Fibronectin assembly regulates lumen formation in breast acini

The Microenvironment in DCIS and Its Role in Disease Progression

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for ~20% of all breast cancer diagnoses but whilst known to be a precursor of invasive breast cancer (IBC), evidence suggests only one in six patients will ever progress. A key challenge is to distinguish between those lesions that will progress and those that will remain indolent. Molecular analyses of neoplastic epithelial cells have not identified consistent differences between lesions that progressed and those that did not, and this has focused attention on the tumour microenvironment (ME).The DCIS ME is unique, complex and dynamic. Myoepithelial cells form the wall of the ductal-lobular tree and exhibit broad tumour suppressor functions. However, in DCIS they acquire phenotypic changes that bestow them with tumour promoter properties, an important evolution since they act as the primary barrier for invasion. Changes in the peri-ductal stromal environment also arise in DCIS, including transformation of fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs orchestrate other changes in the stroma, including the physical structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) through altered protein synthesis, as well as release of a plethora of factors including proteases, cytokines and chemokines that remodel the ECM. CAFs can also modulate the immune ME as well as impact on tumour cell signalling pathways. The heterogeneity of CAFs, including recognition of anti-tumourigenic populations, is becoming evident, as well as heterogeneity of immune cells and the interplay between these and the adipocyte and vascular compartments. Knowledge of the impact of these changes is more advanced in IBC but evidence is starting to accumulate for a role in DCIS. Detailed in vitro, in vivo and tissue studies focusing on the interplay between DCIS epithelial cells and the ME should help to define features that can better predict DCIS behaviour.

Development of bioengineered 3D patient derived breast cancer organoid model focusing dynamic fibroblast-stem cell reciprocity

Three-dimensional (3D) models, such as tumor spheroids and organoids, are increasingly developed by integrating tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and personalized therapy strategies. These advanced 3Din-vitromodels are not merely endpoint-driven but also offer the flexibility to be customized or modulated according to specific disease parameters. Unlike traditional 2D monolayer cultures, which inadequately capture the complexities of solid tumors, 3D co-culture systems provide a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment. This includes critical interactions with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which significantly modulate cancer cell behavior and therapeutic responses. Most of the findings from the co-culture of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 breast cancer cells and MSC showed the formation of monolayers. Although changes in the plasticity of MSCs and iPSCs caused by other cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) have been extensively researched, the effect of MSCs on cancer stem cell (CSC) aggressiveness is still controversial and contradictory among different research communities. Some researchers have argued that CSCs proliferate more, while others have proposed that cancer spread occurs through dormancy. This highlights the need for further investigation into how these interactions shape cancer aggressiveness. The objective of this review is to explore changes in cancer cell behavior within a 3D microenvironment enriched with MSCs, iPSCs, and ECM components. By describing various MSC and iPSC-derived 3D breast cancer models that replicate tumor biology, we aim to elucidate potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer. A particular focus of this review is the Transwell system, which facilitates understanding how MSCs and iPSCs affect critical processes such as migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The gradient formed between the two chambers is based on diffusion, as seen in the human body. Once optimized, this Transwell model can serve as a high-throughput screening platform for evaluating various anticancer agents. In the future, primary cell-based and patient-derived 3D organoid models hold promise for advancing personalized medicine and accelerating drug development processes.

Differential regulation of fibronectin expression and fibrillogenesis by autocrine TGF-β1 signaling in malignant and benign mammary epithelial cells

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key hallmark of cancer progression. A critical component of ECM remodeling is the assembly of the glycoprotein fibronectin (FN) into insoluble fibrils, which provide a scaffold for invading vascular endothelial cells and escaping cancer cells, as well as a framework for collagen deposition and oncogenic cytokine tethering. FN fibril assembly is induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which was originally identified for its role in malignant transformation. Addition of exogenous TGF-β1 drives FN fibril assembly while also upregulating endogenous TGF-β1 expression and autocrine signaling. In the current study, we sought to determine if autocrine TGF-β1 signaling plays a role in FN fibril formation in either MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, which behave similarly to healthy epithelia, or malignant MDA- MB-231 breast cancer cells. Our results show two interesting findings: first, malignant MDA-MB- 231 cells assemble less FN into fibrils, despite expressing and secreting more soluble FN; second, autocrine TGF-β1 signaling is required for FN fibril formation in MCF10A epithelial cells, even in the presence of exogenous, active TGF-β1. This suggests that autocrine TGF-β1 is signaling through distinct pathways from active exogenous TGF-β1. We hypothesized that this signaling was mediated by interactions between the TGF-β1 latency associated peptide (LAP) and αv integrins; indeed, incubating MCF10As with soluble LAP, even in the absence of the active TGF-β1 ligand, partially recovered FN fibril assembly. Taken together, these data suggests that autocrine TGF-β1 plays a critical role in FN fibril assembly, and this interaction is mediated by LAP-integrin signaling.

