101
|
A Tumor Accelerator Based on Multicomponent Bone Scaffolds and Cancer Cell Homing. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14163340. [PMID: 36015599 PMCID: PMC9416103 DOI: 10.3390/polym14163340] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone tissue attracts cancer cell homing biologically, mechanically, or chemically. It is difficult and time consuming to identify their complex cross-talk using existed methods. In this study, a multi-component bone matrix was fabricated using gelatin, hydroxyapatite (HAp), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) as raw materials to investigate how “acellular” bone matrix affects cancer cell homing in bone. Then, EGF-responsive cancer cells were cultured with the scaffold in a dynamical bioreactor. For different culture periods, the effects of HAp, gelatin, and EGF on the cell adhesion, proliferation, 3D growth, and migration of cancer were evaluated. The results indicated that a small amount of calcium ion released from the scaffolds accelerated cancer MDA-MB-231 adhesion on the surface of inner pores. Moreover, degradable gelatin key caused cancer cell growth on the scaffold surface to turn into a 3D aggregation. Despite this, the formation of cancer spheroids was slow, and required 14 days of dynamic culture. Thankfully, EGF promoted cancer cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration, and cancer spheroids were observed only after 3-day culture. We concluded that the combination of the multiple components in this scaffold allows cancer cells to meet multiple requirements of cancer dynamic progression.
Collapse
|
102
|
Xu H, Zhang F, Gao X, Zhou Q, Zhu L. Fate decisions of breast cancer stem cells in cancer progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968306. [PMID: 36046046 PMCID: PMC9420991 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968306] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has a marked recurrence and metastatic trait and is one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women’s health worldwide. Tumor initiation and progression begin after the cell goes from a quiescent to an activated state and requires different mechanisms to act in concert to regulate t a specific set of spectral genes for expression. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proven to initiate and drive tumorigenesis due to their capability of self-renew and differentiate. In addition, CSCs are believed to be capable of causing resistance to anti-tumor drugs, recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, exploring the origin, regulatory mechanisms and ultimate fate decision of CSCs in breast cancer outcomes has far-reaching clinical implications for the development of breast cancer stem cell (BCSC)-targeted therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will highlight the contribution of BCSCs to breast cancer and explore the internal and external factors that regulate the fate of BCSCs.
Collapse
|
103
|
Complete Spontaneous Bone Regeneration following Surgical Enucleation of a Mandibular Cemento-Ossifying Fibroma. Case Rep Dent 2022; 2022:7902602. [PMID: 36034160 PMCID: PMC9411006 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7902602] [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: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cemento-ossifying fibroma (COF) is a type of benign fibro-osseous tumor that mainly occurs in the maxillofacial region. Bone reconstruction after the surgery is often performed with bone transplantation. However, the present case report describes the accurate diagnosis and successful surgical resection of a COF with periosteum preservation, after which the defect was completely and spontaneously filled with the newly formed bone through a natural process. Case Presentation. A 32-year-old Iranian female patient presented with a history of gradual development of painful swelling, spontaneous pain, and lower lip and chin hypoesthesia in the lower third of the left side of her face. The dome-shaped swelling was tender. The patient was suffering from renal infection and urethral prolapse and was taking folic acid. She also mentioned a positive family history of similar swellings in her mother and uncle. Intraoral examination indicated a lesion in buccal and lingual vestibules extending from the first premolar to the third molar teeth. It had a firm consistency, and the covering mucosa was normal in terms of color and texture. The aspiration test was negative. The lesion had caused severe mobility of the second premolar and first and second molar teeth. Panoramic radiography revealed an extensive well-defined unilocular radiolucency. Significant knife-edge resorption of the first and second molar roots at the involved site and thinning of the alveolar crest and inferior border of the mandible were also clear. Cone-beam computed tomography showed severe expansion in the buccal and moderate expansion in the lingual aspect, causing thinning of both the buccal and lingual cortical plates. Histopathological analysis revealed neoplastic tissue mixed with fibrous connective tissue and several round and oval-shaped calcification foci. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the final diagnosis (COF) with the presence of SMA-8. The lesion was removed by enucleation and curettage, while the periosteum was carefully preserved. Fixation with screw and plate was also performed. Conclusions Correct diagnosis of COF and precise implementation of the periosteal osteogenesis technique, in this case, resulted in entirely and spontaneously bone regeneration, which was a rare and favorable outcome with minimum cost and complications for the patient.
Collapse
|
104
|
Ghatak S, Hascall VC, Karamanos N, Markwald RR, Misra S. Interplay Between Chemotherapy-Activated Cancer Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Initiating Cells Expressing CD44v6 Promotes Colon Cancer Resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:906415. [PMID: 35982950 PMCID: PMC9380598 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.906415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-initiating cells (CICs) drive colorectal tumor growth by their supportive niches where CICs interact with multiple cell types within the microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We investigated the interplay between the CICs and the clinically relevant chemotherapeutic FOLFOX that creates the persistent tumorigenic properties of colorectal CICs, and stimulates the microenvironmental factors derived from the CAFs. We found that the CICs expressing an immunophenotype (CD44v6[+]) promote FOLFOX-resistance and that the CIC-immunophenotype was enhanced by factors secreted by CAFs after FOLFOX treatment These secreted factors included periostin, IL17A and WNT3A, which induced CD44v6 expression by activating WNT3A/β-catenin signaling. Blocking the interaction between CICs with any of these CAF-derived factors through tissue-specific conditional silencing of CD44v6 significantly reduced colorectal tumorigenic potential. To achieve this, we generated two unique vectors (floxed-pSico-CD44v6 shRNA plus Fabpl-Cre) that were encapsulated into transferrin coated PEG-PEI/(nanoparticles), which when introduced in vivo reduced tumor growth more effectively than using CD44v6-blocking antibodies. Notably, this tissue-specific conditional silencing of CD44v6 resulted in long lasting effects on self-renewal and tumor growth associated with a positive feedback loop linking WNT3A signaling and alternative-splicing of CD44. These findings have crucial clinical implications suggesting that therapeutic approaches for modulating tumor growth that currently focus on cell-autonomous mechanisms may be too limited and need to be broadened to include mechanisms that recognize the interplay between the stromal factors and the subsequent CIC-immunophenotype enrichment. Thus, more specific therapeutic approaches may be required to block a chemotherapy induced remodeling of a microenvironment that acts as a paracrine regulator to enrich CD44v6 (+) in colorectal CICs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shibnath Ghatak
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Vincent C. Hascall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering/ND20, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Nikos Karamanos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Patras, Greece
| | - Roger R. Markwald
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Suniti Misra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
Abstract
Organ-specific metastasis to secondary organs is dependent on the formation of a supportive pre-metastatic niche. This tissue-specific microenvironmental response is thought to be mediated by mutational and epigenetic changes to primary tumour cells resulting in altered cross-talk between cell types. This response is augmented through the release of tumour and stromal signalling mediators including cytokines, chemokines, exosomes and growth factors. Although researchers have elucidated some of the cancer-promoting features that are bespoke to organotropic metastasis to the lungs, it remains unclear if these are organ-specific or generic between organs. Understanding the mechanisms that mediate the metastasis-promoting synergy between the host microenvironment, immunity, and pulmonary structures may elucidate predictive, prognostic and therapeutic markers that could be targeted to reduce the metastatic burden of disease. Herein, we give an updated summary of the known cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of the lung pre-metastatic niche and tissue-specific metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Cucanic
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rae H Farnsworth
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Steven A Stacker
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
The Hepatic Pre-Metastatic Niche. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153731. [PMID: 35954395 PMCID: PMC9367402 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153731] [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: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The pre-metastatic niche is a recently established concept that could lead to targeted therapies that prevent metastasis before ever occurring. Considering that 90% of cancer mortality results from metastasis, the PMN is thus a salient opportunity for intervention. The purpose of the current review is to cover what is known specifically about the hepatic pre-metastatic niche, a topic that has garnered increasing research focus within the last decade. We discuss the methods of communication between primary tumors and the liver, the involved cell populations, the key changes within liver tissue, and perspectives on the future of the field. Abstract Primary tumors can communicate with the liver to establish a microenvironment that favors metastatic colonization prior to dissemination, forming what is termed the “pre-metastatic niche” (PMN). Through diverse signaling mechanisms, distant malignancies can both influence hepatic cells directly as well as recruit immune cells into the PMN. The result is a set of changes within the hepatic tissue that increase susceptibility of tumor cell invasion and outgrowth upon dissemination. Thus, the PMN offers a novel step in the traditional metastatic cascade that could offer opportunities for clinical intervention. The involved signaling molecules also offer promise as biomarkers. Ultimately, while the existence of the hepatic PMN is well-established, continued research effort and use of innovative models are required to reach a functional knowledge of PMN mechanisms that can be further targeted.
