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Bharadwaj D, Mandal M. Tumor microenvironment: A playground for cells from multiple diverse origins. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189158. [PMID: 39032537 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189158] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment is formed by various cellular and non-cellular components which interact with one another and form a complex network of interactions. Some of these cellular components also attain a secretory phenotype and release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines etc. in the surroundings which are capable of inducing even greater number of signalling networks. All these interactions play a decisive role in determining the course of tumorigenesis. The treatment strategies against cancer also exert their impact on the local microenvironment. Such interactions and anticancer therapies have been found to induce more deleterious outcomes like immunosuppression and chemoresistance in the process of tumor progression. Hence, understanding the tumor microenvironment is crucial for dealing with cancer and chemoresistance. This review is an attempt to develop some understanding about the tumor microenvironment and different factors which modulate it, thereby contributing to tumorigenesis. Along with summarising the major components of tumor microenvironment and various interactions taking place between them, it also throws some light on how the existing and potential therapies exert their impact on these dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deblina Bharadwaj
- Department of Biotechnology, KIT-Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, India.
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2
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Li J, Shyr Y, Liu Q. aKNNO: single-cell and spatial transcriptomics clustering with an optimized adaptive k-nearest neighbor graph. Genome Biol 2024; 25:203. [PMID: 39090647 PMCID: PMC11293182 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03339-y] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Typical clustering methods for single-cell and spatial transcriptomics struggle to identify rare cell types, while approaches tailored to detect rare cell types gain this ability at the cost of poorer performance for grouping abundant ones. Here, we develop aKNNO to simultaneously identify abundant and rare cell types based on an adaptive k-nearest neighbor graph with optimization. Benchmarking on 38 simulated and 20 single-cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets demonstrates that aKNNO identifies both abundant and rare cell types more accurately than general and specialized methods. Using only gene expression aKNNO maps abundant and rare cells more precisely compared to integrative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA
| | - Yu Shyr
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
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3
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Brooks A, Zhang Y, Chen J, Zhao CX. Cancer Metastasis-on-a-Chip for Modeling Metastatic Cascade and Drug Screening. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302436. [PMID: 38224141 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302436] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidic chips are valuable tools for studying intricate cellular and cell-microenvironment interactions. Traditional in vitro cancer models lack accuracy in mimicking the complexities of in vivo tumor microenvironment. However, cancer-metastasis-on-a-chip (CMoC) models combine the advantages of 3D cultures and microfluidic technology, serving as powerful platforms for exploring cancer mechanisms and facilitating drug screening. These chips are able to compartmentalize the metastatic cascade, deepening the understanding of its underlying mechanisms. This article provides an overview of current CMoC models, focusing on distinctive models that simulate invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization, and their applications in drug screening. Furthermore, challenges faced by CMoC and microfluidic technologies are discussed, while exploring promising future directions in cancer research. The ongoing development and integration of these models into cancer studies are expected to drive transformative advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Brooks
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Yali Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Jiezhong Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
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4
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De Carlo C, Rosman-Nathanson R, Durante B, Akpinar R, Soldani C, Franceschini B, Lasagni S, Viganò L, Procopio F, Costa G, Torzilli G, Lleo A, Terracciano LM, Villa E, Rimassa L, Di Tommaso L. The tumor microenvironment of VETC+ hepatocellular carcinoma is enriched of immunosuppressive TAMs spatially close to endothelial cells. Dig Liver Dis 2024:S1590-8658(24)00826-0. [PMID: 38945759 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2024.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM VETC (vessel that encapsulate tumor cluster) is a peculiar vascular phenotype observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), associated with distant metastases and poor outcome. VETC has been linked to the Tie2/Ang2 axis and is characterized by lymphocytes poor (cold) tumor microenvironment (TME). In this setting the role of Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) has never been explored. Aim of the study is to investigate the presence and features of TAMs in VETC+ HCC and the possible interplay between TAMs and endothelial cells (ECs). METHODS The series under study included 42 HCC. Once separated according to the VETC phenotype (21 VETC+; 21 VETC-) we stained consecutive slides with immunohistochemistry for CD68, CD163 and Tie2. Slides were then scanned and QuPath used to quantify morphological features. RESULTS VETC+ cases were significantly (p < 0.001) enriched with large, lipid rich CD163+ TAMs (M2 oriented) that were spatially close to ECs; HCC cells significantly (p: 0.002) overexpressed Tie2 with a polarization toward ECs. CONCLUSIONS The pro-metastatic attitude of VETC is sustained by a strict morphological relationship between immunosuppressive M2-TAMs, ECs and Tie2-expressing HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla De Carlo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Durante
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Reha Akpinar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Cristiana Soldani
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Immunopathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Immunopathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Simone Lasagni
- Chimomo Department, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Viganò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Hepatobiliary Unit, Department of Minimally Invasive General & Oncologic Surgery, Humanitas Gavazzeni University Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Fabio Procopio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Division of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Guido Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Division of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Division of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Luigi Maria Terracciano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Erica Villa
- Chimomo Department, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; UC Gastroenterologia, Dipartimento di Specialità Mediche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy; Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy.
