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Bouchard G, Zhang W, Li I, Ilerten I, Bhattacharya A, Li Y, Trope W, Shrager JB, Kuo C, Tian L, Giaccia AJ, Plevritis SK. The colocatome as a spatial -omic reveals shared microenvironment features between tumour-stroma assembloids and human lung cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.11.557278. [PMID: 37745466 PMCID: PMC10515823 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.557278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Computational frameworks to quantify and compare microenvironment spatial features of in-vitro patient-derived models and clinical specimens are needed. Here, we acquired and analysed multiplexed immunofluorescence images of human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) alongside tumour-stroma assembloids constructed with organoids and fibroblasts harvested from the leading edge (Tumour-Adjacent Fibroblasts;TAFs) or core (Tumour Core Fibroblasts;TCFs) of human LUAD. We introduce the concept of the "colocatome" as a spatial -omic dimension to catalogue all proximate and distant colocalisations between malignant and fibroblast subpopulations in both the assembloids and clinical specimens. The colocatome expands upon the colocalisation quotient (CLQ) through a nomalisation strategy that involves permutation analysis and thereby allows comparisons of CLQs under different conditions. Using colocatome analysis, we report that both TAFs and TCFs protected cancer cells from targeted oncogene treatment by uniquely reorganising the tumour-stroma cytoarchitecture, rather than by promoting cellular heterogeneity or selection. Moreover, we show that the assembloids' colocatome recapitulates the tumour-stroma cytoarchitecture defining the tumour microenvironment of LUAD clinical samples and thereby can serve as a functional spatial readout to guide translational discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Bouchard
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Weiruo Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Irene Li
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ilayda Ilerten
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Asmita Bhattacharya
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Winston Trope
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joseph B Shrager
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Calvin Kuo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amato J Giaccia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Sylvia K Plevritis
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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52
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Arebro J, Towle R, Lee CM, Bennewith KL, Garnis C. Extracellular vesicles promote activation of pro-inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts in oral cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1240159. [PMID: 37745296 PMCID: PMC10513103 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1240159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer and has a survival rate of ∼50% over 5 years. New treatment strategies are sorely needed to improve survival rates-and a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis is needed to develop these strategies. The role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has increasingly been identified as crucial in tumor progression and metastasis. One of the main constituents of the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), plays a key role in influencing the biological behavior of tumors. Multiple mechanisms contribute to CAF activation, such as TGFβ signaling, but the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in CAF activation in OSCC is poorly understood. Assessing the impact of oral cancer-derived EVs on CAF activation will help to better illuminate OSCC pathophysiology and may drive development of novel treatments options. Methods: EVs were isolated from OSCC cell lines (Cal 27, SCC-9, SCC-25) using differential centrifugation. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used for EV characterization, and Western blot to confirm the presence of EV protein markers. Oral fibroblasts were co-cultured with enriched EVs, TGFβ, or PBS over 72 h to assess activation. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate CAF markers. RNA collected from fibroblasts was extracted and the transcriptome was sequenced. Conditioned media from the co-cultures was evaluated with cytokine array profiling. Results: OSCC-derived EVs can activate oral fibroblasts into CAFs that are different from those activated by TGFβ, suggesting different mechanisms of activation and different functional properties. Gene set enrichment analysis showed several upregulated inflammatory pathways in those CAFs exposed to OSCC-derived EVs. Marker genes for inflammatory CAF subtypes were also upregulated, but not in CAFs activated by TGFβ. Finally, cytokine array analysis on secreted proteins revealed elevated levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines from EV-activated CAFs, for instance IL-8 and CXCL5. Discussion: Our results reveal the ability of OSCC-derived EVs to activate fibroblasts into CAFs. These CAFs seem to have unique properties, differing from TGFβ-activated CAFs. Gaining an understanding of the interplay between EVs and stromal cells such as CAFs could lead to further insights into OSCC tumorigenesis and potential novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Arebro
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of ENT Diseases, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of ENT Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Towle
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Che-Min Lee
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kevin L. Bennewith
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cathie Garnis
- Department of Integrative Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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53
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Zhao Y, Shen M, Wu L, Yang H, Yao Y, Yang Q, Du J, Liu L, Li Y, Bai Y. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment: accomplices of tumor progression? Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:587. [PMID: 37666813 PMCID: PMC10477351 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is made up of cells and extracellular matrix (non-cellular component), and cellular components include cancer cells and non-malignant cells such as immune cells and stromal cells. These three types of cells establish complex signals in the body and further influence tumor genesis, development, metastasis and participate in resistance to anti-tumor therapy. It has attracted scholars to study immune cells in TME due to the significant efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) in solid tumors and hematologic tumors. After more than 10 years of efforts, the role of immune cells in TME and the strategy of treating tumors based on immune cells have developed rapidly. Moreover, ICI have been recommended by guidelines as first- or second-line treatment strategies in a variety of tumors. At the same time, stromal cells is another major class of cellular components in TME, which also play a very important role in tumor metabolism, growth, metastasis, immune evasion and treatment resistance. Stromal cells can be recruited from neighboring non-cancerous host stromal cells and can also be formed by transdifferentiation from stromal cells to stromal cells or from tumor cells to stromal cells. Moreover, they participate in tumor genesis, development and drug resistance by secreting various factors and exosomes, participating in tumor angiogenesis and tumor metabolism, regulating the immune response in TME and extracellular matrix. However, with the deepening understanding of stromal cells, people found that stromal cells not only have the effect of promoting tumor but also can inhibit tumor in some cases. In this review, we will introduce the origin of stromal cells in TME as well as the role and specific mechanism of stromal cells in tumorigenesis and tumor development and strategies for treatment of tumors based on stromal cells. We will focus on tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), tumor-associated adipocytes (CAAs), tumor endothelial cells (TECs) and pericytes (PCs) in stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Meili Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Liangqiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Haiqin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yixuan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qingbiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianshi Du
- Key Laboratory of Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yapeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Yuansong Bai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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54
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Raudenska M, Balvan J, Hanelova K, Bugajova M, Masarik M. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Mediators of head and neck tumor microenvironment remodeling. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188940. [PMID: 37331641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are involved in critical aspects of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) pathogenesis, such as the formation of a tumor-permissive extracellular matrix structure, angiogenesis, or immune and metabolic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment (TME), with implications for metastasis and resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The pleiotropic effect of CAFs in TME is likely to reflect the heterogeneity and plasticity of their population, with context-dependent effects on carcinogenesis. The specific properties of CAFs provide many targetable molecules that could play an important role in the future therapy of HNSCC. In this review article, we will focus on the role of CAFs in the TME of HNSCC tumors. We will also discuss clinically relevant agents targeting CAFs, their signals, and signaling pathways, which are activated by CAFs in cancer cells, with the potential for repurposing for HNSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Raudenska
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klara Hanelova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Bugajova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masarik
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Pathophysiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, / U Nemocnice 5, CZ-128 53 Prague, Czech Republic.
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55
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Bekeschus S. Medical gas plasma technology: Roadmap on cancer treatment and immunotherapy. Redox Biol 2023; 65:102798. [PMID: 37556976 PMCID: PMC10433236 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous therapeutic progress, cancer remains an often fatal disease. In the early 2010s, first evidence in rodent models suggested promising antitumor action of gas plasma technology. Medical gas plasma is a partially ionized gas depositing multiple physico-chemical effectors onto tissues, especially reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Today, an evergrowing body of experimental evidence suggests multifaceted roles of medical gas plasma-derived therapeutic ROS/RNS in targeting cancer alone or in combination with oncological treatment schemes such as ionizing radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Intriguingly, gas plasma technology was recently unraveled to have an immunological dimension by inducing immunogenic cell death, which could ultimately promote existing cancer immunotherapies via in situ or autologous tumor vaccine schemes. Together with first clinical evidence reporting beneficial effects in cancer patients following gas plasma therapy, it is time to summarize the main concepts along with the chances and limitations of medical gas plasma onco-therapy from a biological, immunological, clinical, and technological point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Bekeschus
- ZIK plasmatis, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489, Greifswald, Germany; Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venerology, Rostock University Medical Center, Strempelstr. 13, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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56
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Cho SJ, Oh JH, Baek J, Shin Y, Kim W, Ko J, Jun E, Lee D, Kim SH, Sohn I, Sung CO. Intercellular cross-talk through lineage-specific gap junction of cancer-associated fibroblasts related to stromal fibrosis and prognosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14230. [PMID: 37648762 PMCID: PMC10469165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40957-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal fibrosis in cancer is usually associated with poor prognosis and chemotherapy resistance. It is thought to be caused by fibroblasts; however, the exact mechanism is not yet well understood. The study aimed to identify lineage-specific cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subgroup and their associations with extracellular matrix remodeling and clinical significances in various tumor types using single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data. Through unsupervised clustering, six subclusters of CAFs were identified, including a cluster with exclusively high gap junction protein beta-2 (GJB2) expression. This cluster was named GJB2-positive CAF. It was found to be a unique subgroup of terminally differentiated CAFs associated with collagen gene expression and extracellular matrix remodeling. GJB2-positive CAFs showed higher communication frequency with vascular endothelial cells and cancer cells than GJB2-negative CAFs. Moreover, GJB2 was poorly expressed in normal tissues, indicating that its expression is dependent on interaction with other cells, including vascular endothelial cells and cancer cells. Finally, the study investigated the clinical significance of GJB2 signature score for GJB2-positive CAFs in cancer and found a correlation with poor prognosis. These results suggest that GJB2-positive CAF is a unique fibroblast subtype involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, with significant clinical implications in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Ju Cho
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Arontier Inc., Gangnam-Daero 241, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Oh
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olymphic-Ro 43-Gil, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehoon Baek
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Arontier Inc., Gangnam-Daero 241, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunsu Shin
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Arontier Inc., Gangnam-Daero 241, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonkyung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olymphic-Ro 43-Gil, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsu Ko
- Arontier Inc., Gangnam-Daero 241, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunsung Jun
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ulsan University College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dakeun Lee
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Seok-Hyung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
| | - Insuk Sohn
- Arontier Inc., Gangnam-Daero 241, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang Ohk Sung
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olymphic-Ro 43-Gil, Seoul, 05505, South Korea.