Collapse
|
107
|
Miyai K, Kawamura K, Ito K, Matsukuma S, Tsuda H. Prognostic impact of stromal periostin expression in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:787. [PMID: 35850759 PMCID: PMC9290244 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein that has been known to be implicated in fibrillogenesis and cell migration, including cancer metastasis. Periostin overexpression in cancer cells and/or intervening stroma is usually related to tumor progression and poor patient outcomes in various human cancers; however, its role in urothelial carcinoma, especially upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs), remains inconclusive. Methods Samples from 126 consecutive cases of invasive UTUC (69 renal pelvic cancers and 57 ureteral cancers) were histologically reviewed and analyzed for periostin expression using immunohistochemistry. The intensities of immunoreactivity and the fraction of positive cancer cells and stroma (i.e., epithelial and stromal expression, respectively) were classified into four categories each (intensity, 0–3; fraction, 0–25% = 1; 26–50% = 2; 51–75% = 3; and > 75% = 4). The overall score was determined by multiplying both scores, and overall scores ≥ 6 were considered to indicate high periostin expression. Results Among 126 UTUCs, 55 (44%; 27 renal pelvic and 28 ureteral cancers) showed high stromal periostin expression. None of the cases were considered to have high epithelial periostin expression. High stromal periostin expression was associated with non-papillary gross findings, higher pathological T category, lymphovascular invasion, concomitant carcinoma in situ, subtype histology, lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margins, high tumor budding, and high tumor-associated immune cell status. Multivariate analysis revealed that high stromal periostin expression was an independent predictor of overall survival (p = 0.00072, hazard ratio = 3.62), and lymphovascular invasion and high stromal periostin expression were independent predictors of cancer-specific survival (p = 0.032 and 0.020, hazard ratio = 2.61 and 3.07, respectively). Conclusions Stromal periostin expression was often observed in invasive UTUCs with adverse clinicopathological factors and may be a useful predictor of patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Miyai
- Department of Basic Pathology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Kawamura
- Department of Urology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Keiichi Ito
- Department of Urology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Susumu Matsukuma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Tsuda
- Department of Basic Pathology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Felici C, Mannavola F, Stucci LS, Duda L, Cafforio P, Porta C, Tucci M. Circulating tumor cells from melanoma patients show phenotypic plasticity and metastatic potential in xenograft NOD.CB17 mice. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:754. [PMID: 35820816 PMCID: PMC9275157 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Innovative therapies have improved the overall survival in melanoma, although a high number of patients still experience disease progression or recurrence. Ex-vivo culture of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) represents a valuable laboratory resource for in-depth characterization of rare cell populations responsible for disease progression. Methods CTCs from patients with metastatic melanoma were in-vitro established. Their stemness was demonstrated by both phenotypic and genotypic assays, as well as by functional studies. Xenograft experiments in NOD.CB17 mice injected with CTCs from a single patient were completed. Data were analysed by Student’s test and results expressed as mean ± SEM. Results CTCs share the mutational profile with primary cells, an intermediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and high expression of the immunosuppressive factors. A subclonal CTC population exhibited stem cell properties as high aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 activity, melanosphere-forming ability, and expression of major stemness transcription factors. Xenograft experiments confirmed the CTC ability to generate melanoma in-vivo and revealed enhanced metastatic propensity. Conclusions CTCs play a relevant role in melanoma and may actively contribute to drive the disease progression and metastasis. Thus, they are a unique potential tool for pharmacogenomic studies to guide treatment strategies in advanced disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09829-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Felici
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.,Centre for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Mannavola
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigia Stefania Stucci
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Loren Duda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pathology Unit, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Paola Cafforio
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy
| | - Camillo Porta
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Tucci
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy. .,Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
109
|
Ji F, Liu Y, Shi J, Liu C, Fu S, Wang H, Ren B, Mi D, Gao S, Sun D. Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cavernous Hemangioma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:916045. [PMID: 35865633 PMCID: PMC9294370 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.916045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A cavernous hemangioma, well-known as vascular malformation, is present at birth, grows proportionately with the child, and does not undergo regression. Although a cavernous hemangioma has well-defined histopathological characteristics, its origin remains controversial. In the present study, we characterized the cellular heterogeneity of a cavernous hemangioma using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). The main contribution of the present study is that we discovered a large number of embryonic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a cavernous hemangioma and proposed that cavernous hemangiomas may originate from embryonic MSCs. Further analysis of the embryonic MSCs revealed that: 1) proinflammatory cytokines and related genes TNF, TNFSF13B, TNFRSF12A, TNFAIP6, and C1QTNF6 are significantly involved in the MSC-induced immune responses in cavernous hemangiomas; 2) UCHL1 is up-regulated in the embryonic MSC apoptosis induced by proinflammatory cytokines; 3) the UCHL1-induced apoptosis of MSCs may play an important role in the MSC-induced immune responses in cavernous hemangiomas; and 4) UCHL1 can be used as a marker gene to detect embryonic MSCs at different apoptosis stages. In addition to MSCs, ECs, macrophages, T lymphocytes and NKCs were intensively investigated, revealing the genes and pathways featured in cavernous hemangiomas. The present study revealed the origin of cavernous hemangiomas and reported the marker genes, cell types and molecular mechanisms, which are associated with the origin, formation, progression, diagnosis and therapy of cavernous hemangiomas. The better understanding of the MSC-induced immune responses in benign tumours helps to guide future investigation and treatment of embryonic MSC-caused tumours. Our findings initiated future research for the rediscovery of MSCs, cancers/tumours and the UCHL1-induced apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fulong Ji
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinsong Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Disease, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiang Liu
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Siqi Fu
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bingbing Ren
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Mi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Maternity Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Shan Gao, ; Daqing Sun,
| | - Daqing Sun
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Shan Gao, ; Daqing Sun,
| |
Collapse
|
110
|
Kopanja D, Chand V, O’Brien E, Mukhopadhyay NK, Zappia MP, Islam AB, Frolov MV, Merrill BJ, Raychaudhuri P. Transcriptional Repression by FoxM1 Suppresses Tumor Differentiation and Promotes Metastasis of Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2458-2471. [PMID: 35583996 PMCID: PMC9258028 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is overexpressed in breast cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, FoxM1 associates with CBP to activate transcription and with Rb to repress transcription. Although the activating function of FoxM1 in breast cancer has been well documented, the significance of its repressive activity is poorly understood. Using CRISPR-Cas9 engineering, we generated a mouse model that expresses FoxM1-harboring point mutations that block binding to Rb while retaining its ability to bind CBP. Unlike FoxM1-null mice, mice harboring Rb-binding mutant FoxM1 did not exhibit significant developmental defects. The mutant mouse line developed PyMT-driven mammary tumors that were deficient in lung metastasis, which was tumor cell-intrinsic. Single-cell RNA-seq of the tumors revealed a deficiency in prometastatic tumor cells and an expansion of differentiated alveolar type tumor cells, and further investigation identified that loss of the FoxM1/Rb interaction caused enhancement of the mammary alveolar differentiation program. The FoxM1 mutant tumors also showed increased Pten expression, and FoxM1/Rb was found to activate Akt signaling by repressing Pten. In human breast cancers, expression of FoxM1 negatively correlated with Pten mRNA. Furthermore, the lack of tumor-infiltrating cells in FoxM1 mutant tumors appeared related to decreases in pro-metastatic tumor cells that express factors required for infiltration. These observations demonstrate that the FoxM1/Rb-regulated transcriptome is critical for the plasticity of breast cancer cells that drive metastasis, identifying a prometastatic role of Rb when bound to FoxM1. SIGNIFICANCE This work provides new insights into how the interaction between FoxM1 and Rb facilitates the evolution of metastatic breast cancer cells by altering the transcriptome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dragana Kopanja
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Vaibhav Chand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Eilidh O’Brien
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Nishit K. Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Maria P. Zappia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Abul B.M.M.K. Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Maxim V. Frolov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Bradley J. Merrill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Pradip Raychaudhuri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Research and Development Section, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence: Pradip Raychaudhuri, 900 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, Il, 60607, Phone number: 312-413-0255;
| |
Collapse
|
111
|
Hoft SG, Pherson MD, DiPaolo RJ. Discovering Immune-Mediated Mechanisms of Gastric Carcinogenesis Through Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Front Immunol 2022; 13:902017. [PMID: 35757757 PMCID: PMC9231461 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.902017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) technology is still relatively new in the field of gastric cancer immunology but gaining significant traction. This technology now provides unprecedented insights into the intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneities at the immunological, cellular, and molecular levels. Within the last few years, a volume of publications reported the usefulness of scRNAseq technology in identifying thus far elusive immunological mechanisms that may promote and impede gastric cancer development. These studies analyzed datasets generated from primary human gastric cancer tissues, metastatic ascites fluid from gastric cancer patients, and laboratory-generated data from in vitro and in vivo models of gastric diseases. In this review, we overview the exciting findings from scRNAseq datasets that uncovered the role of critical immune cells, including T cells, B cells, myeloid cells, mast cells, ILC2s, and other inflammatory stromal cells, like fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In addition, we also provide a synopsis of the initial scRNAseq findings on the interesting epithelial cell responses to inflammation. In summary, these new studies have implicated roles for T and B cells and subsets like NKT cells in tumor development and progression. The current studies identified diverse subsets of macrophages and mast cells in the tumor microenvironment, however, additional studies to determine their roles in promoting cancer growth are needed. Some groups specifically focus on the less prevalent ILC2 cell type that may contribute to early cancer development. ScRNAseq analysis also reveals that stromal cells, e.g., fibroblasts and endothelial cells, regulate inflammation and promote metastasis, making them key targets for future investigations. While evaluating the outcomes, we also highlight the gaps in the current findings and provide an assessment of what this technology holds for gastric cancer research in the coming years. With scRNAseq technology expanding rapidly, we stress the need for periodic review of the findings and assess the available scRNAseq analytical tools to guide future work on immunological mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stella G Hoft
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michelle D Pherson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Genomics Core Facility, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Richard J DiPaolo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
112
|
