51
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Bassoy EY, Walch M, Martinvalet D. Reactive Oxygen Species: Do They Play a Role in Adaptive Immunity? Front Immunol 2021; 12:755856. [PMID: 34899706 PMCID: PMC8653250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.755856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system protects the host from a plethora of microorganisms and toxins through its unique ability to distinguish self from non-self. To perform this delicate but essential task, the immune system relies on two lines of defense. The innate immune system, which is by nature fast acting, represents the first line of defense. It involves anatomical barriers, physiological factors as well as a subset of haematopoietically-derived cells generically call leukocytes. Activation of the innate immune response leads to a state of inflammation that serves to both warn about and combat the ongoing infection and delivers the antigenic information of the invading pathogens to initiate the slower but highly potent and specific second line of defense, the adaptive immune system. The adaptive immune response calls on T lymphocytes as well as the B lymphocytes essential for the elimination of pathogens and the establishment of the immunological memory. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in many aspects of the immune responses to pathogens, mostly in innate immune functions, such as the respiratory burst and inflammasome activation. Here in this mini review, we focus on the role of ROS in adaptive immunity. We examine how ROS contribute to T-cell biology and discuss whether this activity can be extrapolated to B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esen Yonca Bassoy
- International Society of Liver Surgeons (ISLS), Cankaya Ankara, Turkey.,Departments of Immunology and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Michael Walch
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, Anatomy Unit, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Denis Martinvalet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
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52
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Targeted Therapy Modulates the Secretome of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Induce Resistance in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413297. [PMID: 34948097 PMCID: PMC8706990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of trastuzumab plus pertuzumab plus docetaxel as a first-line therapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer has provided significant clinical benefits compared to trastuzumab plus docetaxel alone. However, despite the therapeutic success of existing therapies targeting HER2, tumours invariably relapse. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the mechanisms governing resistance, so that specific therapeutic strategies can be developed to provide improved efficacy. It is well known that the tumour microenvironment (TME) has a significant impact on cancer behaviour. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential components of the tumour stroma that have been linked to acquired therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis in breast cancer. For this reason, it would be of interest to identify novel biomarkers in the tumour stroma that could emerge as therapeutic targets for the modulation of resistant phenotypes. Conditioned medium experiments carried out in our laboratory with CAFs derived from HER2-positive patients showed a significant capacity to promote resistance to trastuzumab plus pertuzumab therapies in two HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines (BCCLs), even in the presence of docetaxel. In order to elucidate the components of the CAF-conditioned medium that may be relevant in the promotion of BCCL resistance, we implemented a multiomics strategy to identify cytokines, transcription factors, kinases and miRNAs in the secretome that have specific targets in cancer cells. The combination of cytokine arrays, label-free LC-MS/MS quantification and miRNA analysis to explore the secretome of CAFs under treatment conditions revealed several up- and downregulated candidates. We discuss the potential role of some of the most interesting candidates in generating resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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53
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Fei L, Ren X, Yu H, Zhan Y. Targeting the CCL2/CCR2 Axis in Cancer Immunotherapy: One Stone, Three Birds? Front Immunol 2021; 12:771210. [PMID: 34804061 PMCID: PMC8596464 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.771210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CCR2 is predominantly expressed by monocytes/macrophages with strong proinflammatory functions, prompting the development of CCR2 antagonists to dampen unwanted immune responses in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Paradoxically, CCR2-expressing monocytes/macrophages, particularly in tumor microenvironments, can be strongly immunosuppressive. Thus, targeting the recruitment of immunosuppressive monocytes/macrophages to tumors by CCR2 antagonism has recently been investigated as a strategy to modify the tumor microenvironment and enhance anti-tumor immunity. We present here that beneficial effects of CCR2 antagonism in the tumor setting extend beyond blocking chemotaxis of suppressive myeloid cells. Signaling within the CCL2/CCR2 axis shows underappreciated effects on myeloid cell survival and function polarization. Apart from myeloid cells, T cells are also known to express CCR2. Nevertheless, tissue homing of Treg cells among T cell populations is preferentially affected by CCR2 deficiency. Further, CCR2 signaling also directly enhances Treg functional potency. Thus, although Tregs are not the sole type of T cells expressing CCR2, the net outcome of CCR2 antagonism in T cells favors the anti-tumor arm of immune responses. Finally, the CCL2/CCR2 axis directly contributes to survival/growth and invasion/metastasis of many types of tumors bearing CCR2. Together, CCR2 links to two main types of suppressive immune cells by multiple mechanisms. Such a CCR2-assoicated immunosuppressive network is further entangled with paracrine and autocrine CCR2 signaling of tumor cells. Strategies to target CCL2/CCR2 axis as cancer therapy in the view of three types of CCR2-expessing cells in tumor microenvironment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Fei
- Department of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Huaota Biopharm, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochen Ren
- Department of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Huaota Biopharm, Shanghai, China
| | - Haijia Yu
- Department of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Huaota Biopharm, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Zhan
- Department of Drug Discovery, Shanghai Huaota Biopharm, Shanghai, China
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54
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Loh JJ, Li TW, Zhou L, Wong TL, Liu X, Ma VWS, Lo CM, Man K, Lee TK, Ning W, Tong M, Ma S. FSTL1 Secreted by Activated Fibroblasts Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis and Stemness. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5692-5705. [PMID: 34551961 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-4226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in maintaining the immature phenotype of tumor-initiating cells (TIC) to promote cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a unique disease in that it develops in the setting of fibrosis and cirrhosis. This pathologic state commonly shows an enrichment of stromal myofibroblasts, which constitute the bulk of the tumor microenvironment and contribute to disease progression. Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) has been widely reported as a proinflammatory mediator in different fibrosis-related and inflammatory diseases. Here we show FSTL1 expression to be closely correlated with activated fibroblasts and to be elevated in regenerative, fibrotic, and disease liver states in various mouse models. Consistently, FSTL1 lineage cells gave rise to myofibroblasts in a CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model. Clinically, high FSTL1 in fibroblast activation protein-positive (FAP+) fibroblasts were significantly correlated with more advanced tumors in patients with HCC. Although FSTL1 was expressed in primary fibroblasts derived from patients with HCC, it was barely detectable in HCC cell lines. Functional investigations revealed that treatment of HCC cells and patient-derived 3D organoids with recombinant FSTL1 or with conditioned medium collected from hepatic stellate cells or from cells overexpressing FSTL1 could promote HCC growth and metastasis. FSTL1 bound to TLR4 receptor, resulting in activation of AKT/mTOR/4EBP1 signaling. In a preclinical mouse model, blockade of FSTL1 mitigated HCC malignancy and metastasis, sensitized HCC tumors to sorafenib, prolonged survival, and eradicated the TIC subset. Collectively, these data suggest that FSTL1 may serve as an important novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that FSTL1 secreted by activated fibroblasts in the liver microenvironment augments hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy, providing a potential new strategy to improve treatment of this aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jian Loh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Tsz-Wai Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Tin-Lok Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Xue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Victor W S Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Chung-Mau Lo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Kwan Man
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Terence K Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Wen Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Man Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. .,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. .,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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55
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Li Z, Zhang X, Liu C, Ma J. Non-immune Cell Components in the Gastrointestinal Tumor Microenvironment Influencing Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:729941. [PMID: 34722510 PMCID: PMC8549829 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.729941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions of genetic susceptibility factors, immune microenvironment, and microbial factors contribute to gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. The suppressive immune microenvironment reshaped by the tumors during gastrointestinal tumorigenesis directly contributes to T-cell depletion in tumor immunotherapy. Soluble factors secreted by tumor cells or stromal cells collectively shape the suppressive immune environment. Here, we reviewed the key factors in the gastrointestinal tumor microenvironment that influence tumor immunotherapy, focusing on the effects of fibroblasts, neuronal cells, soluble cytokines, exosomes, and the microbiome in tumor microenvironment. Research in this field has helped to identify more precise and effective biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the era of tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengshuo Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Changsha, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyue Zhang
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Changsha, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Changsha, China
| | - Can Liu
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Changsha, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Changsha, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Changsha, China
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56
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Nakamura N, Sloper DT. Altered expression of genes identified in rats with prostatic chronic inflammation in a prostate spheroid model treated by estradiol/testosterone. J Toxicol Sci 2021; 46:515-523. [PMID: 34719554 DOI: 10.2131/jts.46.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Rats are the standard model for male reproductive toxicity testing. Rat prostates are physiologically and anatomically different from those of humans. Drug and chemical toxicity testing would benefit from an in vitro model of human prostate cells. Recently, spheroids derived by three-dimensional culture of human cell lines have been used for assessing drug and chemical toxicity in vitro as they mimic in vivo environments more closely than two-dimensional culture. However, forming consistently sized, uniform spheroids is technically challenging for toxicity testing. The purpose of this study was to identify potential genetic markers for assessing prostatic toxicity in spheroids. We formed prostate spheroids using agarose-coated plates seeded with human primary prostate epithelial cells. Prostate spheroids were treated with either 17β-estradiol (E2) or testosterone (T) on days 2-7 of culture. Samples were harvested on culture day 7. qPCR was used to examine gene expression levels previously identified in rats with chronic inflammation exposed to estradiol benzoate, E2 and/or T. Changes in some gene expression levels were observed in the spheroids treated with E2 or T. We found that treatment with 1 nM E2 and/or 10 μM T significantly altered spheroid proliferation and viability, as well as the expression levels of genes including Nanog homeobox (NANOG), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2). Further studies using biologically active molecules with prostatic toxicity are needed to verify the results and to determine whether gene expression changes in the spheroid are specific to E2 or T treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Nakamura