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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57
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Dwivedi N, Shukla N, Prathima KM, Das M, Dhar SK. Novel CAF-identifiers via transcriptomic and protein level analysis in HNSC patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13899. [PMID: 37626157 PMCID: PMC10457345 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40908-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a prominent component of the tumor microenvironment, play an important role in tumor development, invasion, and drug resistance. The expression of distinct "CAF-markers" which separates CAFs from normal fibroblasts and epithelial cells, have traditionally been used to identify them. These commonly used CAF-markers have been reported to differ greatly across different CAF subpopulations, even within a cancer type. Using an unbiased -omic approach from public data and in-house RNAseq data from patient derived novel CAF cells, TIMP-1, SPARC, COL1A2, COL3A1 and COL1A1 were identified as potential CAF-markers by differential gene expression analysis using publicly available single cell sequencing data and in-house RNAseq data to distinguish CAF populations from tumor epithelia and normal oral fibroblasts. Experimental validation using qPCR and immunofluorescence revealed CAF-specific higher expression of TIMP-1 and COL1A2 as compared to other markers in 5 novel CAF cells, derived from patients of diverse gender, habits and different locations of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Upon immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of FFPE blocks however, COL1A2 showed better differential staining between tumor epithelia and tumor stroma. Similar data science driven approach utilizing single cell sequencing and RNAseq data from stabilized CAFs can be employed to identify CAF-markers in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehanjali Dwivedi
- Molecular Immunology, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560099, India
- MAHE, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Nidhi Shukla
- Molecular Immunology, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560099, India
| | - K M Prathima
- Manipal Hospital, Miller's Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560052, India
| | - Manjula Das
- Molecular Immunology, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560099, India
| | - Sujan K Dhar
- Computational Biology, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560099, India.
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58
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Huang Y, Zeng A, Song L. Facts and prospects of peptide in targeted therapy and immune regulation against triple-negative breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1255820. [PMID: 37691919 PMCID: PMC10485606 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1255820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Due to the lack of specific therapeutic targets, treatment options are limited, and the recurrence and metastasis rate is high, the overall survival of patients is poor. However, with the discovery of some new targets and the corresponding immune regulation after targeting these targets, TNBC has a new hope in treatment. The peptide has a simple structure, strong binding affinity, and high stability, and has great potential in targeted therapy and immune regulation against TNBC. This review will discuss how single peptides and peptide combinations target triple-negative breast cancer to exert immunomodulatory effects. Among them, single peptides target specific receptors on TNBC cells, act as decoys to target key ligands in the regulatory pathway, and target TME-related cells. The combinations of peptides work in the form of cancer vaccines, engineered exosomes, microRNAs and other immune-related molecular pathways, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and drug-peptide conjugates. This article is mainly dedicated to exploring new treatment methods for TNBC to improve the curative effect and prolong the survival time of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiu Huang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Anqi Zeng
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology and Clinical Application, Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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59
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Zhang Y, Lv N, Li M, Liu M, Wu C. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: tumor defenders in radiation therapy. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:541. [PMID: 37607935 PMCID: PMC10444767 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an important component of the tumor microenvironment that are involved in multiple aspects of cancer progression and considered contributors to tumor immune escape. CAFs exhibit a unique radiation resistance phenotype, and can survive clinical radiation doses; however, ionizing radiation can induce changes in their secretions and influence tumor progression by acting on tumor and immune cells. In this review, we describe current knowledge of the effects of radiation therapies on CAFs, as well as summarizing understanding of crosstalk among CAFs, tumor cells, and immune cells. We highlight the important role of CAFs in radiotherapy resistance, and discuss current and future radiotherapy strategies for targeting CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalin Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Na Lv
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Manshi Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, China.
| | - Chunli Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, China.
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60
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Maharati A, Moghbeli M. Long non-coding RNAs as the critical regulators of PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, and MAPK signaling pathways during breast tumor progression. J Transl Med 2023; 21:556. [PMID: 37596669 PMCID: PMC10439650 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04434-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) as one of the most common causes of human deaths among women, is always considered one of the global health challenges. Despite various advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, a significant percentage of BC patients have a poor prognosis due to the lack of therapeutic response. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in BC progression can improve the therapeutic and diagnostic strategies in these patients. Cytokine and growth factor-dependent signaling pathways play a key role during BC progression. In addition to cytokines and growth factors, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have also important roles in regulation of such signaling pathways. Therefore, in the present review we discussed the role of lncRNAs in regulation of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and TGF-β signaling pathways in breast tumor cells. It has been shown that lncRNAs mainly have an oncogenic role through the promotion of these signaling pathways in BC. This review can be an effective step in introducing the lncRNAs inhibition as a probable therapeutic strategy to reduce tumor growth by suppression of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and TGF-β signaling pathways in BC patients. In addition, considering the oncogenic role and increased levels of lncRNAs expressions in majority of the breast tumors, lncRNAs can be also considered as the reliable diagnostic markers in BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhosein Maharati
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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61
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Tadokoro Y, Takeda D, Murakami A, Yatagai N, Saito I, Arimoto S, Kakei Y, Akashi M, Hasegawa T. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide application suppresses the expression of cancer-associated fibroblasts markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma xenograft mouse model. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290357. [PMID: 37594996 PMCID: PMC10437783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). As CAFs promote tumor progression and hypoxia in the TME, regulating the conversion of normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs is essential for improving the prognosis of patients with OSCC. We have previously reported the antitumor effects of transcutaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) application in OSCC. However, the effects of reducing hypoxia in the TME remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether CO2 administration improves the TME by evaluating CAFs marker expression. Human OSCC cells (HSC-3) and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) were coinjected subcutaneously into the dorsal region of mice. CO2 gas was applied twice a week for 3 weeks. The tumors were harvested six times after transcutaneous CO2 application. The expression of CAFs markers (α-SMA, FAP, PDPN, and TGF-β) were evaluated by using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. The expression of α-SMA, FAP, PDPN, and TGF-β was significantly increased over time after co-injection. In the CO2-treated group, tumor growth was significantly suppressed after treatment initiation. In addition, the mRNA expression of these markers was significantly inhibited. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed a significant decrease in the protein expression of all CAFs markers in the CO2-treated group. We confirmed that transcutaneous CO2 application suppressed CAFs marker expression and tumor growth in OSCC xenograft mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Tadokoro
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Daisuke Takeda
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Aki Murakami
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Nanae Yatagai
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Izumi Saito
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Satomi Arimoto
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Yasumasa Kakei
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Masaya Akashi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
| | - Takumi Hasegawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
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62
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Cauli E, Polidoro MA, Marzorati S, Bernardi C, Rasponi M, Lleo A. Cancer-on-chip: a 3D model for the study of the tumor microenvironment. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:53. [PMID: 37592292 PMCID: PMC10436436 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The approval of anticancer therapeutic strategies is still slowed down by the lack of models able to faithfully reproduce in vivo cancer physiology. On one hand, the conventional in vitro models fail to recapitulate the organ and tissue structures, the fluid flows, and the mechanical stimuli characterizing the human body compartments. On the other hand, in vivo animal models cannot reproduce the typical human tumor microenvironment, essential to study cancer behavior and progression. This study reviews the cancer-on-chips as one of the most promising tools to model and investigate the tumor microenvironment and metastasis. We also described how cancer-on-chip devices have been developed and implemented to study the most common primary cancers and their metastatic sites. Pros and cons of this technology are then discussed highlighting the future challenges to close the gap between the pre-clinical and clinical studies and accelerate the approval of new anticancer therapies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cauli
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Accelera Srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michela Anna Polidoro
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Marzorati
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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63
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Ahmad A. Understanding Breast-Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Their Epigenetic Activation to Unveil Novel Targets for Breast Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4073. [PMID: 37627101 PMCID: PMC10452813 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The review article 'Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Epigenetic Regulation and Therapeutic Intervention in Breast Cancer' by Lee et al [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; ; Tel.: +974-44390984
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
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64
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Plhak E, Pichler C, Dittmann-Schnabel B, Gößnitzer E, Aigner RM, Stanzel S, Kvaternik H. Automated Synthesis of [ 68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 on a Scintomics GRP Synthesizer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1138. [PMID: 37631053 PMCID: PMC10459240 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
[68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 is a radiolabelled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor that selectively binds to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is overexpressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment. In recent years, radiolabelled FAP inhibitors (FAPIs) are becoming increasingly important in cancer diagnostics and also for targeted radionuclide therapy. Because of the increasing demand for radiolabelled FAPIs, automating the synthesis of these compounds is of great interest. In this work, we present a newly programmed automatic synthesis process of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 on a Scintomics GRP module using two Galli Ad generators as a radionuclide source. Dedicated cassettes for the labelling of 68Ga-peptides were used without any modifications. The generators were connected via a three-way valve to the module and eluted automatically over a strong cation exchange (SCX) cartridge by using the vacuum pump of the synthesis module, eliminating the need to transfer the eluates into a separate vial. After a reaction step in HEPES buffer, the compound was purified by solid-phase extraction (SPE) over a Sep-Pak Light C18 cartridge. The evaluation of 10 routine syntheses of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 resulted in a radiochemical yield of 72.6 ± 4.9%. The radiochemical purity was 97.6 ± 0.3%, and the amount of free gallium-68 and colloid was <2%. The final product fulfilled the quality criteria, which were adapted from relevant monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). This work presents the successful preparation of multiple doses of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 in a GMP-compliant automated process for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Plhak
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria; (C.P.); (B.D.-S.); (R.M.A.); (S.S.); (H.K.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1/EG/0122, A-8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Christopher Pichler
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria; (C.P.); (B.D.-S.); (R.M.A.); (S.S.); (H.K.)