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Xue Y, Friedl V, Ding H, Wong CK, Stuart JM. Single-cell signatures identify microenvironment factors in tumors associated with patient outcomes. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100799. [PMID: 38889686 PMCID: PMC11228369 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The cellular components of tumors and their microenvironment play pivotal roles in tumor progression, patient survival, and the response to cancer treatments. Unveiling a comprehensive cellular profile within bulk tumors via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data is crucial, as it unveils intrinsic tumor cellular traits that elude identification through conventional cancer subtyping methods. Our contribution, scBeacon, is a tool that derives cell-type signatures by integrating and clustering multiple scRNA-seq datasets to extract signatures for deconvolving unrelated tumor datasets on bulk samples. Through the employment of scBeacon on the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, we find cellular and molecular attributes within specific tumor categories, many with patient outcome relevance. We developed a tumor cell-type map to visually depict the relationships among TCGA samples based on the cell-type inferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqing Xue
- UC Santa Cruz Department, Biomolecular Engineering, Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Verena Friedl
- UC Santa Cruz Department, Biomolecular Engineering, Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Hongxu Ding
- UC Santa Cruz Department, Biomolecular Engineering, Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Christopher K Wong
- UC Santa Cruz Department, Biomolecular Engineering, Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Joshua M Stuart
- UC Santa Cruz Department, Biomolecular Engineering, Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
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6
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El-Derby AM, Khedr MA, Ghoneim NI, Gabr MM, Khater SM, El-Badri N. Plasma-derived extracellular matrix for xenofree and cost-effective organoid modeling for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:487. [PMID: 38773585 PMCID: PMC11110239 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05230-7] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes significant cancer mortality worldwide. Cancer organoids can serve as useful disease models by high costs, complexity, and contamination risks from animal-derived products and extracellular matrix (ECM) that limit its applications. On the other hand, synthetic ECM alternatives also have limitations in mimicking native biocomplexity. This study explores the development of a physiologically relevant HCC organoid model using plasma-derived extracellular matrix as a scaffold and nutritive biomatrix with different cellularity components to better mimic the heterogenous HCC microenvironment. Plasma-rich platelet is recognized for its elevated levels of growth factors, which can promote cell proliferation. By employing it as a biomatrix for organoid culture there is a potential to enhance the quality and functionality of organoid models for diverse applications in biomedical research and regenerative medicine and to better replicate the heterogeneous microenvironment of HCC. METHOD To generate the liver cancer organoids, HUH-7 hepatoma cells were cultured alone (homogenous model) or with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (heterogeneous model) in plasma-rich platelet extracellular matrix (ECM). The organoids were grown for 14 days and analyzed for cancer properties including cell viability, invasion, stemness, and drug resistance. RESULTS HCC organoids were developed comprising HUH-7 hepatoma cells with or without human mesenchymal stromal and endothelial cells in plasma ECM scaffolds. Both homogeneous (HUH-7 only) and heterogeneous (mixed cellularity) organoids displayed viability, cancer hallmarks, and chemoresistance. The heterogeneous organoids showed enhanced invasion potential, cancer stem cell populations, and late-stage HCC genetic signatures versus homogeneous counterparts. CONCLUSION The engineered HCC organoids system offers a clinically relevant and cost-effective model to study liver cancer pathogenesis, stromal interactions, and drug resistance. The plasma ECM-based culture technique could enable standardized and reproducible HCC modeling. It could also provide a promising option for organoid culture and scaling up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza M El-Derby
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt
| | - Mennatallah A Khedr
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt
| | - Nehal I Ghoneim
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Gabr
- Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Sherry M Khater
- Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Nagwa El-Badri
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (CESC), Zewail City of Science and Technology, October Gardens, 6th of October City, Giza, 12582, Egypt.
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7
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Ferreira Almeida C, Correia-da-Silva G, Teixeira N, Amaral C. Influence of tumor microenvironment on the different breast cancer subtypes and applied therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116178. [PMID: 38561089 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116178] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite the significant improvements made in breast cancer therapy during the last decades, this disease still has increasing incidence and mortality rates. Different targets involved in general processes, like cell proliferation and survival, have become alternative therapeutic options for this disease, with some of them already used in clinic, like the CDK4/6 inhibitors for luminal A tumors treatment. Nevertheless, there is a demand for novel therapeutic strategies focused not only on tumor cells, but also on their microenvironment. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a very complex and dynamic system that, more than surrounding and supporting tumor cells, actively participates in tumor development and progression. During the last decades, it has become clear that the cellular and acellular components of TME differ between the various breast cancer subtypes and shape the differences regarding their severity and prognosis. The pivotal role of the TME in controlling tumor growth and influencing responses to therapy represents a potential source for novel targets and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we present a description of the multiple therapeutic options used for different breast cancer subtypes, as well as the influence that the TME may exert on the development of the disease and on the response to the distinct therapies, which in some cases may explain their failure by the occurrence of relapses and resistance. Furthermore, the ongoing studies focused on the use of TME components for developing potential cancer treatments are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ferreira Almeida
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Georgina Correia-da-Silva
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Natércia Teixeira
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Amaral
- UCIBIO, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, n° 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Najafiyan B, Bokaii Hosseini Z, Esmaelian S, Firuzpour F, Rahimipour Anaraki S, Kalantari L, Hheidari A, Mesgari H, Nabi-Afjadi M. Unveiling the potential effects of resveratrol in lung cancer treatment: Mechanisms and nanoparticle-based drug delivery strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116207. [PMID: 38295754 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116207] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer ranks among the most prevalent forms of cancer and remains a significant factor in cancer-related mortality across the world. It poses significant challenges to healthcare systems and society as a whole due to its high incidence, mortality rates, and late-stage diagnosis. Resveratrol (RV), a natural compound found in various plants, has shown potential as a nanomedicine for lung cancer treatment. RV has varied effects on cancer cells, including promoting apoptosis by increasing pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Bak) and decreasing anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2). It also hinders cell proliferation by influencing important signaling pathways (MAPK, mTOR, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin) that govern cancer progression. In addition, RV acts as a potent antioxidant, diminishing oxidative stress and safeguarding cells against DNA damage. However, using RV alone in cancer treatment has drawbacks, such as low bioavailability, lack of targeting ability, and susceptibility to degradation. In contrast, nanoparticle-based delivery systems address these limitations and hold promise for improving treatment outcomes in lung cancer; nanoparticle formulations of RV offer advantages such as improved drug delivery, increased stability, controlled release, and targeted delivery to lung cancer cells. This article will provide an overview of lung cancer, explore the potential of RV as a therapeutic agent, discuss the benefits and challenges of nanoparticle-based drug delivery, and highlight the promise of RV nanoparticles for cancer treatment, including lung cancer. By optimizing these systems for clinical application, future studies aim to enhance overall treatment outcomes and improve the prognosis for lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Najafiyan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Samar Esmaelian