Sun D, Gai Z, Wu J, Chen Q. Prognostic Impact of the Angiogenic Gene POSTN and Its Related Genes on Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:699824. [PMID: 35832544 PMCID: PMC9271775 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.699824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The function of angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poorly documented. This study was designed to reveal ARGs in LUAD and related networks. Methods We worked with sequencing data and clinical information pertaining to LUAD from public databases. ARGs were retrieved from the HALLMARK_ANGIOGENESIS gene set. Differential analysis and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) analysis were performed to authenticate the ARGs associated with LUAD. Weighted gene correlation network analysis was performed on the mining hub genes linked to the abovementioned genes, and functional enrichment analysis was done. Subsequently, Cox regression analyses were used to construct the prognostic gene. POSTN and microvessel density were detected using immunohistochemistry. Results POSTN, an ARG that was highly expressed in patients with LUAD and was closely associated with their weak overall survival was identified. Differentially expressed genes associated with POSTN were mainly enriched in entries related to the tubulointerstitial system, immune response, and epithelial cells. A positive correlation was demonstrated between POSTN expression and tumor microvessel density in LUAD. Subsequently, a prognostic gene signature was constructed and revealed that 4 genes may predict the survival of LUAD patients. Furthermore, the ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT analyses suggested that our risk scoring system may be implicated in altering the immune microenvironment of patients with LUAD. Finally, a ceRNA network was constructed based on the prognostic genes, and the regulatory networks were examined. Conclusion POSTN, a novel prognostic gene signature associated with ARGs, was constructed for the prognosis of patients with LUAD. This signature may alter the immune microenvironment by modulating the activation of the tubulointerstitial system, epithelial cells, and immune cells, ultimately affecting patient survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Shandong Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Dongfeng Sun, ;Qingfa Chen,
| | - Zhibo Gai
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qingfa Chen
- Institute of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, China
- *Correspondence: Dongfeng Sun, ;Qingfa Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
113
|
Wu M, Liang Y, Zhang X. Changes in Pulmonary Microenvironment Aids Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:860932. [PMID: 35719975 PMCID: PMC9204317 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.860932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has become the most common malignant disease in the world according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the most critical cause of death is distant metastasis. The lung is the extremely common visceral site for breast cancer metastasis. Lung metastasis of breast cancer is not only dependent on the invasive ability of the tumor itself, but also closely relates to the pulmonary microenvironment. In the progression of breast cancer, the formation of specific microenvironment in lungs can provide suitable conditions for the metastasis of breast cancer. Pulmonary inflammatory response, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, some chemotherapeutic agents and so on all play important roles in the formation of the pulmonary microenvironment. This review highlights recent findings regarding the alterations of pulmonary microenvironment in lung metastasis of breast cancer, with a focus on various cells and acellular components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meimei Wu
- Clinical Experimental Center, Jiangmen Key Laboratory of Clinical Biobanks and Translational Research, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Jiangmen, China
| | - Yanfang Liang
- Department of Pathology, Dongguan Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Binhaiwan Central Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Clinical Experimental Center, Jiangmen Key Laboratory of Clinical Biobanks and Translational Research, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Jiangmen, China.,Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Antitumor Active Substance Research and Development, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
114
|
Fan T, Kuang G, Long R, Han Y, Wang J. The overall process of metastasis: From initiation to a new tumor. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188750. [PMID: 35728735 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis-a process that involves the migration of cells from the primary site to distant organs-is the leading cause of cancer-associated death. Improved technology and in-depth research on tumors have furthered our understanding of the various mechanisms involved in tumor metastasis. Metastasis is initiated by cancer cells of a specific phenotype, which migrate with the assistance of extracellular components and metastatic traits conferred via epigenetic regulation while modifying their behavior in response to the complex and dynamic human internal environment. In this review, we have summarized the general steps involved in tumor metastasis and their characteristics, incorporating recent studies and topical issues, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, neutrophil extracellular traps, pre-metastatic niche, extracellular vesicles, and dormancy. Several feasible treatment directions have also been summarized. In addition, the correlation between cancer metastasis and lifestyle factors, such as obesity and circadian rhythm, has been illustrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Fan
- Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Guicheng Kuang
- Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Runmin Long
- Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunwei Han
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
115
|
Tucker RP, Degen M. Revisiting the Tenascins: Exploitable as Cancer Targets? Front Oncol 2022; 12:908247. [PMID: 35785162 PMCID: PMC9248440 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.908247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For their full manifestation, tumors require support from the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), which includes a specific extracellular matrix (ECM), vasculature, and a variety of non-malignant host cells. Together, these components form a tumor-permissive niche that significantly differs from physiological conditions. While the TME helps to promote tumor progression, its special composition also provides potential targets for anti-cancer therapy. Targeting tumor-specific ECM molecules and stromal cells or disrupting aberrant mesenchyme-cancer communications might normalize the TME and improve cancer treatment outcome. The tenascins are a family of large, multifunctional extracellular glycoproteins consisting of four members. Although each have been described to be expressed in the ECM surrounding cancer cells, tenascin-C and tenascin-W are currently the most promising candidates for exploitability and clinical use as they are highly expressed in various tumor stroma with relatively low abundance in healthy tissues. Here, we review what is known about expression of all four tenascin family members in tumors, followed by a more thorough discussion on tenascin-C and tenascin-W focusing on their oncogenic functions and their potential as diagnostic and/or targetable molecules for anti-cancer treatment purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard P. Tucker
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Martin Degen
- Laboratory for Oral Molecular Biology, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Martin Degen,
| |
Collapse
|
116
|
Banik A, Sharma R, Chauhan A, Singh S. Cutting the umbilical cord: Cancer stem cell-targeted therapeutics. Life Sci 2022; 299:120502. [PMID: 35351466 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are a notoriously quiescent subpopulation of cells within heterogeneous tumors exhibiting self-renewal, differentiation and drug-resistant capabilities leading to tumor relapse. Heterogeneous cell populations in tumor microenvironment develop an elaborate network of signalling and factors supporting the CSC population within a niche. Identification of specific biomarkers for CSCs facilitates their isolation. CSCs demonstrate abilities that bypass immune surveillance, exhibit resistance to therapy, and induce cancer recurrence while promoting altered metabolism of the bulk tumor, thereby encouraging metastasis. The fight against cancer is prone to relapse without discussing the issue of CSCs, making it imperative for encapsulation of current studies. In this review, we provide extensive knowledge of recent therapeutics developed that target CSCs via multiple signalling cascades, altered metabolism and the tumor microenvironment. Thorough understanding of the functioning of CSCs, their interaction with different cells in the tumor microenvironment as well as current gaps in knowledge are addressed. We present possible strategies to disrupt the cellular and molecular interplay within the tumor microenvironment and make it less conducive for CSCs, which may aid in their eradication with subsequently better treatment outcomes. In conclusion, we discuss a brief yet functional idea of emerging concepts in CSC biology to develop efficient therapeutics acting on cancer recurrence and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Banik
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Chinna Kalapet, Puducherry 605014, India
| | - Rishika Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| | - Akansha Chauhan
- Amity Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Sandhya Singh
- Amity Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Noida, India.
| |
Collapse
|
117
|
Baumann Z, Auf der Maur P, Bentires‐Alj M. Feed-forward loops between metastatic cancer cells and their microenvironment-the stage of escalation. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14283. [PMID: 35506376 PMCID: PMC9174884 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, and metastases in distant organs are the leading cause of the cancer-related deaths. While survival of early-stage breast cancer patients has increased dramatically, the 5-year survival rate of metastatic patients has barely improved in the last 20 years. Metastases can arise up to decades after primary tumor resection, hinting at microenvironmental factors influencing the sudden outgrowth of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). This review summarizes how the environment of the most common metastatic sites (lung, liver, bone, brain) is influenced by the primary tumor and by the varying dormancy of DTCs, with a special focus on how established metastases persist and grow in distant organs due to feed-forward loops (FFLs). We discuss in detail the importance of FFL of cancer cells with their microenvironment including the secretome, interaction with specialized tissue-specific cells, nutrients/metabolites, and that novel therapies should target not only the cancer cells but also the tumor microenvironment, which are thick as thieves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zora Baumann
- Tumor Heterogeneity Metastasis and ResistanceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Priska Auf der Maur
- Tumor Heterogeneity Metastasis and ResistanceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Mohamed Bentires‐Alj
- Tumor Heterogeneity Metastasis and ResistanceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
118
|
Ju F, Atyah MM, Horstmann N, Gul S, Vago R, Bruns CJ, Zhao Y, Dong QZ, Ren N. Characteristics of the cancer stem cell niche and therapeutic strategies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:233. [PMID: 35659296 PMCID: PMC9166529 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02904-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Distinct regions harboring cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified within the microenvironment of various tumors, and as in the case of their healthy counterparts, these anatomical regions are termed “niche.” Thus far, a large volume of studies have shown that CSC niches take part in the maintenance, regulation of renewal, differentiation and plasticity of CSCs. In this review, we summarize and discuss the latest findings regarding CSC niche morphology, physical terrain, main signaling pathways and interactions within them. The cellular and molecular components of CSCs also involve genetic and epigenetic modulations that mediate and support their maintenance, ultimately leading to cancer progression. It suggests that the crosstalk between CSCs and their niche plays an important role regarding therapy resistance and recurrence. In addition, we updated diverse therapeutic strategies in different cancers in basic research and clinical trials in this review. Understanding the complex heterogeneity of CSC niches is a necessary pre-requisite for designing superior therapeutic strategies to target CSC-specific factors and/or components of the CSC niche.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ju
- General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, Cologne, Germany
| | - Manar M Atyah
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Nellie Horstmann
- General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525, Hamburg, Germany.,Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Razi Vago
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren, Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Christiane J Bruns
- General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yue Zhao
- General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China.,Key Laboratory of Whole-Period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Ning Ren
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China. .,Institute of Fudan-Minhang Academic Health System, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201199, China. .,Key Laboratory of Whole-Period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Shanghai, 201199, China.