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, USA
| | - Daniel T Sloper
- Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, USA
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57
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Elwakeel E, Weigert A. Breast Cancer CAFs: Spectrum of Phenotypes and Promising Targeting Avenues. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11636. [PMID: 34769066 PMCID: PMC8583860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Activationof the tumor-associated stroma to support tumor growth is a common feature observed in different cancer entities. This principle is exemplified by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are educated by the tumor to shape its development across all stages. CAFs can alter the extracellular matrix (ECM) and secrete a variety of different molecules. In that manner they have the capability to affect activation, survival, proliferation, and migration of other stromal cells and cancer cell themselves. Alteration of the ECM, desmoplasia, is a common feature of breast cancer, indicating a prominent role for CAFs in shaping tumor development in the mammary gland. In this review, we summarize the multiple roles CAFs play in mammary carcinoma. We discuss experimental and clinical strategies to interfere with CAFs function in breast cancer. Moreover, we highlight the issues arising from CAFs heterogeneity and the need for further research to identify CAFs subpopulation(s) that can be targeted to improve breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiman Elwakeel
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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58
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Yao H, He S. Multi‑faceted role of cancer‑associated adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment (Review). Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:866. [PMID: 34676881 PMCID: PMC8554381 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipocytes are a type of stromal cell found in numerous different tissues that serve an active role in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) display a malignant phenotype and are found at the invasive tumor front, which mediates the crosstalk network between adipocytes (the precursor cells that will become cancer-associated adipocytes in the future) and cancer cells. The present review covers the mechanisms of adipocytes in the development of cancer, including metabolic reprogramming, chemotherapy resistance and adipokine regulation. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms involved in the adipocyte-cancer cell cycle in various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, colon and rectal cancer, are discussed. Deciphering the complex network of CAA-cancer cell crosstalk will provide insights into tumor biology and optimize therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Yao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Songbing He
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
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59
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Lodestijn SC, Miedema DM, Lenos KJ, Nijman LE, Belt SC, El Makrini K, Lecca MC, Waasdorp C, van den Bosch T, Bijlsma MF, Vermeulen L. Marker-free lineage tracing reveals an environment-instructed clonogenic hierarchy in pancreatic cancer. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109852. [PMID: 34686335 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109852] [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: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are lacking, and targeted agents have demonstrated limited efficacy. It has been speculated that a rare population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) drives growth, therapy resistance, and rapid metastatic progression in PDAC. These CSCs demonstrate high clonogenicity in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo. However, their relevance in established PDAC tissue has not been determined. Here, we use marker-independent stochastic clonal labeling, combined with quantitative modeling of tumor expansion, to uncover PDAC tissue growth dynamics. We find that in contrast to the CSC model, all PDAC cells display clonogenic potential in situ. Furthermore, the proximity to activated cancer-associated fibroblasts determines tumor cell clonogenicity. This means that the microenvironment is dominant in defining the clonogenic activity of PDAC cells. Indeed, manipulating the stroma by Hedgehog pathway inhibition alters the tumor growth mode, revealing that tumor-stroma crosstalk shapes tumor growth dynamics and clonal architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie C Lodestijn
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daniël M Miedema
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kristiaan J Lenos
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisanne E Nijman
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia C Belt
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Khalid El Makrini
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria C Lecca
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cynthia Waasdorp
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van den Bosch
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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60
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Metallothionein 2A Expression in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Cells Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184552. [PMID: 34572779 PMCID: PMC8464741 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are tumor promoters in various cancers. We previously reported a correlation between the high expression of the CAF marker fibroblast activation protein and poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We also found that metallothionein 2A (MT2A) is highly expressed in CAF-like cells that we established. In the current study, we explored the role of MT2A in ESCC progression. MT2A expression in the CAF-like cells induced expression and secretion of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), which promoted the migration and invasiveness of ESCC cells through the NFκB, Akt, and Erk signaling pathways. Furthermore, MT2A was involved in ESCC cell growth, migration, and invasiveness. Moreover, high expression of MT2A in the cancer tissue correlated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients. Briefly, we demonstrate that MT2A and IGFBP2 are potential novel therapeutic targets in ESCC. Abstract Esophageal cancer has the sixth highest mortality rate worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are involved in the progression of various cancers. Previously, we demonstrated an association between high expression of the CAF marker, fibroblast activation protein, and poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We also established CAF-like cells by indirect co-culture of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with ESCC cell lines and found metallothionein 2A (MT2A) to be highly expressed in them. Here, to explore the function of MT2A in CAFs, we silenced MT2A in the CAF-like cells and ESCC cell lines using small interfering RNA. MT2A knockdown in the CAF-like cells suppressed expression and secretion of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2); recombinant IGFBP2 promoted migration and invasiveness of ESCC cells via NFκB, Akt, and Erk signaling pathways. Furthermore, MT2A knockdown in the ESCC cell lines inhibited their growth, migration, and invasiveness. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that high MT2A expression in the cancer stroma and cancer nest of ESCC tissues correlated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients. Hence, we report that MT2A in CAFs and cancer cells contributes to ESCC progression. MT2A and IGFBP2 are potential novel therapeutic targets in ESCC.
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61
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Chamseddine AN, Assi T, Mir O, Chouaib S. Modulating tumor-associated macrophages to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors: A TAM-pting approach. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 231:107986. [PMID: 34481812 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) plasticity and diversity are both essential hallmarks of the monocyte-macrophage lineage and the tumor-derived inflammation. TAM exemplify the perfect adaptable cell with dynamic phenotypic modifications that reflect changes in their functional polarization status. Under several tumor microenvironment (TME)-related cues, TAM shift their polarization, hence promoting or halting cancer progression. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) displayed unprecedented clinical responses in various refractory cancers; but only approximately a third of patients experienced durable responses. It is, therefore, crucial to enhance the response rate of immunotherapy. Several mechanisms of resistance to ICI have been elucidated including TAM role with its essential immunosuppressive functions that reduce both anti-tumor immunity and the subsequent ICI efficacy. In the past few years, thorough research has led to a better understanding of TAM biology and innovative approaches can now be adapted through targeting macrophages' recruitment axis as well as TAM activation and polarization status within the TME. Some of these therapeutic strategies are currently being evaluated in several clinical trials in association with ICI agents. This combination between TAM modulation and ICI allows targeting TAM intrinsic immunosuppressive functions and tumor-promoting factors as well as overcoming ICI resistance. Hence, such strategies, with a better understanding of the mechanisms driving TAM modulation, may have the potential to optimize ICI efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali N Chamseddine
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, CESP INSERM U1018, OncoStat, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France.
| | - Tarek Assi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Olivier Mir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France; Department of Pharmacology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France; Department of Ambulatory Care, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Salem Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805, Villejuif, France
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62
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β-Catenin-CCL2 feedback loop mediates crosstalk between cancer cells and macrophages that regulates breast cancer stem cells. Oncogene 2021; 40:5854-5865. [PMID: 34345015 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01986-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Though advances in diagnosis and treatment have prolonged overall survival (OS) for patients with breast cancer, metastasis remains the major obstacles to improved survival for breast cancer patients. The existence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is a major reason underlying cancer metastasis and recurrence. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways sustaining BCSC properties and targeting BCSCs will ultimately improve breast cancer treatments. In this study, we found that activation of β-Catenin directly regulated CCL2 expression at the transcriptional level, and in turn promoted macrophages infiltration and M2 polarization. Moreover, macrophages co-cultured with breast cancer cells showed a significant increase in CCL2 expression and promoted β-Catenin-induced BCSCs properties, whereas depletion of CCL2 by adding neutralizing antibodies suppressed BSCSs properties. In addition, we found that β-Catenin-mediated CCL2 secretion recruited macrophages into tumor microenvironment and promoted breast cancer growth and metastasis in vivo. Clinically, we observed a significant positive correlation between β-Catenin, CCL2 and CD163 expression, and increased expression of β-Catenin, CCL2 and CD163 predicted poor prognosis in breast cancer. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of CCR2 and β-Catenin synergistically suppressed BCSC properties and breast cancer growth. Collectively, our findings suggested that β-Catenin-mediated CCL2 secretion forms a paracrine feedback loop between breast cancer cells and macrophages, which in turn promotes BCSC properties and supports breast cancer growth and metastasis. Targeting β-Catenin/CCL2 signaling might be an effective strategy for breast cancer therapy.