A TGFβ-ECM-integrin signaling axis drives structural reconfiguration of the bile duct to promote polycystic liver disease

The formation of multiple cysts in the liver occurs in a number of isolated monogenic diseases or multisystemic syndromes, during which bile ducts develop into fluid-filled biliary cysts. For patients with polycystic liver disease (PCLD), nonsurgical treatments are limited, and managing life-long abdominal swelling, pain, and increasing risk of cyst rupture and infection is common. We demonstrate here that loss of the primary cilium on postnatal biliary epithelial cells (via the deletion of the cilia gene Wdr35) drives ongoing pathological remodeling of the biliary tree, resulting in progressive cyst formation and growth. The development of cystic tissue requires the activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling, which promotes the expression of a procystic, fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix and which itself is perceived by a changing profile of integrin receptors on the cystic epithelium. This signaling axis is conserved in liver cysts from patients with either autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease, indicating that there are common cellular mechanisms for liver cyst growth regardless of the underlying genetic cause. Cyst number and size can be reduced by inhibiting TGFβ signaling or integrin signaling in vivo. We suggest that our findings represent a therapeutic route for patients with polycystic liver disease, most of whom would not be amenable to surgery.

JNJ-64619178 radiosensitizes and suppresses fractionated ionizing radiation-induced neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in prostate cancer

Background

Radiation therapy (RT) is a standard treatment regimen for locally advanced prostate cancer; however, its failure results in tumor recurrence, metastasis, and cancer-related death. The recurrence of cancer after radiotherapy is one of the major challenges in prostate cancer treatment. Despite overall cure rate of 93.3% initially, prostate cancer relapse in 20-30% patients after radiation therapy. Cancer cells acquire radioresistance upon fractionated ionizing radiation (FIR) treatment, eventually undergo neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) and transform into neuroendocrine-like cells, a mechanism involved in acquiring resistance to radiation therapy. Radiosensitizers are agents that inhibit the repair of radiation-induced DNA damage. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) gets upregulated upon ionizing radiation treatment and epigenetically activates DNA damage repair genes in prostate cancer cells. In this study, we targeted PRMT5 with JNJ-64619178 and assessed its effect on DNA damage repair gene activation, radiosensitization, and FIR-induced NED in prostate cancer.

Methods

γH2AX foci analysis was performed to evaluate the DNA damage repair after radiation therapy. RT-qPCR and western blot were carried out to analyze the expression of DNA damage repair genes. Clonogenic assay was conducted to find out the surviving fraction after radiation therapy. NED was targeted with JNJ-64619178 in androgen receptor (AR) positive and negative prostate cancer cells undergoing FIR treatment.

Results

JNJ-64619178 inhibits DNA damage repair in prostate cancer cells independent of their AR status. JNJ-64619178 impairs the repair of ionizing radiation-induced damaged DNA by transcriptionally inhibiting the DNA damage repair gene expression and radiosensitizes prostate, glioblastoma and lung cancer cell line. It targets NED induced by FIR in prostate cancer cells.

Conclusion

JNJ-64619178 can radiosensitize and suppress NED induced by FIR in prostate cancer cells and can be a potential radiosensitizer for prostate cancer treatment.

Chrysin and Capsaicin Induces Premature Senescence and Apoptosis via Mitochondrial dysfunction and p53 elevation in Cervical Cancer cells

Current studies are focusing on the anti-cancerous properties of natural bioactive compounds, primarily those included in the human diet. These compounds have the potential to alter the redox balance that can hinder cancer cell's growth. In cancer cells, an abnormal rate of ROS production is balanced with higher antioxidant activities, which if not maintained, results in cancer cells being prone to cell death due to oxidative stress. Here, we have analyzed the effects of Chrysin and Capsaicin on the HeLa cells viability and cellular redox signaling. Both these compounds stimulate cellular and mitochondrial ROS overproduction that perturbs the cellular redox state and results in mitochondrial membrane potential loss. Apart from this, these compounds induce cell cycle arrest and induce premature senescence, along with the overexpression of p21, p53, and p16 protein at lower concentration treatment of Chrysin or Capsaicin. Moreover, at higher concentration treatment with these compounds, pro-apoptotic activity was observed with the high level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 along with suppression of the Bcl-2 protein levels. In-Silico analysis with STITCH v5 also confirms the direct interaction of Chrysin and Capsaicin with target protein p53. This suggests that Chrysin and Capsaicin trigger an increase in mitochondrial ROS, and p53 interaction leading to premature senescence and apoptosis in concentration dependent manner and have therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.

Fibronectin assembly regulates lumen formation in breast acini

Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein that self-assembles into FN fibrils, forming a FN matrix contributing to the stiffness of the ECM. Stromal FN stiffness in cancer has been shown to impact epithelial functions such as migration, cancer metastasis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The role of the FN matrix of epithelial cells in driving such processes remains less well understood and is the focus of this study. Hypoxia, defined by low oxygen tension (<5%) is one of the hallmarks of tumor microenvironments impacting fibril reorganization in stromal and epithelial cells. Here, using the MCF10 breast epithelial progression series of cell lines encompassing normal, preinvasive, and invasive states, we show that FN fibril formation decreases during hypoxia, coinciding with a decrease in migratory potential of these cells. Conversely, we find that FN fibril disruption during three-dimensional acinar growth of normal breast cells resulted in acinar luminal filling. Our data also demonstrates that the luminal filling upon fibril disruption in untransformed MCF10A cells results in a loss of apicobasal polarity, characteristic of pre-invasive and invasive breast cell lines MCF10AT and MCF10 DCIS.com. Overall this is the first study that relates fibril-mediated changes in epithelial cells as critical players in lumen clearing of breast acini and maintenance of the untransformed growth characteristic.