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Zhao Y, Shen M, Wu L, Yang H, Yao Y, Yang Q, Du J, Liu L, Li Y, Bai Y. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment: accomplices of tumor progression? Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:587. [PMID: 37666813 PMCID: PMC10477351 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is made up of cells and extracellular matrix (non-cellular component), and cellular components include cancer cells and non-malignant cells such as immune cells and stromal cells. These three types of cells establish complex signals in the body and further influence tumor genesis, development, metastasis and participate in resistance to anti-tumor therapy. It has attracted scholars to study immune cells in TME due to the significant efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) in solid tumors and hematologic tumors. After more than 10 years of efforts, the role of immune cells in TME and the strategy of treating tumors based on immune cells have developed rapidly. Moreover, ICI have been recommended by guidelines as first- or second-line treatment strategies in a variety of tumors. At the same time, stromal cells is another major class of cellular components in TME, which also play a very important role in tumor metabolism, growth, metastasis, immune evasion and treatment resistance. Stromal cells can be recruited from neighboring non-cancerous host stromal cells and can also be formed by transdifferentiation from stromal cells to stromal cells or from tumor cells to stromal cells. Moreover, they participate in tumor genesis, development and drug resistance by secreting various factors and exosomes, participating in tumor angiogenesis and tumor metabolism, regulating the immune response in TME and extracellular matrix. However, with the deepening understanding of stromal cells, people found that stromal cells not only have the effect of promoting tumor but also can inhibit tumor in some cases. In this review, we will introduce the origin of stromal cells in TME as well as the role and specific mechanism of stromal cells in tumorigenesis and tumor development and strategies for treatment of tumors based on stromal cells. We will focus on tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), tumor-associated adipocytes (CAAs), tumor endothelial cells (TECs) and pericytes (PCs) in stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Meili Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Liangqiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Haiqin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yixuan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qingbiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianshi Du
- Key Laboratory of Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Lymphatic Surgery Jilin Province, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yapeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Special Engineering Plastics Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 130012, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Yuansong Bai
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 130033, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Li M, Wu B, Li L, Lv C, Tian Y. Reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A potential therapeutic strategy for cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188945. [PMID: 37356739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Activated fibroblasts, namely cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are highly heterogeneous in phenotypes, functions, and origins. CAFs originated from varieties of cell types, including local resident fibroblasts, epithelial cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, or others. These cells participate in tumor angiogenesis, mechanics, drug access, and immune suppression, with the latter being particularly important. It was difficult to distinguish CAFs by subsets due to their complex origins until the use of scRNA-seq. Reprogramming CAFs with TGFβ-RI inhibitor, a CXCR4 blocker, or other methods increases T cells activation and infiltration, together with a decrease in CAFs recruitment, thus improving the prognosis. As depletion of CAFs can't bring clinical benefit, the combination of reprogramming CAFs and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) come into consideration. It has shown better outcomes compared with monotherapy respectively in basic/preclinical researches, and needs more data on clinical trials. Combination therapy may be a promising and expecting method for treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Department of Mammary Gland, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Center(Group), No. 1 Dunhuang Road, Dalian 116000, Liaoning Province, China; Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36.Sanhao Street, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Baokang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36.Sanhao Street, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lunxu Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36.Sanhao Street, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Chao Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36.Sanhao Street, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36.Sanhao Street, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China.
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153
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Zhang M, Fang Y, Fu X, Liu J, Liu Y, Zhu Z, Ni Y, Yao M, Pan Q, Cao W, Li Z, Dong C. Cancer-associated fibroblasts nurture LGR5 marked liver tumor-initiating cells and promote their tumor formation, growth, and metastasis. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18032-18049. [PMID: 37578396 PMCID: PMC10524013 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In liver cancer, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) compartment represents an important tumor-initiating cell (TIC) population and served as a potential therapeutic target. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is a critical part of the tumor microenvironment, heavily influenced TIC function and fate. However, deeply investigations have been hindered by the lack of accurate preclinical models to investigate the interaction between CAFs and TIC. Organoids model have achieved major advancements as a precious research model for recapitulating the morphological aspects of organs, and thus also serving as a candidate model to investigate the mutual interaction between different cell types. Consequently, this study aimed to construct a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture organoid model of primary LGR5-expressing tumor stem cells from primary murine liver tumors with CAFs to investigate the impact of CAFs on LGR5 marked TICs in liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, both of the transgenic LGR5-diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)-GFP knock-in mice and transgenic Rosa26-mT mice developed primary liver tumors by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) administration. Tumor organoids and CAFs were generated from those primary liver cancer separately. Second, LGR5-expressing TICs organoid with CAFs were established ex vivo based on cell-cell contact or trans-well co-culture system, and the mutual influence between those two types of cells was further investigated. Subsequently, immunodeficient mouse-based xenograft model was further adopted to evaluate the influence of CAFs to LGR5 tumor stem cell, tumor formation, and metastasis. RESULTS The co-culture organoid model composed of murine liver tumor LGR5+ tumor-initiating cells and CAFs in 3D co-culture was successfully established, with the intention to investigate their mutual interaction. The existence of CAFs upon engrafting tumor organoids resulted in dramatic higher number of LGR5+ cells in the neoplasia when compared with engrafting tumor organoids alone. Furthermore, ex vivo culture of isolated LGR5+ cells from tumors of co-engrafted mice formed significantly larger size of organoids than mono-engrafted. Our results also indicated significantly larger size and number of formed organoids, when LGR5+ cells co-cultured with CAF in both cell-cell contact and paracrine signaling in vitro, comparing to LGR5+ cells alone. Furthermore, we found that specific knockout of LGR5 expressing cells suppressed CAF-mediated promotion of tumor formation, growth, and metastasis in the experimental mice model. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, in a 3D co-culture type of murine liver LGR5+ cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, we have demonstrated robust effects of CAFs in the promotion of LGR5 marked liver TICs. We also further revealed the influence of tumor microenvironment on stem cell-related therapy, suggesting the possibility of combing CAF-targeted and tumor stem cell targeted therapy in treating liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingna Zhang
- Department of OncologyPostgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, Shanghai East HospitalShanghaiChina
| | - Yiqiao Fang
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xia Fu
- Department of Outpatients, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jiaye Liu
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated HospitalChongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Zhounan Zhu
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yinyun Ni
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinic al Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Menglin Yao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinic al Research Center for Geriatrics, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiuwei Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus Medical CenterRotterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Wanlu Cao
- Department of OncologyShanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Diseases, Frontiers Science Center for Disease‐Related Molecular Network, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chunyan Dong
- Department of OncologyPostgraduate Training Base of Jinzhou Medical University, Shanghai East HospitalShanghaiChina
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and EngineeringEast Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
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154
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Bied M, Ho WW, Ginhoux F, Blériot C. Roles of macrophages in tumor development: a spatiotemporal perspective. Cell Mol Immunol 2023; 20:983-992. [PMID: 37429944 PMCID: PMC10468537 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01061-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are critical regulators of tissue homeostasis but are also abundant in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In both primary tumors and metastases, such tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) seem to support tumor development. While we know that TAMs are the dominant immune cells in the TME, their vast heterogeneity and associated functions are only just being unraveled. In this review, we outline the various known TAM populations found thus far and delineate their specialized roles associated with the main stages of cancer progression. We discuss how macrophages may prime the premetastatic niche to enable the growth of a metastasis and then how subsequent metastasis-associated macrophages can support secondary tumor growth. Finally, we speculate on the challenges that remain to be overcome in TAM research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Bied
- Institut Gustave Roussy, INSERM U1015, Villejuif, France
| | - William W Ho
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Institut Gustave Roussy, INSERM U1015, Villejuif, France.
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Camille Blériot
- Institut Gustave Roussy, INSERM U1015, Villejuif, France.
