Versican in the Tumor Microenvironment

Targets in the Tumour Matrisome to Promote Cancer Therapy Response

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of complex fibrillar proteins, proteoglycans, and macromolecules, generated by stromal, immune, and cancer cells. The components and organisation of the matrix evolves as tumours progress to invasive disease and metastasis. In many solid tumours, dense fibrotic ECM has been hypothesised to impede therapy response by limiting drug and immune cell access. Interventions to target individual components of the ECM, collectively termed the matrisome, have, however, revealed complex tumour-suppressor, tumour-promoter, and immune-modulatory functions, which have complicated clinical translation. The degree to which distinct components of the matrisome can dictate tumour phenotypes and response to therapy is the subject of intense study. A primary aim is to identify therapeutic opportunities within the matrisome, which might support a better response to existing therapies. Many matrix signatures have been developed which can predict prognosis, immune cell content, and immunotherapy responses. In this review, we will examine key components of the matrisome which have been associated with advanced tumours and therapy resistance. We have primarily focussed here on targeting matrisome components, rather than specific cell types, although several examples are described where cells of origin can dramatically affect tumour roles for matrix components. As we unravel the complex biochemical, biophysical, and intracellular transduction mechanisms associated with the ECM, numerous therapeutic opportunities will be identified to modify tumour progression and therapy response.

Determination of Versikine Levels by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

The proteoglycan versican plays multiple roles in cancer progression, from promoting cell invasion and proliferation to evasion of immune surveillance. Metalloproteinases of the A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin-like motif (ADAMTS) family cleave versican at a specific Glu-Ala bond, thus releasing a bioactive fragment named versikine, whose biological function, still not entirely revealed, seems that of antagonizing the effects of the parental molecule. Here we describe an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that specifically detects versikine in media, pure component systems, and biological fluids using neoepitope antibodies. Such antibodies recognize their target proteolytic fragment but not the intact, parental molecule. Versikine fragments are captured by neoepitope antibodies and detected by antibodies directed against its N-terminal globular (G1) domain. The method here described can therefore be used to measure ADAMTS versicanase activity and provides a quantitative alternative to immunoblotting.

Emerging roles for tumor stroma in antigen presentation and anti-cancer immunity

Advances in immunotherapy in the last decade have revolutionized treatment paradigms across multiple cancer diagnoses. However, only a minority of patients derive durable benefit and progress with traditional approaches, such as cancer vaccines, remains unsatisfactory. A key to overcoming these barriers resides with a deeper understanding of tumor antigen presentation and the complex and dynamic heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Reminiscent of the 'second touch' hypothesis proposed by Klaus Ley for CD4+ T cell differentiation, the acquisition of full effector potential by lymph node- primed CD8+ T cells requires a second round of co-stimulation at the site where the antigen originated, i.e. the tumor bed. The tumor stroma holds a prime role in this process by hosting specialized APC niches, apparently distinct from tertiary lymphoid structures, that support second antigenic touch encounters and CD8+ T cell effector proliferation and differentiation. We propose that APC within second-touch niches become licensed for co-stimulation through stromal-derived instructive signals emulating embryonic or wound-healing provisional matrix remodeling. These immunostimulatory roles of stroma contrast with its widely accepted view as a physical and functional 'immune barrier'. Stromal control of antigen presentation makes evolutionary sense as the host stroma-tumor interface constitutes the prime line of homeostatic 'defense' against the emerging tumor. In this review, we outline how stroma-derived signals and cells regulate tumor antigen presentation and T-cell effector differentiation in the tumor bed. The re-definition of tumor stroma as immune rheostat rather than as inflexible immune barrier harbors significant untapped therapeutic opportunity.

Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 facilitates the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing versican expression via sponging miR-23b-3p

Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with progression of multiple human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of lncRNAs in HCC is not been fully understood. Our study aimed to investigate the biological function and potential molecular mechanism of Lnc-PAL2G4A-4 in HCC. In the current study, we show that Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 was significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues and high Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 expression was remarkably associated with tumor size, microvascular invasion and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Functionally, Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 positively regulated cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro, and facilitated lung metastasis of HCC in vivo. Mechanistically, Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to bind to miR-23b-3p and subsequently facilitate miR-23b-3p's target gene versican (VCAN) expression in HCC cells. Over-expression of miR-23b-3p could reverse Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 induced cell phenotypes in HCC and suppress versican expression of by rescue analysis. Collectively, Lnc-PLA2G4A-4 promotes HCC progression by targeting the miR-23b-3p/versican axis, which may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican as potential diagnostic markers for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the expression of plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlation with clinicopathological features, and to evaluate its diagnostic performance in NSCLC and its predictive function for NSCLC incidence and metastasis risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were 110 instances of NSCLC, 42 cases of benign lung disease, and 55 healthy controls from September 2018 to October 2020 at Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University. Blood was collected and plasma was separated before surgery, and plasma exosomes were extracted by ExoQuick kit. Morphological and molecular phenotype identification of exosomes was performed by transmission electron microscopy, Nanosight particle tracking analysis, and western blotting. Plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican were detected in all subjects to assess their expression levels and diagnostic value in NSCLC. Clinicopathological data were collected to explore correlations between abnormal plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican expression and clinicopathological parameters. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to judge its diagnostic performance in NSCLC, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict the risk of NSCLC incidence and metastasis.