| | - Björn Dittmann-Schnabel
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria; (C.P.); (B.D.-S.); (R.M.A.); (S.S.); (H.K.)
| | - Edith Gößnitzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1/EG/0122, A-8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Reingard M. Aigner
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria; (C.P.); (B.D.-S.); (R.M.A.); (S.S.); (H.K.)
| | - Susanne Stanzel
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria; (C.P.); (B.D.-S.); (R.M.A.); (S.S.); (H.K.)
| | - Herbert Kvaternik
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria; (C.P.); (B.D.-S.); (R.M.A.); (S.S.); (H.K.)
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65
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Liu X, Li J, Yang X, Li X, Kong J, Qi D, Zhang F, Sun B, Liu Y, Liu T. Carcinoma-associated fibroblast-derived lysyl oxidase-rich extracellular vesicles mediate collagen crosslinking and promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition via p-FAK/p-paxillin/YAP signaling. Int J Oral Sci 2023; 15:32. [PMID: 37532712 PMCID: PMC10397209 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-023-00236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and promote cancer progression by modifying the extracellular matrix (ECM). The tumor-associated ECM is characterized by collagen crosslinking catalyzed by lysyl oxidase (LOX). Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) mediate cell-cell communication. However, the interactions between sEVs and the ECM remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that sEVs released from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)-derived CAFs induce collagen crosslinking, thereby promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CAF sEVs preferably bound to the ECM rather than being taken up by fibroblasts and induced collagen crosslinking, and a LOX inhibitor or blocking antibody suppressed this effect. Active LOX (αLOX), but not the LOX precursor, was enriched in CAF sEVs and interacted with periostin, fibronectin, and bone morphogenetic protein-1 on the surface of sEVs. CAF sEV-associated integrin α2β1 mediated the binding of CAF sEVs to collagen I, and blocking integrin α2β1 inhibited collagen crosslinking by interfering with CAF sEV binding to collagen I. CAF sEV-induced collagen crosslinking promoted the EMT of OSCC through FAK/paxillin/YAP pathway. Taken together, these findings reveal a novel role of CAF sEVs in tumor ECM remodeling, suggesting a critical mechanism for CAF-induced EMT of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxillofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxillofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jing Kong
- School of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dongyuan Qi
- Department of Oral Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fuyin Zhang
- Department of Oral Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Oral Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuehua Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxillofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Tingjiao Liu
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxillofacial Development and Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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66
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Ye F, Liang Y, Wang Y, Le Yang R, Luo D, Li Y, Jin Y, Han D, Chen B, Zhao W, Wang L, Chen X, Ma T, Kong X, Yang Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts facilitate breast cancer progression through exosomal circTBPL1-mediated intercellular communication. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:471. [PMID: 37495592 PMCID: PMC10372047 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05986-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the major common malignancy worldwide among women. Previous studies reported that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) showed pivotal roles in regulating tumor progression via exosome-mediated cellular communication. However, the detailed mechanism underlying the exosomal circRNA from CAFs in breast cancer progression remains ambiguous. Here, exosomal circRNA profiling of breast cancer-derived CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) was detected by high-throughput sequencing, and upregulated circTBPL1 expression was identified in CAF exosomes. The exosomal circTBPL1 from CAFs could be transferred to breast cancer cells and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Consistently, circTBPL1 knockdown in CAFs attenuated their tumor-promoting ability. Further exploration identified miR-653-5p as an inhibitory target of circTBPL1, and ectopic expression of miR-653-5p could partially reverse the malignant phenotypes induced by circTBPL1 overexpression in breast cancer. Additionally, TPBG was selected as a downstream target gene, and circTBPL1 could protect TPBG from miR-653-5p-mediated degradation, leading to enhanced breast cancer progression. Significantly, the accelerated tumor progression triggered by exosomal circTBPL1 from CAFs was confirmed in xenograft models. Taken together, these results revealed that exosomal circTBPL1 derived from CAFs contributed to cancer progression via miR-653-5p/TPBG pathway, indicating the potential of exosomal circTBPL1 as a biomarker and novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Ye
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yiran Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Robert Le Yang
- Shandong Experimental High School, 250001, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Dan Luo
- Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yaming Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yuhan Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Dianwen Han
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bing Chen
- Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Kong
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Research Institute of Breast Cancer, Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China.
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67
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Zhang M, Chai X, Wang L, Mo K, Chen W, Xie X. Single-cell sequencing analysis reveals the relationship between tumor microenvironment cells and oxidative stress in breast cancer bone metastases. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:6950-6968. [PMID: 37470685 PMCID: PMC10415571 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Bone metastasis (BM) is one of the main manifestations of advanced breast cancer (BC), causing complications such as pathological fractures, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and even leads to death. In our study, a global single-cell landscape of the tumor microenvironment was constructed using single cell RNA sequencing data from BM. BC cells were found to be reduced in the BM, while mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), Fibroblasts and other cells were significantly more abundant in the BM. The subpopulations of these cells were further identified, and the pathways, developmental trajectories and transcriptional regulation of different subpopulations were discussed. The results suggest that with the development of BM, BC cells were vulnerable to oxidative damage, showing a high level of oxidative stress, which played a key role in cell apoptosis. Fibroblasts were obviously involved in the biological processes (BPs) related to ossification and bone remodeling, and play an important role in tumor cell inoculation to bone marrow and growth. MSC subpopulations were significantly enriched in a number of BPs associated with bone growth and development and oxidative stress and may serve as key components of BC cells homing and adhesion to the ecological niche of BM. In conclusion, our research results describe the appearance of tumor microenvironment cell subpopulations in breast cancer patients, reveal the important role of some cells in the balance of BM bone remodeling and the imbalance of BM development, and provide potential therapeutic targets for BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Chai
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Mo
- Biology Institute, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenyang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangtao Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou 545005, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics, Liuzhou Worker’s Hospital, Liuzhou 545005, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China
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68
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Wang S, Rong R, Yang DM, Zhang X, Zhan X, Bishop J, Wilhelm CJ, Zhang S, Pickering CR, Kris MG, Minna J, Xie Y, Xiao G. Deep Learning of Cell Spatial Organizations Identifies Clinically Relevant Insights in Tissue Images. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2928838. [PMID: 37461694 PMCID: PMC10350240 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2928838/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Recent advancements in tissue imaging techniques have facilitated the visualization and identification of various cell types within physiological and pathological contexts. Despite the emergence of cell-cell interaction studies, there is a lack of methods for evaluating individual spatial interactions. In this study, we introduce Ceograph, a novel cell spatial organization-based graph convolutional network designed to analyze cell spatial organization (i.e. the cell spatial distribution, morphology, proximity, and interactions) derived from pathology images. Ceograph identifies key cell spatial organization features by accurately predicting their influence on patient clinical outcomes. In patients with oral potentially malignant disorders, our model highlights reduced structural concordance and increased closeness in epithelial substrata as driving features for an elevated risk of malignant transformation. In lung cancer patients, Ceograph detects elongated tumor nuclei and diminished stroma-stroma closeness as biomarkers for insensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. With its potential to predict various clinical outcomes, Ceograph offers a deeper understanding of biological processes and supports the development of personalized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shidan Wang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ruichen Rong
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Donghan M. Yang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Justin Bishop
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Clare J. Wilhelm
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Mark G. Kris
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - John Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Xie
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Guanghua Xiao
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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69
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Dendl K, Koerber SA, Watabe T, Haberkorn U, Giesel FL. Current Status of Fibroblast Activation Protein Imaging in Gynecologic Malignancy and Breast Cancer. PET Clin 2023; 18:345-351. [PMID: 37257985 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
68Ga-FAPI-PET/computed tomography (CT) is a novel PET/CT radiotracer particularly developed for oncologic imaging. Gynecologic malignancies comprise a broad spectrum of entities and, along with breast cancer, constitute cancers occurring exclusively or primarily, respectively, in women. Thus, a tracer designed not only for one but multiple malignancies has theoretic attractions. Even in comparison with 18F-FDG, the current standard oncologic tracer of nuclear medicine, 68Ga-FAPI, has demonstrated advantages in several tumors. As breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer are among the most common tumor types in women and are often accompanied by high morbidity as well as mortality rates, a reliable staging tool is paramount for optimal therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Dendl
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, INF 400, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Deaprtment of Nuclear medicine, Geb. 13.55, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf.
