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Mottais A, Riberi L, Falco A, Soccal S, Gohy S, De Rose V. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Mechanisms in Chronic Airway Diseases: A Common Process to Target? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12412. [PMID: 37569787 PMCID: PMC10418908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512412] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible process, in which epithelial cells lose their epithelial traits and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. This transformation has been described in different lung diseases, such as lung cancer, interstitial lung diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other muco-obstructive lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The exaggerated chronic inflammation typical of these pulmonary diseases can induce molecular reprogramming with subsequent self-sustaining aberrant and excessive profibrotic tissue repair. Over time this process leads to structural changes with progressive organ dysfunction and lung function impairment. Although having common signalling pathways, specific triggers and regulation mechanisms might be present in each disease. This review aims to describe the various mechanisms associated with fibrotic changes and airway remodelling involved in chronic airway diseases. Having better knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the EMT process may help us to identify specific targets and thus lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or limit the onset of irreversible structural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélique Mottais
- Pole of Pneumology, ENT, and Dermatology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (A.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Luca Riberi
- Postgraduate School in Respiratory Medicine, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (L.R.); (A.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Andrea Falco
- Postgraduate School in Respiratory Medicine, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (L.R.); (A.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Simone Soccal
- Postgraduate School in Respiratory Medicine, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (L.R.); (A.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Sophie Gohy
- Pole of Pneumology, ENT, and Dermatology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (A.M.); (S.G.)
- Department of Pneumology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Cystic Fibrosis Reference Centre, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Virginia De Rose
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
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The updated role of exosomal proteins in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. EXPERIMENTAL & MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2022; 54:1390-1400. [PMID: 36138197 PMCID: PMC9535014 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00855-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes are vesicles encompassed by a lipid bilayer that are released by various living cells. Exosomal proteins are encapsulated within the membrane or embedded on the surface. As an important type of exosome cargo, exosomal proteins can reflect the physiological status of the parent cell and play an essential role in cell-cell communication. Exosomal proteins can regulate tumor development, including tumor-related immune regulation, microenvironment reconstruction, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, etc. The features of exosomal proteins can provide insight into exosome generation, targeting, and biological function and are potential sources of markers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Here, we summarize the effects of exosomal proteins on cancer biology, the latest progress in the application of exosomal proteins in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and the potential contribution of exosomal proteins in cancer therapeutics and vaccines.
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Chi H, Jiang P, Xu K, Zhao Y, Song B, Peng G, He B, Liu X, Xia Z, Tian G. A novel anoikis-related gene signature predicts prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and reveals immune infiltration. Front Genet 2022; 13:984273. [PMID: 36092898 PMCID: PMC9459093 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.984273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive disease with a poor prognosis for advanced tumors. Anoikis play a key role in cancer metastasis, facilitating the detachment and survival of cancer cells from the primary tumor site. However, few studies have focused on the role of anoikis in HNSC, especially on the prognosis.Methods: Anoikis-related genes (ANRGs) integrated from Genecards and Harmonizome portals were used to identify HNSCC subtypes and to construct a prognostic model for HNSCC patients. Also, we explored the immune microenvironment and enrichment pathways between different subtypes. Finally, we provide clinical experts with a novel nomogram based on ANRGs, with DCA curves indicating the potential clinical benefit of the model for clinical strategies.Results: We identified 69 survival-related HNSCC anoikis-related DEGs, from which 7 genes were selected to construct prognostic models. The prognostic risk score was identified as an independent prognostic factor. Functional analysis showed that these high and low risk groups had different immune status and drug sensitivity. Next risk scores were combined with HNSCC clinicopathological features together to construct a nomogram, and DCA analysis showed that the model could benefit patients from clinical treatment strategies.Conclusion: The predictive seven-gene signature and nomogram established in this study can assist clinicians in selecting personalized treatment for patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Puyu Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bingyu Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Gaoge Peng
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Bingsheng He
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Zhijia Xia, ; Gang Tian,
| | - Gang Tian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijia Xia, ; Gang Tian,
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Claridge B, Lozano J, Poh QH, Greening DW. Development of Extracellular Vesicle Therapeutics: Challenges, Considerations, and Opportunities. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:734720. [PMID: 34616741 PMCID: PMC8488228 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.734720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great promise as therapeutic modalities due to their endogenous characteristics, however, further bioengineering refinement is required to address clinical and commercial limitations. Clinical applications of EV-based therapeutics are being trialed in immunomodulation, tissue regeneration and recovery, and as delivery vectors for combination therapies. Native/biological EVs possess diverse endogenous properties that offer stability and facilitate crossing of biological barriers for delivery of molecular cargo to cells, acting as a form of intercellular communication to regulate function and phenotype. Moreover, EVs are important components of paracrine signaling in stem/progenitor cell-based therapies, are employed as standalone therapies, and can be used as a drug delivery system. Despite remarkable utility of native/biological EVs, they can be improved using bio/engineering approaches to further therapeutic potential. EVs can be engineered to harbor specific pharmaceutical content, enhance their stability, and modify surface epitopes for improved tropism and targeting to cells and tissues in vivo. Limitations currently challenging the full realization of their therapeutic utility include scalability and standardization of generation, molecular characterization for design and regulation, therapeutic potency assessment, and targeted delivery. The fields' utilization of advanced technologies (imaging, quantitative analyses, multi-omics, labeling/live-cell reporters), and utility of biocompatible natural sources for producing EVs (plants, bacteria, milk) will play an important role in overcoming these limitations. Advancements in EV engineering methodologies and design will facilitate the development of EV-based therapeutics, revolutionizing the current pharmaceutical landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Claridge
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan Lozano
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Qi Hui Poh
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David W. Greening
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Tempest R, Guarnerio S, Maani R, Cooper J, Peake N. The Biological and Biomechanical Role of Transglutaminase-2 in the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112788. [PMID: 34205140 PMCID: PMC8199963 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase-2 (TG2) is the most highly and ubiquitously expressed member of the transglutaminase enzyme family and is primarily involved in protein cross-linking. TG2 has been implicated in the development and progression of numerous cancers, with a direct role in multiple cellular processes and pathways linked to apoptosis, chemoresistance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and stem cell phenotype. The tumour microenvironment (TME) is critical in the formation, progression, and eventual metastasis of cancer, and increasing evidence points to a role for TG2 in matrix remodelling, modulation of biomechanical properties, cell adhesion, motility, and invasion. There is growing interest in targeting the TME therapeutically in response to advances in the understanding of its critical role in disease progression, and a number of approaches targeting biophysical properties and biomechanical signalling are beginning to show clinical promise. In this review we aim to highlight the wide array of processes in which TG2 influences the TME, focussing on its potential role in the dynamic tissue remodelling and biomechanical events increasingly linked to invasive and aggressive behaviour. Drug development efforts have yielded a range of TG2 inhibitors, and ongoing clinical trials may inform strategies for targeting the biomolecular and biomechanical function of TG2 in the TME.
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