RESULTS

Plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican expression in NSCLC patients was significantly upregulated and was significantly higher in T3 + T4 patients compared with T1 + T2 patients (P < 0.05); the levels of plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastases (e.g., brain, bone), and mutation(e.g., EGFR,ALK)in NSCLC patients (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, ROC curve analysis showed that plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican had higher AUC values than NSE, CYFRA21-1, and SCC, and better diagnostic performance in NSCLC patients. However, the AUC and diagnostic performances of plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican in advanced-stage NSCLC patients were not shown to be significantly better than CEA. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of plasma exosomal versican had higher predictive value for lung cancer incidence, while high levels of plasma versican had higher predictive value for lung cancer metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that plasma versican and plasma exosomal versican might be potential diagnostic markers for NSCLC. High plasma exosomal versican expression can be used as a predictor of NSCLC risk and high plasma versican expression can be used as a predictor of NSCLC metastasis risk.

Peptide-Platinum(IV) Conjugation Minimizes the Negative Impact of Current Anticancer Chemotherapy on Nonmalignant Cells

The relative success of platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapy comes at the cost of severe adverse side effects and is associated with a high risk of pro-oncogenic activation in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we report the synthesis of C-POC, a novel Pt(IV) cell-penetrating peptide conjugate showing a reduced impact against nonmalignant cells. In vitro and in vivo evaluation using patient-derived tumor organoids and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry indicates that C-POC maintains robust anticancer efficacy while displaying diminished accumulation in healthy organs and reduced adverse toxicity compared to the standard Pt-based therapy. Likewise, C-POC uptake is significantly lowered in the noncancerous cells populating the tumor microenvironment. This results in the downregulation of versican, a biomarker of metastatic spreading and chemoresistance that we found upregulated in patients treated with standard Pt-based therapy. Altogether, our findings underscore the importance of considering the off-target impact of anticancer treatment on normal cells to improve drug development and patient care.

Differential regulation of TNFα and IL-6 expression contributes to immune evasion in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The role of the inflammatory milieu in prostate cancer progression is not well understood. Differences in inflammatory signaling between localized and metastatic disease may point to opportunities for early intervention.

METHODS

We modeled PCa disease progression by analyzing RNA-seq of localized vs. metastatic patient samples, followed by CIBERSORTx to assess their immune cell populations. The VHA CDW registry of PCa patients was analyzed for anti-TNF clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

We observed statistically significant opposing patterns of IL-6 and TNFα expression between localized and metastatic disease. IL-6 was robustly expressed in localized disease and downregulated in metastatic disease. The reverse was observed with TNFα expression. Metastatic disease was also characterized by downregulation of adhesion molecule E-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase ADAMTS-4 and a shift to M2 macrophages whereas localized disease demonstrated a preponderance of M1 macrophages. Treatment with anti-TNF agents was associated with earlier stage disease at diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data points to clearly different inflammatory contexts between localized and metastatic prostate cancer. Primary localized disease demonstrates local inflammation and adaptive immunity, whereas metastases are characterized by immune cold microenvironments and a shift towards resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. Therapies that interfere with these inflammatory networks may offer opportunities for early intervention in monotherapy or in combination with immunotherapies and anti-angiogenic approaches.

Matrix proteoglycans in tumor inflammation and immunity

Cancer immunoediting progresses through elimination, equilibrium, and escape. Each of these phases is characterized by breaching, remodeling, and rebuilding tissue planes and structural barriers that engage extracellular matrix (ECM) components, in particular matrix proteoglycans. Some of the signals emanating from matrix proteoglycan remodeling are readily co-opted by the growing tumor to sustain an environment of tumor-promoting and immune-suppressive inflammation. Yet other matrix-derived cues can be viewed as part of a homeostatic response by the host, aiming to eliminate the tumor and restore tissue integrity. These latter signals may be harnessed for therapeutic purposes to tip the polarity of the tumor immune milieu toward anticancer immunity. In this review, we attempt to showcase the importance and complexity of matrix proteoglycan signaling in both cancer-restraining and cancer-promoting inflammation. We propose that the era of matrix diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer is fast approaching the clinic.