| |
Collapse
|
119
|
Chen X, Song E. The theory of tumor ecosystem. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:587-608. [PMID: 35642770 PMCID: PMC9257988 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can be conceived as “living organisms” interacting with cellular or non‐cellular components in the host internal environment, not only the local tumor microenvironment but also the distant organ niches, as well as the immune, nervous and endocrine systems, to construct a self‐sustainable tumor ecosystem. With increasing evidence for the systemic tumor‐host interplay, we predict that a new era of cancer therapy targeting the ecosystemic vulnerability of human malignancies has come. Revolving around the tumor ecosystem scoped as different hierarchies of primary, regional, distal and systemic onco‐spheres, we comprehensively review the tumor‐host interaction among cancer cells and their local microenvironment, distant organ niches, immune, nervous and endocrine systems, highlighting material and energy flow with tumor ecological homeostasis as an internal driving force. We also substantiate the knowledge of visualizing, modelling and subtyping this dynamically intertwined network with recent technological advances, and discuss ecologically rational strategies for more effective cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueman Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China.,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China.,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
120
|
Zhang X, Zhang R, Hou C, He R, Wang QS, Zhou TH, Li XQ, Zhai QL, Feng YM. FOXF2 oppositely regulates stemness in luminal and basal-like breast cancer cells through the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102082. [PMID: 35660418 PMCID: PMC9254110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The stemness of cancer cells contributes to tumorigenesis, the heterogeneity of malignancies, cancer metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms maintaining stemness among breast cancer subtypes remain elusive. Our previous studies have demonstrated that ectopic expression and dynamic alteration of the mesenchymal transcription factor forkhead box F2 (FOXF2) differentially regulates breast cancer progression and metastasis organotropism in a cell subtype-specific manner. Here, we reveal the underlying mechanism by which FOXF2 enhances stemness in luminal breast cancer cells but suppresses that in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) cells. We show that luminal breast cancer and BLBC cells with FOXF2-regulated stemness exhibit partial mesenchymal stem cell properties that toward osteogenic differentiation and myogenic differentiation, respectively. Furthermore, we show that FOXF2 activates the Wnt signaling pathway in luminal breast cancer cells but represses this pathway in BLBC cells by recruiting nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCoA3) and nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCoR1) to the promoters of Wnt family member 2B (WNT2B) and frizzled class receptor 1 (FZD1) genes to activate and repress their transcription, respectively. We propose that targeting the Wnt signaling pathway is a promising strategy for the treatment of breast cancers with dysregulated expression of FOXF2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Chen Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Rui He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Qing-Shan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Tian-Hao Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Qiong-Li Zhai
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yu-Mei Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
121
|
Herkiloglu D, Gokce S, Kaygusuz E, Cevik O. Expression of periostin according to endometrial cancer grade. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:213. [PMID: 35707760 PMCID: PMC9178670 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13335] [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: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
While various molecular profiling methods have been described for the early diagnosis and prognostic process of endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer, the data obtained remain insufficient. The present study aimed to investigate the protein and gene expression of periostin and its role as a new biomarker in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of endometrial cancer. A total of 15 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer at the Department of Pathology, Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) and 15 patients who were operated on for non-tumour-related reasons, between December 2019 and May 2020, were included in the study. The cases diagnosed with endometrial cancer were divided into three groups: International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics grades I, II and III. Pathology tumour blocks were selected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and PCR studies in which periostin gene expression and protein levels were measured, respectively. A significant increase in periostin gene expression was observed in the endometrial cancer samples compared with that in the controls (3.40±0.66 vs. 2.23±0.47). The protein level of periostin in the tissues was found to be higher in the endometrial cancer samples than that in the control group (1.59±0.31 vs. 0.94±0.22). The levels of periostin protein and gene expression detected in the endometrial cancer samples increased as the grade increased. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to determine the levels of periostin protein and gene expression in endometrial cancer. The results suggested that periostin may be used as a biomarker in the determination of higher histological grade in endometrial cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dilsad Herkiloglu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gaziosmanpasa Hospital, Yeni Yuzyil University, Istanbul 34245, Turkey
| | - Sefik Gokce
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gaziosmanpasa Hospital, Yeni Yuzyil University, Istanbul 34245, Turkey
| | - Ecmel Kaygusuz
- Department of Pathology, Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul 2022, Turkey
| | - Ozge Cevik
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09010, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
122
|
Periostin in lymph node pre-metastatic niches governs lymphatic endothelial cell functions and metastatic colonization. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:295. [PMID: 35567669 PMCID: PMC9107454 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04262-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Although lymph node (LN) metastasis is an important prognostic parameter in cervical cancer, the tissue remodeling at a pre-metastatic state is poorly documented in LNs. We here identified periostin (POSTN) as a component of non-metastatic LNs by applying proteomic analyses and computerized image quantifications on LNs of patients with cervical cancer. We provide evidence for remarkable modifications of POSTN and lymphatic vessel distributions and densities in non-metastatic sentinel and metastatic human LNs, when compared to distant non-metastatic LNs. POSTN deposition at a pre-metastatic stage was demonstrated in a pre-clinical murine model (the ear sponge assay). Its expression by fibroblastic LN cells was assessed by in situ hybridization and in vitro cultures. In vitro, POSTN promoted lymphatic endothelial cell functions and tumor cell proliferation. Accordingly, the in vivo injection of recombinant POSTN together with VEGF-C boosted the lymphangiogenic response, while the metastatic potential of tumor cells was drastically reduced using a POSTN blocking antibody. This translational study also supports the existence of an unprecedented dialog “in cascade”, between the primary tumor and the first pelvic nodal relay in early cervical cancer, and subsequently from pelvic LN to para-aortic LNs in locally advanced cervical cancers. Collectively, this work highlights the association of POSTN deposition with lymphangiogenesis in LNs, and provides evidence for a key contribution of POSTN in promoting VEGF-C driven lymphangiogenesis and the seeding of metastatic cells.
Collapse
|
123
|
Pritchard JR, Lee MJ, Peyton SR. Materials-driven approaches to understand extrinsic drug resistance in cancer. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3465-3472. [PMID: 35445686 PMCID: PMC9380814 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00071g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic cancer has a poor prognosis, because it is broadly disseminated and associated with both intrinsic and acquired drug resistance. Critical unmet needs in effectively killing drug resistant cancer cells include overcoming the drug desensitization characteristics of some metastatic cancers/lesions, and tailoring therapeutic regimens to both the tumor microenvironment and the genetic profiles of the resident cancer cells. Bioengineers and materials scientists are developing technologies to determine how metastatic sites exclude therapies, and how extracellular factors (including cells, proteins, metabolites, extracellular matrix, and abiotic factors) at metastatic sites significantly affect drug pharmacodynamics. Two looming challenges are determining which feature, or combination of features, from the tumor microenvironment drive drug resistance, and what the relative impact is of extracellular signals vs. intrinsic cell genetics in determining drug response. Sophisticated systems biology tools that can de-convolve a crowded network of signals and responses, as well as controllable microenvironments capable of providing discrete and tunable extracellular cues can help us begin to interrogate the high dimensional interactions governing drug resistance in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, State College PA, USA
| | - Michael J Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Shelly R Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 240 Thatcher Way, Life Sciences Laboratory N531, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
124
|
Gül D, Schweitzer A, Khamis A, Knauer SK, Ding GB, Freudelsperger L, Karampinis I, Strieth S, Hagemann J, Stauber RH. Impact of Secretion-Active Osteoblast-Specific Factor 2 in Promoting Progression and Metastasis of Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2337. [PMID: 35565465 PMCID: PMC9106029 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092337] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment success of head and neck cancer (HNC) is still hampered by tumor relapse due to metastases. Our study aimed to identify biomarkers by exploiting transcriptomics profiles of patient-matched metastases, primary tumors, and normal tissue mucosa as well as the TCGA HNC cohort data sets. Analyses identified osteoblast-specific factor 2 (OSF-2) as significantly overexpressed in lymph node metastases and primary tumors compared to normal tissue. High OSF-2 levels correlate with metastatic disease and reduced overall survival of predominantly HPV-negative HNC patients. No significant correlation was observed with tumor localization or therapy response. These findings were supported by the fact that OSF-2 expression was not elevated in cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines. OSF-2 was strongly expressed in tumor-associated fibroblasts, suggesting a tumor microenvironment-promoting function. Molecular cloning and expression studies of OSF-2 variants from patients identified an evolutionary conserved bona fide protein secretion signal (1MIPFLPMFSLLLLLIVNPINA21). OSF-2 enhanced cell migration and cellular survival under stress conditions, which could be mimicked by the extracellular administration of recombinant protein. Here, OSF-2 executes its functions via ß1 integrin, resulting in the phosphorylation of PI3K and activation of the Akt/PKB signaling pathway. Collectively, we suggest OSF-2 as a potential prognostic biomarker and drug target, promoting metastases by supporting the tumor microenvironment and lymph node metastases survival rather than by enhancing primary tumor proliferation or therapy resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Désirée Gül
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Andrea Schweitzer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Aya Khamis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
- Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, El Azareta, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shirley K. Knauer
- Institute for Molecular Biology, Centre for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße, 45117 Essen, Germany;
| | - Guo-Bin Ding
- Institute of Biotechnology, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;
| | - Laura Freudelsperger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Ioannis Karampinis
- Academic Thoracic Center, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Jan Hagemann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
| | - Roland H. Stauber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (A.S.); (A.K.); (L.F.); (J.H.)
