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Lim AR, Ghajar CM. Thorny ground, rocky soil: Tissue-specific mechanisms of tumor dormancy and relapse. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 78:104-123. [PMID: 33979673 PMCID: PMC9595433 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) spread systemically yet distinct patterns of metastasis indicate a range of tissue susceptibility to metastatic colonization. Distinctions between permissive and suppressive tissues are still being elucidated at cellular and molecular levels. Although there is a growing appreciation for the role of the microenvironment in regulating metastatic success, we have a limited understanding of how diverse tissues regulate DTC dormancy, the state of reversible quiescence and subsequent awakening thought to contribute to delayed relapse. Several themes of microenvironmental regulation of dormancy are beginning to emerge, including vascular association, co-option of pre-existing niches, metabolic adaptation, and immune evasion, with tissue-specific nuances. Conversely, DTC awakening is often associated with injury or inflammation-induced activation of the stroma, promoting a proliferative environment with DTCs following suit. We review what is known about tissue-specific regulation of tumor dormancy on a tissue-by-tissue basis, profiling major metastatic organs including the bone, lung, brain, liver, and lymph node. An aerial view of the barriers to metastatic growth may reveal common targets and dependencies to inform the therapeutic prevention of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Lim
- Public Health Sciences Division/Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Cyrus M Ghajar
- Public Health Sciences Division/Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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52
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Leveraging cellular mechano-responsiveness for cancer therapy. Trends Mol Med 2021; 28:155-169. [PMID: 34973934 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cells sense the biophysical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and adopt these signals in their development, progression, and metastatic dissemination. Recent work highlights the mechano-responsiveness of cells in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, approaches to mechano-modulating diverse types of cell have emerged aiming to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. These include targeting mechanosensitive machineries in cancer cells to induce apoptosis, intervening matrix stiffening incurred by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in both primary and metastatic tumor sites, and modulating matrix mechanics to improve immune cell therapeutic efficacy. This review is envisaged to help scientists and clinicians in cancer research to advance understanding of the cellular mechano-responsiveness in TME, and to harness these concepts for cancer mechanotherapies.
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53
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Capturing the third dimension in drug discovery: Spatially-resolved tools for interrogation of complex 3D cell models. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 55:107883. [PMID: 34875362 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Advanced three-dimensional (3D) cell models have proven to be capable of depicting architectural and microenvironmental features of several tissues. By providing data of higher physiological and pathophysiological relevance, 3D cell models have been contributing to a better understanding of human development, pathology onset and progression mechanisms, as well as for 3D cell-based assays for drug discovery. Nonetheless, the characterization and interrogation of these tissue-like structures pose major challenges on the conventional analytical methods, pushing the development of spatially-resolved technologies. Herein, we review recent advances and pioneering technologies suitable for the interrogation of multicellular 3D models, while capable of retaining biological spatial information. We focused on imaging technologies and omics tools, namely transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The advantages and shortcomings of these novel methodologies are discussed, alongside the opportunities to intertwine data from the different tools.
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Rijal G. Understanding the Role of Fibroblasts following a 3D Tumoroid Implantation for Breast Tumor Formation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8110163. [PMID: 34821729 PMCID: PMC8615023 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8110163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the participation and modulation of fibroblasts during tumor formation and growth is still unclear. Among many speculates, one might be the technical challenge to reveal the versatile function of fibroblasts in tissue complexity, and another is the dynamics in tissue physiology and cell activity. The histology of most solid tumors shows a predominant presence of fibroblasts, suggesting that tumor cells recruit fibroblasts for breast tumor growth. In this review paper, therefore, the migration, activation, differentiation, secretion, and signaling systems that are associated with fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) after implantation of a breast tumoroid, i.e., a lab-generated tumor tissue into an animal, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girdhari Rijal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Public Health, Tarleton State University, a Member of Texas A & M University System, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
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55
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Breast cancer dormancy is associated with a 4NG1 state and not senescence. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:140. [PMID: 34707097 PMCID: PMC8551199 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00347-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactivation of dormant cancer cells can lead to cancer relapse, metastasis, and patient death. Dormancy is a nonproliferative state and is linked to late relapse and death. No targeted therapy is currently available to eliminate dormant cells, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding and reliable models. Here, we thoroughly characterize the dormant D2.OR and ZR-75-1, and proliferative D2A1 breast cancer cell line models in vivo and/or in vitro, and assess if there is overlap between a dormant and a senescent phenotype. We show that D2.OR but not D2A1 cells become dormant in the liver of an immunocompetent model. In vitro, we show that D2.OR and ZR-75-1 cells in response to a 3D environment or serum-free conditions are growth-arrested in G1, of which a subpopulation resides in a 4NG1 state. The dormancy state is reversible and not associated with a senescence phenotype. This will aid future research on breast cancer dormancy.