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63
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Rabionet M, Polonio-Alcalá E, Relat J, Yeste M, Sims-Mourtada J, Kloxin AM, Planas M, Feliu L, Ciurana J, Puig T. Fatty acid synthase as a feasible biomarker for triple negative breast cancer stem cell subpopulation cultured on electrospun scaffolds. Mater Today Bio 2021; 12:100155. [PMID: 34841239 PMCID: PMC8606546 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no targeted therapy for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which presents an aggressive profile and poor prognosis. Recent studies noticed the feasibility of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), a small population responsible for tumor initiation and relapse, to become a novel target for TNBC treatments. However, new cell culture supports need to be standardized since traditional two-dimensional (2D) surfaces do not maintain the stemness state of cells. Hence, three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds represent an alternative to study in vitro cell behavior without inducing cell differentiation. In this work, electrospun polycaprolactone scaffolds were used to enrich BCSC subpopulation of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells, confirmed by the upregulation of several stemness markers and the existence of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition within 3D culture. Moreover, 3D-cultured cells displayed a shift from MAPK to PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, accompanied by an enhanced EGFR and HER2 activation, especially at early cell culture times. Lastly, the fatty acid synthase (FASN), a lipogenic enzyme overexpressed in several carcinomas, was found to be hyperactivated in stemness-enriched samples. Its pharmacological inhibition led to stemness diminishment, overcoming the BCSC expansion achieved in 3D culture. Therefore, FASN may represent a novel target for BCSC niche in TNBC samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Rabionet
- New Therapeutic Targets Laboratory (TargetsLab) - Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Emili Grahit 77, 17003, Girona, Spain
- Product, Process and Production Engineering Research Group (GREP), Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Emma Polonio-Alcalá
- New Therapeutic Targets Laboratory (TargetsLab) - Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Emili Grahit 77, 17003, Girona, Spain
- Product, Process and Production Engineering Research Group (GREP), Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Joana Relat
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Food and Nutrition Torribera Campus, University of Barcelona, Prat de la Riba 171, 08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), E-08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
- CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBER-OBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Pic de Peguera 15, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Jennifer Sims-Mourtada
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Christiana Care Health Services, Inc, Newark, DE, USA
| | - April M. Kloxin
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Marta Planas
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Lidia Feliu
- LIPPSO, Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Ciurana
- Product, Process and Production Engineering Research Group (GREP), Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Construction, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 61, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Teresa Puig
- New Therapeutic Targets Laboratory (TargetsLab) - Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Emili Grahit 77, 17003, Girona, Spain
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64
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Ribatti D, Annese T, Tamma R. Controversial role of mast cells in breast cancer tumor progression and angiogenesis. Clin Breast Cancer 2021; 21:486-491. [PMID: 34580034 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a neoplastic disease and is a cause of cancer-related mortality for women. Among cellular and molecular regulators of the microenvironment, mast cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are correlated with tumor progression and prognosis in breast cancer. Clinical and experimental studies on breast cancer have revealed a marked correlation between increased angiogenesis, metastasization, and poorer prognosis. After a brief introduction on angiogenesis evidence and angiogenic factors role in different breast cancer subtypes, in this article, we have discerned the relationship between mast cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and tumor progression in human breast cancer with particular reference to the dual role of mast cells, in terms of both pro- or anti-tumoral activity and poor or good biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Annese
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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65
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Shan Q, Takabatake K, Omori H, Kawai H, Oo MW, Nakano K, Ibaragi S, Sasaki A, Nagatsuka H. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment promote the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Oncol 2021; 59:72. [PMID: 34368860 PMCID: PMC8360621 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can influence the progression of multiple types of cancer; however, data on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are limited. In the present study, the effects of verrucous squamous cell carcinoma-associated stromal cells (VSCC-SCs), squamous cell carcinoma-associated stromal cells (SCC-SCs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) on the tumor nest formation, proliferation, invasion and migration of HSC-3 cells were examined in vitro using Giemsa staining, MTS, and Transwell (invasion and migration) assays, respectively. The results revealed that both the VSCC-SCs and SCC-SCs inhibited the tumor nest formation, and promoted the proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells in vitro. Furthermore, the effects of VSCC-SCs, SCC-SCs and HDFs on the differentiation, proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells in vivo were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, immunohistochemistry and double-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining, respectively. The results demonstrated that the VSCC-SCs promoted the differentiation, proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells, while the SCC-SCs inhibited the differentiation, and promoted the proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells in vivo. Finally, microarray data were used to predict genes in VSCC-SCs and SCC-SCs that may influence the progression of OSCC, and those with potential to influence the differential effects of VSCC-SCs and SCC-SCs on the differentiation of OSCC. It was found that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)8, mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) may be involved in the crosstalk between VSCC-SCs, SCC-SCs and OSCC cells, which regulates the progression of OSCC. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), interleukin (IL)1B, Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOS), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), insulin (INS) and nerve growth factor (NGF) may be responsible for the differential effects of VSCC-SCs and SCC-SCs on the differentiation of OSCC. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that both VSCC-SCs and SCC-SCs may promote the progression of OSCC, and SCC-SCs were found to exert a more prominent promoting effect; this may represent a potential regulatory mechanism for the progression of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiusheng Shan
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Kiyofumi Takabatake
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Haruka Omori
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Hotaka Kawai
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - May Wathone Oo
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nakano
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Soichiro Ibaragi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Akira Sasaki
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nagatsuka
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kita‑ku, Okayama 700‑8525, Japan
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66
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Martínez-Chacón G, Yatkin E, Polari L, Deniz Dinç D, Peuhu E, Hartiala P, Saarinen N, Mäkelä S. CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) stimulates aromatase gene expression in mammary adipose tissue. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21536. [PMID: 33913559 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902485rrr] [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: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer. Obesity-related inflammation upregulates aromatase expression, the rate-limiting enzyme for estrogen synthesis, in breast adipose tissue (BAT), increasing estrogen production and cancer risk. The regulation of aromatase gene (CYP19A1) in BAT is complex, and the mechanisms linking obesity and aromatase dysregulation are not fully understood. An obesity-associated factor that could regulate aromatase is the CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, a pro-inflammatory factor that also activates signaling pathways implicated in CYP19A1 transcription. By using human primary breast adipose stromal cells (ASCs) and aromatase reporter (hARO-Luc) mouse mammary adipose explants, we demonstrated that CCL2 enhances the glucocorticoid-mediated CYP19A1 transcription. The potential mechanism involves the activation of PI.4 via ERK1/2 pathway. We also showed that CCL2 contributes to the pro-inflammatory milieu and aromatase expression in obesity, evidenced by increased expression of CCL2 and CYP19A1 in mammary tissues from obese hARO-Luc mice, and subcutaneous adipose tissue from obese women. In summary, our results indicate that postmenopausal obesity may promote CCL2 production in BAT, leading to exacerbation of the menopause-related inflammatory state and further stimulation of local aromatase and estrogens. These results provide new insights into the regulation of aromatase and may aid in finding approaches to prevent breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Martínez-Chacón
- Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Emrah Yatkin
- Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Central Animal Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lauri Polari
- Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Defne Deniz Dinç
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Emilia Peuhu
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Pauliina Hartiala
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Plastic and General Surgery, Turku University Hospital (TYS), Turku, Finland
| | - Niina Saarinen
- Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sari Mäkelä
- Functional Foods Forum, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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67
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Gaggianesi M, Di Franco S, Pantina VD, Porcelli G, D'Accardo C, Verona F, Veschi V, Colarossi L, Faldetta N, Pistone G, Bongiorno MR, Todaro M, Stassi G. Messing Up the Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance Mechanisms Supported by Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:702642. [PMID: 34354950 PMCID: PMC8330815 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.702642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent advances in cancer patient management and in the development of targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for many cancer types. After an initial partial response, patients become refractory to standard therapy fostering rapid tumor progression. Compelling evidence highlights that the resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is a peculiarity of a subpopulation of cancer cells within tumor mass, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). This cellular compartment is endowed with tumor-initiating and metastasis formation capabilities. CSC chemoresistance is sustained by a plethora of grow factors and cytokines released by neighboring tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mainly composed by adipocytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune and endothelial cells. TME strengthens CSC refractoriness to standard and targeted therapies by enhancing survival signaling pathways, DNA repair machinery, expression of drug efflux transporters and anti-apoptotic proteins. In the last years many efforts have been made to understand CSC-TME crosstalk and develop therapeutic strategy halting this interplay. Here, we report the combinatorial approaches, which perturb the interaction network between CSCs and the different component of TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Davide Pantina