- Institute of Biotechnology, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;
| |
Collapse
|
125
|
Epigenomic Profiling of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Stem-Cell Differentiation Reveals GPD1 Associated Immune Suppressive Microenvironment and Poor Prognosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095120. [PMID: 35563509 PMCID: PMC9101898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraperitoneal metastasis is a challenging clinical scenario in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). As they are distinct from hematogenous metastasizing tumors, epithelial ovarian cancer cells primarily disseminate within the peritoneal cavity to form superficially invasive carcinomas. Unfavorable pharmacokinetics for peritoneal tumors and gut toxicity collectively lead to a narrow therapeutic window and therefore limit the opportunities for a favorable clinical outcome. New insights into tumor metastasis in the peritoneal microenvironment are keenly awaited to develop new therapeutic strategies. Epithelial ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) seeding is considered to be a critical component of the peritoneal spread. Using a unique and stepwise process of the OCSC differentiation model may provide insight into the intraperitoneal metastasis. The transcriptome and epigenome of OCSC differentiation were characterized by expression array and MethylCap-Seq. The TCGA, AOCS, and KM-Plotter databases were used to evaluate the association between survival outcomes and the methylation/expression levels of candidate genes in the EOC datasets. The STRING database was used to investigate the protein–protein interaction (PPI) for candidates and their associated genes. The infiltration level of immune cells in EOC patients and the association between clinical outcome and OCSCs differentiation genes were estimated using the TIDE and TIME2.0 algorithms. We established an EOC differentiation model using OCSCs. After an integrated transcriptomics and methylomics analysis of OCSCs differentiation, we revealed that the genes associated with earlier OCSC differentiation were better able to reflect the patient’s outcome. The OCSC differentiation genes were involved in regulating metabolism shift and the suppressive immune microenvironment. High GPD1 expression with high pro-tumorigenic immune cells (M2 macrophage, and cancer associated fibroblast) had worst survival. Moreover, we developed a methylation signature, constituted by GNPDA1, GPD1, GRASP, HOXC11, and MSLN, that may be useful for prognostic prediction in EOC. Our results revealed a novel role of epigenetic plasticity OCSC differentiation and suggested metabolic and immune intervention as a new therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
|
126
|
Generation of Cancer Stem/Initiating Cells by Cell-Cell Fusion. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094514. [PMID: 35562905 PMCID: PMC9101717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CS/ICs have raised great expectations in cancer research and therapy, as eradication of this key cancer cell type is expected to lead to a complete cure. Unfortunately, the biology of CS/ICs is rather complex, since no common CS/IC marker has yet been identified. Certain surface markers or ALDH1 expression can be used for detection, but some studies indicated that cancer cells exhibit a certain plasticity, so CS/ICs can also arise from non-CS/ICs. Another problem is intratumoral heterogeneity, from which it can be inferred that different CS/IC subclones must be present in the tumor. Cell–cell fusion between cancer cells and normal cells, such as macrophages and stem cells, has been associated with the generation of tumor hybrids that can exhibit novel properties, such as an enhanced metastatic capacity and even CS/IC properties. Moreover, cell–cell fusion is a complex process in which parental chromosomes are mixed and randomly distributed among daughter cells, resulting in multiple, unique tumor hybrids. These, if they have CS/IC properties, may contribute to the heterogeneity of the CS/IC pool. In this review, we will discuss whether cell–cell fusion could also lead to the origin of different CS/ICs that may expand the overall CS/IC pool in a primary tumor.
Collapse
|
127
|
Wu Z, Song Y, Wu Y, Ge L, Liu Z, Du T, Zhang S, Ma L. Identification of KIF23 as a Prognostic Biomarker Associated With Progression of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:839821. [PMID: 35478956 PMCID: PMC9035542 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.839821] [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: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
About 3% of adult cancers are caused by renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its pathogenesis remains elusive. Among RCC, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the predominant histological subtype. Resistance to conventional treatments leaves few treatment options for advanced ccRCC. Although the transcriptome profile of primary ccRCC has been comprehensively summarized, the transcriptome profile of metastatic ccRCC is still lacking. In this study we identified a list of metastasis-related genes and constructing a metastasis-associated prognostic gene signature. By analyzing data from GSE85258 and GSE105288 datasets, 74 genes were identified as metastasis-related genes. To construct prognostic features, we downloaded the expression data of ccRCC from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Metastasis-associated genes were initially selected through the LASSO Cox regression analysis and 12 metastasis-related were included to construct prognostic model. Transcriptome profile, patient prognosis, and immune cell infiltration characteristics differed between low- and high-risk groups after grouping according to median risk score. Through explored the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups. Kinesin family member 23 (KIF23) was identified as a prognostic marker in ccRCC patients. Furthermore, inhibition of KIF23 expression reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. We further demonstrated that KIF23 promote nuclear translocation of β-catenin in ccRCC cells, which provides novel insight into the functions and molecular machinery of KIF23 in ccRCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lulin Ma
- *Correspondence: Shudong Zhang, ; Lulin Ma,
| |
Collapse
|
128
|
Yao Y, Li Z, Gao W. Identification of Hub Genes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and NSCLC Progression:Evidence From Bioinformatics Analysis. Front Genet 2022; 13:855789. [PMID: 35480306 PMCID: PMC9038140 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.855789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is the most common comorbidity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Thus there is an urgent need for the research of IPF and carcinogenesis Objective: The objective of this study was to explore hub genes which are common in pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer progression through bioinformatic analysis. Methods: All the analysis was performed in R software. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were explored by comparing gene expression profiles between IPF tissues and healthy lung tissues from GSE24206, GSE53845, GSE101286 and GSE110147 datasets. Venn Diagram analysis was used to identify the overlapping genes, while GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were used to explore the biological functions of the DEGs using clusterprofiler package. Hub genes were identified by analyzing protein-protein interaction networks using Cytoscape software. Nomogram was constructed using the rms package. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) analysis was used to quantify the immunotherapy and chemotherapy sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Results:COL1A1, COL3A1, MMP1, POSTN1 and TIMP3 were identified as the top five hub genes. The five hub genes were used to construct a diagnostic nomogram that was validated in another IPF dataset. Since the hub genes were also associated with lung cancer progression, we found that the nomogram also had diagnostic value in NSCLC patients. These five genes achieved a statistically difference of overall survival in NSCLC patients (p < 0.05). The expression of the five hub genes was mostly enriched in fibroblasts. Fibroblasts and the hub genes also showed significant ability to predict the susceptibility of NSCLC patients to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Conclusion: We identified five hub genes as potential biomarkers of IPF and NSCLC progression. This finding may give insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of IPF and lung cancer progression and provides potential targets for developing new therapeutic agents for IPF patients.
Collapse
|
129
|
Zhang Y, Donaher JL, Das S, Li X, Reinhardt F, Krall JA, Lambert AW, Thiru P, Keys HR, Khan M, Hofree M, Wilson MM, Yedier-Bayram O, Lack NA, Onder TT, Bagci-Onder T, Tyler M, Tirosh I, Regev A, Lees JA, Weinberg RA. Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies PRC2 and KMT2D-COMPASS as regulators of distinct EMT trajectories that contribute differentially to metastasis. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:554-564. [PMID: 35411083 PMCID: PMC9037576 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00877-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs operate within carcinoma cells, where they generate phenotypes associated with malignant progression. In their various manifestations, EMT programs enable epithelial cells to enter into a series of intermediate states arrayed along the E-M phenotypic spectrum. At present, we lack a coherent understanding of how carcinoma cells control their entrance into and continued residence in these various states, and which of these states favour the process of metastasis. Here we characterize a layer of EMT-regulating machinery that governs E-M plasticity (EMP). This machinery consists of two chromatin-modifying complexes, PRC2 and KMT2D-COMPASS, which operate as critical regulators to maintain a stable epithelial state. Interestingly, loss of these two complexes unlocks two distinct EMT trajectories. Dysfunction of PRC2, but not KMT2D-COMPASS, yields a quasi-mesenchymal state that is associated with highly metastatic capabilities and poor survival of patients with breast cancer, suggesting that great caution should be applied when PRC2 inhibitors are evaluated clinically in certain patient cohorts. These observations identify epigenetic factors that regulate EMP, determine specific intermediate EMT states and, as a direct consequence, govern the metastatic ability of carcinoma cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | | | - Sunny Das
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xin Li
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Jordan A Krall
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Prathapan Thiru
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Heather R Keys
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mehreen Khan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matan Hofree
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Molly M Wilson
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ozlem Yedier-Bayram
- Koç University School of Medicine, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nathan A Lack
- Koç University School of Medicine, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
- Vancouver Prostate Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tamer T Onder
- Koç University School of Medicine, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Koç University School of Medicine, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Michael Tyler
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Itay Tirosh
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aviv Regev
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline A Lees
- The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- MIT Ludwig Center for Molecular Oncology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
130
|
Kolesnikoff N, Chen CH, Samuel M. Interrelationships between the extracellular matrix and the immune microenvironment that govern epithelial tumour progression. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:361-377. [PMID: 35260891 PMCID: PMC8907655 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumours are composed of cancer cells characterised by genetic mutations that underpin the disease, but also contain a suite of genetically normal cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). These two latter components are constituents of the tumour microenvironment (TME), and are key determinants of tumour biology and thereby the outcomes for patients. The tumour ECM has been the subject of intense research over the past two decades, revealing key biochemical and mechanobiological principles that underpin its role in tumour cell proliferation and survival. However, the ECM also strongly influences the genetically normal immune cells within the microenvironment, regulating not only their proliferation and survival, but also their differentiation and access to tumour cells. Here we review recent advances in our knowledge of how the ECM regulates the tumour immune microenvironment and vice versa, comparing normal skin wound healing to the pathological condition of tumour progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Kolesnikoff
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Chun-Hsien Chen
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Susithiran Samuel
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
131
|