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Di Martino JS, Akhter T, Bravo-Cordero JJ. Remodeling the ECM: Implications for Metastasis and Tumor Dormancy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4916. [PMID: 34638400 PMCID: PMC8507703 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
While most primary tumors can be effectively treated, therapeutics fail to efficiently eliminate metastases. Metastases arise from cancer cells that leave the primary tumor and seed distant sites. Recent studies have shown that cancer cells disseminate early during tumor progression and can remain dormant for years before they resume growth. In these metastatic organs, cancer cells reside in microenvironments where they interact with other cells, but also with the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM was long considered to be an inert, non-cellular component of tissues, providing their architecture. However, in recent years, a growing body of evidence has shown that the ECM is a key driver of cancer progression, and it can exert effects on tumor cells, regulating their metastatic fate. ECM remodeling and degradation is required for the early steps of the metastatic cascade: invasion, tumor intravasation, and extravasation. Similarly, ECM molecules have been shown to be important for metastatic outgrowth. However, the role of ECM molecules on tumor dormancy and their contribution to the dormancy-supportive niches is not well understood. In this perspective article, we will summarize the current knowledge of ECM and its role in tumor metastasis and dormancy. We will discuss how a better understanding of the individual components of the ECM niche and their roles mediating the dormant state of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) will advance the development of new therapies to target dormant cells and prevent metastasis outgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (J.S.D.M.); (T.A.)
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Transcriptome analysis of heterogeneity in mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:93. [PMID: 34579762 PMCID: PMC8477508 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer metastasis is a complex process involving the spread of malignant cells from a primary tumor to distal organs. Understanding this cascade at a mechanistic level could provide critical new insights into the disease and potentially reveal new avenues for treatment. Transcriptome profiling of spontaneous cancer models is an attractive method to examine the dynamic changes accompanying tumor cell spread. However, such studies are complicated by the underlying heterogeneity of the cell types involved. The purpose of this study was to examine the transcriptomes of metastatic breast cancer cells using the well-established MMTV-PyMT mouse model. Methods Organ-derived metastatic cell lines were harvested from 10 female MMTV-PyMT mice. Cancer cells were isolated and sorted based on the expression of CD44low/EpCAMhigh or CD44high/EpCAMhigh surface markers. RNA from each cell line was extracted and sequenced using the NextSeq 500 Illumina platform. Tissue-specific genes were compared across the different metastatic and primary tumor samples. Reads were mapped to the mouse genome using STAR, and gene expression was quantified using RSEM. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) was performed on select samples using the ddSeq platform by BioRad and analyzed using Seurat v3.2.3. Monocle2 was used to infer pseudo-time progression. Results Comparison of RNA sequencing data across all cell populations produced distinct gene clusters. Differential gene expression patterns related to CD44 expression, organ tropism, and immunomodulatory signatures were observed. scRNA-seq identified expression profiles based on tissue-dependent niches and clonal heterogeneity. These cohorts of data were narrowed down to identify subsets of genes with high expression and known metastatic propensity. Dot plot analyses further revealed clusters expressing cancer stem cell and cancer dormancy markers. Changes in relevant genes were investigated across pseudo-time and tissue origin using Monocle2. These data revealed transcriptomes that may contribute to sub-clonal evolution and treatment evasion during cancer progression. Conclusions We performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of tumor heterogeneity and organ tropism during breast cancer metastasis. These data add to our understanding of metastatic progression and highlight targets for breast cancer treatment. These markers could also be used to image the impact of tumor heterogeneity on metastases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-021-01468-x.
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Chakraborty S, DePalma TJ, Skardal A. Increasing Accuracy of In Vitro Cancer Models: Engineering Stromal Complexity into Tumor Organoid Platforms. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Srija Chakraborty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University 3022 Fontana Labs 140 W. 19th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Thomas J. DePalma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University 3022 Fontana Labs 140 W. 19th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Aleksander Skardal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University 3022 Fontana Labs 140 W. 19th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
- Center for Cancer Engineering The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center Columbus OH 43210 USA
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Miller AK, Brown JS, Enderling H, Basanta D, Whelan CJ. The Evolutionary Ecology of Dormancy in Nature and in Cancer. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.676802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Dormancy is an inactive period of an organism’s life cycle that permits it to survive through phases of unfavorable conditions in highly variable environments. Dormancy is not binary. There is a continuum of dormancy phenotypes that represent some degree of reduced metabolic activity (hypometabolism), reduced feeding, and reduced reproduction or proliferation. Similarly, normal cells and cancer cells exhibit a range of states from quiescence to long-term dormancy that permit survival in adverse environmental conditions. In contrast to organismal dormancy, which entails a reduction in metabolism, dormancy in cells (both normal and cancer) is primarily characterized by lack of cell division. “Cancer dormancy” also describes a state characterized by growth stagnation, which could arise from cells that are not necessarily hypometabolic or non-proliferative. This inconsistent terminology leads to confusion and imprecision that impedes progress in interdisciplinary research between ecologists and cancer biologists. In this paper, we draw parallels and contrasts between dormancy in cancer and other ecosystems in nature, and discuss the potential for studies in cancer to provide novel insights into the evolutionary ecology of dormancy.