- Institut Necker des Enfants Malades, INSERM, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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155
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Zhang AQ, Hostetler A, Chen LE, Mukkamala V, Abraham W, Padilla LT, Wolff AN, Maiorino L, Backlund CM, Aung A, Melo M, Li N, Wu S, Irvine DJ. Universal redirection of CAR T cells against solid tumours via membrane-inserted ligands for the CAR. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1113-1128. [PMID: 37291434 PMCID: PMC10504084 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for solid tumours is hindered by difficulties in the selection of an effective target antigen, owing to the heterogeneous expression of tumour antigens and to target antigen expression in healthy tissues. Here we show that T cells with a CAR specific for fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) can be directed against solid tumours via the intratumoural administration of a FITC-conjugated lipid-poly(ethylene)-glycol amphiphile that inserts itself into cell membranes. In syngeneic and human tumour xenografts in mice, 'amphiphile tagging' of tumour cells drove tumour regression via the proliferation and accumulation of FITC-specific CAR T cells in the tumours. In syngeneic tumours, the therapy induced the infiltration of host T cells, elicited endogenous tumour-specific T cell priming and led to activity against distal untreated tumours and to protection against tumour rechallenge. Membrane-inserting ligands for specific CARs may facilitate the development of adoptive cell therapies that work independently of antigen expression and of tissue of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Q Zhang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Hostetler
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura E Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vainavi Mukkamala
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lucia T Padilla
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra N Wolff
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura Maiorino
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Aereas Aung
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mariane Melo
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Na Li
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shengwei Wu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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156
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Guo S, Yuan J, Meng X, Feng X, Ma D, Han Y, Li K. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Just on the opposite side of antitumour immunity? Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110601. [PMID: 37418988 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The tumour microenvironment (TME) is critical for the initiation, progression, and metastasis of tumours, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most dominant cells and have attracted interest as targets for cancer therapy among the stromal components within the TME. Currently, most of the identified CAF subpopulations are believed to exhibit suppressive effects on antitumour immunity. However, accumulating evidence indicates the presence of immunostimulatory CAF subpopulations, which play an important role in the maintenance and amplification of antitumour immunity, in the TME. Undoubtedly, these findings provide novel insights into CAF heterogeneity. Herein, we focus on summarizing CAF subpopulations that promote antitumour immunity, the surface markers of these populations, and possible immunostimulatory mechanisms in the context of recent advances in research on CAF subpopulations. In addition, we discuss the possibility of new therapies targeting CAF subpopulations and conclude with a brief description of some prospective avenues for CAF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaiqingying Guo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaolin Meng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yingyan Han
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Kezhen Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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157
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Zhang H, Cao K, Xiang J, Zhang M, Zhu M, Xi Q. Hypoxia induces immunosuppression, metastasis and drug resistance in pancreatic cancers. Cancer Lett 2023; 571:216345. [PMID: 37558084 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the common malignant tumors of the digestive system and is known as the "king of cancers". It is extremely difficult to diagnose at an early stage, the disease progresses rapidly, and the effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is poor, so the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients is very poor. Numerous studies have suggested that hypoxia is closely related to the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. Inadequate blood supply and desmoplasia in the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer can result in its extreme hypoxia. This hypoxic microenvironment can further contribute to angiogenesis and desmoplasia. Hypoxia is mediated by the complex hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway and plays an important role in the formation of a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment and the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Further work on the hypoxic microenvironment will help clarify the specific mechanisms of the role of hypoxia in pancreatic cancer and provide a basis for the realization of hypoxia-targeted therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Kailei Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jingrong Xiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Mengting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Mengxin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Qinhua Xi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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158
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Shakhpazyan N, Mikhaleva L, Bedzhanyan A, Gioeva Z, Sadykhov N, Mikhalev A, Atiakshin D, Buchwalow I, Tiemann M, Orekhov A. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of the Tumor Stroma in Colorectal Cancer: Insights into Disease Progression and Therapeutic Targets. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2361. [PMID: 37760801 PMCID: PMC10525158 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health burden worldwide and is the third most common type of cancer. The early detection and diagnosis of CRC is critical to improve patient outcomes. This review explores the intricate interplay between the tumor microenvironment, stromal interactions, and the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer. The review begins by assessing the gut microbiome's influence on CRC development, emphasizing its association with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The role of the Wnt signaling pathway in CRC tumor stroma is scrutinized, elucidating its impact on disease progression. Tumor budding, its effect on tumor stroma, and the implications for patient prognosis are investigated. The review also identifies conserved oncogenic signatures (COS) within CRC stroma and explores their potential as therapeutic targets. Lastly, the seed and soil hypothesis is employed to contextualize metastasis, accentuating the significance of both tumor cells and the surrounding stroma in metastatic propensity. This review highlights the intricate interdependence between CRC cells and their microenvironment, providing valuable insights into prospective therapeutic approaches targeting tumor-stroma interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Shakhpazyan
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.); (L.M.); (Z.G.); (N.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Liudmila Mikhaleva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.); (L.M.); (Z.G.); (N.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Arkady Bedzhanyan
- Department of Abdominal Surgery and Oncology II (Coloproctology and Uro-Gynecology), Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Zarina Gioeva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.); (L.M.); (Z.G.); (N.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Nikolay Sadykhov
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.); (L.M.); (Z.G.); (N.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Alexander Mikhalev
- Department of Hospital Surgery No. 2, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Dmitri Atiakshin
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
- Research Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Igor Buchwalow
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
- Institute for Hematopathology, 22547 Hamburg, Germany;
| | | | - Alexander Orekhov
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.S.); (L.M.); (Z.G.); (N.S.); (A.O.)
- Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315 Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, 121096 Moscow, Russia
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159
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Xiao Z, Todd L, Huang L, Noguera-Ortega E, Lu Z, Huang L, Kopp M, Li Y, Pattada N, Zhong W, Guo W, Scholler J, Liousia M, Assenmacher CA, June CH, Albelda SM, Puré E. Desmoplastic stroma restricts T cell extravasation and mediates immune exclusion and immunosuppression in solid tumors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5110. [PMID: 37607999 PMCID: PMC10444764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40850-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The desmoplastic stroma in solid tumors presents a formidable challenge to immunotherapies that rely on endogenous or adoptively transferred T cells, however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. To define mechanisms involved, here we treat established desmoplastic pancreatic tumors with CAR T cells directed to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), an enzyme highly overexpressed on a subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Depletion of FAP+ CAFs results in loss of the structural integrity of desmoplastic matrix. This renders these highly treatment-resistant cancers susceptible to subsequent treatment with a tumor antigen (mesothelin)-targeted CAR T cells and to anti-PD-1 antibody therapy. Mechanisms include overcoming stroma-dependent restriction of T cell extravasation and/or perivascular invasion, reversing immune exclusion, relieving T cell suppression, and altering the immune landscape by reducing myeloid cell accumulation and increasing endogenous CD8+ T cell and NK cell infiltration. These data provide strong rationale for combining tumor stroma- and malignant cell-targeted therapies to be tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zebin Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Leslie Todd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Estela Noguera-Ortega
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Zhen Lu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lili Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Meghan Kopp
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nimisha Pattada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Wenqun Zhong
- Department of Biology, School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Biology, School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Maria Liousia
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Charles-Antoine Assenmacher
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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160
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Li X, Du Y, Jiang W, Dong S, Li W, Tang H, Yi J, Zhou W, Zhang H. Integrated transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics-based analysis uncover TAM2-associated glycolysis and pyruvate metabolic remodeling in pancreatic cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1170223. [PMID: 37662928 PMCID: PMC10470650 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1170223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tumor-associated macrophage 2 (TAM2) abundantly infiltrates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PAAD), and its interaction with malignant cells is involved in the regulation of tumor metabolism. In this study, we explored the metabolic heterogeneity involved in TAM2 by constructing TAM2-associated metabolic subtypes in PAAD. Materials and methods PAAD samples were classified into molecular subtypes with different metabolic characteristics based on a multi-omics analysis strategy. 20 PAAD tissues and 10 normal pancreatic tissues were collected for proteomic and metabolomic analyses. RNA sequencing data from the TCGA-PAAD cohort were used for transcriptomic analyses. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess TAM2 infiltration in PAAD tissues. Results The results of transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry showed that TAM2 infiltration levels were upregulated in PAAD and were associated with poor patient prognosis. The results of proteomics and metabolomics indicated that multiple metabolic processes were aberrantly regulated in PAAD and that this dysregulation was linked to the level of TAM2 infiltration. WGCNA confirmed pyruvate and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis as co-expressed metabolic pathways of TAM2 in PAAD. Based on transcriptomic data, we classified the PAAD samples into four TAM2-associated metabolic subtypes (quiescent, pyruvate, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and mixed). Metabolic subtypes were each characterized in terms of clinical prognosis, tumor microenvironment, immune cell infiltration, chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity, and functional mechanisms. Conclusion Our study confirmed that the metabolic remodeling of pyruvate and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in PAAD was closely related to TAM2. Molecular subtypes based on TAM2-associated metabolic pathways provided new insights into prognosis prediction and therapy for PAAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yan Du
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenkai Jiang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wancheng Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huan Tang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Yi
- Department of General Surgery, The First School of Clinical Medicine of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Surgery, The First School of Clinical Medicine of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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161
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Merrill JR, Inguscio A, Chung T, Demestichas B, Garcia LA, Habel J, Lewis DY, Janowitz T, Lyons SK. Sensitive, non-immunogenic in vivo imaging of cancer metastases and immunotherapy response. Cell Stress 2023; 7:59-68. [PMID: 37664695 PMCID: PMC10468692 DOI: 10.15698/cst2023.08.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive imaging of tumors expressing reporter transgenes is a popular preclinical method for studying tumor development and response to therapy in vivo due to its ability to distinguish signal from tumors over background noise. However, the utilized transgenes, such as firefly luciferase, are immunogenic and, therefore, impact results when expressed in immune-competent hosts. This represents an important limitation, given that cancer immunology and immunotherapy are currently among the most impactful areas of research and therapeutic development. Here we present a non-immunogenic preclinical tumor imaging approach. Based on the expression of murine sodium iodide symporter (mNIS), it facilitates sensitive, non-invasive detection of syngeneic tumor cells in immune-competent tumor models without additional immunogenicity arising from exogenous transgenic protein or selection marker expression. NIS-expressing tumor cells internalize the gamma-emitting [99mTc]pertechnetate ion and so can be detected by SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography). Using a mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma hepatic metastases in immune-competent C57BL/6 mice, we demonstrate that the technique enables the detection of very early metastatic lesions and longitudinal assessment of immunotherapy responses using precise and quantifiable whole-body SPECT/CT imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. Merrill