| | - Stefan A Koerber
- Department of Radiooncology and Radiation Therapy, Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder, Prüfeninger Str. 86 93049 Regensburg, Germany; Department of Radiooncology and Radiation Therapy, University Hospital Heidelberg
| | - Tadashi Watabe
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 2-15 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, INF 400, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik L Giesel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, INF 400, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Deaprtment of Nuclear medicine, Geb. 13.55, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf
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70
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Shahvali S, Rahiman N, Jaafari MR, Arabi L. Targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP): advances in CAR-T cell, antibody, and vaccine in cancer immunotherapy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:2041-2056. [PMID: 36840906 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01308-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease with dual enzymatic activities overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in several tumor types, while its expression in healthy adult tissues is scarce. FAP overexpression on CAFs is associated with poor prognosis and plays an important role in tumor development, progression, and invasion. Therefore, FAP is considered a robust therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Here, we try to review and highlight the recent advances in immunotherapies for FAP targeting including the anti-FAP antibodies and immunoconjugates, FAP chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell, and various FAP vaccines in a preclinical and clinical setting. Subsequently, a discussion on the challenges and prospects associated with the development and translation of effective and safe therapies for targeting and depletion of FAP is provided. We proposed that new CAR-T cell engineering strategies and nanotechnology-based systems as well as advanced functional biomaterials can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of CAR-T cells and vaccines against FAP for more personalized immunotherapy. This review emphasizes the immune targeting of FAP as an emerging stromal candidate and one of the crucial elements in immunotherapy and shows the potential for improvement of current cancer therapy. A summary of different immunotherapy approaches to target fibroblast activation protein (FAP) for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Shahvali
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Niloufar Rahiman
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Leila Arabi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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71
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Ghosh S, Isma J, Mazzeo L, Toniolo A, Simon C, Dotto GP. Nuclear lamin A/C phosphorylation by loss of Androgen Receptor is a global determinant of cancer-associated fibroblast activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.28.546870. [PMID: 37425957 PMCID: PMC10327063 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.28.546870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Alterations of nuclear structure and function, and associated impact on gene transcription, are a hallmark of cancer cells. Little is known of these alterations in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs), a key component of the tumor stroma. Here we show that loss of androgen receptor (AR), which triggers early steps of CAF activation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), leads to nuclear membrane alterations and increased micronuclei formation, which are unlinked from induction of cellular senescence. Similar alterations occur in fully established CAFs, which are overcome by restored AR function. AR associates with nuclear lamin A/C and loss of AR results in a substantially increased lamin A/C nucleoplasmic redistribution. Mechanistically, AR functions as a bridge between lamin A/C with the protein phosphatase PPP1. In parallel with a decreased lamin-PPP1 association, AR loss results in a marked increase of lamin A/C phosphorylation at Ser 301, which is also a feature of CAFs. Phosphorylated lamin A/C at Ser 301 binds to the transcription promoter regulatory region of several CAF effector genes, which are upregulated due to the loss of AR. More directly, expression of a lamin A/C Ser301 phosphomimetic mutant alone is sufficient to convert normal fibroblasts into tumor-promoting CAFs of the myofibroblast subtype, without an impact on senescence. These findings highlight the pivotal role of the AR-lamin A/C-PPP1 axis and lamin A/C phosphorylation at Ser 301 in driving CAF activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumitra Ghosh
- Personalised Cancer Prevention Unit, ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Jovan Isma
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Mazzeo
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Annagiada Toniolo
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Christian Simon
- Personalised Cancer Prevention Unit, ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - G. Paolo Dotto
- Personalised Cancer Prevention Unit, ORL service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA
- International Cancer Prevention Institute, Epalinges, Switzerland
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72
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Aboussekhra A, Islam SS, Alraouji NN. Activated breast stromal fibroblasts exhibit myoepithelial and mammary stem cells features. Transl Oncol 2023; 35:101721. [PMID: 37329829 PMCID: PMC10366632 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor growth and spread, and like tumor cells they are also heterogeneous with various molecular sub-types and different pro-tumorigenic capacities. METHODS We have used immunoblotting as well as quantitative RT-PCR to assess the expression of various epithelial/mesenchymal as well as stemness markers in breast stromal fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence was utilized to assess the level of different myoepithelial and luminal markers at the cellular level. Flow cytometry allowed to determine the proportion of CD44- and ALDH1-positive breast fibroblasts, while sphere formation assay was used to test the ability of these cells to form mammospheres. RESULTS We have shown here that IL-6-dependent activation of breast and skin fibroblasts promotes mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and stemness in a STAT3- and p16-dependent manner. Interestingly, most primary CAFs isolated from breast cancer patients exhibited such transition and expressed lower levels of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin as compared to their adjacent normal fibroblasts (TCFs) isolated from the same patients. We have also shown that some CAFs and IL-6-activated fibroblasts express high levels of the myoepithelial markers cytokeratin 14 and CD10. Interestingly, 12 CAFs isolated from breast tumors showed higher proportions of CD24low/CD44high and ALDHhigh cells, compared to their corresponding TCF cells. These CD44high cells have higher abilities to form mammospheres and to enhance cell proliferation of breast cancer cells in a paracrine manner relative to their corresponding CD44low cells. CONCLUSION Together, the present findings show novel characteristics of active breast stromal fibroblasts, which exhibit additional myoepithelial/progenitor features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelilah Aboussekhra
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC # 03, PO BOX 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Syed S Islam
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC # 03, PO BOX 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noura N Alraouji
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, MBC # 03, PO BOX 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Stachler MD. Bridging the Gap between Diseases of the Stomach and Lower Esophagus. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1291-1293. [PMID: 37264822 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARY In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Nowicki-Osuch and colleagues perform an extensive characterization and analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data of the tubal gastrointestinal system, including a spectrum of inflammatory conditions and intestinal metaplasia of the stomach and esophagus. They show that both gastric and esophageal intestinal metaplasia share similarities at the transcript and protein levels. Interestingly, they show that individual cells within areas of metaplasia can coexpress transcriptional programs of both gastric and intestinal epithelia. See related article by Nowicki-Osuch et al., 1346 (6).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Stachler
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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74
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Rajaraman V, Meenakshi LA, Selvaraj AJ, Pottakkat B, Halanaik D. Role of 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT in Assessing Hepatobiliary Malignancies : A Prospective Pilot Study. Clin Nucl Med 2023; 48:e281-e288. [PMID: 37019124 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000004641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM Preliminary studies showed good expression of fibroblast activating protein inhibitor (FAPI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Our aims were to study the diagnostic performance of 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT in diagnosing the primary hepatobiliary malignancies and to compare its performance with 18 F-FDG PET/CT. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients suspected to have HCC and CC were recruited prospectively. FDG and FAPI PET/CT studies were completed within 1 week. Final diagnosis of malignancy was achieved by tissue diagnosis (either histopathological examination or fine-needle aspiration cytology) and radiological correlation from conventional modalities. Results were compared with final diagnosis and expressed as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS Forty-one patients were included. Thirty-one were positive for malignancy and 10 were negative. Fifteen were metastatic. Of 31, 18 were CC and 6 were HCC. For overall diagnosis of the primary disease, FAPI PET/CT performed exceptionally compared with FDG PET/CT with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 96.77%, 90%, and 95.12%, respectively, versus 51.61%, 100%, and 63.41% for FDG PET/CT. FAPI PET/CT clearly outperformed FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of CC with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 94.4%, 100%, and 95.24%, respectively, whereas for FDG PET/CT sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 50%, 100%, and 57.14%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of FAPI PET/CT was 61.54% for metastatic HCC compared with 84.62% for FDG PET/CT. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the potential role of FAPI-PET/CT in evaluating CC. It also ascertains its usefulness in the cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma. Although it showed a higher lesion detection rate than FDG in primary HCC, its diagnostic performance in the metastatic setting is questionable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Biju Pottakkat
- Surgical Gastroenterology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
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Ai W, Liu T, Lv C, Feng X, Wang Q. Modulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts by nanodelivery system to enhance efficacy of tumor therapy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2023; 18:1025-1039. [PMID: 37584613 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most common cells in the tumor stroma and are essential for tumor development and metastasis. While decreasing the release and infiltration of nanomedicine through nonspecific internalization, CAFs specifically increase solid tumor pressure and interstitial fluid pressure by secreting tumor growth- and migration-promoting cytokines, which increases vascular and organ pressure caused by solid tumor pressure. Nanoparticles have good permeability and can penetrate tumor tissue to reach the lesion area, inhibiting tumor growth. Thus, CAFs are used as modifiable targets. Here, the authors review the biological functions, origins and biomarkers of CAFs and summarize strategies for modulating CAFs in nanodelivery systems. This study provides a prospective guide to modulating CAFs to enhance oncology treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ai
- College of Life Science & Technology, Changchun University of Science & Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Tianhui Liu
- College of Life Science & Technology, Changchun University of Science & Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Changshun Lv
- College of Life Science & Technology, Changchun University of Science & Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Xiangru Feng
- College of Life Science & Technology, Changchun University of Science & Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
| | - Qingshuang Wang
- College of Life Science & Technology, Changchun University of Science & Technology, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, China
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Wiley MB, Bauer J, Mehrotra K, Zessner-Spitzenberg J, Kolics Z, Cheng W, Castellanos K, Nash MG, Gui X, Kone L, Maker AV, Qiao G, Reddi D, Church DN, Kerr RS, Kerr DJ, Grippo PJ, Jung B. Non-Canonical Activin A Signaling Stimulates Context-Dependent and Cellular-Specific Outcomes in CRC to Promote Tumor Cell Migration and Immune Tolerance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3003. [PMID: 37296966 PMCID: PMC10252122 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We have shown that activin A (activin), a TGF-β superfamily member, has pro-metastatic effects in colorectal cancer (CRC). In lung cancer, activin activates pro-metastatic pathways to enhance tumor cell survival and migration while augmenting CD4+ to CD8+ communications to promote cytotoxicity. Here, we hypothesized that activin exerts cell-specific effects in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of CRC to promote anti-tumoral activity of immune cells and the pro-metastatic behavior of tumor cells in a cell-specific and context-dependent manner. We generated an Smad4 epithelial cell specific knockout (Smad4-/-) which was crossed with TS4-Cre mice to identify SMAD-specific changes in CRC. We also performed IHC and digital spatial profiling (DSP) of tissue microarrays (TMAs) obtained from 1055 stage II and III CRC patients in the QUASAR 2 clinical trial. We transfected the CRC cells to reduce their activin production and injected them into mice with intermittent tumor measurements to determine how cancer-derived activin alters tumor growth in vivo. In vivo, Smad4-/- mice displayed elevated colonic activin and pAKT expression and increased mortality. IHC analysis of the TMA samples revealed increased activin was required for TGF-β-associated improved outcomes in CRC. DSP analysis identified that activin co-localization in the stroma was coupled with increases in T-cell exhaustion markers, activation markers of antigen presenting cells (APCs), and effectors of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Activin-stimulated PI3K-dependent CRC transwell migration, and the in vivo loss of activin lead to smaller CRC tumors. Taken together, activin is a targetable, highly context-dependent molecule with effects on CRC growth, migration, and TME immune plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B. Wiley
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (M.B.W.); (K.M.)