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60
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Taïeb HM, Garske DS, Contzen J, Gossen M, Bertinetti L, Robinson T, Cipitria A. Osmotic pressure modulates single cell cycle dynamics inducing reversible growth arrest and reactivation of human metastatic cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13455. [PMID: 34188099 PMCID: PMC8242012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biophysical cues such as osmotic pressure modulate proliferation and growth arrest of bacteria, yeast cells and seeds. In tissues, osmotic regulation takes place through blood and lymphatic capillaries and, at a single cell level, water and osmoregulation play a critical role. However, the effect of osmotic pressure on single cell cycle dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effect of osmotic pressure on single cell cycle dynamics, nuclear growth, proliferation, migration and protein expression, by quantitative time-lapse imaging of single cells genetically modified with fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator 2 (FUCCI2). Single cell data reveals that under hyperosmotic stress, distinct cell subpopulations emerge with impaired nuclear growth, delayed or growth arrested cell cycle and reduced migration. This state is reversible for mild hyperosmotic stress, where cells return to regular cell cycle dynamics, proliferation and migration. Thus, osmotic pressure can modulate the reversible growth arrest and reactivation of human metastatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert M. Taïeb
- grid.419564.bDepartment of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Daniela S. Garske
- grid.419564.bDepartment of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jörg Contzen
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany ,grid.24999.3f0000 0004 0541 3699Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513 Teltow, Germany ,grid.484013.aBIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred Gossen
- grid.24999.3f0000 0004 0541 3699Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513 Teltow, Germany ,grid.484013.aBIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Luca Bertinetti
- grid.419564.bDepartment of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tom Robinson
- grid.419564.bDepartment of Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Amaia Cipitria
- grid.419564.bDepartment of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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61
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Chowdhury F, Huang B, Wang N. Cytoskeletal prestress: The cellular hallmark in mechanobiology and mechanomedicine. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2021; 78:249-276. [PMID: 33754478 PMCID: PMC8518377 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence demonstrates that mechanical forces, in addition to soluble molecules, impact cell and tissue functions in physiology and diseases. How living cells integrate mechanical signals to perform appropriate biological functions is an area of intense investigation. Here, we review the evidence of the central role of cytoskeletal prestress in mechanotransduction and mechanobiology. Elevating cytoskeletal prestress increases cell stiffness and reinforces cell stiffening, facilitates long-range cytoplasmic mechanotransduction via integrins, enables direct chromatin stretching and rapid gene expression, spurs embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, and boosts immune cell activation and killing of tumor cells whereas lowering cytoskeletal prestress maintains embryonic stem cell pluripotency, promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis of stem cell-like malignant tumor-repopulating cells, and elevates drug delivery efficiency of soft-tumor-cell-derived microparticles. The overwhelming evidence suggests that the cytoskeletal prestress is the governing principle and the cellular hallmark in mechanobiology. The application of mechanobiology to medicine (mechanomedicine) is rapidly emerging and may help advance human health and improve diagnostics, treatment, and therapeutics of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Chowdhury
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy ProcessesSouthern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular BiologyChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and EngineeringUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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Farino Reyes CJ, Pradhan S, Slater JH. The Influence of Ligand Density and Degradability on Hydrogel Induced Breast Cancer Dormancy and Reactivation. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002227. [PMID: 33929776 PMCID: PMC8555704 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The role of hydrogel properties in regulating the phenotype of triple negative metastatic breast cancer is investigated using four cell lines: the MDA-MB-231 parental line and three organotropic sublines BoM-1833 (bone-tropic), LM2-4175 (lung-tropic), and BrM2a-831 (brain-tropic). Each line is encapsulated and cultured for 15 days in three poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel formulations composed of proteolytically degradable PEG, integrin-ligating RGDS, and the non-degradable crosslinker N-vinyl pyrrolidone. Dormancy-associated metrics including viable cell density, proliferation, metabolism, apoptosis, chemoresistance, phosphorylated-ERK and -p38, and morphological characteristics are quantified. A multimetric classification approach is implemented to categorize each hydrogel-induced phenotype as: 1) growth, 2) balanced tumor dormancy, 3) balanced cellular dormancy, or 4) restricted survival, cellular dormancy. Hydrogels with high adhesivity and degradability promote growth. Hydrogels with no adhesivity, but high degradability, induce restricted survival, cellular dormancy in the parental line and balanced cellular dormancy in the organotropic lines. Hydrogels with reduced adhesivity and degradability induce balanced cellular dormancy in the parental and lung-tropic lines and balanced tumor mass dormancy in bone- and brain-tropic lines. The ability to induce escape from dormancy via dynamic incorporation of RGDS is also presented. These results demonstrate that ECM properties and organ-tropism synergistically regulate cancer cell phenotype and dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy J Farino Reyes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - John H Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 590 Avenue 1743, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