- Faculty of Dentistry, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Firuzpour
- Student of Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Leila Kalantari
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ali Hheidari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Mesgari
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Li C, Chen S, Fang X, Du Y, Guan XY, Lin R, Xu L, Lan P, Yan Q. LOXL1 promotes tumor cell malignancy and restricts CD8 + T cell infiltration in colorectal cancer. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:6. [PMID: 38267662 PMCID: PMC10808464 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09840-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally. Lymph node metastasis and immunosuppression are main factors of poor prognosis in CRC patients. Lysyl oxidase like 1 (LOXL1), part of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family, plays a yet unclear role in CRC. This study aimed to identify effective biomarkers predictive of prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy in CRC patients, and to elucidate the prognostic value, clinical relevance, functional and molecular features, and immunotherapy predictive role of LOXL1 in CRC and pan-cancer. METHODS Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to explore gene modules related to tumor metastasis and CD8 + T cell infiltration. LOXL1 emerged as a hub gene through differential gene expression and survival analysis. The molecular signatures, functional roles, and immunological characteristics affected by LOXL1 were analyzed in multiple CRC cohorts, cell lines and clinical specimens. Additionally, LOXL1's potential as an immunotherapy response indicator was assessed, along with its role in pan-cancer. RESULTS Turquoise module in WGCNA analysis was identified as the hub module associated with lymph node metastasis and CD8 + T cell infiltration. Aberrant elevated LOXL1 expression was observed in CRC and correlated with poorer differentiation status and prognosis. Molecular and immunological characterization found that LOXL1 might mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and immunosuppressive phenotypes of CRC. Functional study found that LOXL1 enhanced tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, high LOXL1 levels corresponded to reduced CD8 + T cell infiltration and predicted poor clinical outcomes of immunotherapy. Similar trends were also observed at the pan-cancer level. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the critical role of LOXL1 in modulating both malignancy and immunosuppression in CRC. This positions LOXL1 as a promising biomarker for predicting prognosis and the response to immunotherapy in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Siqi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Xiaona Fang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaqing Du
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Runhua Lin
- Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Pathology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ping Lan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qian Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Room 703, Building No. 3, 26 Yuancun ERheng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
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10
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Liu H, Tang L, Li Y, Xie W, Zhang L, Tang H, Xiao T, Yang H, Gu W, Wang H, Chen P. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current views on the tumor microenvironment's impact on drug resistance and clinical outcomes. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:20. [PMID: 38254110 PMCID: PMC10802008 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01928-2] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) exhibits significant variations across different ethnic groups and geographical regions, with Southeast Asia and North Africa being endemic areas. Of note, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely associated with almost all of the undifferentiated NPC cases. Over the past three decades, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have formed the cornerstone of NPC treatment. However, recent advancements in immunotherapy have introduced a range of promising approaches for managing NPC. In light of these developments, it has become evident that a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. The TME serves a dual function, acting as a promoter of tumorigenesis while also orchestrating immunosuppression, thereby facilitating cancer progression and enabling immune evasion. Consequently, a comprehensive comprehension of the TME and its intricate involvement in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of NPC is imperative for the development of effective anticancer drugs. Moreover, given the complexity of TME and the inter-patient heterogeneity, personalized treatment should be designed to maximize therapeutic efficacy and circumvent drug resistance. This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the TME within the context of EBV-induced NPC, with a particular emphasis on its pivotal role in regulating intercellular communication and shaping treatment responses. Additionally, the review offers a concise summary of drug resistance mechanisms and potential strategies for their reversal, specifically in relation to chemoradiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, recent advances in clinical trials pertaining to NPC are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai Liu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yanxian Li
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wenji Xie
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tengfei Xiao
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hongmin Yang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wangning Gu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Pan Chen
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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11
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Du Y, Shi J, Wang J, Xun Z, Yu Z, Sun H, Bao R, Zheng J, Li Z, Ye Y. Integration of Pan-Cancer Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Stromal Cell Features and Therapeutic Targets in Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Res 2024; 84:192-210. [PMID: 38225927 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1418] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Stromal cells are physiologically essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that mediates tumor development and therapeutic resistance. Development of a logical and unified system for stromal cell type identification and characterization of corresponding functional properties could help design antitumor strategies that target stromal cells. Here, we performed a pan-cancer analysis of 214,972 nonimmune stromal cells using single-cell RNA sequencing from 258 patients across 16 cancer types and analyzed spatial transcriptomics from 16 patients across seven cancer types, including six patients receiving anti-PD-1 treatment. This analysis uncovered distinct features of 39 stromal subsets across cancer types, including various functional modules, spatial locations, and clinical and therapeutic relevance. Tumor-associated PGF+ endothelial tip cells with elevated epithelial-mesenchymal transition features were enriched in immune-depleted TME and associated with poor prognosis. Fibrogenic and vascular pericytes (PC) derived from FABP4+ progenitors were two distinct tumor-associated PC subpopulations that strongly interacted with PGF+ tips, resulting in excess extracellular matrix (ECM) abundance and dysfunctional vasculature. Importantly, ECM-related cancer-associated fibroblasts enriched at the tumor boundary acted as a barrier to exclude immune cells, interacted with malignant cells to promote tumor progression, and regulated exhausted CD8+ T cells via immune checkpoint ligand-receptors (e.g., LGALS9/TIM-3) to promote immune escape. In addition, an interactive web-based tool (http://www.scpanstroma.yelab.site/) was developed for accessing, visualizing, and analyzing stromal data. Taken together, this study provides a systematic view of the highly heterogeneous stromal populations across cancer types and suggests future avenues for designing therapies to overcome the tumor-promoting functions of stromal cells. SIGNIFICANCE Comprehensive characterization of tumor-associated nonimmune stromal cells provides a robust resource for dissecting tumor microenvironment complexity and guiding stroma-targeted therapy development across multiple human cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Du