| | - Jessica Bauer
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (M.B.W.); (K.M.)
| | - Kunaal Mehrotra
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (M.B.W.); (K.M.)
| | - Jasmin Zessner-Spitzenberg
- Clinical Department for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zoe Kolics
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (M.B.W.); (K.M.)
| | - Wenxuan Cheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (M.B.W.); (K.M.)
| | - Karla Castellanos
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Michael G. Nash
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Xianyong Gui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lyonell Kone
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ajay V. Maker
- Department of Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Guilin Qiao
- Department of Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Deepti Reddi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David N. Church
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK
- NIHR Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Center, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK
| | - Rachel S. Kerr
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK
| | - David J. Kerr
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK
| | - Paul J. Grippo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Barbara Jung
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (M.B.W.); (K.M.)
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Xu L, Cheng J, Li Z, Wen X, Sun Y, Xia M, Leng J. The intervention effect of Aitongxiao prescription on primary liver cancer rats was evaluated based on high-throughput miRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1050069. [PMID: 37313461 PMCID: PMC10259654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1050069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor known for its difficult treatment and poor prognosis. As a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, Aitongxiao prescription (ATXP) has been used in clinical treatment of primary liver cancer (PLC) for more than ten years, and its therapeutic effect is obvious and has been verified over time. However, the mechanism of ATXP in treating PLC has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to detect the liver-protective effect of ATXP on a PLC rat model and explore its potential mechanism from the perspective of plasma extracellular vesicle miRNAs. Fifty SPF male SD rats were randomly selected, with six rats as the control group, and the remaining rats were injected with DEN to establish a primary liver cancer model. The model rats were randomly divided into the model group and the ATXP group. After 4 weeks of intervention, the liver-protective effect of ATXP was evaluated using plasma biochemical indicators and histopathological methods. Plasma extracellular vesicles were isolated and extracted, and identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blot. Significant differentially expressed miRNAs in extracellular vesicles were screened by Illumina sequencing to explore the therapeutic targets of ATXP and conduct functional analysis. The results showed that ATXP significantly reduced plasma liver function in PLC rats and alleviated liver pathological damage. In addition, plasma extracellular vesicles were isolated and identified. According to the results of GO and KEGG analysis, they were related to multiple biological processes and covered multiple signaling pathways (PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, etc.). The interaction between miR-199a-3p and MAP3K4 was determined by bioinformatics methods and dual-luciferase reporter gene detection, confirming that MAP3K4 is the target gene of miR-199a-3p. In conclusion, ATXP protects the liver from DEN-induced PLC, which may be related to the regulation of plasma extracellular vesicle miR-199a-3p. This study further reveals the mechanism of ATXP in treating liver cancer and provides a theoretical basis for subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Xu
- Basic Medical College, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Jinlai Cheng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoxian Li
- Basic Medical College, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wen
- Rehabilitation College, Guilin Life and Health Career Technical College, Guilin, China
| | - Yuhao Sun
- Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Meng Xia
- Basic Medical College, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Jing Leng
- Basic Medical College, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Treating High-Incidence Infectious Diseases with Integrative Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
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Jian HR, Niu WH, Xu ZS, Zhu JX, Pan X, Zhang YR, Lei P, Huang FQ, He Y. Establishment of FAP-overexpressing Cells for FAP-targeted Theranostics. Curr Med Sci 2023:10.1007/s11596-023-2740-7. [PMID: 37222958 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2740-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been widely studied and exploited for its clinical applications. One of the difficulties in interpreting reports of FAP-targeted theranostics is due to the lack of accurate controls, making the results less specific and less confirmative. This study aimed to establish a pair of cell lines, in which one highly expresses FAP (HT1080-hFAP) and the other has no detectable FAP (HT1080-vec) as control, to accurately evaluate the specificity of the FAP-targeted theranostics in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The cell lines of the experimental group (HT1080-hFAP) and no-load group (HT1080-vec) were obtained by molecular construction of the recombinant plasmid pIRES-hFAP. The expression of hFAP in HT1080 cells was detected by PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. CCK-8, Matrigel transwell invasion assay, scratch test, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to verify the physiological function of FAP. The activities of human dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) and human endopeptidase (EP) were detected by ELISA in HT1080-hFAP cells. PET imaging was performed in bilateral tumor-bearing nude mice models to evaluate the specificity of FAP. RESULTS RT-PCR and Western blotting demonstrated the mRNA and protein expression of hFAP in HT1080-hFAP cells but not in HT1080-vec cells. Flow cytometry confirmed that nearly 95% of the HT1080-hFAP cells were FAP positive. The engineered hFAP on HT1080 cells had its ability to retain enzymatic activities and a variety of biological functions, including internalization, proliferation-, migration-, and invasion-promoting activities. The HT1080-hFAP xenografted tumors in nude mice bound and took up 68GA-FAPI-04 with superior selectivity. High image contrast and tumor-organ ratio were obtained by PET imaging. The HT1080-hFAP tumor retained the radiotracer for at least 60 min. CONCLUSION This pair of HT1080 cell lines was successfully established, making it feasible for accurate evaluation and visualization of therapeutic and diagnostic agents targeting the hFAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ru Jian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000, China
| | - Wen-Hao Niu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhuo-Shuo Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia-Xu Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yi-Rui Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fa-Qing Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000, China.
| | - Yong He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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Huang Y, Peng H, Zeng A, Song L. The role of peptides in reversing chemoresistance of breast cancer: current facts and future prospects. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1188477. [PMID: 37284316 PMCID: PMC10239817 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1188477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the first malignant tumor in women, and its incidence is also increasing year by year. Chemotherapy is one of the standard therapies for breast cancer, but the resistance of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs is a huge challenge for the effective treatment of breast cancer. At present, in the study of reversing the drug resistance of solid tumors such as breast cancer, peptides have the advantages of high selectivity, high tissue penetration, and good biocompatibility. Some of the peptides that have been studied can overcome the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in the experiment, and effectively control the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Here, we describe the mechanism of different peptides in reversing breast cancer resistance, including promoting cancer cell apoptosis; promoting non-apoptotic regulatory cell death of cancer cells; inhibiting the DNA repair mechanism of cancer cells; improving the tumor microenvironment; inhibiting drug efflux mechanism; and enhancing drug uptake. This review focuses on the different mechanisms of peptides in reversing breast cancer drug resistance, and these peptides are also expected to create clinical breakthroughs in promoting the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer patients and improving the survival rate of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiu Huang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyao Peng
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Anqi Zeng
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology and Clinical Application, Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linjiang Song
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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80
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Dulal D, Boring A, Terrero D, Johnson T, Tiwari AK, Raman D. Tackling of Immunorefractory Tumors by Targeting Alternative Immune Checkpoints. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2774. [PMID: 37345111 PMCID: PMC10216651 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiologically, well known or traditional immune checkpoints (ICs), such as CTLA-4 and PD-1, are in place to promote tolerance to self-antigens and prevent generation of autoimmunity. In cancer, the ICs are effectively engaged by the tumor cells or stromal ells from the tumor microenvironment through expression of cognate ligands for the ICs present on the cell surface of CD8+ T lymphocytes. The ligation of ICs on CD8+ T lymphocytes triggers inhibitory signaling pathways, leading to quiescence or an exhaustion of CD8+ T lymphocytes. This results in failure of immunotherapy. To overcome this, several FDA-approved therapeutic antibodies are available, but the clinical outcome is quite variable due to the resistance encountered through upregulated expression of alternate ICs such as VISTA, LAG-3, TIGIT and TIM-3. This review focuses on the roles played by the traditional as well as alternate ICs and the contribution of associated signaling pathways in generating such resistance to immunotherapy. Combinatorial targeting of traditional and alternate ICs might be beneficial for immune-refractory tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharmindra Dulal
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.D.); (A.B.); (A.K.T.)
| | - Andrew Boring
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.D.); (A.B.); (A.K.T.)
| | - David Terrero
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo Main Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Tiffany Johnson
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.D.); (A.B.); (A.K.T.)
| | - Amit K. Tiwari
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.D.); (A.B.); (A.K.T.)