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63
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Bushnell GG, Deshmukh AP, den Hollander P, Luo M, Soundararajan R, Jia D, Levine H, Mani SA, Wicha MS. Breast cancer dormancy: need for clinically relevant models to address current gaps in knowledge. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:66. [PMID: 34050189 PMCID: PMC8163741 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00269-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA. Although advances in treatment over the past several decades have significantly improved the outlook for this disease, most women who are diagnosed with estrogen receptor positive disease remain at risk of metastatic relapse for the remainder of their life. The cellular source of late relapse in these patients is thought to be disseminated tumor cells that reactivate after a long period of dormancy. The biology of these dormant cells and their natural history over a patient's lifetime is largely unclear. We posit that research on tumor dormancy has been significantly limited by the lack of clinically relevant models. This review will discuss existing dormancy models, gaps in biological understanding, and propose criteria for future models to enhance their clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace G Bushnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Abhijeet P Deshmukh
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Petra den Hollander
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rama Soundararajan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and Departments of Physics and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Max S Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Shen S, Vagner S, Robert C. Persistent Cancer Cells: The Deadly Survivors. Cell 2021; 183:860-874. [PMID: 33186528 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Persistent cancer cells are the discrete and usually undetected cells that survive cancer drug treatment and constitute a major cause of treatment failure. These cells are characterized by their slow proliferation, highly flexible energy consumption, adaptation to their microenvironment, and phenotypic plasticity. Mechanisms that underlie their persistence offer highly coveted and sought-after therapeutic targets, and include diverse epigenetic, transcriptional, and translational regulatory processes, as well as complex cell-cell interactions. Although the successful clinical targeting of persistent cancer cells remains to be realized, immense progress has been made in understanding their persistence, yielding promising preclinical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shensi Shen
- INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.
| | - Stéphan Vagner
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, Orsay, France; Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, Orsay, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Orsay, France.
| | - Caroline Robert
- INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Dermato-Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.
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65
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Engineered ECM models: Opportunities to advance understanding of tumor heterogeneity. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2021; 72:1-9. [PMID: 33991804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity is a negative prognostic factor for cancer and commonly attributed to microenvironment-driven genetic mutations and/or the emergence of cancer stem-like cells. How aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling regulates the phenotypic diversity of tumor cells, however, remains poorly understood due in part to a lack of model systems that allow isolating the physicochemical heterogeneity of malignancy-associated ECM for mechanistic studies. Here, we review the compositional, microarchitectural, and mechanical hallmarks of cancer-associated ECM and highlight biomaterials and engineering approaches to recapitulate these properties for in vitro and in vivo studies. Subsequently, we describe how such engineered platforms may be explored to define the spatiotemporal dynamics through which cancer-associated ECM remodeling regulates intratumoral heterogeneity and the cancer stem-like cell phenotype. Finally, we highlight future opportunities and technological advances to further elucidate the relationship between tumor-associated ECM dynamics and intratumoral heterogeneity.
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Tumor Dormancy: Implications for Invasion and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094862. [PMID: 34064392 PMCID: PMC8124645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor dormancy refers to a critical stage of cancer development when tumor cells are present, but cancer does not progress. It includes both the concept of cellular dormancy, indicating the reversible switch of a cancer cell to a quiescent state, and that of tumor mass dormancy, indicating the presence of neoplastic masses that have reached cell population equilibrium via balanced growth/apoptosis rates. Tumor dormancy provides the conceptual framework, potentially explaining a major challenge in clinical oncology, tumor recurrence, which may occur years after cancer diagnosis. The mechanisms by which tumors are kept dormant, and what triggers their reawakening, are fundamental questions in cancer biology. It seems that a plethora of intracellular pathways and extracellular factors are involved in this process, rewiring the cells to plastically alter their metabolic and proliferative status. This phenomenon is highly dynamic in space and time. Mechanistic insights into both cellular and tumor dormancy have provided the rationale for targeting this otherwise stable period of cancer development, in order to prevent recurrence and maximize therapeutic benefit.