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetana Porcelli
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina D'Accardo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Verona
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Naida Faldetta
- Department of Surgery, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pistone
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Bongiorno
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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68
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Stadler M, Pudelko K, Biermeier A, Walterskirchen N, Gaigneaux A, Weindorfer C, Harrer N, Klett H, Hengstschläger M, Schüler J, Sommergruber W, Oehler R, Bergmann M, Letellier E, Dolznig H. Stromal fibroblasts shape the myeloid phenotype in normal colon and colorectal cancer and induce CD163 and CCL2 expression in macrophages. Cancer Lett 2021; 520:184-200. [PMID: 34256095 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for about 10% of cancer deaths worldwide. Colon carcinogenesis is critically influenced by the tumor microenvironment. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) represent the major components of the tumor microenvironment. TAMs promote tumor progression, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. However, the impact of the molecular crosstalk of tumor cells (TCs) with CAFs and macrophages on monocyte recruitment and their phenotypic conversion is not known in detail so far. In a 3D human organotypic CRC model, we show that CAFs and normal colonic fibroblasts are critically involved in monocyte recruitment and for the establishment of a macrophage phenotype, characterized by high CD163 expression. This is in line with the steady recruitment and differentiation of monocytes to immunosuppressive macrophages in the normal colon. Cytokine profiling revealed that CAFs produce M-CSF, and IL6, IL8, HGF and CCL2 secretion was specifically induced by CAFs in co-cultures with macrophages. Moreover, macrophage/CAF/TCs co-cultures increased TC invasion. We demonstrate that CAFs and macrophages are the major producers of CCL2 and, upon co-culture, increase their CCL2 production twofold and 40-fold, respectively. CAFs and macrophages expressing high CCL2 were also found in vivo in CRC, strongly supporting our findings. CCL2, CCR2, CSF1R and CD163 expression in macrophages was dependent on active MCSFR signaling as shown by M-CSFR inhibition. These results indicate that colon fibroblasts and not TCs are the major cellular component, recruiting and dictating the fate of infiltrated monocytes towards a specific macrophage population, characterized by high CD163 expression and CCL2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Stadler
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline Pudelko
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Biermeier
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalie Walterskirchen
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anthoula Gaigneaux
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Claudia Weindorfer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathalie Harrer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria, Dr. Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, A-1130 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hagen Klett
- Charles River Research Services Germany GmbH, Am Flughafen 12-14, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Schüler
- Charles River Research Services Germany GmbH, Am Flughafen 12-14, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sommergruber
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria, Dr. Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, A-1130 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Oehler
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Bergmann
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Letellier
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Campus Belval, Luxembourg
| | - Helmut Dolznig
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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69
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Zheng X, Yu C, Xu M. Linking Tumor Microenvironment to Plasticity of Cancer Stem Cells: Mechanisms and Application in Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:678333. [PMID: 34262865 PMCID: PMC8273276 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.678333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a minority subset of cancer cells that can drive tumor initiation, promote tumor progression, and induce drug resistance. CSCs are difficult to eliminate by conventional therapies and eventually mediate tumor relapse and metastasis. Moreover, recent studies have shown that CSCs display plasticity that renders them to alter their phenotype and function. Consequently, the varied phenotypes result in varied tumorigenesis, dissemination, and drug-resistance potential, thereby adding to the complexity of tumor heterogeneity and further challenging clinical management of cancers. In recent years, tumor microenvironment (TME) has become a hotspot in cancer research owing to its successful application in clinical tumor immunotherapy. Notably, emerging evidence shows that the TME is involved in regulating CSC plasticity. TME can activate stemness pathways and promote immune escape through cytokines and exosomes secreted by immune cells or stromal cells, thereby inducing non-CSCs to acquire CSC properties and increasing CSC plasticity. However, the relationship between TME and plasticity of CSCs remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the emerging investigations on TME and CSC plasticity to illustrate the underlying mechanisms and potential implications in suppressing cancer progression and drug resistance. We consider that this review can help develop novel therapeutic strategies by taking into account the interlink between TME and CSC plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Zheng
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chune Yu
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingqing Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Meishan, China
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70
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Nandi A, Chakrabarti R. The many facets of Notch signaling in breast cancer: toward overcoming therapeutic resistance. Genes Dev 2021; 34:1422-1438. [PMID: 33872192 PMCID: PMC7608750 DOI: 10.1101/gad.342287.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this review, Nandi et al. revisit the mechanisms by which Notch receptors and ligands contribute to normal mammary gland development and breast tumor progression. The authors also discuss combinatorial approaches aimed at disrupting Notch- and TME-mediated resistance that may improve prognosis in breast cancer patients. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women and is a complex disease with high intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity. Such heterogeneity is a major driving force behind failure of current therapies and development of resistance. Due to the limitations of conventional therapies and inevitable emergence of acquired drug resistance (chemo and endocrine) as well as radio resistance, it is essential to design novel therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis for breast cancer patients. Deregulated Notch signaling within the breast tumor and its tumor microenvironment (TME) is linked to poor clinical outcomes in treatment of resistant breast cancer. Notch receptors and ligands are also important for normal mammary development, suggesting the potential for conserved signaling pathways between normal mammary gland development and breast cancer. In this review, we focus on mechanisms by which Notch receptors and ligands contribute to normal mammary gland development and breast tumor progression. We also discuss how complex interactions between cancer cells and the TME may reduce treatment efficacy and ultimately lead to acquired drug or radio resistance. Potential combinatorial approaches aimed at disrupting Notch- and TME-mediated resistance that may aid in achieving in an improved patient prognosis are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeya Nandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Rumela Chakrabarti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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71
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Jiang Y, Li L, Li Y, Liu G, Hoffman RM, Jia L. Neddylation Regulates Macrophages and Implications for Cancer Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681186. [PMID: 34164400 PMCID: PMC8215544 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681186] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote cancer progression via stimulating angiogenesis, invasion/metastasis, and suppressing anti-cancer immunity. Targeting TAMs is a potential promising cancer therapeutic strategy. Neddylation adds the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 to substrates, and thereby regulates diverse biological processes in multiple cell types, including macrophages. By controlling cellular responses, the neddylation pathway regulates the function, migration, survival, and polarization of macrophages. In the present review we summarized how the neddylation pathway modulates Macrophages and its implications for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Jiang
- Longhua Hospital, Cancer Institute, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihui Li
- Longhua Hospital, Cancer Institute, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Lijun Jia
- Longhua Hospital, Cancer Institute, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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72
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Saxena S, Singh RK. Chemokines orchestrate tumor cells and the microenvironment to achieve metastatic heterogeneity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:447-476. [PMID: 33959849 PMCID: PMC9863248 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09970-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chemokines, a subfamily of the cell cytokines, are low molecular weight proteins known to induce chemotaxis in leukocytes in response to inflammatory and pathogenic signals. A plethora of literature demonstrates that chemokines and their receptors regulate tumor progression and metastasis. With these diverse functionalities, chemokines act as a fundamental link between the tumor cells and their microenvironment. Recent studies demonstrate that the biology of chemokines and their receptor in metastasis is complex as numerous chemokines are involved in regulating site-specific tumor growth and metastasis. Successful treatment of disseminated cancer is a significant challenge. The most crucial problem for treating metastatic cancer is developing therapy regimes capable of overcoming heterogeneity problems within primary tumors and among metastases and within metastases (intralesional). This heterogeneity of malignant tumor cells can be related to metastatic potential, response to chemotherapy or specific immunotherapy, and many other factors. In this review, we have emphasized the role of chemokines in the process of metastasis and metastatic heterogeneity. Individual chemokines may not express the full potential to address metastatic heterogeneity, but chemokine networks need exploration. Understanding the interplay between chemokine-chemokine receptor networks between the tumor cells and their microenvironment is a novel approach to overcome the problem of metastatic heterogeneity. Recent advances in the understanding of chemokine networks pave the way for developing a potential targeted therapeutic strategy to treat metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandha Saxena
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA.