Stromal remodeling regulates dendritic cell abundance and activity in the tumor microenvironment

Stimulatory type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) engage in productive interactions with CD8⁺ effectors along tumor-stroma boundaries. The paradoxical accumulation of “poised” cDC1s within stromal sheets is unlikely to simply reflect passive exclusion from tumor cores. Drawing parallels with embryonic morphogenesis, we hypothesized that invasive margin stromal remodeling generates developmentally conserved cell fate cues that regulate cDC1 behavior. We find that, in human T cell-inflamed tumors, CD8⁺ T cells penetrate tumor nests, whereas cDC1s are confined within adjacent stroma that recurrently displays site-specific proteolysis of the matrix proteoglycan versican (VCAN), an essential organ-sculpting modification in development. VCAN is necessary, and its proteolytic fragment (matrikine) versikine is sufficient for cDC1 accumulation. Versikine does not influence tumor-seeding pre-DC differentiation; rather, it orchestrates a distinctive cDC1 activation program conferring exquisite sensitivity to DNA sensing, supported by atypical innate lymphoid cells. Thus, peritumoral stroma mimicking embryonic provisional matrix remodeling regulates cDC1 abundance and activity to elicit T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironments.

T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironments are a prerequisite for immunotherapy efficacy; however, why some tumors are inflamed and others not remains poorly understood. Papadas et al. link stromal reaction dynamics with T cell-induced inflammation. Peritumoral stroma emulating embryonic provisional matrix remodeling regulates cDC1-NK-CD8⁺ crosstalk to promote T cell repriming and penetration into tumor nests.

Versican Secreted by Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts is a Poor Prognostic Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly recurrent. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major component of the tumor microenvironment, promote malignancy; however, the mechanisms underlying their actions are obscure. We aimed to identify CAF-specific proteins in HCC and determine whether they could be potential therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Using comprehensive proteomic analysis of CAFs and noncancerous fibroblasts (NFs) primary-cultured from resected HCC specimens from the same patients, CAF-specific proteins were identified. Immunohistochemistry for versican (VCAN) was performed on cancerous tissues obtained from 239 patients with HCC. Conditioned medium from CAFs transfected with siRNA for VCAN was analyzed in vitro.

RESULTS

CAFs significantly promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion (p < 0.01, 0.01, and 0.01, respectively) compared with NFs. VCAN was upregulated in CAFs, and its stromal level correlated with poor differentiation (p = 0.009) and positive vascular invasion (p = 0.003). Stromal VCAN level was also associated with significantly lower overall (p = 0.002) and relapse-free (p < 0.001) survival rates. It also independently predicted prognosis and recurrence. VCAN-knockdown CAFs significantly suppressed HCC cell migration and invasion compared with negative control.

CONCLUSIONS

VCAN secreted from CAFs promoted malignant transformation of HCC cells and has potential as a new therapeutic target in HCC.

Multi-modal Profiling of the Extracellular Matrix of Human Fallopian Tubes and Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinomas

Recent evidence supports the fimbriae of the fallopian tube as one origin site for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). The progression of many solid tumors is accompanied by changes in the microenvironment, including alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, we sought to determine the ECM composition of the benign fallopian tube and changes associated with serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs), precursors of HGSOC. The ECM composition of benign human fallopian tube was first defined from a meta-analysis of published proteomic datasets that identified 190 ECM proteins. We then conducted de novo proteomics using ECM enrichment and identified 88 proteins, 7 of which were not identified in prior studies (COL2A1, COL4A5, COL16A1, elastin, LAMA5, annexin A2, and PAI1). To enable future in vitro studies, we investigated the levels and localization of ECM components included in tissue-engineered models (type I, III, and IV collagens, fibronectin, laminin, versican, perlecan, and hyaluronic acid) using multispectral immunohistochemical staining of fimbriae from patients with benign conditions or STICs. Quantification revealed an increase in stromal fibronectin and a decrease in epithelial versican in STICs. Our results provide an in-depth picture of the ECM in the benign fallopian tube and identified ECM changes that accompany STIC formation. (J Histochem Cytochem XX: XXX-XXX, XXXX).

Identification and Validation of Three PDAC Subtypes and Individualized GSVA Immune Pathway-Related Prognostic Risk Score Formula in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients

Background

With the progress of precision medicine treatment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), individualized cancer-related medical examination and prediction are of great importance in this high malignant tumor and tumor-immune microenvironment with changed pathways highly enrolled in the carcinogenesis of PDAC.