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jintong Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Xun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxiang Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Rujuan Bao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Junke Zheng
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Youqiong Ye
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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12
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Hu T, Allam M, Cai S, Henderson W, Yueh B, Garipcan A, Ievlev AV, Afkarian M, Beyaz S, Coskun AF. Single-cell spatial metabolomics with cell-type specific protein profiling for tissue systems biology. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8260. [PMID: 38086839 PMCID: PMC10716522 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43917-5] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming in cancer and immune cells occurs to support their increasing energy needs in biological tissues. Here we propose Single Cell Spatially resolved Metabolic (scSpaMet) framework for joint protein-metabolite profiling of single immune and cancer cells in male human tissues by incorporating untargeted spatial metabolomics and targeted multiplexed protein imaging in a single pipeline. We utilized the scSpaMet to profile cell types and spatial metabolomic maps of 19507, 31156, and 8215 single cells in human lung cancer, tonsil, and endometrium tissues, respectively. The scSpaMet analysis revealed cell type-dependent metabolite profiles and local metabolite competition of neighboring single cells in human tissues. Deep learning-based joint embedding revealed unique metabolite states within cell types. Trajectory inference showed metabolic patterns along cell differentiation paths. Here we show scSpaMet's ability to quantify and visualize the cell-type specific and spatially resolved metabolic-protein mapping as an emerging tool for systems-level understanding of tissue biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mayar Allam
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shuangyi Cai
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Walter Henderson
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian Yueh
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | | | - Anton V Ievlev
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Maryam Afkarian
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Semir Beyaz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Ahmet F Coskun
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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13
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Ciummo SL, Sorrentino C, Fieni C, Di Carlo E. Interleukin-30 subverts prostate cancer-endothelium crosstalk by fostering angiogenesis and activating immunoregulatory and oncogenic signaling pathways. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:336. [PMID: 38087324 PMCID: PMC10714661 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02902-y] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-endothelial interplay is crucial for tumor behavior, yet the molecular mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Interleukin(IL)-30, which is expressed as a membrane-anchored cytokine by human prostate cancer (PC) cells, promotes PC vascularization and progression, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully explored. METHODS PC-endothelial cell (EC) interactions were investigated, after coculture, by flow cytometry, transcriptional profiling, western blot, and ELISA assays. Proteome profiler phospho-kinase array unveiled the molecular pathways involved. The role of tumor-derived IL30 on the endothelium's capacity to generate autocrine circuits and vascular budding was determined following IL30 overexpression, by gene transfection, or its deletion by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Clinical value of the experimental findings was determined through immunopathological study of experimental and patient-derived PC samples, and bioinformatics of gene expression profiles from PC patients. RESULTS Contact with PC cells favors EC proliferation and production of angiogenic and angiocrine factors, which are boosted by PC expression of IL30, that feeds autocrine loops, mediated by IGF1, EDN1, ANG and CXCL10, and promotes vascular budding and inflammation, via phosphorylation of multiple signaling proteins, such as Src, Yes, STAT3, STAT6, RSK1/2, c-Jun, AKT and, primarily CREB, GSK-3α/β, HSP60 and p53. Deletion of the IL30 gene in PC cells inhibits endothelial expression of IGF1, EDN1, ANG and CXCL10 and substantially impairs tumor angiogenesis. In its interaction with IL30-overexpressing PC cells the endothelium boosts their expression of a wide range of immunity regulatory genes, including CCL28, CCL4, CCL5, CCR2, CCR7, CXCR4, IL10, IL13, IL17A, FASLG, IDO1, KITLG, TNFA, TNFSF10 and PDCD1, and cancer driver genes, including BCL2, CCND2, EGR3, IL6, VEGFA, KLK3, PTGS1, LGALS4, GNRH1 and SHBG. Immunopathological analyses of PC xenografts and in silico investigation of 1116 PC cases, from the Prostate Cancer Transcriptome Atlas, confirmed the correlation between the expression of IL30 and that of both pro-inflammatory genes, NOS2, TNFA, CXCR5 and IL12B, and cancer driver genes, LGALS4, GNRH1 and SHBG, which was validated in a cohort of 80 PC patients. CONCLUSIONS IL30 regulates the crosstalk between PC and EC and reshapes their transcriptional profiles, triggering angiogenic, immunoregulatory and oncogenic gene expression programs. These findings highlight the angiostatic and oncostatic efficacy of targeting IL30 to fight PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Livia Ciummo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristiano Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
- Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
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14
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Lê H, Deforges J, Hua G, Idoux-Gillet Y, Ponté C, Lindner V, Olland A, Falcoz PE, Zaupa C, Jain S, Quéméneur E, Benkirane-Jessel N, Balloul JM. In vitro vascularized immunocompetent patient-derived model to test cancer therapies. iScience 2023; 26:108094. [PMID: 37860774 PMCID: PMC10582498 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108094] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This work describes a patient-derived tumoroid model (PDTs) to support precision medicine in lung oncology. The use of human adipose tissue-derived microvasculature and patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) permits to achieve a physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment. This study involved ten patients at various stages of tumor progression. The vascularized, immune-infiltrated PDT model could be obtained within two weeks, matching the requirements of the therapeutic decision. Histological and transcriptomic analyses confirmed that the main features from the original tumor were reproduced. The 3D tumor model could be used to determine the dynamics of response to antiangiogenic therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Antiangiogenic therapy showed a significant decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expression, reflecting its therapeutic effect in the model. In an immune-infiltrated PDT model, chemotherapy showed the ability to decrease the levels of lymphocyte activation gene-3 protein (LAG-3), B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), and inhibitory receptors of T cells functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Lê
- Transgene S.A, 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jules Deforges
- Transgene S.A, 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Guoqiang Hua
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ysia Idoux-Gillet
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Charlotte Ponté
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l’Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Véronique Lindner
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Olland
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l’Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre-Emanuel Falcoz
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l’Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Cécile Zaupa
- Boehringer Ingelheim, 29 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Shreyansh Jain
- Transgene S.A, 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Eric Quéméneur