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73
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Khalaf K, Hana D, Chou JTT, Singh C, Mackiewicz A, Kaczmarek M. Aspects of the Tumor Microenvironment Involved in Immune Resistance and Drug Resistance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656364. [PMID: 34122412 PMCID: PMC8190405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and ever-changing "rogue organ" composed of its own blood supply, lymphatic and nervous systems, stroma, immune cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). These complex components, utilizing both benign and malignant cells, nurture the harsh, immunosuppressive and nutrient-deficient environment necessary for tumor cell growth, proliferation and phenotypic flexibility and variation. An important aspect of the TME is cellular crosstalk and cell-to-ECM communication. This interaction induces the release of soluble factors responsible for immune evasion and ECM remodeling, which further contribute to therapy resistance. Other aspects are the presence of exosomes contributed by both malignant and benign cells, circulating deregulated microRNAs and TME-specific metabolic patterns which further potentiate the progression and/or resistance to therapy. In addition to biochemical signaling, specific TME characteristics such as the hypoxic environment, metabolic derangements, and abnormal mechanical forces have been implicated in the development of treatment resistance. In this review, we will provide an overview of tumor microenvironmental composition, structure, and features that influence immune suppression and contribute to treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Khalaf
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Doris Hana
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jadzia Tin-Tsen Chou
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Chandpreet Singh
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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74
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Raskov H, Orhan A, Gaggar S, Gögenur I. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Cancer and Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:668731. [PMID: 34094963 PMCID: PMC8172975 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.668731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including the interplay between tumor cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components, is mandatory for the innovation of new therapeutic approaches in cancer. The cell-cell communication within the TME plays a pivotal role in the evolution and progression of cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are major cell populations in the stroma of all solid tumors and often exert protumorigenic functions; however, the origin and precise functions of CAF and TAM are still incompletely understood. CAF and TAM hold significant potential as therapeutic targets to improve outcomes in oncology when combined with existing therapies. The regulation of CAF/TAM communication and/or their differentiation could be of high impact for improving the future targeted treatment strategies. Nevertheless, there is much scope for research and innovation in this field with regards to the development of novel drugs. In this review, we elaborate on the current knowledge on CAF and TAM in cancer and cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, by focusing on their heterogenous functions in different stages and types of cancer, we explore their role as potential therapeutic targets and highlight certain aspects of their functions that need further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Raskov
- Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | - Adile Orhan
- Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shruti Gaggar
- Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | - Ismail Gögenur
- Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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75
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Antitumor Effects in Gas Plasma-Treated Patient-Derived Microtissues—An Adjuvant Therapy for Ulcerating Breast Cancer? APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11104527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite global research and continuous improvement in therapy, cancer remains a challenging disease globally, substantiating the need for new treatment avenues. Medical gas plasma technology has emerged as a promising approach in oncology in the last years. Several investigations have provided evidence of an antitumor action in vitro and in vivo, including our recent work on plasma-mediated reduction of breast cancer in mice. However, studies of gas plasma exposure on patient-derived tumors with their distinct microenvironment (TME) are scarce. To this end, we here investigated patient-derived breast cancer tissue after gas plasma-treated ex vivo. The tissues were disjoint to pieces smaller than 100 µm, embedded in collagen, and incubated for several days. The viability of the breast cancer tissue clusters and their outgrowth into their gel microenvironment declined with plasma treatment. This was associated with caspase 3-dependent apoptotic cell death, paralleled by an increased expression of the anti-metastatic adhesion molecule epithelial (E)-cadherin. Multiplex chemokine/cytokine analysis revealed a marked decline in the release of the interleukins 6 and 8 (IL-6, IL-8) and monocyte-chemoattractant-protein 1 (MCP) known to promote a cancer-promoting milieu in the TME. In summary, we provide here, for the first time, evidence of a beneficial activity of gas plasma exposure on human patient-derived breast cancer tissue.
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76
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Liu H, Sun Y, O'Brien JA, Franco-Barraza J, Qi X, Yuan H, Jin W, Zhang J, Gu C, Zhao Z, Yu C, Feng S, Yu X. Necroptotic astrocytes contribute to maintaining stemness of disseminated medulloblastoma through CCL2 secretion. Neuro Oncol 2021; 22:625-638. [PMID: 31729527 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) with metastases at diagnosis and recurrence correlates with poor prognosis. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanism underlying metastases growth has received less attention than primary therapy-naïve MB. Though astrocytes have been frequently detected in brain tumors, their roles in regulating the stemness properties of MB stem-like cells (MBSCs) in disseminated lesions remain elusive. METHODS Effects of tumor-associated astrocyte (TAA)-secreted chemokine C-C ligand 2 (CCL2) on MBSC self-renewal was determined by immunostaining analysis. Necroptosis of TAA was examined by measuring necrosome activity. Alterations in Notch signaling were examined after inhibition of CCL2. Progression of MBSC-derived tumors was evaluated after pharmaceutical blockage of necroptosis. RESULTS TAA, as the essential components of disseminated tumor, produced high levels of CCL2 to shape the inflammation microenvironment, which stimulated the enrichment of MBSCs in disseminated MB. In particular, CCL2 played a pivotal role in maintaining stem-like properties via Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3)-mediated activation of Notch signaling. Loss of CCL2/C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) function repressed the JAK2/STAT3-Notch pathway and impaired MBSC proliferation, leading to a dramatic reduction of stemness, tumorigenicity, and metastasizing capability. Furthermore, necroptosis-induced CCL2 release depended on activation of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1)/RIP3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL) in TAA, which promoted the oncogenic phenotype. Blockade of necroptosis resulted in CCL2 deprivation and compromised MBSC self-proliferation, indicating MBSCs outsourced CCL2 from necroptotic TAA. Finally, CCL2 was upregulated in high-risk stages of MB, further supporting its value as a prognostic indicator. CONCLUSION These findings highlighted the critical role of CCL2/CCR2 in Notch signaling activation in MBSCs and revealed a necroptosis-associated glial cytokine microenvironment driving stemness maintenance in disseminations.Key Points1. TAA-derived CCL2 promoted stemness in disseminated MBSCs through Notch signaling activation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.2. TAA released CCL2 in a RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-dependent manner leading to necroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Youliang Sun
- School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jenny A O'Brien
- Department of Internal Medicine, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Xueling Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science Cancer Hospital/National Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jin
- Department of Pathology, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Junping Zhang
- Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyu Gu
- Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chunjiang Yu
- Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinguang Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
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77
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Mehta AK, Kadel S, Townsend MG, Oliwa M, Guerriero JL. Macrophage Biology and Mechanisms of Immune Suppression in Breast Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:643771. [PMID: 33968034 PMCID: PMC8102870 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.643771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are crucial innate immune cells that maintain tissue homeostasis and defend against pathogens; however, their infiltration into tumors has been associated with adverse outcomes. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a significant component of the inflammatory infiltrate in breast tumors, and extensive infiltration of TAMs has been linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer. Here, we detail how TAMs impede a productive tumor immunity cycle by limiting antigen presentation and reducing activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) while simultaneously supporting tumor cell survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. There is an urgent need to overcome TAM-mediated immune suppression for durable anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. To date, failure to fully characterize TAM biology and classify multiple subsets has hindered advancement in therapeutic targeting. In this regard, the complexity of TAMs has recently taken center stage owing to their subset diversity and tightly regulated molecular and metabolic phenotypes. In this review, we reveal major gaps in our knowledge of the functional and phenotypic characterization of TAM subsets associated with breast cancer, before and after treatment. Future work to characterize TAM subsets, location, and crosstalk with neighboring cells will be critical to counteract TAM pro-tumor functions and to identify novel TAM-modulating strategies and combinations that are likely to enhance current therapies and overcome chemo- and immuno-therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita K Mehta
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sapana Kadel
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Madeline G Townsend
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Madisson Oliwa
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer L Guerriero
- Breast Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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78
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Qiu Y, Yang L, Liu H, Luo X. Cancer stem cell-targeted therapeutic approaches for overcoming trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2021; 39:1125-1136. [PMID: 33837587 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Application of the anti-HER2 drug trastuzumab has significantly improved the prognosis of patients with the HER2-positive subtype of breast cancer. However, 50% of patients with HER2 amplification relapse due to trastuzumab resistance. Accumulating evidence indicates that breast cancer is driven by a small subset of cancer-initiating cells or breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate to regenerate the tumor cell hierarchy. Increasing data suggest that BCSCs are resistant to conventional therapy, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy, which drives distant metastasis and breast cancer relapse. In recent years, the trastuzumab resistance of breast cancer has been closely related to the prevalence of BCSCs. Here, our primary focus is to discuss the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of BCSCs in the setting of trastuzumab resistance and approaches of reducing or eradicating BCSCs in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qiu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Libo Yang
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Honghong Liu
- Department of Clinical Research Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Clinical Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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79
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Thyroid Cancer Stem-Like Cells: From Microenvironmental Niches to Therapeutic Strategies. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071455. [PMID: 33916320 PMCID: PMC8037626 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Recent progress in thyroid cancer biology revealed a certain degree of intratumoral heterogeneity, highlighting the coexistence of cellular subpopulations with distinct proliferative capacities and differentiation abilities. Among those subpopulations, cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are hypothesized to drive TC heterogeneity, contributing to its metastatic potential and therapy resistance. CSCs principally exist in tumor areas with specific microenvironmental conditions, the so-called stem cell niches. In particular, in thyroid cancer, CSCs' survival is enhanced in the hypoxic niche, the immune niche, and some areas with specific extracellular matrix composition. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about thyroid CSCs, the tumoral niches that allow their survival, and the implications for TC therapy.