Methods

High-throughput data of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. After batch normalization, the enrichment pathway and relevant scores were identified by the enrichment of immune-related pathway signature using gene set variation analysis (GSVA). Then, cancerous subtype in TCGA and GEO samples was defined through the NMF methods by cancertypes packages in R software, respectively. Subsequently, the significance between the characteristics of each TCGA sample and cancer type and the significant prognosis-related pathway with risk score formula is calculated through t-test and univariate Cox analysis. Next, the prognostic value of gained risk score formula and each significant prognosis-related pathway were validated in TCGA and GEO samples by survival analysis. The pivotal hub genes in the enriched significant prognosis-related pathway are identified and validated, and the TIMER database was used to identify the potential role of hub genes in the PDAC immune environment. The potential role of hub genes is promoting the transdifferentiation of cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Results

The enrichment pathway and relevant scores were identified by GSVA, and 3 subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were defined in TCGA and GEO samples. The clinical stage, tumor node metastasis classification, and tumor grade are strongly relative to the subtype above in TCGA samples. A risk formula about GSVA significant pathway “GSE45365_WT_VS_IFNAR_KO_CD11B_DC_MCMV_INFECTION_DN ∗ 0.80 + HALLMARK_GLYCOLYSIS ∗ 16.8 + GSE19888_CTRL_VS_T_CELL_MEMBRANES_ACT_MAST_CELL_DN ∗ 14.4” was identified and validated in TCGA and GEO samples through survival analysis with significance. DCN, VCAN, B4GALT7, SDC1, SDC2, B3GALT6, B3GAT3, SDC3, GPC1, and XYLT2 were identified as hub genes in these GSVA significant pathways and validated in silico.

Conclusions

Three pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma subtypes are identified, and an individualized GSVA immune pathway score-related prognostic risk score formula with 10 hub genes is identified and validated. The predicted function of the 10 upregulated hub genes in tumor-immune microenvironment was promoting the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts. These findings will contribute to the precision medicine of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment and tumor immune-related basic research.

The Impact of Hyaluronic Acid on Tendon Physiology and Its Clinical Application in Tendinopathies

The physical-chemical, structural, hydrodynamic, and biological properties of hyaluronic acid within tendons are still poorly investigated. Medical history and clinical applications of hyaluronic acid for tendinopathies are still debated. In general, the properties of hyaluronic acid depend on several factors including molecular weight. Several preclinical and clinical experiences show a good efficacy and safety profile of hyaluronic acid, despite the absence of consensus in the literature regarding the classification according to molecular weight. In in vitro and preclinical studies, hyaluronic acid has shown physical-chemical properties, such as biocompatibility, mucoadhesivity, hygroscopicity, and viscoelasticity, useful to contribute to tendon healing. Additionally, in clinical studies, hyaluronic acid has been used with promising results in different tendinopathies. In this narrative review, findings encourage the clinical application of HA in tendinopathies such as rotator cuff, epicondylitis, Achilles, and patellar tendinopathy.

Hyalectanase Activities by the ADAMTS Metalloproteases

The hyalectan family is composed of the proteoglycans aggrecan, versican, brevican and neurocan. Hyalectans, also known as lecticans, are components of the extracellular matrix of different tissues and play essential roles in key biological processes including skeletal development, and they are related to the correct maintenance of the vascular and central nervous system. For instance, hyalectans participate in the organization of structures such as perineural nets and in the regulation of neurite outgrowth or brain recovery following a traumatic injury. The ADAMTS (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease domains, with thrombospondin motifs) family consists of 19 secreted metalloproteases. These enzymes also perform important roles in the structural organization and function of the extracellular matrix through interactions with other matrix components or as a consequence of their catalytic activity. In this regard, some of their preferred substrates are the hyalectans. In fact, ADAMTSs cleave hyalectans not only as a mechanism for clearance or turnover of proteoglycans but also to generate bioactive fragments which display specific functions. In this article we review some of the physiological and pathological effects derived from cleavages of hyalectans mediated by ADAMTSs.

Hold on or Cut? Integrin- and MMP-Mediated Cell-Matrix Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has become the focus of interest in cancer research and treatment. It includes the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM-modifying enzymes that are secreted by cancer and neighboring cells. The ECM serves both to anchor the tumor cells embedded in it and as a means of communication between the various cellular and non-cellular components of the TME. The cells of the TME modify their surrounding cancer-characteristic ECM. This in turn provides feedback to them via cellular receptors, thereby regulating, together with cytokines and exosomes, differentiation processes as well as tumor progression and spread. Matrix remodeling is accomplished by altering the repertoire of ECM components and by biophysical changes in stiffness and tension caused by ECM-crosslinking and ECM-degrading enzymes, in particular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These can degrade ECM barriers or, by partial proteolysis, release soluble ECM fragments called matrikines, which influence cells inside and outside the TME. This review examines the changes in the ECM of the TME and the interaction between cells and the ECM, with a particular focus on MMPs.