- Transgene S.A, 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Nadia Benkirane-Jessel
- INSERM UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Marc Balloul
- Transgene S.A, 400 Boulevard Gonthier d’Andernach, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
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15
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Yalcin GD, Yilmaz KC, Dilber T, Acar A. Investigation of evolutionary dynamics for drug resistance in 3D spheroid model system using cellular barcoding technology. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291942. [PMID: 37751451 PMCID: PMC10521976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291942] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex evolutionary dynamics governing the drug resistance is one of the major challenges in cancer treatment. Understanding these mechanisms requires a sequencing technology with higher resolution to delineate whether pre-existing or de novo drug mechanisms are behind the drug resistance. Combining this technology with clinically very relevant model system, namely 3D spheroids, better mimicking tumorigenesis and drug resistance have so far been lacking. Thus, we sought to establish dabrafenib and irinotecan resistant derivatives of barcoded 3D spheroids with the ultimate aim to quantify the selection-induced clonal dynamics and identify the genomic determinants in this model system. We found that dabrafenib and irinotecan induced drug resistance in 3D-HT-29 and 3D-HCT-116 spheroids are mediated by pre-existing and de novo resistant barcodes, indicating the presence of polyclonal drug resistance in this system. Moreover, whole-exome sequencing analysis found chromosomal gains and mutations associated with dabrafenib and irinotecan resistance in 3D-HT-29 and 3D-HCT-116 spheroids. Last, we show that dabrafenib and irinotecan resistance are also mediated by multiple drug resistance by detection of upregulation of the drug efflux pumps, ABCB1 and ABCG2, in our spheroid model system. Overall, we present the quantification of drug resistance and evolutionary dynamics in spheroids for the first time using cellular barcoding technology and the underlying genomic determinants of the drug resistance in our model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Damla Yalcin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kubra Celikbas Yilmaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tugce Dilber
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Acar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey
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16
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Li J, Wan C, Li X, Quan C, Li X, Wu X. Characterization of tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology based on the double-stranded RNA-binding protein related genes in cervical cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:647. [PMID: 37735483 PMCID: PMC10515034 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04505-9] [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: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological cancers threatening women's health worldwide. Double-stranded RNA-binding proteins (dsRBPs) regulate innate immunity and are therefore believed to be involved in virus-related malignancies, however, their role in cervical cancer is not well known. METHODS We performed RNA-seq of tumor samples from cervical cancer patients in local cohort and also assessed the RNA-seq and clinical data derived from public datasets. By using single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) and univariate Cox analysis, patients were stratified into distinct dsRBP clusters. Stepwise Cox and CoxBoost were performed to construct a risk model based on optimal dsRBPs clusters-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and GSE44001 and CGCI-HTMCP-CC were employed as two external validation cohorts. Single cell RNA sequencing data from GSE168652 and Scissor algorithm were applied to evaluated the signature-related cell population. RESULTS The expression of dsRBP features was found to be associated with HPV infection and carcinogenesis in CESC. However, only Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR) and Dicer, Drosha, and Argonautes (DDR) exhibited significant correlations with the overall survival (OS) of CESC patients. Based on these findings, CESC patients were divided into three dsRBP clusters. Cluster 3 showed superior OS but lower levels of ADAR and DDR. Additionally, Cluster 3 demonstrated enhanced innate immunity, with significantly higher activity in cancer immunity cycles, immune scores, and levels of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, particularly CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, a risk model based on nine dsRBP cluster-related DEGs was established. The accuracy of survival prediction for 1 to 5 years was consistently above 0.78, and this model's robust predictive capacity was confirmed by two external validation sets. The low-risk group exhibited significantly higher levels of immune checkpoints, such as PDCD1 and CTLA4, as well as a higher abundance of CD8+ T cells. Analysis of single-cell sequencing data revealed a significant association between the dsRBP signature and glycolysis. Importantly, low-risk patients showed improved OS and a higher response rate to immunotherapy, along with enduring clinical benefits from concurrent chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS dsRBP played a crucial role in the regulation of prognosis and tumor immunology in cervical cancer, and its prognostic signature provides a strategy for risk stratification and immunotherapy evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, No. 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chong Wan
- Precision Medicine Center, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, No. 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chenlian Quan
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, No. 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaohua Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, No. 270 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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17
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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: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [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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18
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Dautle M, Zhang S, Chen Y. scTIGER: A Deep-Learning Method for Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks from Case versus Control scRNA-seq Datasets. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13339. [PMID: 37686146 PMCID: PMC10488287 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713339] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inferring gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data is an important computational question to find regulatory mechanisms involved in fundamental cellular processes. Although many computational methods have been designed to predict GRNs from scRNA-seq data, they usually have high false positive rates and none infer GRNs by directly using the paired datasets of case-versus-control experiments. Here we present a novel deep-learning-based method, named scTIGER, for GRN detection by using the co-differential relationships of gene expression profiles in paired scRNA-seq datasets. scTIGER employs cell-type-based pseudotiming, an attention-based convolutional neural network method and permutation-based significance testing for inferring GRNs among gene modules. As state-of-the-art applications, we first applied scTIGER to scRNA-seq datasets of prostate cancer cells, and successfully identified the dynamic regulatory networks of AR, ERG, PTEN and ATF3 for same-cell type between prostatic cancerous and normal conditions, and two-cell types within the prostatic cancerous environment. We then applied scTIGER to scRNA-seq data from neurons with and without fear memory and detected specific regulatory networks for BDNF, CREB1 and MAPK4. Additionally, scTIGER demonstrates robustness against high levels of dropout noise in scRNA-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Dautle
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA;
| | - Shaoqiang Zhang
- College of Computer and Information Engineering, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA;