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Alessandra Inguscio
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Taemoon Chung
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Breanna Demestichas
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Libia A. Garcia
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Jill Habel
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - David Y. Lewis
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Tobias Janowitz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Scott K. Lyons
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
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162
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Shao J, Jin Y, Jin C. A new approach to overcoming resistance to immunotherapy: nanotechnology. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1210245. [PMID: 37637050 PMCID: PMC10457008 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1210245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy for immune response has ushered in a new era of cancer treatment. In recent years, new immunotherapeutic agents have been introduced into clinical trials and even approved for marketing. However, the widespread use of immunotherapeutic agents faces an unavoidable challenge: immunotherapy does not work at all for some patients, or has good efficacy in the initial phase, but immunotherapy resistance develops within a short period of time, and immunotherapy can also cause serious adverse effects such as autoimmune inflammation and non-specific inflammation. How to enable patients to overcome drug resistance, reduce the toxic side effects of drugs, enhance patient compliance and improve patient survival has become a problem that clinicians have to face. The advent of nanotechnology provides an encouraging platform for immunotherapy. It can not only improve the bioavailability and stability of drugs and reduce toxic side effects, but also reduce resistance to immunotherapy. Here, we discuss these research advances and discuss potential challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangbo Shao
- Department of Ultrasound, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunxiang Jin
- Department of Ultrasound, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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163
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Xiao Z, Todd L, Huang L, Noguera-Ortega E, Lu Z, Huang L, Kopp M, Li Y, Pattada N, Zhong W, Guo W, Scholler J, Liousia M, Assenmacher CA, June CH, Albelda SM, Puré E. Desmoplastic stroma restricts T cell extravasation and mediates immune exclusion and immunosuppression in solid tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.13.536777. [PMID: 37090547 PMCID: PMC10120701 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.13.536777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The desmoplastic stroma in solid tumors presents a formidable challenge to immunotherapies that rely on endogenous or adoptively transferred T cells, however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. To define mechanisms involved, we treat established desmoplastic pancreatic tumors with CAR T cells directed to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), an enzyme highly overexpressed on a subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Depletion of FAP+CAFs results in loss of the structural integrity of desmoplastic matrix. This renders these highly treatment-resistant cancers susceptible to subsequent treatment with a tumor antigen (mesothelin)-targeted CAR and to anti-PD1 antibody therapy. Mechanisms include overcoming stroma-dependent restriction of T cell extravasation and/or perivascular invasion, reversing immune exclusion, relieving T cell suppression, and altering the immune landscape by reducing myeloid cell accumulation and increasing endogenous CD8+ T cell and NK cell infiltration. These data provide strong rationale for combining tumor stroma- and malignant cell-targeted therapies to be tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zebin Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Leslie Todd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Estela Noguera-Ortega
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhen Lu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lili Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meghan Kopp
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nimisha Pattada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wenqun Zhong
- Department of Biology, School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Biology, School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Maria Liousia
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Charles-Antoine Assenmacher
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Steven M. Albelda
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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164
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James CA, Baer JM, Zou C, Panni UY, Knolhoff BL, Hogg GD, Kingston NL, Kang LI, Lander VE, Luo J, Tao Y, Watson MA, Aft R, Fields RC, Hawkins WG, DeNardo DG. Systemic Alterations in Type-2 Conventional Dendritic Cells Lead to Impaired Tumor Immunity in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:1055-1067. [PMID: 37229629 PMCID: PMC10524961 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral T-cell dysfunction is a hallmark of pancreatic tumors, and efforts to improve dendritic cell (DC)-mediated T-cell activation may be critical in treating these immune therapy unresponsive tumors. Recent evidence indicates that mechanisms that induce dysfunction of type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1) in pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PDAC) are drivers of the lack of responsiveness to checkpoint immunotherapy. However, the impact of PDAC on systemic type 2 cDC2 development and function has not been well studied. Herein, we report the analysis of 3 cohorts, totaling 106 samples, of human blood and bone marrow (BM) from patients with PDAC for changes in cDCs. We found that circulating cDC2s and their progenitors were significantly decreased in the blood of patients with PDAC, and repressed numbers of cDC2s were associated with poor prognosis. Serum cytokine analyses identified IL6 as significantly elevated in patients with PDAC and negatively correlated with cDC numbers. In vitro, IL6 impaired the differentiation of cDC1s and cDC2s from BM progenitors. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human cDC progenitors in the BM and blood of patients with PDAC showed an upregulation of the IL6/STAT3 pathway and a corresponding impairment of antigen processing and presentation. These results suggested that cDC2s were systemically suppressed by inflammatory cytokines, which was linked to impaired antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Alston James
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John M. Baer
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chong Zou
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Usman Y. Panni
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brett L. Knolhoff
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Graham D. Hogg
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Natalie L Kingston
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Varintra E. Lander
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jingqin Luo
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yu Tao
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mark A. Watson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Rebecca Aft
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ryan C. Fields
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - William G. Hawkins
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - David G. DeNardo
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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165
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Zhang S, Regan K, Najera J, Grinstaff MW, Datta M, Nia HT. The peritumor microenvironment: physics and immunity. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:609-623. [PMID: 37156677 PMCID: PMC10523902 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer initiation and progression drastically alter the microenvironment at the interface between healthy and malignant tissue. This site, termed the peritumor, bears unique physical and immune attributes that together further promote tumor progression through interconnected mechanical signaling and immune activity. In this review, we describe the distinct physical features of the peritumoral microenvironment and link their relationship to immune responses. The peritumor is a region rich in biomarkers and therapeutic targets and thus is a key focus for future cancer research as well as clinical outlooks, particularly to understand and overcome novel mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Regan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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166
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Yan Z, Li L, Fu D, Wu W, Qiao N, Huang Y, Jiang L, Wu D, Hu Y, Zhang H, Xu P, Cheng S, Wang L, Lacin S, Muftuoglu M, Zhao W. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment contributes to tumor progression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma upon anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T therapy. Front Med 2023; 17:699-713. [PMID: 37060525 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-022-0972-8] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has achieved 40%-50% long-term complete response in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. However, the underlying mechanism of alterations in the tumor microenvironments resulting in CAR-T cell therapy failure needs further investigation. A multi-center phase I/II trial of anti-CD19 CD28z CAR-T (FKC876, ChiCTR1800019661) was conducted. Among 22 evaluable DLBCL patients, seven achieved complete remission, 10 experienced partial remissions, while four had stable disease by day 29. Single-cell RNA sequencing results were obtained from core needle biopsy tumor samples collected from long-term complete remission and early-progressed patients, and compared at different stages of treatment. M2-subtype macrophages were significantly involved in both in vivo and in vitro anti-tumor functions of CAR-T cells, leading to CAR-T cell therapy failure and disease progression in DLBCL. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments persisted before CAR-T cell therapy, during both cell expansion and disease progression, which could not be altered by infiltrating CAR-T cells. Aberrant metabolism profile of M2-subtype macrophages and those of dysfunctional T cells also contributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. Thus, our findings provided a clinical rationale for targeting tumor microenvironments and reprogramming immune cell metabolism as effective therapeutic strategies to prevent lymphoma relapse in future designs of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixun Yan
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Li Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Di Fu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Niu Qiao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yaohui Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lu Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Depei Wu
- Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Huilai Zhang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Pengpeng Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shu Cheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Li Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Sahin Lacin
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Muharrem Muftuoglu
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Weili Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Pôle de Recherches Sino-Français en Science du Vivant et Génomique, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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167
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Xue M, Zhu Y, Jiang Y, Han L, Shi M, Su R, Wang L, Xiong C, Wang C, Wang T, Deng S, Wu D, Cao Y, Dong L, Bai F, Zhao S, Deng X, Peng C, Li H, Chen J, Shen B, Jiang L, Chen H. Schwann cells regulate tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma microenvironment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4600. [PMID: 37524695 PMCID: PMC10390497 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40314-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathy is a feature more frequently observed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) than other tumors. Schwann cells, the most prevalent cell type in peripheral nerves, migrate toward tumor cells and associate with poor prognosis in PDAC. To unveil the effects of Schwann cells on the neuro-stroma niche, here we perform single-cell RNA-sequencing and microarray-based spatial transcriptome analysis of PDAC tissues. Results suggest that Schwann cells may drive tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to more malignant subtypes: basal-like and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs), respectively. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrate that Schwann cells enhance the proliferation and migration of PDAC cells via Midkine signaling and promote the switch of CAFs to iCAFs via interleukin-1α. Culture of tumor cells and CAFs with Schwann cells conditioned medium accelerates PDAC progression. Thus, we reveal that Schwann cells induce malignant subtypes of tumor cells and CAFs in the PDAC milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Xue
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Youwei Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongsheng Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijie Han
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minmin Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Su
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Liwen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaofu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shijie Deng
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Wu
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Yizhi Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Bai
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shulin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaxing Deng