Wu M, Zhang X, Zhang W, Chiou YS, Qian W, Liu X, Zhang M, Yan H, Li S, Li T, Han X, Qian P, Liu S, Pan Y, Lobie PE, Zhu T. Cancer stem cell regulated phenotypic plasticity protects metastasized cancer cells from ferroptosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1371. [PMID: 35296660 PMCID: PMC8927306 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells display phenotypic equilibrium between the stem-like and differentiated states during neoplastic homeostasis. The functional and mechanistic implications of this subpopulation plasticity remain largely unknown. Herein, it is demonstrated that the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) secretome autonomously compresses the stem cell population. Co-implantation with BCSCs decreases the tumor-initiating capacity yet increases metastasis of accompanying cancer cells, wherein DKK1 is identified as a pivotal factor secreted by BCSCs for such functions. DKK1-promotes differentiation is indispensable for disseminated tumor cell metastatic outgrowth. In contrast, DKK1 inhibitors substantially relieve the metastatic burden by restraining metastatic cells in the dormant state. DKK1 increases the expression of SLC7A11 to protect metastasizing cancer cells from lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Combined treatment with a ferroptosis inducer and a DKK1 inhibitor exhibits synergistic effects in diminishing metastasis. Hence, this study deciphers the contribution of CSC-regulated phenotypic plasticity in metastatic colonization and provides therapeutic approaches to limit metastatic outgrowth. The contribution of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) to metastasis needs further elucidation. Here, the authors show that BCSCs secrete DKK1 to protect metastasizing cancer cells from ferroptosis via upregulation of SLC7A11, and further show that the combination of a ferroptosis inducer with a DKK1 inhibitor reduces metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Weijie Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi Shiou Chiou
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.,Master Degree Program in Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenchang Qian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiangtian Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Min Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hong Yan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shilan Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xinghua Han
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Pengxu Qian
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueyin Pan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Peter E Lobie
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Shenzhen, China. .,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Tao Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China. .,The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
132
|
Birrer MJ, Fujiwara K, Oaknin A, Randall L, Ojalvo LS, Valencia C, Ray-Coquard I. The Changing Landscape of Systemic Treatment for Cervical Cancer: Rationale for Inhibition of the TGF-β and PD-L1 Pathways. Front Oncol 2022; 12:814169. [PMID: 35280818 PMCID: PMC8905681 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.814169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most common and lethal cancers among women worldwide. Treatment options are limited in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer, with <20% of women living >5 years. Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been implicated in almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV infection not only causes normal cervical cells to transform into cancer cells, but also creates an immunosuppressive environment for cancer cells to evade the immune system. Recent clinical trials of drugs targeting the PD-(L)1 pathway have demonstrated improvement in overall survival in patients with cervical cancer, but only 20% to 30% of patients show overall survival benefit beyond 2 years, and resistance to these treatments remains common. Therefore, novel treatment strategies targeting HPV infection-associated factors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Bintrafusp alfa is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the TGF-βRII receptor (a TGF-β "trap") fused to a human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-L1. Early clinical trials of bintrafusp alfa have shown promising results in patients with advanced cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Birrer
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ana Oaknin
- Gynaecological Cancer Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leslie Randall
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Laureen S Ojalvo
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Christian Valencia
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc., Billerica, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Ray-Coquard
- GINECO Group & Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, University Claude Bernard Lyon, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
133
|
Janghorban M, Yang Y, Zhao N, Hamor C, Nguyen TM, Zhang XHF, Rosen JM. Single-Cell Analysis Unveils the Role of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Notch Signaling in Dormant Minimal Residual Disease. Cancer Res 2022; 82:885-899. [PMID: 34965936 PMCID: PMC8898263 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor dormancy is a stage in which residual cancer cells remain inactive, but regrowth of dormant cancer cells contributes to recurrence. The complex ecosystem in cancer that promotes cell survival and the factors that eventually overcome growth constraints and result in proliferation remain to be fully elucidated. Doing so may provide new insights and help identify novel strategies to prolong cancer dormancy and prevent disease recurrence. To dissect the molecular pathways and the microenvironments involved in regulation of dormancy, we utilized a novel immunocompetent transgenic model to study minimal residual disease and relapse. This model revealed a significant reorganization of cancer cell structures, stroma, and immune cells, with cancer cells showing dormant cell signatures. Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovered remodeling of myeloid and lymphoid compartments. In addition, the Jagged-1/Notch signaling pathway was shown to regulate many aspects of tumorigenesis, including stem cell development, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immune cell homeostasis during minimal residual disease. Treatment with an anti-Jagged-1 antibody inhibited the Jagged-1/Notch signaling pathway in tumor cells and the microenvironment, delaying tumor recurrence. These findings uncover a cascade of regulatory changes in the microenvironment during dormancy and identify a therapeutic strategy to undercut these changes. SIGNIFICANCE Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis reveals dormancy-associated changes in immune and stromal cells and demonstrates a rationale to pursue Jagged-1/Notch pathway inhibition as a viable therapeutic strategy to reduce disease recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahnaz Janghorban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuchen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Clark Hamor
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tuan M. Nguyen
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiang H.-F. Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- McNair Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jeffrey M. Rosen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
134
|
Mohammad Mirzaei N, Changizi N, Asadpoure A, Su S, Sofia D, Tatarova Z, Zervantonakis IK, Chang YH, Shahriyari L. Investigating key cell types and molecules dynamics in PyMT mice model of breast cancer through a mathematical model. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009953. [PMID: 35294447 PMCID: PMC8959189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common kind of cancer among women is breast cancer. Understanding the tumor microenvironment and the interactions between individual cells and cytokines assists us in arriving at more effective treatments. Here, we develop a data-driven mathematical model to investigate the dynamics of key cell types and cytokines involved in breast cancer development. We use time-course gene expression profiles of a mouse model to estimate the relative abundance of cells and cytokines. We then employ a least-squares optimization method to evaluate the model's parameters based on the mice data. The resulting dynamics of the cells and cytokines obtained from the optimal set of parameters exhibit a decent agreement between the data and predictions. We perform a sensitivity analysis to identify the crucial parameters of the model and then perform a local bifurcation on them. The results reveal a strong connection between adipocytes, IL6, and the cancer population, suggesting them as potential targets for therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navid Mohammad Mirzaei
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Navid Changizi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alireza Asadpoure
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sumeyye Su
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dilruba Sofia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Zuzana Tatarova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Ioannis K. Zervantonakis
- Department of Bioengineering, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Young Hwan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine (OCSSB), Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Leili Shahriyari
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
135
|
Paul R, Dorsey JF, Fan Y. Cell plasticity, senescence, and quiescence in cancer stem cells: Biological and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 231:107985. [PMID: 34480963 PMCID: PMC8844041 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct population of cells within tumors with capabilities of self-renewal and tumorigenicity. CSCs play a pivotal role in cancer progression, metastasis, and relapse and tumor resistance to cytotoxic therapy. Emerging scientific evidence indicates that CSCs adopt several mechanisms, driven by cellular plasticity, senescence and quiescence, to maintain their self-renewal capability and to resist tumor microenvironmental stress and treatments. These pose major hindrances for CSC-targeting anti-cancer therapies: cell plasticity maintains stemness in CSCs and renders tumor cells to acquire stem-like phenotypes, contributing to tumor heterogeneity and CSC generation; cellular senescence induces genetic reprogramming and stemness activation, leading to CSC-mediated tumor progression and metastasis; cell quienscence facilitates CSC to overcome their intrinsic vulnerabilities and therapeutic stress, inducing tumor relapse and therapy resistance. These mechanisms are subjected to spatiotemporal regulation by hypoxia, CSC niche, and extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment. Here we integrate the recent advances and current knowledge to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of plasticity, senescence and quiescence of CSCs and the potential therapeutic implications for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ritama Paul
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 19104
| | - Jay F. Dorsey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 19104
| | - Yi Fan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
136
|
Lepucki A, Orlińska K, Mielczarek-Palacz A, Kabut J, Olczyk P, Komosińska-Vassev K. The Role of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Breast Cancer. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051250. [PMID: 35268340 PMCID: PMC8911242 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix is a structure composed of many molecules, including fibrillar (types I, II, III, V, XI, XXIV, XXVII) and non-fibrillar collagens (mainly basement membrane collagens: types IV, VIII, X), non-collagenous glycoproteins (elastin, laminin, fibronectin, thrombospondin, tenascin, osteopontin, osteonectin, entactin, periostin) embedded in a gel of negatively charged water-retaining glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as non-sulfated hyaluronic acid (HA) and sulfated GAGs which are linked to a core protein to form proteoglycans (PGs). This highly dynamic molecular network provides critical biochemical and biomechanical cues that mediate the cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, influence cell growth, migration and differentiation and serve as a reservoir of cytokines and growth factors’ action. The breakdown of normal ECM and its replacement with tumor ECM modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) composition and is an essential part of tumorigenesis and metastasis, acting as key driver for malignant progression. Abnormal ECM also deregulate behavior of stromal cells as well as facilitating tumor-associated angiogenesis and inflammation. Thus, the tumor matrix modulates each of the classically defined hallmarks of cancer promoting the growth, survival and invasion of the cancer. Moreover, various ECM-derived components modulate the immune response affecting T cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), dendritic cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). This review article considers the role that extracellular matrix play in breast cancer. Determining the detailed connections between the ECM and cellular processes has helped to identify novel disease markers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Lepucki
- Department of Community Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.L.); (K.O.)
| | - Kinga Orlińska
- Department of Community Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.L.); (K.O.)
| | - Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz
- Department of Immunology and Serology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.M.-P.); (J.K.)
| | - Jacek Kabut
- Department of Immunology and Serology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.M.-P.); (J.K.)