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo Main Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Dayanidhi Raman
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (D.D.); (A.B.); (A.K.T.)
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Stouten I, van Montfoort N, Hawinkels LJAC. The Tango between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and Immune Cells in Affecting Immunotherapy Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108707. [PMID: 37240052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of response to therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients has contributed to PDAC having one of the lowest survival rates of all cancer types. The poor survival of PDAC patients urges the exploration of novel treatment strategies. Immunotherapy has shown promising results in several other cancer types, but it is still ineffective in PDAC. What sets PDAC apart from other cancer types is its tumour microenvironment (TME) with desmoplasia and low immune infiltration and activity. The most abundant cell type in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), could be instrumental in why low immunotherapy responses are observed. CAF heterogeneity and interactions with components of the TME is an emerging field of research, where many paths are to be explored. Understanding CAF-immune cell interactions in the TME might pave the way to optimize immunotherapy efficacy for PDAC and related cancers with stromal abundance. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries on the functions and interactions of CAFs and how targeting CAFs might improve immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke Stouten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Zhao Z, Li T, Yuan Y, Zhu Y. What is new in cancer-associated fibroblast biomarkers? Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:96. [PMID: 37143134 PMCID: PMC10158035 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01125-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is one of the important drivers of tumor development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor stroma and actively participate in tumor development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and other biological behaviors. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells, a reflection of the diversity of their origin, biomarkers, and functions. The diversity of CAF origin determines the complexity of CAF biomarkers, and CAF subpopulations expressing different biomarkers may play contrasting roles in tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of these emerging CAF biomarkers and the biological functions that they suggest, which may give a better understanding of the relationship between CAFs and tumor cells and be of great significance for breakthroughs in precision targeted therapy for tumors. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 of Nanjing Road, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China.
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83
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Fröhlich E. The Variety of 3D Breast Cancer Models for the Study of Tumor Physiology and Drug Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087116. [PMID: 37108283 PMCID: PMC10139112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and responsible for multiple deaths worldwide. 3D cancer models enable a better representation of tumor physiology than the conventional 2D cultures. This review summarizes the important components of physiologically relevant 3D models and describes the spectrum of 3D breast cancer models, e.g., spheroids, organoids, breast cancer on a chip and bioprinted tissues. The generation of spheroids is relatively standardized and easy to perform. Microfluidic systems allow control over the environment and the inclusion of sensors and can be combined with spheroids or bioprinted models. The strength of bioprinting relies on the spatial control of the cells and the modulation of the extracellular matrix. Except for the predominant use of breast cancer cell lines, the models differ in stromal cell composition, matrices and fluid flow. Organoids are most appropriate for personalized treatment, but all technologies can mimic most aspects of breast cancer physiology. Fetal bovine serum as a culture supplement and Matrigel as a scaffold limit the reproducibility and standardization of the listed 3D models. The integration of adipocytes is needed because they possess an important role in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore Fröhlich
- Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria
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84
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Zheng D, Zhou J, Qian L, Liu X, Chang C, Tang S, Zhang H, Zhou S. Biomimetic nanoparticles drive the mechanism understanding of shear-wave elasticity stiffness in triple negative breast cancers to predict clinical treatment. Bioact Mater 2023; 22:567-587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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85
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Matarrese P, Vona R, Ascione B, Cittadini C, Tocci A, Mileo AM. Tumor Microenvironmental Cytokines Drive NSCLC Cell Aggressiveness and Drug-Resistance via YAP-Mediated Autophagy. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071048. [PMID: 37048121 PMCID: PMC10093141 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic reciprocity between cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells occurs primarily through the interaction of soluble signals, i.e., cytokines produced by stromal cells to support cancer initiation and progression by regulating cell survival, differentiation and immune cell functionality, as well as cell migration and death. In the present study, we focused on the analysis of the functional response of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines elicited by the treatment with some crucial stromal factors which, at least in part, mimic the stimulus exerted in vivo on tumor cells by microenvironmental components. Our molecular and functional results highlight the role played by the autophagic machinery in the cellular response in terms of the invasive capacity, stemness and drug resistance of two non-small lung cancer cell lines treated with stromal cytokines, also highlighting the emerging role of the YAP pathway in the mutual and dynamic crosstalk between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment elements. The results of this study provide new insights into the YAP-mediated autophagic mechanism elicited by microenvironmental cytokines on non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and may suggest new potential strategies for future cancer therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Matarrese
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Rosa Vona
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Ascione
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Cittadini
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53-00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Mileo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53-00144 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (A.M.M.)
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86
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Zhang N, Pan F, Pan L, Diao W, Su F, Huang R, Yang B, Li Y, Qi Z, Zhang W, Wu X. Synthesis, radiolabeling, and evaluation of a (4-quinolinoyl)glycyl-2-cyanopyrrolidine analogue for fibroblast activation protein (FAP) PET imaging. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1167329. [PMID: 37057133 PMCID: PMC10086185 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1167329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is regarded as a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors as it was overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts. FAP inhibitors bearing a quinoline scaffold have been proven to show high affinity against FAP in vitro and in vivo, and the scaffold has been radio-labeled for the imaging and treatment of FAP-positive tumors. However, currently available FAP imaging agents both contain chelator groups to enable radio-metal labeling, making those tracers more hydrophilic and not suitable for the imaging of lesions in the brain. Herein, we report the synthesis, radio-labeling, and evaluation of a 18F-labeled quinoline analogue ([18F]3) as a potential FAP-targeted PET tracer, which holds the potential to be blood–brain barrier-permeable. [18F]3 was obtained by one-step radio-synthesis via a copper-mediated SNAR reaction from a corresponding boronic ester precursor. [18F]3 showed moderate lipophilicity with a log D7.4 value of 1.11. In cell experiments, [18F]3 showed selective accumulation in A549-FAP and U87 cell lines and can be effectively blocked by the pre-treatment of a cold reference standard. Biodistribution studies indicated that [18F]3 was mainly excreted by hepatic clearance and urinary excretion, and it may be due to its moderate lipophilicity. In vivo PET imaging studies indicated [18F]3 showed selective accumulation in FAP-positive tumors, and specific binding was confirmed by blocking studies. However, low brain uptake was observed in biodistribution and PET imaging studies. Although our preliminary data indicated that [18F]3 holds the potential to be developed as a blood–brain barrier penetrable FAP-targeted PET tracer, its low brain uptake limits its application in the detection of brain lesions. Herein, we report the synthesis and evaluation of [18F]3 as a novel small-molecule FAPI-targeted PET tracer, and our results suggest further structural optimizations would be needed to develop a BBB-permeable PET tracer with this scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lili Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Diao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feijing Su
- Core Facilities of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Seventh People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yunchun Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhongzhi Qi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhongzhi Qi, ; Wenjie Zhang,
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhongzhi Qi, ; Wenjie Zhang,
| | - Xiaoai Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory of Clinical Nuclear Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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87
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Wright K, Ly T, Kriet M, Czirok A, Thomas SM. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Master Tumor Microenvironment Modifiers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061899. [PMID: 36980785 PMCID: PMC10047485 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells rely on the tumor microenvironment (TME), a composite of non-malignant cells, and extracellular matrix (ECM), for survival, growth, and metastasis. The ECM contributes to the biomechanical properties of the surrounding tissue, in addition to providing signals for tissue development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are stromal cells in the TME that are integral to cancer progression. Subtypes of CAFs across a variety of cancers have been revealed, and each play a different role in cancer progression or suppression. CAFs secrete signaling molecules and remodel the surrounding ECM by depositing its constituents as well as degrading enzymes. In cancer, a remodeled ECM can lead to tumor-promoting effects. Not only does the remodeled ECM promote growth and allow for easier metastasis, but it can also modulate the immune system. A better understanding of how CAFs remodel the ECM will likely yield novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the key factors secreted by CAFs that facilitate tumor progression, ECM remodeling, and immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellen Wright
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Thuc Ly
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Matthew Kriet
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Andras Czirok
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Sufi Mary Thomas
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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88
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Di Donato M, Giovannelli P, Migliaccio A, Castoria G. The nerve growth factor-delivered signals in prostate cancer and its associated microenvironment: when the dialogue replaces the monologue. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:60. [PMID: 36941697 PMCID: PMC10029315 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) represents the most diagnosed and the second most lethal cancer in men worldwide. Its development and progression occur in concert with alterations in the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), made up of stromal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) that dynamically interact with epithelial PC cells affecting their growth and invasiveness. PC cells, in turn, can functionally sculpt the TME through the secretion of various factors, including neurotrophins. Among them, the nerve growth factor (NGF) that is released by both epithelial PC cells and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) triggers the activation of various intracellular signaling cascades, thereby promoting the acquisition of a metastatic phenotype. After many years of investigation, it is indeed well established that aberrations and/or derangement of NGF signaling are involved not only in neurological disorders, but also in the pathogenesis of human proliferative diseases, including PC. Another key feature of cancer progression is the nerve outgrowth in TME and the concept of nerve dependence related to perineural invasion is currently emerging. NGF released by cancer cells can be a driver of tumor neurogenesis and nerves infiltrated in TME release neurotransmitters, which might stimulate the growth and sustainment of tumor cells.In this review, we aim to provide a snapshot of NGF action in the interactions between TME, nerves and PC cells. Understanding the molecular basis of this dialogue might expand the arsenal of therapeutic strategies against this widespread disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Pia Giovannelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Antimo Migliaccio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L.Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