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenghong Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Baiyong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lingxi Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Zhang Y, Han X, Wang K, Liu D, Ding X, Hu Z, Wang J. Co-Delivery Nanomicelles for Potentiating TNBC Immunotherapy by Synergetically Reshaping CAFs-Mediated Tumor Stroma and Reprogramming Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:4329-4346. [PMID: 37545872 PMCID: PMC10403052 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s418100] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have received the most attention for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), while the response rate to ICI remains limited due to insufficient T cell infiltration. It is therefore essential that alternative strategies are developed to improve the therapeutic outcomes of ICI in non-responsive TNBC cases. The efficacy of pH-responsive nanomicelles (P/A/B@NM) co-loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor BMS-1 activating the T cell-mediated antitumor immune response were evaluated using a 4T1 antiPD-1-resistance breast tumor model. Methods In vitro, pH-responsive antitumor effect of P/A/B@NM was investigated by assessing cell viability, migration and invasion. In vivo, the distribution of P/A/B@NM was visualized in 4T1 orthotopic TNBC model using an IVIS spectrum imaging instrument. The efficacy of the co-delivery nanocarriers was evaluated by monitoring mouse survival, tumor growth and metastasis, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-mediated tumor stroma and immunosuppressive microenvironment components, and the recruitment and infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Results The prepared P/A/B@NM in acid microenvironment demonstrates remarkable cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells, with an IC50 of 105 μg/mL. Additionally, it exhibits substantial inhibition of tumor cell migration and invasion. The P/A/B@NM based on co-delivery nanocarriers efficiently accumulate at the tumor site and release the drugs in a pH-responsive controlled manner. The nanomedicine-PTX, AMD3100, and BMS-1 formulation significantly inhibits tumor growth and lung/liver metastasis by inducing antitumor immune responses via CXCL12/CXCR4 axis blockade, and immunogenic cell death to reprogramme both tumor stroma and immunosuppressive microenvironment. As a result, CD8+ T cell infiltration is triggered into the tumor site, boosting the efficacy of ICI therapy synergistically. Conclusion These results demonstrate that combination therapy using P/A/B@NM reshapes CAFs-mediated tumor stroma and immunosuppressive microenvironment, which can enhance the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, thereby reactivating anti-tumor immunity for non-responsive TNBC cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xue Han
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Oncology Hospital, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Hu
- Oncology Hospital, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Minority Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Yinchuan, 750004, People’s Republic of China
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169
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Gautam SK, Batra SK, Jain M. Molecular and metabolic regulation of immunosuppression in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:118. [PMID: 37488598 PMCID: PMC10367391 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), contributing to early metastasis and poor patient survival. Compared to the localized tumors, current standard-of-care therapies have failed to improve the survival of patients with metastatic PDAC, that necessecitates exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. While immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and therapeutic vaccines have emerged as promising treatment modalities in certain cancers, limited responses have been achieved in PDAC. Therefore, specific mechanisms regulating the poor response to immunotherapy must be explored. The immunosuppressive microenvironment driven by oncogenic mutations, tumor secretome, non-coding RNAs, and tumor microbiome persists throughout PDAC progression, allowing neoplastic cells to grow locally and metastasize distantly. The metastatic cells escaping the host immune surveillance are unique in molecular, immunological, and metabolic characteristics. Following chemokine and exosomal guidance, these cells metastasize to the organ-specific pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) constituted by local resident cells, stromal fibroblasts, and suppressive immune cells, such as the metastasis-associated macrophages, neutrophils, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The metastatic immune microenvironment differs from primary tumors in stromal and immune cell composition, functionality, and metabolism. Thus far, multiple molecular and metabolic pathways, distinct from primary tumors, have been identified that dampen immune effector functions, confounding the immunotherapy response in metastatic PDAC. This review describes major immunoregulatory pathways that contribute to the metastatic progression and limit immunotherapy outcomes in PDAC. Overall, we highlight the therapeutic vulnerabilities attributable to immunosuppressive factors and discuss whether targeting these molecular and immunological "hot spots" could improve the outcomes of PDAC immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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170
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Chuangchot N, Jamjuntra P, Yangngam S, Luangwattananun P, Thongchot S, Junking M, Thuwajit P, Yenchitsomanus PT, Thuwajit C. Enhancement of PD-L1-attenuated CAR-T cell function through breast cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived IL-6 signaling via STAT3/AKT pathways. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:86. [PMID: 37480115 PMCID: PMC10362675 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a critical role in cancer progression and immune cell modulation. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the roles of CAFs-derived IL-6 in doxorubicin (Dox) resistance and PD-L1-mediated chimeric antigenic receptor (CAR)-T cell resistance in breast cancer (BCA). METHODS CAF conditioned-media (CM) were collected, and the IL-6 level was measured by ELISA. CAF-CM were treated in MDA-MB-231 and HCC70 TNBC cell lines and siIL-6 receptor (IL-6R) knocked down (KD) cells to determine the effect of CAF-derived IL-6 on Dox resistance by flow cytometry and on increased PD-L1 through STAT3, AKT and ERK1/2 pathways by Western blot analysis. After pre-treating with CM, the folate receptor alpha (FRα)-CAR T cell cytotoxicity was evaluated in 2D and 3D spheroid culture assays. RESULTS The results showed a significant level of IL-6 in CAF-CM compared to that of normal fibroblasts (NFs). The CM with high IL-6 level significantly induced Dox resistance; and PD-L1 expression through STAT3 and AKT pathways in MDA-MB-231 and HCC70 cells. These induction effects were attenuated in siIL-6R KD cells. Moreover, the TNBC cell lines that were CM-treated with STAT3 and an AKT inhibitor had a reduced effect of IL-6 on PD-L1 expression. BCA cells with high IL-6 containing-CM treatment had resistance to cancer cell killing by FRα CAR-T cells compared to untreated cells. CONCLUSION These results highlight CAF-derived IL-6 in the resistance of chemotherapy and T cell therapy. Using inhibitors of IL6-STAT3/AKT-PD-L1 axis may provide a potential benefit of Dox and CAR-T cell therapies in BCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisa Chuangchot
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Pranisa Jamjuntra
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Supaporn Yangngam
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Piriya Luangwattananun
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Suyanee Thongchot
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Mutita Junking
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Peti Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Pa-Thai Yenchitsomanus
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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Zheng Z, Wieder T, Mauerer B, Schäfer L, Kesselring R, Braumüller H. T Cells in Colorectal Cancer: Unravelling the Function of Different T Cell Subsets in the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11673. [PMID: 37511431 PMCID: PMC10380781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are very limited, and the prognosis using combination therapy with a chemotherapeutic drug and a targeted agent, e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor or tyrosine kinase, remains poor. Therefore, mCRC is associated with a poor median overall survival (mOS) of only 25-30 months. Current immunotherapies with checkpoint inhibitor blockade (ICB) have led to a substantial change in the treatment of several cancers, such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. In CRC, ICB has only limited effects, except in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors, which comprise about 15% of sporadic CRC patients and about 4% of patients with metastatic CRC. The vast majority of sporadic CRCs are microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors with low levels of infiltrating immune cells, in which immunotherapy has no clinical benefit so far. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors requires the presence of infiltrating T cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME). This makes T cells the most important effector cells in the TME, as evidenced by the establishment of the immunoscore-a method to estimate the prognosis of CRC patients. The microenvironment of a tumor contains several types of T cells that are anti-tumorigenic, such as CD8+ T cells or pro-tumorigenic, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) or T helper 17 (Th17) cells. However, even CD8+ T cells show marked heterogeneity, e.g., they can become exhausted, enter a state of hyporesponsiveness or become dysfunctional and express high levels of checkpoint molecules, the targets for ICB. To kill cancer cells, CD8+ T cells need the recognition of the MHC class I, which is often downregulated on colorectal cancer cells. In this case, a population of unconventional T cells with a γδ T cell receptor can overcome the limitations of the conventional CD8+ T cells with an αβT cell receptor. γδ T cells recognize antigens in an MHC-independent manner, thus acting as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we discuss the effects of different T cell subsets in colorectal cancer with a special emphasis on γδ T cells and the possibility of using them in CAR-T cell therapy. We explain T cell exclusion in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer and the possibilities to overcome this exclusion to enable immunotherapy even in these "cold" tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Zheng
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wieder
- Department of Vegetative and Clinical Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Mauerer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luisa Schäfer
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Kesselring
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heidi Braumüller
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Pleshkan VV, Zinovyeva MV, Antonova DV, Alekseenko IV. Spheroids of FAP-Positive Cell Lines as a Model for Screening Drugs That Affect FAP Expression. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2017. [PMID: 37509656 PMCID: PMC10377737 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein has a unique expression profile that manifests mainly in wounds and tumors, which anticipates it as an encouraging and selective target for anticancer therapy. However, research of the therapeutic potential of FAP is limited both by legal restraints when working in vivo and by the difficulty of obtaining standardized primary cultures of FAP-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts due to their high heterogeneity. We found that 3D spheroids of FAP-positive cell lines could serve as robust and convenient models of FAP expression, in contrast to monolayers. By exposing such spheroids to various factors and compounds, it is possible to study changes in FAP expression, which are easily detected by confocal microscopy. FAP expression increases under the influence of the TGFβ, does not depend on pH, and decreases during hypoxia and starvation. We believe that the proposed model could be used to organize large-scale high-throughput screening of drugs that target FAP expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor V Pleshkan
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V Zinovyeva
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dina V Antonova
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V Alekseenko
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Oncogynecology and Mammology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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173
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Koncina E, Nurmik M, Pozdeev VI, Gilson C, Tsenkova M, Begaj R, Stang S, Gaigneaux A, Weindorfer C, Rodriguez F, Schmoetten M, Klein E, Karta J, Atanasova VS, Grzyb K, Ullmann P, Halder R, Hengstschläger M, Graas J, Augendre V, Karapetyan YE, Kerger L, Zuegel N, Skupin A, Haan S, Meiser J, Dolznig H, Letellier E. IL1R1 + cancer-associated fibroblasts drive tumor development and immunosuppression in colorectal cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4251. [PMID: 37460545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39953-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts have a considerable functional and molecular heterogeneity and can play various roles in the tumor microenvironment. Here we identify a pro-tumorigenic IL1R1+, IL-1-high-signaling subtype of fibroblasts, using multiple colorectal cancer (CRC) patient single cell sequencing datasets. This subtype of fibroblasts is linked to T cell and macrophage suppression and leads to increased cancer cell growth in 3D co-culture assays. Furthermore, both a fibroblast-specific IL1R1 knockout and IL-1 receptor antagonist Anakinra administration reduce tumor growth in vivo. This is accompanied by reduced intratumoral Th17 cell infiltration. Accordingly, CRC patients who present with IL1R1-expressing cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs), also display elevated levels of immune exhaustion markers, as well as an increased Th17 score and an overall worse survival. Altogether, this study underlines the therapeutic value of targeting IL1R1-expressing CAFs in the context of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Koncina
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Nurmik
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - V I Pozdeev
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - C Gilson
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Tsenkova
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - R Begaj
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - S Stang
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Gaigneaux
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - C Weindorfer
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - F Rodriguez
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Schmoetten
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - E Klein
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - J Karta
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - V S Atanasova
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - K Grzyb
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - P Ullmann
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - R Halder
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Hengstschläger
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Graas
- Clinical and Epidemiological Investigation Center, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - V Augendre
- National Center of Pathology, Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | | | - L Kerger
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - N Zuegel
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - A Skupin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - S Haan
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - J Meiser
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - H Dolznig
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - E Letellier
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg.