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67
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Drew J, Machesky LM. The liver metastatic niche: modelling the extracellular matrix in metastasis. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm048801. [PMID: 33973625 PMCID: PMC8077555 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.048801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Dissemination of malignant cells from primary tumours to metastatic sites is a key step in cancer progression. Disseminated tumour cells preferentially settle in specific target organs, and the success of such metastases depends on dynamic interactions between cancer cells and the microenvironments they encounter at secondary sites. Two emerging concepts concerning the biology of metastasis are that organ-specific microenvironments influence the fate of disseminated cancer cells, and that cancer cell-extracellular matrix interactions have important roles at all stages of the metastatic cascade. The extracellular matrix is the complex and dynamic non-cellular component of tissues that provides a physical scaffold and conveys essential adhesive and paracrine signals for a tissue's function. Here, we focus on how extracellular matrix dynamics contribute to liver metastases - a common and deadly event. We discuss how matrix components of the healthy and premetastatic liver support early seeding of disseminated cancer cells, and how the matrix derived from both cancer and liver contributes to the changes in niche composition as metastasis progresses. We also highlight the technical developments that are providing new insights into the stochastic, dynamic and multifaceted roles of the liver extracellular matrix in permitting and sustaining metastasis. An understanding of the contribution of the extracellular matrix to different stages of metastasis may well pave the way to targeted and effective therapies against metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Drew
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Laura M. Machesky
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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68
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Abstract
The extracellular matrix is a fundamental, core component of all tissues and organs, and is essential for the existence of multicellular organisms. From the earliest stages of organism development until death, it regulates and fine-tunes every cellular process in the body. In cancer, the extracellular matrix is altered at the biochemical, biomechanical, architectural and topographical levels, and recent years have seen an exponential increase in the study and recognition of the importance of the matrix in solid tumours. Coupled with the advancement of new technologies to study various elements of the matrix and cell-matrix interactions, we are also beginning to see the deployment of matrix-centric, stromal targeting cancer therapies. This Review touches on many of the facets of matrix biology in solid cancers, including breast, pancreatic and lung cancer, with the aim of highlighting some of the emerging interactions of the matrix and influences that the matrix has on tumour onset, progression and metastatic dissemination, before summarizing the ongoing work in the field aimed at developing therapies to co-target the matrix in cancer and cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Cox
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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69
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Edwards CM, Johnson RW. From Good to Bad: The Opposing Effects of PTHrP on Tumor Growth, Dormancy, and Metastasis Throughout Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2021; 11:644303. [PMID: 33828987 PMCID: PMC8019909 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.644303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) is a multifaceted protein with several biologically active domains that regulate its many roles in normal physiology and human disease. PTHrP causes humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) through its endocrine actions and tumor-induced bone destruction through its paracrine actions. PTHrP has more recently been investigated as a regulator of tumor dormancy owing to its roles in regulating tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, and survival through autocrine/paracrine and intracrine signaling. Tumor expression of PTHrP in late stages of cancer progression has been shown to promote distant metastasis formation, especially in bone by promoting tumor-induced osteolysis and exit from dormancy. In contrast, PTHrP may protect against further tumor progression and improve patient survival in early disease stages. This review highlights current knowledge from preclinical and clinical studies examining the role of PTHrP in promoting tumor progression as well as skeletal and soft tissue metastasis, especially with regards to the protein as a regulator of tumor dormancy. The discussion will also provide perspectives on PTHrP as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target to inhibit tumor progression, prevent tumor recurrence, and improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney M Edwards
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Rachelle W Johnson
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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70
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Spada S, Tocci A, Di Modugno F, Nisticò P. Fibronectin as a multiregulatory molecule crucial in tumor matrisome: from structural and functional features to clinical practice in oncology. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:102. [PMID: 33731188 PMCID: PMC7972229 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01908-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and architecture may represent a novel approach to identify diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer. Among the ECM components, fibronectin and its fibrillary assembly represent the scaffold to build up the entire ECM structure, deeply affecting its features. Herein we focus on this extraordinary protein starting from its complex structure and defining its role in cancer as prognostic and theranostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Spada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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71
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Zangrossi M, Romani P, Chakravarty P, Ratcliffe CD, Hooper S, Dori M, Forcato M, Bicciato S, Dupont S, Sahai E, Montagner M. EphB6 Regulates TFEB-Lysosomal Pathway and Survival of Disseminated Indolent Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1079. [PMID: 33802447 PMCID: PMC7959459 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Late relapse of disseminated cancer cells is a common feature of breast and prostate tumors. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been shown to affect quiescence and reawakening of disseminated dormant cancer cells (DDCCs); however, the signals and processes sustaining the survival of DDCCs in a foreign environment are still poorly understood. We have recently shown that crosstalk with lung epithelial cells promotes survival of DDCCs of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors. By using a lung organotypic system and in vivo dissemination assays, here we show that the TFEB-lysosomal axis is activated in DDCCs and that it is modulated by the pro-survival ephrin receptor EphB6. TFEB lysosomal direct targets are enriched in DDCCs in vivo and correlate with relapse in ER+ breast cancer patients. Direct coculture of DDCCs with alveolar type I-like lung epithelial cells and dissemination in the lung drive lysosomal accumulation and EphB6 induction. EphB6 contributes to survival, TFEB transcriptional activity, and lysosome formation in DDCCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, signaling from EphB6 promotes the proliferation of surrounding lung parenchymal cells in vivo. Our data provide evidence that EphB6 is a key factor in the crosstalk between disseminated dormant cancer cells and the lung parenchyma and that the TFEB-lysosomal pathway plays an important role in the persistence of DDCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Zangrossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Patrizia Romani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Probir Chakravarty
- Bioinformatics Platform, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK;
| | - Colin D.H. Ratcliffe
- Tumor Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; (C.D.H.R.); (S.H.)