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Cauli E, Polidoro MA, Marzorati S, Bernardi C, Rasponi M, Lleo A. Cancer-on-chip: a 3D model for the study of the tumor microenvironment. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:53. [PMID: 37592292 PMCID: PMC10436436 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The approval of anticancer therapeutic strategies is still slowed down by the lack of models able to faithfully reproduce in vivo cancer physiology. On one hand, the conventional in vitro models fail to recapitulate the organ and tissue structures, the fluid flows, and the mechanical stimuli characterizing the human body compartments. On the other hand, in vivo animal models cannot reproduce the typical human tumor microenvironment, essential to study cancer behavior and progression. This study reviews the cancer-on-chips as one of the most promising tools to model and investigate the tumor microenvironment and metastasis. We also described how cancer-on-chip devices have been developed and implemented to study the most common primary cancers and their metastatic sites. Pros and cons of this technology are then discussed highlighting the future challenges to close the gap between the pre-clinical and clinical studies and accelerate the approval of new anticancer therapies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cauli
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Accelera Srl, Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michela Anna Polidoro
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Marzorati
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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20
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Li C, Holman JB, Shi Z, Qiu B, Ding W. On-chip modeling of tumor evolution: Advances, challenges and opportunities. Mater Today Bio 2023; 21:100724. [PMID: 37483380 PMCID: PMC10359640 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor evolution is the accumulation of various tumor cell behaviors from tumorigenesis to tumor metastasis and is regulated by the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the mechanism of solid tumor progression has not been completely elucidated, and thus, the development of tumor therapy is still limited. Recently, Tumor chips constructed by culturing tumor cells and stromal cells on microfluidic chips have demonstrated great potential in modeling solid tumors and visualizing tumor cell behaviors to exploit tumor progression. Herein, we review the methods of developing engineered solid tumors on microfluidic chips in terms of tumor types, cell resources and patterns, the extracellular matrix and the components of the TME, and summarize the recent advances of microfluidic chips in demonstrating tumor cell behaviors, including proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, intravasation, extravasation and immune escape of tumor cells. We also outline the combination of tumor organoids and microfluidic chips to elaborate tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms, as well as the practical limitations that must be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpan Li
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Joseph Benjamin Holman
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Zhengdi Shi
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Weiping Ding
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
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21
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Feng Y, Luo S, Fan D, Guo X, Ma S. The role of vascular endothelial cells in tumor metastasis. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152070. [PMID: 37348328 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are an integral component of the inner lining of blood vessels, and their functions are essential for the proper functioning of the vascular system. The tight junctions formed by VECs act as a significant barrier to the intravasation and extravasation of tumor cells (TCs). In addition to that, the proliferation, activation, and migration of VECs play a vital role in the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as tumor angiogenesis, which is closely related to the malignant progression of tumors. However, during tumor progression, VECs undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which further promotes tumor progression. Furthermore, VECs act as the first line of defense against effector immune cells and help prevent immune cells from infiltrating into tumor tissues. VECs also secrete various cytokines that can contribute to regulating the stemness of tumor stem cells. Thus, it has been increasingly recognized that dysfunction of VECs is one of the key driving forces behind tumor metastasis, and therapeutic strategies targeting VECs have the potential to be an effective means of antitumor therapy. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the role and mechanisms of VECs in regulating tumor progression and metastasis, providing insights into the possibilities for the development of novel antitumor therapies that target VECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Feng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Shan Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China
| | - Dandan Fan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China
| | - Xingrong Guo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China.
| | - Shinan Ma
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China.
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22
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Mamun MAA, Zhang Y, Zhao JY, Shen DD, Guo T, Zheng YC, Zhao LJ, Liu HM. LSD1: an emerging face in altering the tumor microenvironment and enhancing immune checkpoint therapy. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:60. [PMID: 37525190 PMCID: PMC10391765 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00952-0] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of various cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) causes immunosuppressive functions and aggressive tumor growth. In combination with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), epigenetic modification-targeted drugs are emerging as attractive cancer treatments. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a protein that modifies histone and non-histone proteins and is known to influence a wide variety of physiological processes. The dysfunction of LSD1 contributes to poor prognosis, poor patient survival, drug resistance, immunosuppression, etc., making it a potential epigenetic target for cancer therapy. This review examines how LSD1 modulates different cell behavior in TME and emphasizes the potential use of LSD1 inhibitors in combination with ICB therapy for future cancer research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A A Mamun
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jin-Yuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Dan-Dan Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- Key Laboratory of Endometrial Disease Prevention and Treatment Zhengzhou China, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Li-Juan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Hong-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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23
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Sun J, Yu L, Qu X, Huang T. The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the tumor microenvironment, tumor cell metabolism, and anticancer therapy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1184794. [PMID: 37251321 PMCID: PMC10213337 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1184794] [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: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been extensively studied for over 3 decades and consist of three isotypes, including PPARα, γ, and β/δ, that were originally considered key metabolic regulators controlling energy homeostasis in the body. Cancer has become a leading cause of human mortality worldwide, and the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in cancer is increasingly being investigated, especially the deep molecular mechanisms and effective cancer therapies. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors are an important class of lipid sensors and are involved in the regulation of multiple metabolic pathways and cell fate. They can regulate cancer progression in different tissues by activating endogenous or synthetic compounds. This review emphasizes the significance and knowledge of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the tumor microenvironment, tumor cell metabolism, and anti-cancer treatment by summarizing recent research on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. In general, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors either promote or suppress cancer in different types of tumor microenvironments. The emergence of this difference depends on various factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor type, cancer type, and tumor stage. Simultaneously, the effect of anti-cancer therapy based on drug-targeted PPARs differs or even opposes among the three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor homotypes and different cancer types. Therefore, the current status and challenges of the use of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors agonists and antagonists in cancer treatment are further explored in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaao Sun