| | - Pawel Olczyk
- Department of Community Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.L.); (K.O.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Katarzyna Komosińska-Vassev
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
137
|
Wilczyński JR, Nowak M. Cancer Immunoediting: Elimination, Equilibrium, and Immune Escape in Solid Tumors. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:1-57. [PMID: 35165859 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Emphasizing the dynamic processes between cancer and host immune system, the initially discovered concept of cancer immunosurveillance has been replaced by the current concept of cancer immunoediting consisting of three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape. Solid tumors composed of both cancer and host stromal cells are an example how the three phases of cancer immunoediting functionally evolve and how tumor shaped by the host immune system gets finally resistant phenotype. The elimination, equilibrium, and escape have been described in this chapter in details, including the role of immune surveillance, cancer dormancy, disruption of the antigen-presenting machinery, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, resistance to apoptosis, as well as the function of tumor stroma, microvesicles, exosomes, and inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacek R Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Marek Nowak
- Department of Operative Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Operative and Endoscopic Gynecology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
138
|
Simon T, Salhia B. Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Subpopulations With Diverse and Dynamic Roles in the Tumor Microenvironment. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:183-192. [PMID: 34670861 PMCID: PMC9306405 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Close interactions between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) have repeatedly been reported to support tumor progression. Yet, targeting CAFs has so far failed to show a real benefit in cancer treatment, as preclinical studies have shown that such a strategy can enhance tumor growth. Accordingly, recent paradigm-shifting data suggest that certain CAF subpopulations could also show tumor-inhibitory capabilities. The present review aims to provide an in-depth description of the cellular heterogeneity of the CAF compartment in tumors. Through combining information from different cancer types, here we define 4 main CAF subpopulations that might cohabitate in any tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, a model for the evolution of CAFs during tumor development is introduced. Moreover, the presence of tumor-inhibitory CAFs in the TME as well as their molecular characteristics are extensively discussed. Finally, the potential cellular origins of these distinct CAF subpopulations are reviewed. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt at establishing a broad but comprehensive classification of CAF subpopulations. Altogether, the present manuscript aims to provide the latest developments and innovative insights that could help refine future therapeutic targeting of CAFs for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Simon
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bodour Salhia
- Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,Corresponding Author: Bodour Salhia, Department of Translational Genomics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1450 Biggy Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Phone: 323-442-3099; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
139
|
Nolan E, Bridgeman VL, Ombrato L, Karoutas A, Rabas N, Sewnath CAN, Vasquez M, Rodrigues FS, Horswell S, Faull P, Carter R, Malanchi I. Radiation exposure elicits a neutrophil-driven response in healthy lung tissue that enhances metastatic colonization. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:173-187. [PMID: 35221334 PMCID: PMC7612918 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00336-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the most effective approaches to achieve tumor control in cancer patients, although healthy tissue injury due to off-target radiation exposure can occur. In this study, we used a model of acute radiation injury to the lung, in the context of cancer metastasis, to understand the biological link between tissue damage and cancer progression. We exposed healthy mouse lung tissue to radiation before the induction of metastasis and observed a strong enhancement of cancer cell growth. We found that locally activated neutrophils were key drivers of the tumor-supportive preconditioning of the lung microenvironment, governed by enhanced regenerative Notch signaling. Importantly, these tissue perturbations endowed arriving cancer cells with an augmented stemness phenotype. By preventing neutrophil-dependent Notch activation, via blocking degranulation, we were able to significantly offset the radiation-enhanced metastases. This work highlights a pro-tumorigenic activity of neutrophils, which is likely linked to their tissue regenerative functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Nolan
- Tumour Host Interaction laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Luigi Ombrato
- Tumour Host Interaction laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Adam Karoutas
- Tumour Host Interaction laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicolas Rabas
- Tumour Host Interaction laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Marcos Vasquez
- Cancer Immunology Unit, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Stuart Horswell
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Unit, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Peter Faull
- Proteomics Unit, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Center for Biomedical Research Support Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca Carter
- Preclinical Radiotherapy TTP, CRUK-City of London Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ilaria Malanchi
- Tumour Host Interaction laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
140
|
MicroRNAs: Emerging Regulators of Metastatic Bone Disease in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030729. [PMID: 35158995 PMCID: PMC8833828 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is a frequent complication in patients with advanced breast cancer. Once in the bone, cancer cells disrupt the tightly regulated cellular balance within the bone microenvironment, leading to excessive bone destruction and further tumor growth. Physiological and pathological interactions in the bone marrow are mediated by cell-cell contacts and secreted molecules that include soluble proteins as well as RNA molecules. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally interfere with their target messenger RNA (mRNA) and subsequently reduce protein abundance. Since their discovery, miRNAs have been identified as critical regulators of physiological and pathological processes, including breast cancer and associated metastatic bone disease. Depending on their targets, miRNAs can exhibit pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic functions and serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. These properties have encouraged pre-clinical and clinical development programs to investigate miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in various diseases, including metastatic cancers. In this review, we discuss the role of miRNAs in metastatic bone disease with a focus on breast cancer and the bone microenvironment and elaborate on their potential use for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in metastatic bone disease and beyond.
Collapse
|
141
|
Tu SM, Estecio MR, Lin SH, Zacharias NM. Stem Cell Theory of Cancer: Rude Awakening or Bad Dream from Cancer Dormancy? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:655. [PMID: 35158923 PMCID: PMC8833524 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To be dormant or not depends on the origin and nature of both the cell and its niche. Similar to other cancer hallmarks, dormancy is ingrained with stemness, and stemness is embedded within dormancy. After all, cancer dormancy is dependent on multiple factors such as cell cycle arrest, metabolic inactivity, and the microenvironment. It is the net results and sum effects of a myriad of cellular interactions, interconnections, and interplays. When we unite all cancer networks and integrate all cancer hallmarks, we practice and preach a unified theory of cancer. From this perspective, we review cancer dormancy in the context of a stem cell theory of cancer. We revisit the seed and soil hypothesis of cancer. We reexamine its implications in both primary tumors and metastatic lesions. We reassess its roles in cell cycle arrest, metabolic inactivity, and stemness property. Cancer dormancy is particularly revealing when it informs us about the mysteries of late relapse, prolonged remission, and second malignancy. It is paradoxically rewarding when it delivers us the promises and power of cancer prevention and maintenance therapy in patient care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Ming Tu
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marcos R. Estecio
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Sue-Hwa Lin
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Niki M. Zacharias
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
142
|
Identification, Culture and Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020184. [PMID: 35207472 PMCID: PMC8879966 DOI: 10.3390/life12020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance, tumor progression, and metastasis are features that are frequently seen in cancer that have been associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are a promising target in the future of cancer therapy but remain largely unknown. Deregulation of pathways that govern stemness in non-tumorigenic stem cells (SCs), such as Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog pathways, has been described in CSC pathogenesis, but it is necessary to conduct further studies to discover potential new therapeutic targets. In addition, some markers for the identification and characterization of CSCs have been suggested, but the search for specific CSC markers in many cancer types is still under development. In addition, methods for CSC cultivation are also under development, with great heterogeneity existing in the protocols used. This review focuses on the most recent aspects of the identification, characterization, cultivation, and targeting of human CSCs, highlighting the advances achieved in the clinical implementation of therapies targeting CSCs and remarking those potential areas where more research is still required.
Collapse
|
143
|
Martinez P, Ballarin L, Ereskovsky AV, Gazave E, Hobmayer B, Manni L, Rottinger E, Sprecher SG, Tiozzo S, Varela-Coelho A, Rinkevich B. Articulating the "stem cell niche" paradigm through the lens of non-model aquatic invertebrates. BMC Biol 2022; 20:23. [PMID: 35057814 PMCID: PMC8781081 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01230-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells (SCs) in vertebrates typically reside in "stem cell niches" (SCNs), morphologically restricted tissue microenvironments that are important for SC survival and proliferation. SCNs are broadly defined by properties including physical location, but in contrast to vertebrates and other "model" organisms, aquatic invertebrate SCs do not have clearly documented niche outlines or properties. Life strategies such as regeneration or asexual reproduction may have conditioned the niche architectural variability in aquatic or marine animal groups. By both establishing the invertebrates SCNs as independent types, yet allowing inclusiveness among them, the comparative analysis will allow the future functional characterization of SCNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Martinez
- Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut Català de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - L Ballarin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35100, Padova, Italy
| | - A V Ereskovsky
- Aix Marseille University, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, France
- St. Petersburg State University, Biological Faculty, Universitetskaya emb. 7/9, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- N. K. Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilova Street 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - E Gazave
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - B Hobmayer
- Department of Zoology and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - L Manni
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35100, Padova, Italy
| | - E Rottinger
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Federative Research Institute - Marine Resources (IFR MARRES), Nice, France
| | - S G Sprecher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musee 10, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - S Tiozzo
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Paris, France
| | - A Varela-Coelho
- ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - B Rinkevich
- Israel Oceanography and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Tel Shikmona, P.O. Box 8030, 31080, Haifa, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
144
|
Risom T, Glass DR, Averbukh I, Liu CC, Baranski A, Kagel A, McCaffrey EF, Greenwald NF, Rivero-Gutiérrez B, Strand SH, Varma S, Kong A, Keren L, Srivastava S, Zhu C, Khair Z, Veis DJ, Deschryver K, Vennam S, Maley C, Hwang ES, Marks JR, Bendall SC, Colditz GA, West RB, Angelo M. Transition to invasive breast cancer is associated with progressive changes in the structure and composition of tumor stroma. Cell 2022; 185:299-310.e18. [PMID: 35063072 PMCID: PMC8792442 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a pre-invasive lesion that is thought to be a precursor to invasive breast cancer (IBC). To understand the changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) accompanying transition to IBC, we used multiplexed ion beam imaging by time of flight (MIBI-TOF) and a 37-plex antibody staining panel to interrogate 79 clinically annotated surgical resections using machine learning tools for cell segmentation, pixel-based clustering, and object morphometrics. Comparison of normal breast with patient-matched DCIS and IBC revealed coordinated transitions between four TME states that were delineated based on the location and function of myoepithelium, fibroblasts, and immune cells. Surprisingly, myoepithelial disruption was more advanced in DCIS patients that did not develop IBC, suggesting this process could be protective against recurrence. Taken together, this HTAN Breast PreCancer Atlas study offers insight into drivers of IBC relapse and emphasizes the importance of the TME in regulating these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Risom
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Research Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David R Glass
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Inna Averbukh
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Candace C Liu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alex Baranski
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Adam Kagel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erin F McCaffrey
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Noah F Greenwald
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Siri H Strand
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sushama Varma
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alex Kong
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Leeat Keren
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sucheta Srivastava
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chunfang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zumana Khair
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Deborah J Veis
- Departments of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Katherine Deschryver
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sujay Vennam
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carlo Maley
- Biodesign institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | | | | | - Sean C Bendall
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Graham A Colditz
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert B West
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Michael Angelo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Departments of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
145
|
Zhang J, Li Y, Liu H, Zhang J, Wang J, Xia J, Zhang Y, Yu X, Ma J, Huang M, Wang J, Wang L, Li Q, Cui R, Yang W, Xu Y, Feng W. Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 library screen identifies PCMT1 as a critical driver of ovarian cancer metastasis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:24. [PMID: 35033172 PMCID: PMC8760697 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02242-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background The development of lethal cancer metastasis depends on the dynamic interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, both of which are embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The acquisition of resistance to detachment-induced apoptosis, also known as anoikis, is a critical step in the metastatic cascade. Thus, a more in-depth and systematic analysis is needed to identify the key drivers of anoikis resistance. Methods Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen was used to identify critical drivers of anoikis resistance using SKOV3 cell line and found protein-L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase (PCMT1) as a candidate. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immune-histochemistry (IHC) were used to measure differentially expressed PCMT1 in primary tissues and metastatic cancer tissues. PCMT1 knockdown/knockout and overexpression were performed to investigate the functional role of PCMT1 in vitro and in vivo. The expression and regulation of PCMT1 and integrin-FAK-Src pathway were evaluated using immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry (IP-MS), western blot analysis and live cell imaging. Results We found that PCMT1 enhanced cell migration, adhesion, and spheroid formation in vitro. Interestingly, PCMT1 was released from ovarian cancer cells, and interacted with the ECM protein LAMB3, which binds to integrin and activates FAK-Src signaling to promote cancer progression. Strikingly, treatment with an antibody against extracellular PCMT1 effectively reduced ovarian cancer cell invasion and adhesion. Our in vivo results indicated that overexpression of PCMT1 led to increased ascites formation and distant metastasis, whereas knockout of PCMT1 had the opposite effect. Importantly, PCMT1 was highly expressed in late-stage metastatic tumors compared to early-stage primary tumors. Conclusions Through systematically identifying the drivers of anoikis resistance, we uncovered the contribution of PCMT1 to focal adhesion (FA) dynamics as well as cancer metastasis. Our study suggested that PCMT1 has the potential to be a therapeutic target in metastatic ovarian cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02242-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Jia Xia
- Department of Nephrology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Jinyan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Masha Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China
| | - Liangzhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Qian Li
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Rutao Cui
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China. .,State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai, 200032, P.R. China.