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174
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Inoue C, Miki Y, Suzuki T. New Perspectives on Sex Steroid Hormones Signaling in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3620. [PMID: 37509283 PMCID: PMC10377312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of sex hormones, especially estrogen, in the pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has attracted attention due to its high incidence among young adults and nonsmokers, especially those who are female. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) reside in the cancer stroma and influence cancer growth, invasion, metastasis, and acquisition of drug resistance through interactions with cancer cells and other microenvironmental components. Hormone-mediated cell-cell interactions are classic cell-cell interactions and well-known phenomena in breast cancer and prostate cancer CAFs. In cancers of other organs, including NSCLC, the effects of CAFs on hormone-receptor expression and hormone production in cancer tissues have been reported; however, there are few such studies. Many more studies have been performed on breast and prostate cancers. Recent advances in technology, particularly single-cell analysis techniques, have led to significant advances in the classification and function of CAFs. However, the importance of sex hormones in cell-cell interactions of CAFs in NSCLC remains unclear. This review summarizes reports on CAFs in NSCLC and sex hormones in cancer and immune cells surrounding CAFs. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects of sex-hormone research involving CAFs in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Inoue
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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O’Connor RA, Martinez BR, Koppensteiner L, Mathieson L, Akram AR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts drive CXCL13 production in activated T cells via TGF-beta. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1221532. [PMID: 37520560 PMCID: PMC10373066 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tumour-reactive T cells producing the B-cell attractant chemokine CXCL13, in solid tumours, promote development of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and are associated with improved prognosis and responsiveness to checkpoint immunotherapy. Cancer associated fibroblasts are the dominant stromal cell type in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where they co-localise with T cells and can influence T cell activation and exhaustion. We questioned whether CAF directly promote CXCL13-production during T cell activation. Methods We characterised surface markers, cytokine production and transcription factor expression in CXCL13-producing T cells in NSCLC tumours and paired non-cancerous lung samples using flow cytometry. We then assessed the influence of human NSCLC-derived primary CAF lines on T cells from healthy donors and NSCLC patients during activation in vitro measuring CXCL13 production and expression of cell-surface markers and transcription factors by flow cytometry. Results CAFs significantly increased the production of CXCL13 by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CAF-induced CXCL13-producing cells lacked expression of CXCR5 and BCL6 and displayed a T peripheral helper cell phenotype. Furthermore, we demonstrate CXCL13 production by T cells is induced by TGF-β and limited by IL-2. CAF provide TGF-β during T cell activation and reduce availability of IL-2 both directly (by reducing the capacity for IL-2 production) and indirectly, by expanding a population of activated Treg. Inhibition of TGF-β signalling prevented both CAF-driven upregulation of CXCL13 and Treg expansion. Discussion Promoting CXCL13 production represents a newly described immune-regulatory function of CAF with the potential to shape the immune infiltrate of the tumour microenvironment both by altering the effector-function of tumour infiltrating T-cells and their capacity to attract B cells and promote TLS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. O’Connor
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Begoña Roman Martinez
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lilian Koppensteiner
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Layla Mathieson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ahsan R. Akram
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Huang J, Tsang WY, Li ZH, Guan XY. The Origin, Differentiation, and Functions of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Gastrointestinal Cancer. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:503-511. [PMID: 37451403 PMCID: PMC10462789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence has shown the importance of the tumor microenvironment in tumorigenesis and progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most infiltrated stroma cells of the tumor microenvironment in gastrointestinal tumors. CAFs play crucial roles in tumor development and therapeutic response by biologically secreting soluble factors or structurally remodeling the extracellular matrix. Conceivably, CAFs may become excellent targets for tumor prevention and treatment. However, the limited knowledge of the heterogeneity of CAFs represents a huge challenge for clinically targeting CAFs. In this review, we summarize the newest understanding of gastrointestinal CAFs, with a special focus on their origin, differentiation, and function. We also discuss the current understanding of CAF subpopulations as shown by single-cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Huang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Ying Tsang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Li
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China.
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Mahato R, Kumar V, Sethi B, Staller D. Gemcitabine elaidate and ONC201 combination therapy inhibits pancreatic cancer in a KRAS mutated syngeneic mouse model. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3108907. [PMID: 37503215 PMCID: PMC10371096 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3108907/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 90% of pancreatic cancer (PC) contain KRAS mutations. Mutated KRAS activates the downstream oncogenic PI3K/AKT and MEK signaling pathways and induces drug resistance. However, targeting both pathways with different drugs can also lead to access of toxicity. ONC201 targets DR5 to induce apoptosis in several types of cancers and has an excellent safety profile. ONC201 is also a dual PI3K/AKT and MEK pathways inhibitor. Gemcitabine (GEM) is a first-line chemotherapy in PC, but it is metabolically unstable, which can be stabilized by prodrug approach. Here, we used lipid-gemcitabine (L_GEM) conjugate, which is more stable and enters the cells by passive diffusion. We evaluated the efficacy of L_GEM and ONC201 in PanCan cells, and "KrasLSL-G12D; p53LoxP; Pdx1-CreER (KPC) triple mutant xenograft tumor-bearing mice. ONC201, in combination with L_GEM, showed a superior inhibitory effect on the growth of MIA PaCa-2 cells. ONC201 and L_GEM combination prevented neoplastic proliferation via AKT/ERK blockade, to overcome chemoresistance, and increased T-cell tumor surveillance. Simultaneous inhibition of the PI3K/AKT and MEK pathways with ONC201 is an attractive approach to potentiate GEM. Our findings provide insight into rational-directed precision chemo and immunotherapy therapy in PDAC.
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Kheyrolahzadeh K, Tohidkia MR, Tarighatnia A, Shahabi P, Nader ND, Aghanejad A. Theranostic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells: Insight into recent trends and challenges in solid tumors. Life Sci 2023; 328:121917. [PMID: 37422069 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121917] [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: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapy has reached significant milestones in various life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Cell therapy using fluorescent and radiolabeled chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell is a successful strategy for diagnosing or treating malignancies. Since cell therapy approaches have different results in cancers, the success of hematological cancers has yet to transfer to solid tumor therapy, leading to more casualties. Therefore, there are many areas for improvement in the cell therapy platform. Understanding the therapeutic barriers associated with solid cancers through cell tracking and molecular imaging may provide a platform for effectively delivering CAR-T cells into solid tumors. This review describes CAR-T cells' role in treating solid and non-solid tumors and recent advances. Furthermore, we discuss the main obstacles, mechanism of action, novel strategies and solutions to overcome the challenges from molecular imaging and cell tracking perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyvan Kheyrolahzadeh
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imam Reza General Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Tohidkia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Tarighatnia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nader D Nader
- Department of Anesthesiology, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Ayuob Aghanejad
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imam Reza General Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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179
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Tsunedomi R, Shindo Y, Nakajima M, Yoshimura K, Nagano H. The tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic cancer and its potential in the identification of immunotherapy biomarkers. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:1121-1134. [PMID: 37947389 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2281482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic cancer (PC) has an extremely poor prognosis, even with surgical resection and triplet chemotherapy treatment. Cancer immunotherapy has been recently approved for tumor-agnostic treatment with genome analysis, including in PC. However, it has limited efficacy. AREAS COVERED In addition to the low tumor mutation burden, one of the difficulties of immunotherapy in PC is the presence of abundant stromal cells in its microenvironment. Among stromal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a major role in immunotherapy resistance, and CAF-targeted therapies are currently under development, including those in combination with immunotherapies. Meanwhile, microbiomes and tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) have been shown to alter the behavior of distant receptor cells in PC. This review discusses the role of CAFs, microbiomes, and TDEs in PC tumor immunity. EXPERT OPINION Elucidating the mechanisms by which CAFs, microbiomes, and TDEs are involved in the tumorigenesis of PC will be helpful for developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies and identifying companion biomarkers for immunotherapy. Spatial single-cell analysis of the tumor microenvironment will be useful for identifying biomarkers of PC immunity. Furthermore, given the complexity of immune mechanisms, artificial intelligence models will be beneficial for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryouichi Tsunedomi
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yoshitaro Shindo
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masao Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Yoshimura
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Immuno-Oncology, Clinical Research Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Showa University, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nagano
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Zhihao Z, Cheng J, Xiaoshuang Z, Yangguang M, Tingyu W, Yongyong Y, Zhou Y, Jie Z, Tao Z, Xueyu H, Zhe W. Cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in osteosarcoma: the discrepancy in subtypes pathways and immunosuppression. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1136960. [PMID: 37441535 PMCID: PMC10333483 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1136960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Osteosarcoma (OS), the primary malignant bone tumor, has a low survival rate for recurrent patients. Latest reports indicated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were the main component of tumor microenvironment, and would generate a variable role in the progression of tumors. However, the role of CAFs is still few known in osteosarcoma. Methods: The processed RNA-seq data and the corresponding clinical and molecular information were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database and processed data of tumor tissue was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Xcell method was used in data processing, and Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was used to calculates enrichment scores. Nomogram was constructed to evaluate prognostic power of the predictive model. And the construction of risk scores and assessment of prognostic predictive were based on the LASSO model. Results: This study classified Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort into high and low CAFs infiltrate phenotype with different CAFs infiltration enrichment scores. Then TOP 9 genes were screened as prognostic signatures among 2,488 differentially expressed genes between the two groups. Key prognostic molecules were CGREF1, CORT and RHBDL2 and the risk score formula is: Risk-score = CGREF1*0.004 + CORT*0.004 + RHBDL2*0.002. The signatures were validated to be independent prognostic factors to predict tumor prognosis with single-factor COX and multi-factor COX regression analyses and Norton chart. The risk score expression of risk score model genes could predict the drug resistance, and significant differences could be found between the high and low scoring groups for 17-AAG, AZD6244, PD-0325901 and Sorafenib. Discussion: To sum up, this article validated the prediction role of CAF infiltration in the prognosis of OS, which might shed light on the treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Zhihao
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ju Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zuo Xiaoshuang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ma Yangguang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wu Tingyu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Yongyong