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Liyan Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xueling Qu
- Dalian Women and Children’s Medical Center(Group), Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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24
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Zhou S, Ou H, Wu Y, Qi D, Pei X, Yu X, Hu X, Wu E. Targeting tumor endothelial cells with methyltransferase inhibitors: Mechanisms of action and the potential of combination therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2023:108434. [PMID: 37172786 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) reside in the inner lining of blood vessels and represent a promising target for targeted cancer therapy. DNA methylation is a chemical process that involves the transfer of a methyl group to a specific base in the DNA strand, catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). DNMT inhibitors (DNMTis) can inhibit the activity of DNMTs, thereby preventing the transfer of methyl groups from s-adenosyl methionine (SAM) to cytosine. Currently, the most viable therapy for TECs is the development of DNMTis to release cancer suppressor genes from their repressed state. In this review, we first outline the characteristics of TECs and describe the development of tumor blood vessels and TECs. Abnormal DNA methylation is closely linked to tumor initiation, progression, and cell carcinogenesis, as evidenced by numerous studies. Therefore, we summarize the role of DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase and the therapeutic potential of four types of DNMTi in targeting TECs. Finally, we discuss the accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities associated with combination therapy with DNMTis for TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Hailong Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Yatao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Dan Qi
- Texas A & M University Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xiaming Pei
- Department of Urology, Department of Pathology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- Department of Urology, Department of Pathology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biosensing, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Research Institute of Hunan University in Chongqing, Chongqing 401120, China.
| | - Erxi Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX 78508, USA; Texas A & M University Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, College Station, TX 77843, USA; LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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25
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Koustas E, Trifylli EM, Sarantis P, Papadopoulos N, Papanikolopoulos K, Aloizos G, Damaskos C, Garmpis N, Garmpi A, Matthaios D, Karamouzis MV. Exploiting Autophagy-Dependent Neoantigen Presentation in Tumor Microenvironment. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:474. [PMID: 36833401 PMCID: PMC9956312 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy constitutes a well-known homeostatic and catabolic process that is responsible for degradation and recycling of cellular components. It is a key regulatory mechanism for several cellular functions, whereas its dysregulation is associated with tumorigenesis, tumor-stroma interactions and resistance to cancer therapy. A growing body of evidence has proven that autophagy affects the tumor microenvironment, while it is also considered a key factor for function of several immune cells, such as APCs, T-cells, and macrophages. Moreover, it is implicated in presentation of neo-antigens of tumor cells in both MHC-I and MHC-II in dendritic cells (DCs) in functional activity of immune cells by creating T-cell memory, as well as in cross-presentation of neo-antigens for MHC-I presentation and the internalization process. Currently, autophagy has a crucial role in immunotherapy. Emergence of cancer immunotherapy has already shown some remarkable results, having changed therapeutic strategy in clinical practice for several cancer types. Despite these promising long-term responses, several patients seem to lack the ability to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Thus, autophagy through neo-antigen presentation is a potential target in order to strengthen or attenuate the effects of immunotherapy against different types of cancer. This review will shed light on the recent advances and future directions of autophagy-dependent neo-antigen presentation and consequently its role in immunotherapy for malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Koustas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni-Myrto Trifylli
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Sarantis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Papadopoulos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Georgios Aloizos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Army Equity Fund Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Damaskos
- ‘N.S. Christeas’ Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Renal Transplantation Unit, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Garmpis
- Second Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, ‘Laiko’ General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Garmpi
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michalis V. Karamouzis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Kazakova A, Sudarskikh T, Kovalev O, Kzhyshkowska J, Larionova I. Interaction of tumor‑associated macrophages with stromal and immune components in solid tumors: Research progress (Review). Int J Oncol 2023; 62:32. [PMID: 36660926 PMCID: PMC9851132 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which belong to the innate immune system and regulate primary tumor growth, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling and metastasis. The review discusses current knowledge of essential cell‑cell interactions of TAMs within the TME of solid tumors. It summarizes the mechanisms of stromal cell (including cancer‑associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells)‑mediated monocyte recruitment and regulation of differentiation, as well as pro‑tumor and antitumor polarization of TAMs. Additionally, it focuses on the perivascular TAM subpopulations that regulate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. It describes the possible mechanisms of reciprocal interactions of TAMs with other immune cells responsible for immunosuppression. Finally, it highlights the perspectives for novel therapeutic approaches to use combined cellular targets that include TAMs and other stromal and immune cells in the TME. The collected data demonstrated the importance of understanding cell‑cell interactions in the TME to prevent distant metastasis and reduce the risk of tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kazakova
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Sudarskikh
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russian Federation
| | - Oleg Kovalev
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634009, Russian Federation
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russian Federation
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Irina Larionova
- Laboratory of Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russian Federation
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk 634009, Russian Federation
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27
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Akter Z, Salamat N, Ali MY, Zhang L. The promise of targeting heme and mitochondrial respiration in normalizing tumor microenvironment and potentiating immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1072739. [PMID: 36686754 PMCID: PMC9851275 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1072739] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy shows durable treatment responses and therapeutic benefits compared to other cancer treatment modalities, but many cancer patients display primary and acquired resistance to immunotherapeutics. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major barrier to cancer immunotherapy. Notably, cancer cells depend on high mitochondrial bioenergetics accompanied with the supply of heme for their growth, proliferation, progression, and metastasis. This excessive mitochondrial respiration increases tumor cells oxygen consumption, which triggers hypoxia and irregular blood vessels formation in various regions of TME, resulting in an immunosuppressive TME, evasion of anti-tumor immunity, and resistance to immunotherapeutic agents. In this review, we discuss the role of heme, heme catabolism, and mitochondrial respiration on mediating immunosuppressive TME by promoting hypoxia, angiogenesis, and leaky tumor vasculature. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic prospects of targeting heme and mitochondrial respiration in alleviating tumor hypoxia, normalizing tumor vasculature, and TME to restore anti-tumor immunity and resensitize cancer cells to immunotherapy.