| | - Steven Hooper
- Tumor Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; (C.D.H.R.); (S.H.)
| | - Martina Dori
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.D.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Mattia Forcato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.D.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi, 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (M.D.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Sirio Dupont
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Erik Sahai
- Tumor Cell Biology Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; (C.D.H.R.); (S.H.)
| | - Marco Montagner
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo, 3, 35126 Padua, Italy; (M.Z.); (P.R.); (S.D.)
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72
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Hernández-Barranco A, Nogués L, Peinado H. Could Extracellular Vesicles Contribute to Generation or Awakening of "Sleepy" Metastatic Niches? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:625221. [PMID: 33738282 PMCID: PMC7960773 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.625221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-metastatic niches provide favorable conditions for tumor cells to disseminate, home to and grow in otherwise unfamiliar and distal microenvironments. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles are now recognized as carriers of key messengers secreted by primary tumors, signals that induce the formation of pre-metastatic niches. Recent evidence suggests that tumor cells can disseminate from the very earliest stages of primary tumor development. However, once they reach distal sites, tumor cells can persist in a dormant state for long periods of time until their growth is reactivated and they produce metastatic lesions. In this new scenario, the question arises as to whether extracellular vesicles could influence the formation of these metastatic niches with dormant tumor cells? (here defined as "sleepy niches"). If so, what are the molecular mechanisms involved? In this perspective-review article, we discuss the possible influence of extracellular vesicles in early metastatic dissemination and whether they might play a role in tumor cell dormancy. In addition, we comment whether extracellular vesicle-mediated signals may be involved in tumor cell awakening, considering the possibility that extracellular vesicles might serve as biomarkers to detect early metastasis and/or minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Hernández-Barranco
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Nogués
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor Peinado
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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73
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Chiou AE, Liu C, Moreno-Jiménez I, Tang T, Wagermaier W, Dean MN, Fischbach C, Fratzl P. Breast cancer-secreted factors perturb murine bone growth in regions prone to metastasis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf2283. [PMID: 33731354 PMCID: PMC7968847 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf2283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to bone, causing osteolytic lesions. However, how factors secreted by primary tumors affect the bone microenvironment before the osteolytic phase of metastatic tumor growth remains unclear. Understanding these changes is critical as they may regulate metastatic dissemination and progression. To mimic premetastatic bone adaptation, immunocompromised mice were injected with MDA-MB-231-conditioned medium [tumor-conditioned media (TCM)]. Subsequently, the bones of these mice were subjected to multiscale, correlative analysis including RNA sequencing, histology, micro-computed tomography, x-ray scattering analysis, and Raman imaging. In contrast to overt metastasis causing osteolysis, TCM treatment induced new bone formation that was characterized by increased mineral apposition rate relative to control bones, altered bone quality with less matrix and more carbonate substitution, and the deposition of disoriented mineral near the growth plate. Our study suggests that breast cancer-secreted factors may promote perturbed bone growth before metastasis, which could affect initial seeding of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron E Chiou
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Chuang Liu
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Inés Moreno-Jiménez
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tengteng Tang
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagermaier
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mason N Dean
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Peter Fratzl
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany.