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhou Jie
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhang Tao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Xueyu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wang Zhe
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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181
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Gu L, Ding D, Wei C, Zhou D. Cancer-associated fibroblasts refine the classifications of gastric cancer with distinct prognosis and tumor microenvironment characteristics. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1158863. [PMID: 37404754 PMCID: PMC10316023 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1158863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential tumoral components of gastric cancer (GC), contributing to the development, therapeutic resistance and immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of GC. This study aimed to explore the factors related to matrix CAFs and establish a CAF model to evaluate the prognosis and therapeutic effect of GC. Methods Sample information from the multiply public databases were retrieved. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify CAF-related genes. EPIC algorithm was used to construct and verify the model. Machine-learning methods characterized CAF risk. Gene set enrichment analysis was employed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of CAF in the development of GC. Results A three-gene (GLT8D2, SPARC and VCAN) prognostic CAF model was established, and patients were markedly divided according to the riskscore of CAF model. The high-risk CAF clusters had significantly worse prognoses and less significant responses to immunotherapy than the low-risk group. Additionally, the CAF risk score was positively associated with CAF infiltration in GC. Moreover, the expression of the three model biomarkers were significantly associated with the CAF infiltration. GSEA revealed significant enrichment of cell adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix receptors and focal adhesions in patients at a high risk of CAF. Conclusion The CAF signature refines the classifications of GC with distinct prognosis and clinicopathological indicators. The three-gene model could effectively aid in determining the prognosis, drug resistance and immunotherapy efficacy of GC. Thus, this model has promising clinical significance for guiding precise GC anti-CAF therapy combined with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Navy/Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuicui Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Donglei Zhou
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Alonso-Juarranz M, Mascaraque M, Carrasco E, Gracia-Cazaña T, De La Sen O, Gilaberte Y, Gonzalez S, Juarranz Á, Falahat F. The Distinctive Features behind the Aggressiveness of Oral and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3227. [PMID: 37370836 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas arise from stratified squamous epithelia. Here, a comparative analysis based on recent studies defining the genetic alterations and composition of the stroma of oral and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and CSCC, respectively) was performed. Both carcinomas share some but not all histological and genetic features. This review was focused on how mutations in tumor suppressor genes and protooncogenes cooperate to determine the differentiation, aggressiveness, and metastatic potential of OSCC and CSCC. In fact, driver mutations in tumor suppressor genes are more frequently observed in OSCC than CSCC. These include mutations in TP53 (encoding pP53 protein), CDKN2A (encoding cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A), FAT1 (encoding FAT atypical cadherin 1), and KMT2D (encoding lysine methyltransferase 2D), with the exception of NOTCH (encoding Notch receptor 1), whose mutation frequency is lower in OSCC compared to CSCC. Finally, we describe the differential composition of the tumor microenvironment and how this influences the aggressiveness of each tumor type. Although both OSCC and CSCC tumors are highly infiltrated by immune cells, high levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been more frequently reported as predictors of better outcomes in OSCC than CSCC. In conclusion, OSCC and CSCC partially share genetic alterations and possess different causal factors triggering their development. The tumor microenvironment plays a key role determining the outcome of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Alonso-Juarranz
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Mascaraque
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Translational Research Unit, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Elisa Carrasco
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experimental Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Gracia-Cazaña
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Oscar De La Sen
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Yolanda Gilaberte
- Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Instituto Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Salvador Gonzalez
- Department of Experimental Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles Juarranz
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experimental Dermatology and Skin Biology, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Farzin Falahat
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Wang F, Long J, Li L, Wu ZX, Da TT, Wang XQ, Huang C, Jiang YH, Yao XQ, Ma HQ, Lian ZX, Zhao ZB, Cao J. Single-cell and spatial transcriptome analysis reveals the cellular heterogeneity of liver metastatic colorectal cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf5464. [PMID: 37327339 PMCID: PMC10275599 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf5464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we comprehensively charted the cellular landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) and well-matched liver metastatic CRC using single-cell and spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing. We generated 41,892 CD45- nonimmune cells and 196,473 CD45+ immune cells from 27 samples of six CRC patients, and found that CD8_CXCL13 and CD4_CXCL13 subsets increased significantly in liver metastatic samples that exhibited high proliferation ability and tumor-activating characterization, contributing to better prognosis of patients. Distinct fibroblast profiles were observed in primary and liver metastatic tumors. F3+ fibroblasts enriched in primary tumors contributed to worse overall survival by expressing protumor factors. However, MCAM+ fibroblasts enriched in liver metastatic tumors might promote generation of CD8_CXCL13 cells through Notch signaling. In summary, we extensively analyzed the transcriptional differences of cell atlas between primary and liver metastatic tumors of CRC by single-cell and spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing, providing different dimensions of the development of liver metastasis in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jie Long
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Liang Li
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Zi-Xin Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Tian-Tian Da
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Wang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Chuan Huang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Yi-Hua Jiang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xue-Qing Yao
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Hai-Qing Ma
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Zhao
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
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Park HR, Shiva A, Cummings P, Kim S, Kim S, Lee E, Leong A, Chowdhury S, Shawber C, Carvajal R, Thurston G, An JY, Lund AW, Yang HW, Kim M. Angiopoietin-2-Dependent Spatial Vascular Destabilization Promotes T-cell Exclusion and Limits Immunotherapy in Melanoma. Cancer Res 2023; 83:1968-1983. [PMID: 37093870 PMCID: PMC10267677 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
T-cell position in the tumor microenvironment determines the probability of target encounter and tumor killing. CD8+ T-cell exclusion from the tumor parenchyma is associated with poor response to immunotherapy, and yet the biology that underpins this distinct pattern remains unclear. Here we show that the vascular destabilizing factor angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2) causes compromised vascular integrity in the tumor periphery, leading to impaired T-cell infiltration to the tumor core. The spatial regulation of ANGPT2 in whole tumor cross-sections was analyzed in conjunction with T-cell distribution, vascular integrity, and response to immunotherapy in syngeneic murine melanoma models. T-cell exclusion was associated with ANGPT2 upregulation and elevated vascular leakage at the periphery of human and murine melanomas. Both pharmacologic and genetic blockade of ANGPT2 promoted CD8+ T-cell infiltration into the tumor core, exerting antitumor effects. Importantly, the reversal of T-cell exclusion following ANGPT2 blockade not only enhanced response to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy in immunogenic, therapy-responsive mouse melanomas, but it also rendered nonresponsive tumors susceptible to immunotherapy. Therapeutic response after ANGPT2 blockade, driven by improved CD8+ T-cell infiltration to the tumor core, coincided with spatial TIE2 signaling activation and increased vascular integrity at the tumor periphery where endothelial expression of adhesion molecules was reduced. These data highlight ANGPT2/TIE2 signaling as a key mediator of T-cell exclusion and a promising target to potentiate immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in melanoma. SIGNIFICANCE ANGPT2 limits the efficacy of immunotherapy by inducing vascular destabilization at the tumor periphery to promote T-cell exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Ram Park
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Anahita Shiva
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Portia Cummings
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Seoyeon Kim
- School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungsoo Kim
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Eunhyeong Lee
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Alessandra Leong
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Subrata Chowdhury
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Carrie Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Richard Carvajal
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Joon-Yong An
- School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Amanda W. Lund
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Hee Won Yang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Minah Kim
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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Mou T, Zhu H, Jiang Y, Xu X, Cai L, Zhong Y, Luo J, Zhang Z. Heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2023; 35:101717. [PMID: 37320872 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) consist of heterogeneous cellular populations that contribute critical roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A series of computer-aided analyses were performed to determine various aspects of CAFs in HNSCC, including their cellular heterogeneity, prognostic value, relationship with immune suppression and immunotherapeutic response, intercellular communication, and metabolic activity. The prognostic significance of CKS2+ CAFs was verified using immunohistochemistry. Our findings revealed that fibroblasts group demonstrated prognostic significance, with the CKS2+ subset of inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) exhibiting a significant correlation with unfavorable prognosis and being localized in close proximity to cancer cells. Patients with a high infiltration of CKS2+ CAFs had a poor overall survival rate. There is a negative correlation between CKS2+ iCAFs and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, while a positive correlation was found with exhausted CD8+ T cells. Additionally, patients in Cluster 3, characterized by a high proportion of CKS2+ iCAFs, and patients in Cluster 2, characterized by a high proportion of CKS2- iCAFs and CENPF-/MYLPF- myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), did not exhibit significant immunotherapeutic responses. Moreover, close interactions was confirmed to exist between cancer cells and CKS2+ iCAFs/ CENPF+ myCAFs. Furthermore, CKS2+ iCAFs demonstrated the highest level of metabolic activity. In summary, our study enhances the understanding of the heterogeneity of CAFs and provided insights into improving the efficacy of immunotherapies and prognostic accuracy for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingchen Mou
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Haoran Zhu
- Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710000, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yanbo Jiang
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Liuzhou People's Hospital (Liuzhou People's Hospital affiliated to Guangxi Medical University), Liuzhou 545000, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xuhui Xu
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lina Cai
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhenxing Zhang