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28
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Nallasamy P, Nimmakayala RK, Parte S, Are AC, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Tumor microenvironment enriches the stemness features: the architectural event of therapy resistance and metastasis. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:225. [PMID: 36550571 PMCID: PMC9773588 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01682-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer divergence has many facets other than being considered a genetic term. It is a tremendous challenge to understand the metastasis and therapy response in cancer biology; however, it postulates the opportunity to explore the possible mechanism in the surrounding tumor environment. Most deadly solid malignancies are distinctly characterized by their tumor microenvironment (TME). TME consists of stromal components such as immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocytes, and fibroblast cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells are a small sub-set of the population within cancer cells believed to be a responsible player in the self-renewal, metastasis, and therapy response of cancer cells. The correlation between TME and CSCs remains an enigma in understanding the events of metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer biology. Recent evidence suggests that TME dictates the CSCs maintenance to arbitrate cancer progression and metastasis. The immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocyte, and fibroblast cells in the TME release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, microRNAs, and exosomes that provide cues for the gain and maintenance of CSC features. These intricate cross-talks are fueled to evolve into aggressive, invasive, migratory phenotypes for cancer development. In this review, we have abridged the recent developments in the role of the TME factors in CSC maintenance and how these events influence the transition of tumor progression to further translate into metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Abhirup C Are
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Samarth N, Gulhane P, Singh S. Immunoregulatory framework and the role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of NSCLC - A systematic review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1089320. [PMID: 36620544 PMCID: PMC9811680 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1089320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With a 5-year survival rate of only 15%, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common kind of lung carcinoma and the cause of millions of deaths annually, has drawn attention. Numerous variables, such as disrupted signaling caused by somatic mutations in the EGFR-mediated RAS/RAF/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT signaling cascade, supports tumour survival in one way or another. Here, the tumour microenvironment significantly contributes to the development of cancer by thwarting the immune response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression that can function as oncogenes or oncosuppressors. They have a major influence on the occurrence and prognosis of NSCLC. Though, a myriad number of therapies are available and many are being clinically tested, still the drug resistance, its adverse effect and toxicity leading towards fatality cannot be ruled out. In this review, we tried to ascertain the missing links in between perturbed EGFR signaling, miRNAs favouring tumorigenesis and the autophagy mechanism. While connecting all the aforementioned points multiple associations were set, which can be targeted in order to combat NSCLC. Here, we tried illuminating designing synthetically engineered circuits with the toggle switches that might lay a prototype for better therapeutic paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
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Liu S, Ortiz A, Stavrou A, Talusan AR, Costa M. Extracellular Vesicles as Mediators of Nickel-Induced Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416111. [PMID: 36555753 PMCID: PMC9785150 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles (EVs), which represent a crucial mode of intercellular communication, play important roles in cancer progression by transferring oncogenic materials. Nickel (Ni) has been identified as a human group I carcinogen; however, the underlying mechanisms governing Ni-induced carcinogenesis are still being elucidated. Here, we present data demonstrating that Ni exposure generates EVs that contribute to Ni-mediated carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells and human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK293) cells were chronically exposed to Ni to generate Ni-treated cells (Ni-6W), Ni-transformed BEAS-2B cells (Ni-3) and Ni-transformed HEK293 cells (HNi-4). The signatures of EVs isolated from Ni-6W, Ni-3, HNi-4, BEAS-2B, and HEK293 were analyzed. Compared to their respective untreated cells, Ni-6W, Ni-3, and HNi-4 released more EVs. This change in EV release coincided with increased transcription of the EV biogenesis markers CD82, CD63, and flotillin-1 (FLOT). Additionally, EVs from Ni-transformed cells had enriched protein and RNA, a phenotype also observed in other studies characterizing EVs from cancer cells. Interestingly, both epithelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells showed a preference for taking up Ni-altered EVs compared to EVs released from the untreated cells. Moreover, these Ni-altered EVs induced inflammatory responses in both epithelial and endothelial cells and increased the expression of coagulation markers in endothelial cells. Prolonged treatment of Ni-alerted EVs for two weeks induced the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in BEAS-2B cells. This study is the first to characterize the effect of Ni on EVs and suggests the potential role of EVs in Ni-induced cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Max Costa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-646-754-9443
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31
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Endothelial Cells Potentially Participate in the Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:5412007. [PMID: 35265720 PMCID: PMC8898858 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5412007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of triple-negative breast cancer metastasis has long been a challenge, mainly due to the difficulty in identifying factors that contribute to this process. In this study, freshly isolated triple-negative breast cancer biopsied cells obtained from consenting patients were subjected to flow cytometry and bioinformatic analysis to identify three endothelial cell subclusters: EC (ATP1B3), EC (HSPA1B), and EC (KRT7) in the tumor microenvironment. These endothelial cell subclusters exhibited distinguishing biological features. Based on differentially expressed genes derived from the subclusters, gene set enrichment analysis showed that EC (ATP1B3) and EC (HSPA1B) contribute to the process of metastasis, for example, in fibrosarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma. In this study, we identified the heterogeneity of endothelial cells in the human breast cancer and have provided insights into its role in metastasis.
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