| | - Yingjie Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China.
| | - Weiwei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
146
|
Sun Q, Wang Y, Officer A, Pecknold B, Lee G, Harismendy O, Desgrosellier JS. Stem-like breast cancer cells in the activated state resist genetic stress via TGFBI-ZEB1. NPJ Breast Cancer 2022; 8:5. [PMID: 35027548 PMCID: PMC8758745 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00375-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer cells with stem-like properties are critical for tumor progression, yet much about these cells remains unknown. Here, we characterize a population of stem-like breast cancer cells expressing the integrin αvβ3 as transcriptionally related to activated stem/basal cells in the normal human mammary gland. An unbiased functional screen of genes unique to these cells identified the matrix protein TGFBI (BIG-H3) and the transcription factor ZEB1 as necessary for tumorsphere formation. Surprisingly, these genes were not required for cell proliferation or survival, but instead maintained chromosomal stability. Consistent with this finding, CRISPR deletion of either gene synergized with PARP inhibition to deplete αvβ3+ stem-like cells, which are normally resistant to this therapy. Our findings highlight a critical role for TGFBI-ZEB1 protection against genetic stress as a key attribute of activated stem-like cells and suggest that disrupting this ability may enhance their "BRCAness" by increasing sensitivity to PARP inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Sun
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yufen Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Adam Officer
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Brianna Pecknold
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Garrett Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Olivier Harismendy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jay S Desgrosellier
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
147
|
Li X, Sun Z, Peng G, Xiao Y, Guo J, Wu B, Li X, Zhou W, Li J, Li Z, Bai C, Zhao L, Han Q, Zhao RC, Wang X. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a pro-invasive cancer-associated fibroblast subgroup associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:620-638. [PMID: 34976204 PMCID: PMC8692898 DOI: 10.7150/thno.60540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The protumor activities of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) suggest that they are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer. The mechanism of CAF heterogeneity in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear and has slowed translational advances in targeting CAFs. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the classification, function, activation stage, and spatial distribution of the CAF subsets in GC is urgently needed. Methods: In this study, the characteristics of the CAF subsets and the dynamic communication among the tumor microenvironment (TME) components regulated by the CAF subsets were analyzed by performing single-cell RNA sequencing of eight pairs of GC and adjacent mucosal (AM) samples. The spatial distribution of the CAF subsets in different Lauren subtypes of GC, as well as the neighborhood relations between these CAF subsets and the protumor immune cell subsets were evaluated by performing multistaining registration. Results: Tumor epithelial cells exhibited significant intratumor and intertumor variabilities, while CAFs mainly exhibited intratumor variability. Moreover, we identified four CAF subsets with different properties in GC. These four CAF subsets shared similar properties with their resident fibroblast counterparts in the adjacent mucosa but also exhibited enhanced protumor activities. Additionally, two CAF subsets, inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) and extracellular matrix CAFs (eCAFs), communicated with adjacent immune cell subsets in the GC TME. iCAFs interacted with T cells by secreting interleukin (IL)-6 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), while eCAFs correlated with M2 macrophages via the expression of periostin (POSTN). eCAFs, which function as a pro-invasive CAF subset, decreased the overall survival time of patients with GC. Conclusions: iCAFs and eCAFs not only exhibited enhanced pro-invasive activities but also mobilized the surrounding immune cells to construct a tumor-favorable microenvironment. Therefore, inhibiting their activation restrains the GC 'seed' and simultaneously improves the 'GC' soil, suggesting that it represents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of GC.
Collapse
|
148
|
Suzuki J, Tsuboi M, Ishii G. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and the tumor microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:169-182. [PMID: 34904919 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2019018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a markedly poor prognosis as it progresses, and the prognosis is still unsatisfactory even with modern treatments. Cancer is composed of not only cancer cells, but also stroma consisting of various cell types. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the stroma and the associated tumor microenvironment (TME). Particularly, CAFs are a critical component in elucidating the biological mechanisms of cancer progression and new therapeutic targets. This article outlines the TME formed by CAFs in NSCLC. AREAS COVERED Focusing on the TME in NSCLC, we discuss the mechanisms by which CAFs are involved in cancer progression, drug resistance, and the development of therapies targeting CAFs. EXPERT OPINION In the TME, CAFs profoundly contribute to tumor progression by interacting with cancer cells through direct contact or paracrine cytokine signaling. CAFs also interact with various other stromal components to establish a tumor-promoting immunosuppressive microenvironment and remodel the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, these effects are closely associated with drug resistance. Further elucidation of the stromal microenvironment, including CAFs, could prove to be crucial in the treatment of NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Suzuki
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.,Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tsuboi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Genichiro Ishii
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
149
|
Pshennikova ES, Voronina AS. Dormancy: There and Back Again. Mol Biol 2022; 56:735-755. [PMID: 36217335 PMCID: PMC9534470 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322050119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Many cells are capable of maintaining viability in a non-dividing state with minimal metabolism under unfavorable conditions. These are germ cells, adult stem cells, and microorganisms. Unfortunately, a resting state, or dormancy, is possible for tuberculosis bacilli in a latent form of the disease and cancer cells, which may later form secondary tumors (metastases) in different parts of the body. These cells are resistant to therapy that can destroy intensely dividing cells and to the host immune system. A cascade of reactions that allows cells to enter and exit dormancy is triggered by regulatory factors from the microenvironment in niches that harbor the cells. A ratio of forbidding and permitting signals dictates whether the cells become dormant or start proliferation. The only difference between the cell dormancy regulation in normal and pathological conditions is that pathogens, mycobacteria, and cancer cells can influence their own fate by changing their microenvironment. Certain mechanisms of these processes are considered in the review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E. S. Pshennikova
- Bakh Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Voronina
- Bakh Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
150
|
Jiao X, Upadhyaya C, Zhang Z, Zhao J, Li Z, Patel VI, Pestell RG. Assays for the Spectrum of Circulating Tumor Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2429:533-545. [PMID: 35507187 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1979-7_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells sharing stem cell properties are called "cancer stem cells" (CSCs). CSCs have distinct metabolic properties, are intrinsically drug resistant evading chemotherapies, are regulated by miRNA networks and participate in tumor relapse and metastases. During metastatic dissemination, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) invade distant organs and settle in supportive niches. In this process, the stem cell-like properties within CTCs contribute to CTC survival and eventually seed the growth of a secondary tumor. We herein describe methodologies for the analysis of CTCs as they reside in distinct functional pools with distinct characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanmao Jiao
- Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, USA.
- Xavier University School of Medicine, Woodbury, NY, USA.
| | | | - Zhao Zhang
- Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, USA
| | - Jun Zhao
- Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, USA
| | - Zhiping Li
- Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, USA
- Xavier University School of Medicine, Woodbury, NY, USA
| | - Vivek I Patel
- Xavier University School of Medicine, Woodbury, NY, USA
| | - Richard G Pestell
- Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, USA
- Xavier University School of Medicine, Woodbury, NY, USA
- The Wistar Cancer Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|