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Xu Y, Ding L, Li H, Peng Z, Ding K, Huang Z, Zhou Z, Xie M, Yan J, Feng S, Fan Y. Serum cytokine analysis in a cohort of advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1 inhibitors reveals predictive markers of CXCL12. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194123. [PMID: 37359565 PMCID: PMC10288851 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The circulating predictive factors for the outcomes of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remain elusive. We aimed to assess the predictive value of circulating cytokines for outcomes. Methods Serum samples of 102 advanced-stage NSCLC patients who underwent immunotherapy were collected at baseline. The relative levels of 37 cytokines were detected. PD-L1 expression was also analyzed. Results Higher serum CXCL12 levels (top 33%) were a poor predictive biomarker for durable clinical benefit (DCB) (23.5% vs. 72.1%, p<0.001), progression-free survival (PFS) (3.76 vs. 14.40 months; p<0.001) and overall survival (OS) (12.20 vs. 44.84 months; p=0.008). Compared with PD-L1-negative patients, PD-L1-positive patients had a significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) (70.0% vs. 28.8%, p<0.001) and a prolonged mPFS (25.35 vs. 4.64 months, p=0.003) and tended to have an increased mOS (44.84 vs. 20.42 months, p=0.087). A signature comprising PD-L1<1% and the top 33% CXCL12 level was associated with the lowest ORR (27.3% vs. 73.7%, p<0.001) and DCB (27.3% vs. 73.7%, p<0.001) and the worst mPFS (2.44 vs. 25.35 months, p<0.001) and mOS (11.97 vs. 44.84 months, p=0.007). Area under the curve (AUC) analyses of PD-L1 expression, CXCL12 level and PD-L1 expression plus CXCL12 level to predict DCB or no durable benefit (NDB) showed AUC values of 0.680, 0.719 and 0.794, respectively. Conclusion Our findings suggest that serum cytokine CXCL12 levels can predict the outcomes of patients with NSCLC receiving ICI. Moreover, the combination of CXCL12 levels and PD-L1 status can predict outcomes with a significantly improved discriminatory power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Xu
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongsheng Peng
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaibo Ding
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyu Huang
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zichao Zhou
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingying Xie
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junrong Yan
- Medical Department, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sijie Feng
- School of Medicine, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan, China
| | - Yun Fan
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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Zhang L, Cascio S, Mellors JW, Buckanovich RJ, Osmanbeyoglu HU. Single-cell analysis reveals the stromal dynamics and tumor-specific characteristics in the microenvironment of ovarian cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.07.544095. [PMID: 37333262 PMCID: PMC10274812 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is a heterogeneous disease, and a high stromal/desmoplastic tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with a poor outcome. Stromal cell subtypes, including fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells, establish a complex network of paracrine signaling pathways with tumor-infiltrating immune cells that drive effector cell tumor immune exclusion and inhibit the antitumor immune response. Single-cell transcriptomics of the HGSOC TME from public and in-house datasets revealed a distinct transcriptomic landscape for immune and non-immune cells in high-stromal vs. low-stromal tumors. High-stromal tumors had a lower fraction of certain T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages and increased expression of CXCL12 in epithelial cancer cells and cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells (CA-MSCs). Analysis of cell-cell communication indicated that epithelial cancer cells and CA-MSCs secreted CXCL12 that interacted with the CXCR4 receptor, which was overexpressed on NK and CD8 + T cells. CXCL12 and/or CXCR4 antibodies confirmed the immunosuppressive role of CXCL12-CXCR4 in high-stromal tumors.
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Yan R, Moresco P, Gegenhuber B, Fearon DT. T cell-Mediated Development of Stromal Fibroblasts with an Immune-Enhancing Chemokine Profile. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:OF1-OF11. [PMID: 37285176 PMCID: PMC10700667 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Stromal fibroblasts reside in inflammatory tissues that are characterized by either immune suppression or activation. Whether and how fibroblasts adapt to these contrasting microenvironments remains unknown. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) mediate immune quiescence by producing the chemokine CXCL12, which coats cancer cells to suppress T-cell infiltration. We examined whether CAFs can also adopt an immune-promoting chemokine profile. Single-cell RNA sequencing of CAFs from mouse pancreatic adenocarcinomas identified a subpopulation of CAFs with decreased expression of Cxcl12 and increased expression of the T cell-attracting chemokine Cxcl9 in association with T-cell infiltration. TNFα and IFNγ containing conditioned media from activated CD8+ T cells converted stromal fibroblasts from a CXCL12+/CXCL9- immune-suppressive phenotype into a CXCL12-/CXCL9+ immune-activating phenotype. Recombinant IFNγ and TNFα acted together to augment CXCL9 expression, whereas TNFα alone suppressed CXCL12 expression. This coordinated chemokine switch led to increased T-cell infiltration in an in vitro chemotaxis assay. Our study demonstrates that CAFs have a phenotypic plasticity that allows their adaptation to contrasting immune tissue microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
- School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
| | - Philip Moresco
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Bruno Gegenhuber
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Douglas T. Fearon
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
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189
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Xie Z, Zhou Z, Yang S, Zhang S, Shao B. Epigenetic regulation and therapeutic targets in the tumor microenvironment. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:17. [PMID: 37273004 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00126-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial to neoplastic processes, fostering proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Epigenetic regulations, primarily including DNA and RNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA, have been generally recognized as an essential feature of tumor malignancy, exceedingly contributing to the dysregulation of the core gene expression in neoplastic cells, bringing about the evasion of immunosurveillance by influencing the immune cells in TME. Recently, compelling evidence have highlighted that clinical therapeutic approaches based on epigenetic machinery modulate carcinogenesis through targeting TME components, including normalizing cells' phenotype, suppressing cells' neovascularization and repressing the immunosuppressive components in TME. Therefore, TME components have been nominated as a promising target for epigenetic drugs in clinical cancer management. This review focuses on the mechanisms of epigenetic modifications occurring to the pivotal TME components including the stroma, immune and myeloid cells in various tumors reported in the last five years, concludes the tight correlation between TME reprogramming and tumor progression and immunosuppression, summarizes the current advances in cancer clinical treatments and potential therapeutic targets with reference to epigenetic drugs. Finally, we summarize some of the restrictions in the field of cancer research at the moment, further discuss several interesting epigenetic gene targets with potential strategies to boost antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuojun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Zirui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuxian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiwen Zhang
- Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Sichuan, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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190
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Timperi E, Romano E. Stromal circuits involving tumor-associated macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194642. [PMID: 37342322 PMCID: PMC10277481 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor associated macrophages (TAM) represent one of most abundant subpopulations across several solid cancers and their number/frequency is associated with a poor clinical outcome. It has been clearly demonstrated that stromal cells, such as the cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), may orchestrate TAM recruitment, survival and reprogramming. Today, single cell-RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) technologies allowed a more granular knowledge about TAMs and CAFs phenotypical and functional programs. In this mini-review we discuss the recent discoveries in the sc-RNA seq field focusing on TAM and CAF identity and their crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Timperi
- Department of Immunology, INSERM U932, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Emanuela Romano
- Department of Immunology, INSERM U932, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institut Curie, Paris, France
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191
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Ora M, Soni N, Nazar AH, Dixit M, Singh R, Puri S, Graham MM, Gambhir S. Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor-Based Radionuclide Therapies: Current Status and Future Directions. J Nucl Med 2023:jnumed.123.265594. [PMID: 37268422 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.265594] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic malignancies have limited management strategies and variable treatment responses. Cancer cells develop beside and depend on the complex tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts, with their complex interaction with tumor and immune cells, are involved in various steps of tumorigenesis, such as growth, invasion, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Prooncogenic cancer-associated fibroblasts emerged as attractive therapeutic targets. However, clinical trials have achieved suboptimal success. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) inhibitor-based molecular imaging has shown encouraging results in cancer diagnosis, making them innovative targets for FAP inhibitor-based radionuclide therapies. This review summarizes the results of preclinical and clinical FAP-based radionuclide therapies. We will describe advances and FAP molecule modification in this novel therapy, as well as its dosimetry, safety profile, and efficacy. This summary may guide future research directions and optimize clinical decision-making in this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Ora
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India;
| | - Neetu Soni
- Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | | | - Manish Dixit
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India
| | - Rohit Singh
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont; and
| | - Savita Puri
- Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Michael M Graham
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa
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Nabhan M, Egan D, Kreileder M, Zhernovkov V, Timosenko E, Slidel T, Dovedi S, Glennon K, Brennan D, Kolch W. Deciphering the tumour immune microenvironment cell by cell. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY TECHNOLOGY 2023; 18:100383. [PMID: 37234284 PMCID: PMC10206805 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2023.100383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have rejuvenated therapeutic approaches in oncology. Although responses tend to be durable, response rates vary in many cancer types. Thus, the identification and validation of predictive biomarkers is a key clinical priority, the answer to which is likely to lie in the tumour microenvironment (TME). A wealth of data demonstrates the huge impact of the TME on ICI response and resistance. However, these data also reveal the complexity of the TME composition including the spatiotemporal interactions between different cell types and their dynamic changes in response to ICIs. Here, we briefly review some of the modalities that sculpt the TME, in particular the metabolic milieu, hypoxia and the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts. We then discuss recent approaches to dissect the TME with a focus on single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics. We also discuss some of the clinically relevant findings these multi-modal analyses have yielded.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Nabhan
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - D. Egan
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - M. Kreileder
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - V. Zhernovkov
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - E. Timosenko
- ICC, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, , UK
| | - T. Slidel
- Oncology Data Science, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - S. Dovedi
- ICC, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, , UK
| | - K. Glennon
- UCD Gynaecological Oncology Group, UCD School of Medicine Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - D. Brennan
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
- UCD Gynaecological Oncology Group, UCD School of Medicine Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - W. Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
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193
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Cai J, Yang D, Sun H, Xiao L, Han F, Zhang M, Zhou L, Jiang M, Jiang Q, Li Y, Nie H. A multifactorial analysis of FAP to regulate gastrointestinal cancers progression. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1183440. [PMID: 37325617 PMCID: PMC10262038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1183440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a cell-surface serine protease that has both dipeptidyl peptidase as well as endopeptidase activities and could cleave substrates at post-proline bond. Previous findings showed that FAP was hard to be detected in normal tissues but significantly up-regulated in remodeling sites like fibrosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis and embryonic tissues. Though increasing evidence has demonstrated the importance of FAP in cancer progression, no multifactorial analysis has been developed to investigate its function in gastrointestinal cancers until now. Methods By comprehensive use of datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), scTIME Portal and Human Protein Atlas (HPA), we evaluated the carcinogenesis potential of FAP in gastrointestinal cancers, analyzing the correlation between FAP and poor outcomes, immunology in liver, colon, pancreas as well as stomach cancers. Then liver cancer was selected as example to experimentally validate the pro-tumor and immune regulative role of FAP in gastrointestinal cancers. Results FAP was abundantly expressed in gastrointestinal cancers, such as LIHC, COAD, PAAD and STAD. Functional analysis indicated that the highly-expressed FAP in these cancers could affect extracellular matrix organization process and interacted with genes like COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1 and POSTN. In addition, it was also observed that FAP was positively correlated to M2 macrophages infiltration across these cancers. To verify these findings in vitro, we used LIHC as example and over-expressed FAP in human hepatic stellate LX2 cells, a main cell type that produce FAP in tumor tissues, and then investigate its role on LIHC cells as well as macrophages. Results showed that the medium from FAP-over-expressed LX2 cells could significantly promote the motility of MHCC97H and SK-Hep1 LIHC cells, increase the invasion of THP-1 macrophages and induce them into pro-tumor M2 phenotype. Conclusion In summary, we employed bioinformatic tools and experiments to perform a comprehensive analysis about FAP. Up-regulation of FAP in gastrointestinal cancers was primarily expressed in fibroblasts and contributes to tumor cells motility, macrophages infiltration and M2 polarization, revealing the multifactorial role of FAP in gastrointestinal cancers progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Qinghua Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Huan Nie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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194