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89
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Nicolini G, Balzan S, Forini F. Activated fibroblasts in cardiac and cancer fibrosis: An overview of analogies and new potential therapeutic options. Life Sci 2023; 321:121575. [PMID: 36933828 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Heart disease and cancer are two major causes of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries, and their increasingly recognized connections are shifting the focus from single disease studies to an interdisciplinary approach. Fibroblast-mediated intercellular crosstalk is critically involved in the evolution of both pathologies. In healthy myocardium and in non-cancerous conditions, resident fibroblasts are the main cell source for synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and important sentinels of tissue integrity. In the setting of myocardial disease or cancer, quiescent fibroblasts activate, respectively, into myofibroblasts (myoFbs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), characterized by increased production of contractile proteins, and by a highly proliferative and secretory phenotype. Although the initial activation of myoFbs/CAFs is an adaptive process to repair the damaged tissue, massive deposition of ECM proteins leads to maladaptive cardiac or cancer fibrosis, a recognized marker of adverse outcome. A better understanding of the key mechanisms orchestrating fibroblast hyperactivity may help developing innovative therapeutic options to restrain myocardial or tumor stiffness and improve patient prognosis. Albeit still unappreciated, the dynamic transition of myocardial and tumor fibroblasts into myoFbs and CAFs shares several common triggers and signaling pathways relevant to TGF-β dependent cascade, metabolic reprogramming, mechanotransduction, secretory properties, and epigenetic regulation, which might lay the foundation for future antifibrotic intervention. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight emerging analogies in the molecular signature underlying myoFbs and CAFs activation with the purpose of identifying novel prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers, and to elucidate the potential of drug repositioning strategies to mitigate cardiac/cancer fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvana Balzan
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Forini
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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90
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FGFR2c Upregulation Contributes to Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Program Activation and to Enhanced Autophagy in Actinic Keratosis-Derived Dermal Fibroblasts: A Possible Role in Precancerous Cell/Stromal Cell Crosstalk. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030463. [PMID: 36979155 PMCID: PMC10045898 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a preneoplastic skin disorder which can rapidly progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). In light of our previous findings, indicating a possible oncogenic role of the mesenchymal isoform of FGFR2 (FGFR2c) aberrantly expressed in AK keratinocytes, we analyzed the possible tumor-promoting role of this receptor in the stromal AK counterpart in this work. Molecular analysis showed that, particularly in early AK lesions, FGFR2c dermal upregulation is accompanied by the downregulation of the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) transcription repressor CSL, the upregulation of the CAF activator ULK3, and the consequent CAF gene induction. Immunofluorescence and molecular analysis, coupled with silencing approaches by siRNA, applied on primary cultures of KIN I-derived fibroblasts, indicated that FGFR2c upregulation contribute to CAF signature and the increased autophagy in response to FGF2. Magnetic bead-based multiplex assay, combined with FGFR2 signaling shut-off approaches, indicated that, especially in response to FGF2, IL-6 secretion could depend on FGFR2c high expression and signaling, suggesting the possible establishment of FGFR2c-dependent secretory autophagy, contributing to tumor-promoting factor release. Overall, our results identified FGFR2c as a signaling molecule involved in controlling precancerous/stromal cell oncogenic crosstalk, pointing to this receptor as a possible early molecular marker predictive for AK’s rapid malignant progression.
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91
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Alcaraz LB, Mallavialle A, Mollevi C, Boissière-Michot F, Mansouri H, Simony-Lafontaine J, Laurent-Matha V, Chardès T, Jacot W, Turtoi A, Roger P, Guiu S, Liaudet-Coopman E. SPARC in cancer-associated fibroblasts is an independent poor prognostic factor in non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and exhibits pro-tumor activity. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:1243-1258. [PMID: 36346290 PMCID: PMC10099777 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and lacks specific targeted therapeutic agents. The current mechanistic evidence from cell-based studies suggests that the matricellular protein SPARC has a tumor-promoting role in TNBC; however, data on the clinical relevance of SPARC expression/secretion by tumor and stromal cells in TNBC are limited. Here, we analyzed by immunohistochemistry the prognostic value of tumor and stromal cell SPARC expression in 148 patients with non-metastatic TNBC and long follow-up (median: 5.4 years). We also quantified PD-L1 and PD-1 expression. We detected SPARC expression in tumor cells (42.4%), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs; 88.1%), tumor-associated macrophages (77.1%), endothelial cells (75.2%) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (9.8%). Recurrence-free survival was significantly lower in patients with SPARC-expressing CAFs. Multivariate analysis showed that SPARC expression in CAFs was an independent prognostic factor. We also detected tumor and stromal cell SPARC expression in TNBC cytosols, and in patient-derived xenografts and cell lines. Furthermore, we analyzed publicly available single-cell mRNA sequencing data and found that in TNBC, SPARC is expressed by different CAF subpopulations, including myofibroblasts and inflammatory fibroblasts that are involved in tumor-related processes. We then showed that fibroblast-secreted SPARC had a tumor-promoting role by inhibiting TNBC cell adhesion and stimulating their motility and invasiveness. Overall, our study demonstrates that SPARC expression in CAFs is an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome in TNBC. Patients with SPARC-expressing CAFs could be eligible for anti-SPARC targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caroline Mollevi
- Biometry Unit, ICM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Hanane Mansouri
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, Univ Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France.,RHEM, IRCM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Thierry Chardès
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, Univ Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - William Jacot
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, Univ Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France.,Translational Research Unit, ICM, Montpellier, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, Univ Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascal Roger
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, Univ Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France.,Department of Pathology, CHU, Nîmes, France
| | - Séverine Guiu
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, Univ Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, ICM, Montpellier, France
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92
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Amini P, Hajihosseini M, Pyne S, Dinu I. Geographically weighted linear combination test for gene-set analysis of a continuous spatial phenotype as applied to intratumor heterogeneity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1065586. [PMID: 36998245 PMCID: PMC10044624 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1065586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The impact of gene-sets on a spatial phenotype is not necessarily uniform across different locations of cancer tissue. This study introduces a computational platform, GWLCT, for combining gene set analysis with spatial data modeling to provide a new statistical test for location-specific association of phenotypes and molecular pathways in spatial single-cell RNA-seq data collected from an input tumor sample.Methods: The main advantage of GWLCT consists of an analysis beyond global significance, allowing the association between the gene-set and the phenotype to vary across the tumor space. At each location, the most significant linear combination is found using a geographically weighted shrunken covariance matrix and kernel function. Whether a fixed or adaptive bandwidth is determined based on a cross-validation cross procedure. Our proposed method is compared to the global version of linear combination test (LCT), bulk and random-forest based gene-set enrichment analyses using data created by the Visium Spatial Gene Expression technique on an invasive breast cancer tissue sample, as well as 144 different simulation scenarios.Results: In an illustrative example, the new geographically weighted linear combination test, GWLCT, identifies the cancer hallmark gene-sets that are significantly associated at each location with the five spatially continuous phenotypic contexts in the tumors defined by different well-known markers of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Scan statistics revealed clustering in the number of significant gene-sets. A spatial heatmap of combined significance over all selected gene-sets is also produced. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms other methods in the considered scenarios, especially when the spatial association increases.Conclusion: Our proposed approach considers the spatial covariance of gene expression to detect the most significant gene-sets affecting a continuous phenotype. It reveals spatially detailed information in tissue space and can thus play a key role in understanding the contextual heterogeneity of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam Amini
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Morteza Hajihosseini
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Stanford Department of Urology, Center for Academic Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Saumyadipta Pyne
- Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Saumyadipta Pyne, ; Irina Dinu,
| | - Irina Dinu
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Saumyadipta Pyne, ; Irina Dinu,
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93
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Arpinati L, Scherz-Shouval R. From gatekeepers to providers: regulation of immune functions by cancer-associated fibroblasts. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:421-443. [PMID: 36870916 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major protumorigenic components of the tumor microenvironment in solid cancers. CAFs are heterogeneous, consisting of multiple subsets that display diverse functions. Recently, CAFs have emerged as major promoters of immune evasion. CAFs favor T cell exclusion and exhaustion, promote recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and induce protumoral phenotypic shifts in macrophages and neutrophils. With the growing appreciation of CAF heterogeneity came the understanding that different CAF subpopulations may be driving distinct immune-regulatory effects, interacting with different cell types, and perhaps even driving opposing effects on malignancy. In this review we discuss the current understanding of CAF-immune interactions, their effect on tumor progression and therapeutic response, and the possibility of exploiting CAF-immune interactions as potential targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Arpinati
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ruth Scherz-Shouval
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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94
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Birkeness LB, Banerjee S, Quadir M, Banerjee SK. The role of CCNs in controlling cellular communication in the tumor microenvironment. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:35-45. [PMID: 35674933 PMCID: PMC10030743 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00682-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cellular communication network (CCN) family of growth regulatory factors comprises six secreted matricellular proteins that promote signal transduction through cell-cell or cell-matrix interaction. The diversity of functionality between each protein is specific to the many aspects of healthy and cancer biology. For example, CCN family proteins modulate cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, invasiveness, apoptosis, and survival. In addition, the expression of each protein regulates many biological and pathobiological processes within its microenvironment to regulate angiogenesis, inflammatory response, chondrogenesis, fibrosis, and mitochondrial integrity. The collective range of CCN operation remains fully comprehended; however, understanding each protein's microenvironment may draw more conclusions about the abundance of interactions and signaling cascades occurring within such issues. This review observes and distinguishes the various roles a CCN protein may execute within distinct tumor microenvironments and the biological associations among them. Finally. We also review how CCN-family proteins can be used in nano-based therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B Birkeness
- Cancer Research Unit, Research Division, VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO, 64128, USA
| | - Snigdha Banerjee
- Cancer Research Unit, Research Division, VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO, 64128, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66106, USA
| | - Mohiuddin Quadir
- Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Sushanta K Banerjee
- Cancer Research Unit, Research Division, VA Medical Center, 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO, 64128, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66106, USA.
