvitamins was associated with lower expression of IL-6 (-42% to -49%; P < 0.05; also confirmed at the protein level) and increased expression of the vitamin D receptor gene (209%-321% vs controls; P < 0.05). There was no effect of Dvitamins on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and collagen type 1 (chain α1). The lowest uptake of proline, a main component of collagen, was observed in calcipotriol-treated PSCs.
CONCLUSION The three D-vitamins inhibit, with similar efficiencies, activation of PSCs in vitro, but cannot reverse the phenotype once the cells are fully activated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wallbaum
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Sarah Rohde
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Luise Ehlers
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Falko Lange
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Alexander Hohn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Carina Bergner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | | | - Bernd Joachim Krause
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
| | - Robert Jaster
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock 18057, Germany
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