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74
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Micek HM, Visetsouk MR, Masters KS, Kreeger PK. Engineering the Extracellular Matrix to Model the Evolving Tumor Microenvironment. iScience 2020; 23:101742. [PMID: 33225247 PMCID: PMC7666341 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence supports a role for the extracellular matrix (ECM) in cancer risk and prognosis across multiple tumor types, and numerous studies have demonstrated that individual ECM components impact key hallmarks of tumor progression (e.g., proliferation, migration, angiogenesis). However, the ECM is a complex network of fibrillar proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that undergoes dramatic changes in composition and organization during tumor development. In this review, we will highlight how engineering approaches can be used to examine the impact of changes in tissue architecture, ECM composition (i.e., identity and levels of individual ECM components), and cellular- and tissue-level mechanics on tumor progression. In addition, we will discuss recently developed methods to model the ECM that have not yet been applied to the study of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Micek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Mike R. Visetsouk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Kristyn S. Masters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Pamela K. Kreeger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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75
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Ombrato L, Montagner M. Technical Advancements for Studying Immune Regulation of Disseminated Dormant Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:594514. [PMID: 33251149 PMCID: PMC7672194 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.594514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastases are a major cause of cancer-related death and despite the fact that they have been focus of intense research over the last two decades, effective therapies for patients with distant secondary lesions are still very limited. In addition, in some tumor types metastases can grow years after the patients have been declared clinically cured, indicating that disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) persist undetected for years, even decades in a quiescent state. Clinical and experimental data highlight the importance of the immune system in shaping the fitness and behaviour of DCCs. Here, we review mechanisms of survival, quiescence and outgrowth of DCCs with a special focus on immune-regulation and we highlight the latest cutting-edge techniques for modelling the biology of DCCs in vitro and for studying the metastatic niche in vivo. We believe that a wide dissemination of those techniques will boost scientific findings towards new therapies to defeat metastatic relapses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Ombrato
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Montagner
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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76
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Sistigu A, Musella M, Galassi C, Vitale I, De Maria R. Tuning Cancer Fate: Tumor Microenvironment's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Quiescence and Reawakening. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2166. [PMID: 33193295 PMCID: PMC7609361 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell dormancy is a common feature of human tumors and represents a major clinical barrier to the long-term efficacy of anticancer therapies. Dormant cancer cells, either in primary tumors or disseminated in secondary organs, may reawaken and relapse into a more aggressive disease. The mechanisms underpinning dormancy entry and exit strongly resemble those governing cancer cell stemness and include intrinsic and contextual cues. Cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment persistently interact with cancer cells. This dialog is highly dynamic, as it evolves over time and space, strongly cooperates with intrinsic cell nets, and governs cancer cell features (like quiescence and stemness) and fate (survival and outgrowth). Therefore, there is a need for deeper insight into the biology of dormant cancer (stem) cells and the mechanisms regulating the equilibrium quiescence-versus-proliferation are vital in our pursuit of new therapeutic opportunities to prevent cancer from recurring. Here, we review and discuss microenvironmental regulations of cancer dormancy and its parallels with cancer stemness, and offer insights into the therapeutic strategies adopted to prevent a lethal recurrence, by either eradicating resident dormant cancer (stem) cells or maintaining them in a dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Sistigu
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Musella
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Galassi
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilio Vitale
- IIGM - Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCSS Candiolo (TO), Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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77
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Mierke CT. Mechanical Cues Affect Migration and Invasion of Cells From Three Different Directions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583226. [PMID: 33043017 PMCID: PMC7527720 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.583226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration and invasion is a key driving factor for providing essential cellular functions under physiological conditions or the malignant progression of tumors following downward the metastatic cascade. Although there has been plentiful of molecules identified to support the migration and invasion of cells, the mechanical aspects have not yet been explored in a combined and systematic manner. In addition, the cellular environment has been classically and frequently assumed to be homogeneous for reasons of simplicity. However, motility assays have led to various models for migration covering only some aspects and supporting factors that in some cases also include mechanical factors. Instead of specific models, in this review, a more or less holistic model for cell motility in 3D is envisioned covering all these different aspects with a special emphasis on the mechanical cues from a biophysical perspective. After introducing the mechanical aspects of cell migration and invasion and presenting the heterogeneity of extracellular matrices, the three distinct directions of cell motility focusing on the mechanical aspects are presented. These three different directions are as follows: firstly, the commonly used invasion tests using structural and structure-based mechanical environmental signals; secondly, the mechano-invasion assay, in which cells are studied by mechanical forces to migrate and invade; and thirdly, cell mechanics, including cytoskeletal and nuclear mechanics, to influence cell migration and invasion. Since the interaction between the cell and the microenvironment is bi-directional in these assays, these should be accounted in migration and invasion approaches focusing on the mechanical aspects. Beyond this, there is also the interaction between the cytoskeleton of the cell and its other compartments, such as the cell nucleus. In specific, a three-element approach is presented for addressing the effect of mechanics on cell migration and invasion by including the effect of the mechano-phenotype of the cytoskeleton, nucleus and the cell's microenvironment into the analysis. In precise terms, the combination of these three research approaches including experimental techniques seems to be promising for revealing bi-directional impacts of mechanical alterations of the cellular microenvironment on cells and internal mechanical fluctuations or changes of cells on the surroundings. Finally, different approaches are discussed and thereby a model for the broad impact of mechanics on cell migration and invasion is evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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78