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95
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Emerging Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Progression and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043941. [PMID: 36835352 PMCID: PMC9964606 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Tumor cells recruit and remodel various types of stromal and inflammatory cells to form a tumor microenvironment (TME), which encompasses cellular and molecular entities, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), immune cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), immune checkpoint molecules and cytokines that promote cancer cell growth, as well as their drug resistance. HCC usually arises in the context of cirrhosis, which is always associated with an enrichment of activated fibroblasts that are owed to chronic inflammation. CAFs are a major component of the TME, providing physical support in it and secreting various proteins, such as extracellular matrices (ECMs), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor 1/2 (ILGF1/2) and cytokines that can modulate tumor growth and survival. As such, CAF-derived signaling may increase the pool of resistant cells, thus reducing the duration of clinical responses and increasing the degree of heterogeneity within tumors. Although CAFs are often implicated to be associated with tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance, several studies have reported that CAFs have significant phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and some CAFs display antitumor and drug-sensitizing properties. Multiple studies have highlighted the relevance of crosstalk between HCC cells, CAFs and other stromal cells in influence of HCC progression. Although basic and clinical studies partially revealed the emerging roles of CAFs in immunotherapy resistance and immune evasion, a better understanding of the unique functions of CAFs in HCC progression will contribute to development of more effective molecular-targeted drugs. In this review article, molecular mechanisms involved in crosstalk between CAFs, HCC cells and other stromal cells, as well as the effects of CAFs on HCC-cell growth, metastasis, drug resistance and clinical outcomes, are comprehensively discussed.
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96
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Hadebe B, Harry L, Ebrahim T, Pillay V, Vorster M. The Role of PET/CT in Breast Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13040597. [PMID: 36832085 PMCID: PMC9955497 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13040597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%), followed by lung cancer (11.4%) The current literature and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines state that 18F-FDG PET/CT is not routine for early diagnosis of breast cancer, and rather PET/CT scanning should be performed for patients with stage III disease or when conventional staging studies yield non-diagnostic or suspicious results because this modality has been shown to upstage patients compared to conventional imaging and thus has an impact on disease management and prognosis. Furthermore, with the growing interest in precision therapy in breast cancer, numerous novel radiopharmaceuticals have been developed that target tumor biology and have the potential to non-invasively guide the most appropriate targeted therapy. This review discusses the role of 18F-FDG PET and other PET tracers beyond FDG in breast cancer imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bawinile Hadebe
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Correspondence:
| | - Lerwine Harry
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Tasmeera Ebrahim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Venesen Pillay
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Mariza Vorster
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4001, South Africa
- Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban 4001, South Africa
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97
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Kwon TY, Cho Y, Shin JH. Fibrous Matrix Architecture-Dependent Activation of Fibroblasts with a Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-like Phenotype. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:280-291. [PMID: 36573928 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most prevalent cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME). While several physicochemical cues from the TME, including growth factors, cytokines, and ECM specificity, have been identified as essential factors for CAF activation, the precise mechanism of how the ECM architecture regulates CAF initiation remains elusive. Using a gelatin-based electrospun fiber mesh, we examined the effect of matrix fiber density on CAF activation induced by MCF-7 conditioned media (CM). A less dense (3D) gelatin mesh matrix facilitated better activation of dermal fibroblasts into a CAF-like phenotype in the CM than a highly dense (3D) gelatin mesh matrix. In addition, it was discovered that CAF activation on the less dense (LD) matrix is dependent on the cell size-related AKT/mTOR signaling cascade, accompanied by an increase in intracellular tension within the well-spread fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Yoon Kwon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngbin Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jennifer H Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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98
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ERK and c-Myc signaling in host-derived tumor endothelial cells is essential for solid tumor growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211927120. [PMID: 36574698 PMCID: PMC9910475 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211927120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The limited efficacy of the current antitumor microenvironment strategies is due in part to the poor understanding of the roles and relative contributions of the various tumor stromal cells to tumor development. Here, we describe a versatile in vivo anthrax toxin protein delivery system allowing for the unambiguous genetic evaluation of individual tumor stromal elements in cancer. Our reengineered tumor-selective anthrax toxin exhibits potent antiproliferative activity by disrupting ERK signaling in sensitive cells. Since this activity requires the surface expression of the capillary morphogenesis protein-2 (CMG2) toxin receptor, genetic manipulation of CMG2 expression using our cell-type-specific CMG2 transgenic mice allows us to specifically define the role of individual tumor stromal cell types in tumor development. Here, we established mice with CMG2 only expressed in tumor endothelial cells (ECs) and determined the specific contribution of tumor stromal ECs to the toxin's antitumor activity. Our results demonstrate that disruption of ERK signaling only within tumor ECs is sufficient to halt tumor growth. We discovered that c-Myc is a downstream effector of ERK signaling and that the MEK-ERK-c-Myc central metabolic axis in tumor ECs is essential for tumor progression. As such, disruption of ERK-c-Myc signaling in host-derived tumor ECs by our tumor-selective anthrax toxins explains their high efficacy in solid tumor therapy.
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99
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Villegas-Pineda JC, Ramírez-de-Arellano A, Bueno-Urquiza LJ, Lizarazo-Taborda MDR, Pereira-Suárez AL. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in gynecological malignancies: are they really allies of the enemy? Front Oncol 2023; 13:1106757. [PMID: 37168385 PMCID: PMC10164963 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1106757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular and cellular components of the tumor microenvironment are essential for cancer progression. The cellular element comprises cancer cells and heterogeneous populations of non-cancer cells that satisfy tumor needs. Immune, vascular, and mesenchymal cells provide the necessary factors to feed the tumor mass, promote its development, and favor the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to adjacent and distant anatomical sites. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are mesenchymal cells that promote carcinogenesis and progression of various malignant neoplasms. CAFs act through the secretion of metalloproteinases, growth factors, cytokines, mitochondrial DNA, and non-coding RNAs, among other molecules. Over the last few years, the evidence on the leading role of CAFs in gynecological cancers has notably increased, placing them as the cornerstone of neoplastic processes. In this review, the recently reported findings regarding the promoting role that CAFs play in gynecological cancers, their potential use as therapeutic targets, and the new evidence suggesting that they could act as tumor suppressors are analyzed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Villegas-Pineda
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Adrián Ramírez-de-Arellano
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Lesly Jazmín Bueno-Urquiza
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | | | - Ana Laura Pereira-Suárez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Ana Laura Pereira-Suárez,
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100
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Niwa A, Taniguchi T, Tomita H, Okada H, Kinoshita T, Mizutani C, Matsuo M, Imaizumi Y, Kuroda T, Ichihashi K, Sugiyama T, Kanayama T, Yamaguchi Y, Sugie S, Matsuhashi N, Hara A. Conditional ablation of heparan sulfate expression in stromal fibroblasts promotes tumor growth in vivo. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281820. [PMID: 36809261 PMCID: PMC9942975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a glycocalyx component present in the extracellular matrix and cell-surface HS proteoglycans (HSPGs). Although HSPGs are known to play functional roles in multiple aspects of tumor development and progression, the effect of HS expression in the tumor stroma on tumor growth in vivo remains unclear. We conditionally deleted Ext1, which encodes a glycosyltransferase essential for the biosynthesis of HS chains, using S100a4-Cre (S100a4-Cre; Ext1f/f) to investigate the role of HS in cancer-associated fibroblasts, which is the main component of the tumor microenvironment. Subcutaneous transplantation experiments with murine MC38 colon cancer and Pan02 pancreatic cancer cells demonstrated substantially larger subcutaneous tumors in S100a4-Cre; Ext1f/f mice. Additionally, the number of myofibroblasts observed in MC38 and Pan02 subcutaneous tumors of S100a4-Cre; Ext1f/f mice decreased. Furthermore, the number of intratumoral macrophages decreased in MC38 subcutaneous tumors in S100a4-Cre; Ext1f/f mice. Finally, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) markedly increased in Pan02 subcutaneous tumors in S100a4-Cre; Ext1f/f mice, suggesting that it may contribute to rapid growth. Therefore, our study demonstrates that the tumor microenvironment with HS-reduced fibroblasts provides a favorable environment for tumor growth by affecting the function and properties of cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, and cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Niwa
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Taniguchi
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tomita
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Hideshi Okada
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Takamasa Kinoshita
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Chika Mizutani
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery/Pediatric Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Mikiko Matsuo
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Yuko Imaizumi
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Takahito Kuroda
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Koki Ichihashi
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Takaaki Sugiyama
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kanayama
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Yu Yamaguchi
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Shigeyuki Sugie
- Department of Pathology, Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Matsuhashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery/Pediatric Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Akira Hara
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
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