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80
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Lee S, Hong JH, Kim JS, Yoon JS, Chun SH, Hong SA, Kim EJ, Kang K, Lee Kang J, Ko YH, Ahn YH. Cancer-associated fibroblasts activated by miR-196a promote the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2021; 508:92-103. [PMID: 33775710 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), promote the migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells when they are activated through diverse processes, including post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). To identify the miRNAs that regulate CAF activation, we used NanoString to profile miRNA expression within normal mouse lung fibroblasts (LFs) and CAFs. Based on NanoString profiling, miR-196a was selected as a candidate that was up-regulated in CAFs. miR-196a-overexpressed LFs (LF-196a) promoted the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells in co-culture systems (Transwell migration and spheroid invasion assays). ANXA1 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-196a, and adding back ANXA1 to LF-196a restored the cancer cell invasion promoted by miR-196a. miR-196a increased CCL2 secretion in fibroblasts, and that was suppressed by ANXA1. Furthermore, blocking CCL2 impeded cancer spheroid invasion. In lung adenocarcinoma patients, high miR-196a expression was associated with poor prognosis. Collectively, our results suggest that CAF-specific miR-196a promotes lung cancer progression in the tumor microenvironment via ANXA1 and CCL2 and that miR-196a will be a good therapeutic target or biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sieun Lee
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea; Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea
| | - Ji Hyung Hong
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Jeong Seon Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea; Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea
| | - Jung Sook Yoon
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Chun
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Soon Auck Hong
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, South Korea
| | - Eun Ju Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea; Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea
| | - Keunsoo Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea
| | - Jihee Lee Kang
- Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea
| | - Yoon Ho Ko
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea; Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea.
| | - Young-Ho Ahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea; Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 07804, South Korea.
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81
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Metcalf KJ, Alazzeh A, Werb Z, Weaver VM. Leveraging microenvironmental synthetic lethalities to treat cancer. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143765. [PMID: 33720045 PMCID: PMC7954586 DOI: 10.1172/jci143765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment resistance leads to cancer patient mortality. Therapeutic approaches that employ synthetic lethality to target mutational vulnerabilities in key tumor cell signaling pathways have proven effective in overcoming therapeutic resistance in some cancers. Yet, tumors are organs composed of malignant cells residing within a cellular and noncellular stroma. Tumor evolution and resistance to anticancer treatment are mediated through a dynamic and reciprocal dialogue with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accordingly, expanding tumor cell synthetic lethality to encompass contextual synthetic lethality has the potential to eradicate tumors by targeting critical TME circuits that promote tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. In this Review, we summarize current knowledge about the TME and discuss its role in treatment. We outline the concept of tumor cell-specific synthetic lethality and describe therapeutic approaches to expand this paradigm to leverage TME synthetic lethality to improve cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zena Werb
- Department of Anatomy
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Valerie M. Weaver
- Department of Surgery
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, and
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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82
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Mukaida N, Tanabe Y, Baba T. Cancer non-stem cells as a potent regulator of tumor microenvironment: a lesson from chronic myeloid leukemia. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:7. [PMID: 35006395 PMCID: PMC8607377 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A limited subset of human leukemia cells has a self-renewal capacity and can propagate leukemia upon their transplantation into animals, and therefore, are named as leukemia stem cells, in the early 1990’s. Subsequently, cell subpopulations with similar characteristics were detected in various kinds of solid cancers and were denoted as cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are presently presumed to be crucially involved in malignant progression of solid cancer: chemoresitance, radioresistance, immune evasion, and metastasis. On the contrary, less attention has been paid to cancer non-stem cell population, which comprise most cancer cells in cancer tissues, due to the lack of suitable markers to discriminate cancer non-stem cells from cancer stem cells. Chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells generate a larger number of morphologically distinct non-stem cells. Moreover, accumulating evidence indicates that poor prognosis is associated with the increases in these non-stem cells including basophils and megakaryocytes. We will discuss the potential roles of cancer non-stem cells in fostering tumor microenvironment, by illustrating the roles of chronic myeloid leukemia non-stem cells including basophils and megakaryocytes in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia, a typical malignant disorder arising from leukemic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naofumi Mukaida
- Division of Molecular Bioregulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan.
| | - Yamato Tanabe
- Division of Molecular Bioregulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Baba
- Division of Molecular Bioregulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
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83
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Huang R, Guo L, Gao M, Li J, Xiang S. Research Trends and Regulation of CCL5 in Prostate Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:1417-1427. [PMID: 33664576 PMCID: PMC7921632 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s279189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is considered as the most common cancer of urologic neoplasms, and its development and prognosis are associated with many factors. Chemokine receptor signaling combine with advances in advanced clinicopathological characteristics have provided new insights into the molecular landscape of prostate cancer. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) is an important member of the CC subfamily of chemokines. The expression of chemokine CCL5 is positively correlated with poor prognostic features in patients with PCa. Current study suggested that CCL5/CCR5 axis plays a significant role in the proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance of prostate cancer cells and promotes self-renewal of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs). Due to the major domination in CCL5 by prostate cancer and the high cancer-specific mortality with prostate cancer, research on the CCL5/CCR5 axis effective antagonists is widespread application. However, challenges for precision oncology of CCL5/CCR5 axis and effective antagonists in CRPC remain. Herein, we summarized the crucial role of CCL5 in promoting the development of PCa and discussed the antitumor application of the antagonists of CCL5/CCR5 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renlun Huang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lang Guo
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Menghan Gao
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Songtao Xiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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84
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Lv L, Shi Y, Wu J, Li G. Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems for Breast Cancer Stem Cell Targeting. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:1487-1508. [PMID: 33654398 PMCID: PMC7914063 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s282110] [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: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), also known as breast cancer initiating cells, are reported to be responsible for the initiation, progression, therapeutic resistance, and relapse of breast cancer. Conventional therapeutic agents mainly kill the bulk of breast tumor cells and fail to eliminate BCSCs, even enhancing the fraction of BCSCs in breast tumors sometimes. Therefore, it is essential to develop specific and effective methods of eliminating BCSCs that will enhance the efficacy of killing breast tumor cells and thereby, increase the survival rates and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Despite the availability of an increasing number of anti-BCSC agents, their clinical translations are hindered by many issues, such as instability, low bioavailability, and off-target effects. Nanosized drug delivery systems (NDDSs) have the potential to overcome the drawbacks of anti-BCSC agents by providing site-specific delivery and enhancing of the stability and bioavailability of the delivered agents. In this review, we first briefly introduce the strategies and agents used against BCSCs and then highlight the mechanism of action and therapeutic efficacy of several state-of-the-art NDDSs that can be used to treat breast cancer by eliminating BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pharmacy, Zengcheng District People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, 511300, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyan Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guocheng Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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85
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Fong MY, Yan W, Ghassemian M, Wu X, Zhou X, Cao M, Jiang L, Wang J, Liu X, Zhang J, Wang SE. Cancer-secreted miRNAs regulate amino-acid-induced mTORC1 signaling and fibroblast protein synthesis. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51239. [PMID: 33345445 PMCID: PMC7857427 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of non-cancer cells residing in a tumor microenvironment, as a result of the adaptations to cancer-derived metabolic and non-metabolic factors, is an emerging aspect of cancer-host interaction. We show that in normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts, breast cancer-secreted extracellular vesicles suppress mTOR signaling upon amino acid stimulation to globally reduce mRNA translation. This is through delivery of cancer-derived miR-105 and miR-204, which target RAGC, a component of Rag GTPases that regulate mTORC1 signaling. Following amino acid starvation and subsequent re-feeding, 13 C-arginine labeling of de novo synthesized proteins shows selective translation of proteins that cluster to specific cellular functional pathways. The repertoire of these newly synthesized proteins is altered in fibroblasts treated with cancer-derived extracellular vesicles, in addition to the overall suppressed protein synthesis. In human breast tumors, RAGC protein levels are inversely correlated with miR-105 in the stroma. Our results suggest that through educating fibroblasts to reduce and re-prioritize mRNA translation, cancer cells rewire the metabolic fluxes of amino acid pool and dynamically regulate stroma-produced proteins during periodic nutrient fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Y Fong
- Department of PathologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCAUSA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of PathologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Majid Ghassemian
- Biomolecular and Proteomics Mass Spectrometry FacilityUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyBeckman Research Institute of the City of HopeDuarteCAUSA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Minghui Cao
- Department of PathologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of PathologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Jessica Wang
- Department of PathologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Xuxiang Liu
- Department of Cancer BiologyBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCAUSA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
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86
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Zhang Y, Elechalawar CK, Hossen MN, Francek ER, Dey A, Wilhelm S, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P. Gold nanoparticles inhibit activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts by disrupting communication from tumor and microenvironmental cells. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:326-332. [PMID: 32954051 PMCID: PMC7479257 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major constituent of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and an important contributor to cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Regulation of CAF activation is a promising strategy to influence cancer outcomes. Here, we report that ovarian cancer cells (OCs) and TME cells promote the activation of ovarian CAFs, whereas gold nanoparticles (GNPs) of 20 nm in diameter inhibit the activation, as demonstrated by the changes in cell morphology, migration, and molecular markers. GNPs exert the effect by altering the levels of multiple fibroblast activation or inactivation proteins, such as TGF-β1, PDGF, uPA and TSP1, secreted by OCs and TME cells. Thus, GNPs represent a potential tool to help understand multicellular communications existing in the TME as well as devise strategies to disrupt the communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Chandra Kumar Elechalawar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Md Nazir Hossen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Emmy R. Francek
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Anindya Dey
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Stefan Wilhelm
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology (IBEST), Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
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Abstract
Despite the decline in death rate from breast cancer and recent advances in targeted therapies and combinations for the treatment of metastatic disease, metastatic breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in U.S. women. The invasion-metastasis cascade involves a number of steps and multitudes of proteins and signaling molecules. The pathways include invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, infiltration into a distant site to form a metastatic niche, and micrometastasis formation in a new environment. Each of these processes is regulated by changes in gene expression. Noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis by post-transcriptional regulation of target gene expression. miRNAs can stimulate oncogenesis (oncomiRs), inhibit tumor growth (tumor suppressors or miRsupps), and regulate gene targets in metastasis (metastamiRs). The goal of this review is to summarize some of the key miRNAs that regulate genes and pathways involved in metastatic breast cancer with an emphasis on estrogen receptor α (ERα+) breast cancer. We reviewed the identity, regulation, human breast tumor expression, and reported prognostic significance of miRNAs that have been documented to directly target key genes in pathways, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributing to the metastatic cascade. We critically evaluated the evidence for metastamiRs and their targets and miRNA regulation of metastasis suppressor genes in breast cancer progression and metastasis. It is clear that our understanding of miRNA regulation of targets in metastasis is incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J Petri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Carolyn M Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA.