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Wang Z, Liu H, Yan Y, Yang X, Zhang Y, Wu L. Integrated Proteomic and N-Glycoproteomic Analyses of Human Breast Cancer. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:3499-3509. [PMID: 32543193 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. In the past decades, many advances have been made in understanding and treating breast cancer. However, due to the highly heterogeneous nature of this disease, a precise characterization of breast cancer on the molecular level is of great importance but not yet readily available. In the present study, we systematically profiled proteomes and N-glycoproteomes of cancerous, paracancerous, and distal noncancerous tissues from patients with breast cancer. The data revealed distinct proteomic and N-glycoproteomic landscapes between different tissues, showing biological insights obtained from the two data sets were complementary. Specifically, the complement and angiogenesis pathways in the paracancerous tissues were activated. Taken together, the changes that occurred in paracancer tissue and N-glycoproteomics are important complements to the conventional proteomic analysis of cancer tissue. Their combination provides more precise and sensitive molecular correlates of breast cancer. Our data and strategy shed light on precisely defining breast cancer, providing valuable information for individual patient diagnosis and treatment. The MS data of this study have been deposited under the accession number IPX0001924000 at iProX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of General Surgery, South Campus, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 2000 Jiang Yue Road, Shanghai 201112, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xiangyun Yang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yaoyang Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Linshi Wu
- Department of General Surgery, South Campus, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 2000 Jiang Yue Road, Shanghai 201112, China
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79
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Ashrafizadeh M, Zarrabi A, Hushmandi K, Kalantari M, Mohammadinejad R, Javaheri T, Sethi G. Association of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) with Cisplatin Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4002. [PMID: 32503307 PMCID: PMC7312011 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy resistance is a characteristic of cancer cells that significantly reduces the effectiveness of drugs. Despite the popularity of cisplatin (CP) as a chemotherapeutic agent, which is widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer, resistance of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy has been extensively observed. Among various reported mechanism(s), the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process can significantly contribute to chemoresistance by converting the motionless epithelial cells into mobile mesenchymal cells and altering cell-cell adhesion as well as the cellular extracellular matrix, leading to invasion of tumor cells. By analyzing the impact of the different molecular pathways such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, nuclear factor-κB (NF-ĸB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR), and Wnt, which play an important role in resistance exhibited to CP therapy, we first give an introduction about the EMT mechanism and its role in drug resistance. We then focus specifically on the molecular pathways involved in drug resistance and the pharmacological strategies that can be used to mitigate this resistance. Overall, we highlight the various targeted signaling pathways that could be considered in future studies to pave the way for the inhibition of EMT-mediated resistance displayed by tumor cells in response to CP exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran;
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
- Center of Excellence for Functional Surfaces and Interfaces (EFSUN), Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417414418, Iran;
- Kazerun Health Technology Incubator, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 1433671348, Iran
| | - Mahshad Kalantari
- Department of Genetic Science, Tehran Medical Science Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 19168931813, Iran;
| | - Reza Mohammadinejad
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 1355576169, Iran
| | - Tahereh Javaheri
- Health Informatics Lab, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore;
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Iturri J, Weber A, Vivanco MD, Toca-Herrera JL. Single-Cell Probe Force Studies to Identify Sox2 Overexpression-Promoted Cell Adhesion in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2020; 9:E935. [PMID: 32290242 PMCID: PMC7227807 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The replacement of the cantilever tip by a living cell in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) experiments permits the direct quantification of cell-substrate and cell-cell adhesion forces. This single-cell probe force measurement technique, when complemented by microscopy, allows controlled manipulation of the cell with defined location at the area of interest. In this work, a setup based on two glass half-slides, a non-fouling one with bacterial S-layer protein SbpA from L. sphaericus CMM 2177 and the second with a fibronectin layer, has been employed to measure the adhesion of MCF7 breast cancer cells to fibronectin films (using SbpA as control) and to other cells (symmetric vs. asymmetric systems). The measurements aimed to characterize and compare the adhesion capacities of parental cells and cells overexpressing the embryonic transcription factor Sox2, which have a higher capacity for invasion and are more resistant to endocrine therapy in vivo. Together with the use of fluorescence techniques (epifluorescence, Total Internal Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRF)), the visualization of vinculin and actin distribution in cells in contact with fibronectin surfaces is enabled, facilitating the monitoring and quantification of the formation of adhesion complexes. These findings demonstrate the strength of this combined approach to assess and compare the adhesion properties of cell lines and to illustrate the heterogeneity of adhesive strength found in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagoba Iturri
- Department of Nanobiotechnology (DNBT), Institute for Biophysics, BOKU University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11 (Simon Zeisel Haus), A-1190 Vienna, Austria; (A.W.); (J.L.T.-H.)
| | - Andreas Weber
- Department of Nanobiotechnology (DNBT), Institute for Biophysics, BOKU University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11 (Simon Zeisel Haus), A-1190 Vienna, Austria; (A.W.); (J.L.T.-H.)
| | - María d.M. Vivanco
- Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - José L. Toca-Herrera
- Department of Nanobiotechnology (DNBT), Institute for Biophysics, BOKU University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11 (Simon Zeisel Haus), A-1190 Vienna, Austria; (A.W.); (J.L.T.-H.)
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