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Peng Z, Tong Z, Ren Z, Ye M, Hu K. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and its derived exosomes: a new perspective for reshaping the tumor microenvironment. Mol Med 2023; 29:66. [PMID: 37217855 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00665-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). They extensively communicate with the other cells. Exosome-packed bioactive molecules derived from CAFs can reshape the TME by interacting with other cells and the extracellular matrix, which adds a new perspective for their clinical application in tumor targeted therapy. An in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics of CAF-derived exosomes (CDEs) is critical for depicting the detailed landscape of the TME and developing tailored therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this review, we have summarized the functional roles of CAFs in the TME, particularly focusing on the extensive communication mediated by CDEs that contain biological molecules such as miRNAs, proteins, metabolites, and other components. In addition, we have also highlighted the prospects for diagnostic and therapeutic applications based on CDEs, which could guide the future development of exosome-targeted anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Peng
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhiwei Tong
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zihao Ren
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Manping Ye
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Kongwang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Fuyang, 236000, China.
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195
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Bruni S, Mercogliano MF, Mauro FL, Cordo Russo RI, Schillaci R. Cancer immune exclusion: breaking the barricade for a successful immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1135456. [PMID: 37284199 PMCID: PMC10239871 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1135456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has changed the course of cancer treatment. The initial steps were made through tumor-specific antibodies that guided the setup of an antitumor immune response. A new and successful generation of antibodies are designed to target immune checkpoint molecules aimed to reinvigorate the antitumor immune response. The cellular counterpart is the adoptive cell therapy, where specific immune cells are expanded or engineered to target cancer cells. In all cases, the key for achieving positive clinical resolutions rests upon the access of immune cells to the tumor. In this review, we focus on how the tumor microenvironment architecture, including stromal cells, immunosuppressive cells and extracellular matrix, protects tumor cells from an immune attack leading to immunotherapy resistance, and on the available strategies to tackle immune evasion.
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196
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Stouten I, van Montfoort N, Hawinkels LJAC. The Tango between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and Immune Cells in Affecting Immunotherapy Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108707. [PMID: 37240052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of response to therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients has contributed to PDAC having one of the lowest survival rates of all cancer types. The poor survival of PDAC patients urges the exploration of novel treatment strategies. Immunotherapy has shown promising results in several other cancer types, but it is still ineffective in PDAC. What sets PDAC apart from other cancer types is its tumour microenvironment (TME) with desmoplasia and low immune infiltration and activity. The most abundant cell type in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), could be instrumental in why low immunotherapy responses are observed. CAF heterogeneity and interactions with components of the TME is an emerging field of research, where many paths are to be explored. Understanding CAF-immune cell interactions in the TME might pave the way to optimize immunotherapy efficacy for PDAC and related cancers with stromal abundance. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries on the functions and interactions of CAFs and how targeting CAFs might improve immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke Stouten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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197
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Wang D, Luo J, Tao Y. Tumor-stroma ratio predicts prognosis and PD-L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:434. [PMID: 37173640 PMCID: PMC10182686 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10859-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the in-depth research on the tumor microenvironment, the tumor stroma is considered to play a leading role in malignant tumor behavior, and PD-L1 is also related to the tumor stroma. The tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) has been regarded as a novel prognostic factor in many cancers. Our study aims to assess the TSR and PD-L1 clinical value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS Ninety-five patients who were diagnosed with HCC were included in our study. TSR was estimated on HCC specimen hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) sections, and the optimal TSR cut-off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The correlation between the TSR and clinicopathologic features was also calculated. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was also carried out to analyze the PD-L1 expression level in HCCs. RESULTS The optimal TSR cut-off value was 0.525. The median OS of the stroma-high and stroma-low groups was 27 and 36 months, respectively. The median RFS of the stroma-high and stroma-low groups was 14.5 and 27 months, respectively. In the Cox multivariate analysis, the TSR was an independent prognostic factor for HCC overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients who underwent liver resection. IHC staining revealed TSR-high HCC samples with high PD-L1-positive cell expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the TSR can predict the prognosis of HCC patients who underwent liver resection. The TSR is related to PD-L1 expression and may be a therapeutic target that can dramatically improve HCC patients' clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Department of Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59 Haier Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 260000, China
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiang Ya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - YiMing Tao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiang Ya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
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Li J, Wu C, Hu H, Qin G, Wu X, Bai F, Zhang J, Cai Y, Huang Y, Wang C, Yang J, Luan Y, Jiang Z, Ling J, Wu Z, Chen Y, Xie Z, Deng Y. Remodeling of the immune and stromal cell compartment by PD-1 blockade in mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer. Cancer Cell 2023:S1535-6108(23)00137-X. [PMID: 37172580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy can induce complete responses in mismatch repair-deficient and microsatellite instability-high (d-MMR/MSI-H) colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, the underlying mechanism for pathological complete response (pCR) to immunotherapy has not been completely understood. We utilize single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the dynamics of immune and stromal cells in 19 patients with d-MMR/MSI-H CRC who received neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade. We found that in tumors with pCR, there is a concerted decrease in CD8+ Trm-mitotic, CD4+ Tregs, proinflammatory IL1B+ Mono and CCL2+ Fibroblast following treatment, while the proportions of CD8+ Tem, CD4+ Th, CD20+ B, and HLA-DRA+ Endothelial cells increase. Proinflammatory features in the tumor microenvironment mediate the persistence of residual tumors by modulating CD8+ T cells and other response-associated immune cell populations. Our study provides valuable resources and biological insights into the mechanism of successful ICI therapy and potential targets for improving treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxia Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Cheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510627, China
| | - Huabin Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Ge Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xueqian Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Fan Bai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yue Cai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Pathology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510627, China
| | - Yizhao Luan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510627, China
| | - Zehang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510627, China
| | - Jiayu Ling
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Zehua Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yaoxu Chen
- Medical Affairs, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai 201114, China
| | - Zhi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510627, China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China.
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199
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Zhao Z, Li T, Yuan Y, Zhu Y. What is new in cancer-associated fibroblast biomarkers? Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:96. [PMID: 37143134 PMCID: PMC10158035 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01125-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is one of the important drivers of tumor development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor stroma and actively participate in tumor development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and other biological behaviors. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells, a reflection of the diversity of their origin, biomarkers, and functions. The diversity of CAF origin determines the complexity of CAF biomarkers, and CAF subpopulations expressing different biomarkers may play contrasting roles in tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of these emerging CAF biomarkers and the biological functions that they suggest, which may give a better understanding of the relationship between CAFs and tumor cells and be of great significance for breakthroughs in precision targeted therapy for tumors. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 of Nanjing Road, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China.
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200
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Brichkina A, Polo P, Sharma SD, Visestamkul N, Lauth M. A Quick Guide to CAF Subtypes in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092614. [PMID: 37174079 PMCID: PMC10177377 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer represents one of the most desmoplastic malignancies and is characterized by an extensive deposition of extracellular matrix. The latter is provided by activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are abundant cells in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. Many recent studies have made it clear that CAFs are not a singular cellular entity but represent a multitude of potentially dynamic subgroups that affect tumor biology at several levels. As mentioned before, CAFs significantly contribute to the fibrotic reaction and the biomechanical properties of the tumor, but they can also modulate the local immune environment and the response to targeted, chemo or radiotherapy. As the number of known and emerging CAF subgroups is steadily increasing, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with these developments and to clearly discriminate the cellular subsets identified so far. This review aims to provide a helpful overview that enables readers to quickly familiarize themselves with field of CAF heterogeneity and to grasp the phenotypic, functional and therapeutic distinctions of the various stromal subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Brichkina
- Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Clinics for Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Pierfrancesco Polo
- Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Clinics for Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Shrey Dharamvir Sharma
- Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Clinics for Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nico Visestamkul
- Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Clinics for Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Clinics for Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 3, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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