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88
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López-Gil JC, Martin-Hijano L, Hermann PC, Sainz B. The CXCL12 Crossroads in Cancer Stem Cells and Their Niche. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030469. [PMID: 33530455 PMCID: PMC7866198 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary CXCL12 and its receptors have been extensively studied in cancer, including their influence on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their niche. This intensive research has led to a better understanding of the crosstalk between CXCL12 and CSCs, which has aided in designing several drugs that are currently being tested in clinical trials. However, a comprehensive review has not been published to date. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on how CXCL12 axes are involved in the regulation and maintenance of CSCs, their presence and influence at different cellular levels within the CSC niche, and the current state-of-the-art of therapeutic approaches aimed to target the CXCL12 crossroads. Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a subpopulation of “stem”-like cells within the tumor with unique characteristics that allow them to maintain tumor growth, escape standard anti-tumor therapies and drive subsequent repopulation of the tumor. This is the result of their intrinsic “stem”-like features and the strong driving influence of the CSC niche, a subcompartment within the tumor microenvironment that includes a diverse group of cells focused on maintaining and supporting the CSC. CXCL12 is a chemokine that plays a crucial role in hematopoietic stem cell support and has been extensively reported to be involved in several cancer-related processes. In this review, we will provide the latest evidence about the interactions between CSC niche-derived CXCL12 and its receptors—CXCR4 and CXCR7—present on CSC populations across different tumor entities. The interactions facilitated by CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axes seem to be strongly linked to CSC “stem”-like features, tumor progression, and metastasis promotion. Altogether, this suggests a role for CXCL12 and its receptors in the maintenance of CSCs and the components of their niche. Moreover, we will also provide an update of the therapeutic options being currently tested to disrupt the CXCL12 axes in order to target, directly or indirectly, the CSC subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos López-Gil
- Department of Cancer Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (IIBM), CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.C.L.-G.); (L.M.-H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Chronic Diseases and Cancer, Area 3-Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Martin-Hijano
- Department of Cancer Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (IIBM), CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.C.L.-G.); (L.M.-H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Chronic Diseases and Cancer, Area 3-Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick C. Hermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: (P.C.H.); (B.S.J.)
| | - Bruno Sainz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (IIBM), CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (J.C.L.-G.); (L.M.-H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Chronic Diseases and Cancer, Area 3-Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (P.C.H.); (B.S.J.)
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89
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Linares J, Marín-Jiménez JA, Badia-Ramentol J, Calon A. Determinants and Functions of CAFs Secretome During Cancer Progression and Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:621070. [PMID: 33553157 PMCID: PMC7862334 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.621070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence are indicating that cancer development and malignant progression are not exclusively epithelial cancer cell-autonomous processes but may also depend on crosstalk with the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundantly represented in the TME and are continuously interacting with cancer cells. CAFs are regulating key mechanisms during progression to metastasis and response to treatment by enhancing cancer cells survival and aggressiveness. The latest advances in CAFs biology are pointing to CAFs-secreted factors as druggable targets and companion tools for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Especially, extensive research conducted in the recent years has underscored the potential of several cytokines as actionable biomarkers that are currently evaluated in the clinical setting. In this review, we explore the current understanding of CAFs secretome determinants and functions to discuss their clinical implication in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenniffer Linares
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan A. Marín-Jiménez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) - L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Badia-Ramentol
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandre Calon
- Cancer Research Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
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90
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Lee HR, Lee GY, Kim EW, Kim HJ, Lee M, Humphries RK, Oh IH. Reversible switching of leukemic cells to a drug-resistant, stem-like subset via IL-4 mediated cross-talk with mesenchymal stroma. Haematologica 2021; 107:381-392. [PMID: 33440923 PMCID: PMC8804570 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.269944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance of leukemic cells has largely been attributed to clonal evolution secondary to accumulating mutations. Here, we show that a subset of leukemic blasts in contact with the mesenchymal stroma undergo cellular conversion into a distinct cell type that exhibits a stem cell-like phenotype and chemoresistance. These stroma-induced changes occur in a reversible and stochastic manner driven by cross-talk, whereby stromal contact induces interleukin-4 in leukemic cells that in turn targets the mesenchymal stroma to facilitate the development of new subset. This mechanism was dependent on interleukin-4-mediated upregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule- 1 in mesenchymal stroma, causing tight adherence of leukemic cells to mesenchymal progenitors for generation of new subsets. Together, our study reveals another class of chemoresistance in leukemic blasts via functional evolution through stromal cross-talk, and demonstrates dynamic switching of leukemic cell fates that could cause a non-homologous response to chemotherapy in concert with the patient-specific microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Ri Lee
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul
| | - Ga-Young Lee
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul
| | - Eung-Won Kim
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul
| | - Hee-Je Kim
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, St Mary's Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
| | - Minho Lee
- Department of Life Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
| | - R Keith Humphries
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Il-Hoan Oh
- Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center and Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul.
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91
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Hinow P, Pinter G, Yan W, Wang SE. Modeling the bidirectional glutamine/ammonium conversion between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10648. [PMID: 33520452 PMCID: PMC7811294 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Like in an ecosystem, cancer and other cells residing in the tumor microenvironment engage in various modes of interactions to buffer the negative effects of environmental changes. One such change is the consumption of common nutrients (such as glutamine/Gln) and the consequent accumulation of toxic metabolic byproducts (such as ammonium/NH4). Ammonium is a waste product of cellular metabolism whose accumulation causes cell stress. In tumors, it is known that it can be recycled into nutrients by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Here we present monoculture and coculture growth of cancer cells and CAFs on different substrates: glutamine and ammonium. We propose a mathematical model to aid our understanding. We find that cancer cells are able to survive on ammonium and recycle it to glutamine for limited periods of time. CAFs are able to even grow on ammonium. In coculture, the presence of CAFs results in an improved survival of cancer cells compared to their monoculture when exposed to ammonium. Interestingly, the ratio between the two cell populations is maintained under various concentrations of NH4, suggesting the ability of the mixed cell system to survive temporary metabolic stress and sustain the size and cell composition as a stable entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hinow
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Gabriella Pinter
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shizhen Emily Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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92
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Abstract
Sphere assays are widely used in vitro techniques to enrich and evaluate the stem-like cell behavior of both normal and cancer cells. Utilizing three-dimensional in vitro sphere culture conditions provide a better representation of tumor growth in vivo than the more common monolayer cultures. We describe how to perform primary and secondary sphere assays, used for the enrichment and self-renewability studies of melanoma/melanocyte stem-like cells. Spheres are generated by growing melanoma cells at low density in nonadherent conditions with stem cell media. We provide protocols for preparing inexpensive and versatile polyHEMA-coated plates, setting up primary and secondary sphere assays in almost any tissue culture format and quantification methods using standard inverted microscopy. Our protocol is easily adaptable to laboratories with basic cell culture capabilities, without the need for expensive fluidic instruments.
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93
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The Tumor Microenvironment as a Driving Force of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123863. [PMID: 33371274 PMCID: PMC7766255 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer stem cells are a subset of transformed cells that sustain tumor growth and can metastasize to secondary organs. Since metastasis accounts for most cancer deaths, it is of paramount importance to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate this subgroup of cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the habitat in which transformed cells evolve, and it is composed by many different cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM). A body of evidence strongly indicates that microenvironmental cues modulate stemness in breast cancer, and that the coevolution of the TME and cancer stem cells determine the fate of breast tumors. In this review, we summarize the studies providing links between the TME and the breast cancer stem cell phenotype and we discuss their specific interactions with immune cell subsets, stromal cells, and the ECM. Abstract Tumor progression involves the co-evolution of transformed cells and the milieu in which they live and expand. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a specialized subset of cells that sustain tumor growth and drive metastatic colonization. However, the cellular hierarchy in breast tumors is rather plastic, and the capacity to transition from one cell state to another depends not only on the intrinsic properties of transformed cells, but also on the interplay with their niches. It has become evident that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major player in regulating the BCSC phenotype and metastasis. The complexity of the TME is reflected in its number of players and in the interactions that they establish with each other. Multiple types of immune cells, stromal cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) form an intricate communication network with cancer cells, exert a highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide supportive niches for BCSC expansion. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating these interactions is crucial to develop strategies aimed at interfering with key BCSC niche factors, which may help reducing tumor heterogeneity and impair metastasis.
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94
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Annett S, Moore G, Robson T. Obesity and Cancer Metastasis: Molecular and Translational Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3798. [PMID: 33339340 PMCID: PMC7766668 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a modern health problem that has reached pandemic proportions. It is an established risk factor for carcinogenesis, however, evidence for the contribution of adipose tissue to the metastatic behavior of tumors is also mounting. Over 90% of cancer mortality is attributed to metastasis and metastatic tumor cells must communicate with their microenvironment for survival. Many of the characteristics observed in obese adipose tissue strongly mirror the tumor microenvironment. Thus in the case of prostate, pancreatic and breast cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma, which are all located in close anatomical proximity to an adipose tissue depot, the adjacent fat provides an ideal microenvironment to enhance tumor growth, progression and metastasis. Adipocytes provide adipokines, fatty acids and other soluble factors to tumor cells whilst immune cells infiltrate the tumor microenvironment. In addition, there are emerging studies on the role of the extracellular vesicles secreted from adipose tissue, and the extracellular matrix itself, as drivers of obesity-induced metastasis. In the present review, we discuss the major mechanisms responsible for the obesity-metastatic link. Furthermore, understanding these complex mechanisms will provide novel therapies to halt the tumor-adipose tissue crosstalk with the ultimate aim of inhibiting tumor progression and metastatic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tracy Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, 123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland; (S.A.); (G.M.)
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95
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CC Chemokines in a Tumor: A Review of Pro-Cancer and Anti-Cancer Properties of the Ligands of Receptors CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CCR4. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218412. [PMID: 33182504 PMCID: PMC7665155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
CC chemokines, a subfamily of 27 chemotactic cytokines, are a component of intercellular communication, which is crucial for the functioning of the tumor microenvironment. Although many individual chemokines have been well researched, there has been no comprehensive review presenting the role of all known human CC chemokines in the hallmarks of cancer, and this paper aims at filling this gap. The first part of this review discusses the importance of CCL1, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL18, CCL19, CCL20, CCL21, CCL25, CCL27, and CCL28 in cancer. Here, we discuss the significance of CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL7, CCL8, CCL11, CCL13, CCL14, CCL15, CCL16, CCL17, CCL22, CCL23, CCL24, and CCL26. The presentation of each chemokine includes its physiological function and then the role in tumor, including proliferation, drug resistance, migration, invasion, and organ-specific metastasis of tumor cells, as well as the effects on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. We also discuss the effects of each CC chemokine on the recruitment of cancer-associated cells to the tumor niche (eosinophils, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN), regulatory T cells (Treg)). On the other hand, we also present the anti-cancer properties of CC chemokines, consisting in the recruitment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL).
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96
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Fasoulakis Z, Daskalakis G, Theodora M, Antsaklis P, Sindos M, Diakosavvas M, Angelou K, Loutradis D, Kontomanolis EN. The Relevance of Notch Signaling in Cancer Progression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1287:169-181. [PMID: 33034032 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55031-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway controls normal embryonic development and tissue homeostasis of many cell types. It regulates cell proliferation, fate, differentiation, and cell death by short-range signaling between nearby cells that come in contact. The Notch pathway has also been critically involved in the pathobiology of a variety of malignancies, regulating cancer initiation and development, as well as early stages of cancer progression, by adjusting conserved cellular programs. Fibroblasts, an essential for tumor growth component of stroma, have also been affected by Notch regulation. Sequencing Notch gene mutations have been identified in a number of human tumors, revealing information on the progression of specific cancer types, such as ovarian cancer and melanoma, immune-associated tumors such as myeloid neoplasms, but especially in lymphocytic leukemia. Activation of the Notch can be either oncogenic or it may contain growth-suppressive functions, acting as a tumor suppressor in other hematopoietic cells, hepatocytes, skin, and pancreatic epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacharias Fasoulakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece.
| | - George Daskalakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Theodora
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Panos Antsaklis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael Sindos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Michail Diakosavvas
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Kyveli Angelou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Loutradis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel N Kontomanolis
- Democritus University of Thrace - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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López de Andrés J, Griñán-Lisón C, Jiménez G, Marchal JA. Cancer stem cell secretome in the tumor microenvironment: a key point for an effective personalized cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:136. [PMID: 33059744 PMCID: PMC7559894 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00966-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a tumor subpopulation responsible for tumor metastasis and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, ultimately leading to tumor relapse. As a consequence, the detection and eradication of this cell subpopulation represent a current challenge in oncology medicine. CSC phenotype is dependent on the tumor microenvironment (TME), which involves stem and differentiated tumor cells, as well as different cell types, such as mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and cells of the immune system, in addition to the extracellular matrix (ECM), different in composition to the ECM in healthy tissues. CSCs regulate multiple cancer hallmarks through the interaction with cells and ECM in their environment by secreting extracellular vesicles including exosomes, and soluble factors such as interleukins, cytokines, growth factors and other metabolites to the TME. Through these factors, CSCs generate and activate their own tumor niche by recruiting stromal cells and modulate angiogenesis, metastasis, resistance to antitumor treatments and their own maintenance by the secretion of different factors such as IL-6, VEGF and TGF-ß. Due to the strong influence of the CSC secretome on disease development, the new antitumor therapies focus on targeting these communication networks to eradicate the tumor and prevent metastasis, tumor relapse and drug resistance. This review summarizes for the first time the main components of the CSC secretome and how they mediate different tumor processes. Lastly, the relevance of the CSC secretome in the development of more precise and personalized antitumor therapies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia López de Andrés
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain.,Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Griñán-Lisón
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain.,Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Gema Jiménez
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain. .,Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain. .,Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071, Jaén, Spain.
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs.GRANADA, University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, 18100, Granada, Spain. .,Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain. .,Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain.
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98
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Shen Q, Reedijk M. Notch Signaling and the Breast Cancer Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1287:183-200. [PMID: 33034033 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55031-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Notch promotes breast cancer progression through tumor initiating cell maintenance, tumor cell fate specification, proliferation, survival, and motility. In addition, Notch is recognized as a decisive mechanism in regulating various juxtacrine and paracrine communications in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this chapter, we review recent studies on stress-mediated Notch activation within the TME and sequelae such as angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, changes in the innate and adaptive immunophenotype, and therapeutic perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Shen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Reedijk
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Ahn YH, Kim JS. Long Non-Coding RNAs as Regulators of Interactions between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7484. [PMID: 33050576 PMCID: PMC7589653 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate diverse physiological and pathological processes via post-transcriptional, post-translational, and epigenetic mechanisms. They are also involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis by functioning as key players in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunosuppression, which can be modulated by lncRNAs. LncRNAs regulate the intrinsic properties of CAFs or cancer cells intracellularly or function extracellularly through exosomal secretion. In-depth studies on the mechanisms of lncRNA functions will enable their clinical use as diagnosis/prognosis markers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ho Ahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea;
- Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
| | - Jeong Seon Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea;
- Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
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100
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Aggarwal V, Miranda O, Johnston PA, Sant S. Three dimensional engineered models to study hypoxia biology in breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 490:124-142. [PMID: 32569616 PMCID: PMC7442747 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of mortality among women worldwide. Despite the available therapeutic regimes, variable treatment response is reported among different breast cancer subtypes. Recently, the effects of the tumor microenvironment on tumor progression as well as treatment responses have been widely recognized. Hypoxia and hypoxia inducible factors in the tumor microenvironment have long been known as major players in tumor progression and survival. However, the majority of our understanding of hypoxia biology has been derived from two dimensional (2D) models. Although many hypoxia-targeted therapies have elicited promising results in vitro and in vivo, these results have not been successfully translated into clinical trials. These limitations of 2D models underscore the need to develop and integrate three dimensional (3D) models that recapitulate the complex tumor-stroma interactions in vivo. This review summarizes role of hypoxia in various hallmarks of cancer progression. We then compare traditional 2D experimental systems with novel 3D tissue-engineered models giving accounts of different bioengineering platforms available to develop 3D models and how these 3D models are being exploited to understand the role of hypoxia in breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Aggarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Oshin Miranda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Paul A Johnston
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; UPMC-Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Shilpa Sant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; UPMC-Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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