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Benslimane Y, Amalfi K, Lapin S, Perrino S, Brodt P. Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1963-1977. [PMID: 39007345 PMCID: PMC11306998 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Liver metastases (LM) remain a major cause of cancer-related death and are a major clinical challenge. LM and the female sex are predictors of a poorer response to immunotherapy but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We previously reported on a sexual dimorphism in the control of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal carcinoma liver metastases (CRCLM) and identified estrogen as a regulator of an immunosuppressive TME in the liver. Here we aimed to assess the effect of estrogen deprivation on the cytokine/chemokine profile associated with CRCLM, using a multiplex cytokine array and the RNAscope technology, and its effects on the innate and adaptive immune responses in the liver. We also evaluated the benefit of combining the selective estrogen-receptor degrader Fulvestrant with immune checkpoint blockade for the treatment of CRCLM. We show that estrogen depletion altered the cytokine/chemokine repertoire of the liver, decreased macrophage polarization, as reflected in reduced accumulation of tumor infiltrating M2 macrophages and increased the accumulation of CCL5+/CCR5+ CD8+ T and NKT cells in the liver TME. Similar results were obtained in a murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma model. Importantly, treatment with Fulvestrant also increased the accumulation of CD8+CCL5+, CD8+CCR5+ T and NK cells in the liver TME and enhanced the therapeutic benefit of anti-PD1 immunotherapy, resulting in a significant reduction in the outgrowth of LM. Taken together, our results show that estrogen regulates immune cell recruitment to the liver and suggest that inhibition of estrogen action could potentiate the tumor-inhibitory effect of immunotherapy in hormone-independent and immunotherapy-resistant metastatic cancer. SIGNIFICANCE The immune microenvironment of the liver plays a major role in controlling the expansion of hepatic metastases and is regulated by estrogen. We show that treatment of tumor-bearing mice with an estrogen receptor degrader potentiated an anti-metastatic effect of immunotherapy. Our results provide mechanistic insight into clinical findings and a rationale for evaluating the efficacy of combination anti-estrogen and immunotherapy for prevention and/or treatment of hepatic metastases in female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Benslimane
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Kevin Amalfi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Sara Lapin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Stephanie Perrino
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Pnina Brodt
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada.
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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Li C, Zhang ED, Ye Y, Xiao Z, Huang H, Zeng Z. Association of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase with prognosis and immune regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14051. [PMID: 38890507 PMCID: PMC11189538 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64907-7] [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: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), a mitochondrial isoenzyme, supports the growth of cancer cells under glucose deficiency conditions in vitro. This study investigated the role and potential mechanism of PCK2 in the occurrence and development of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and other databases distinguish the expression of PCK2 and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Kaplan-Meier was conducted to assess PCK2 survival in HCC. The potential biological function of PCK2 was verified by enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The correlation between PCK2 expression and immune invasion and checkpoint was found by utilizing Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Lastly, the effects of PCK2 on the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were evaluated by cell tests, and the expressions of Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and apoptosis related proteins were detected. PCK2 is down-regulated in HCC, indicating a poor prognosis. PCK2 gene mutation accounted for 1.3% of HCC. Functional enrichment analysis indicated the potential of PCK2 as a metabolism-related therapeutic target. Subsequently, we identified several signaling pathways related to the biological function of PCK2. The involvement of PCK2 in immune regulation was verified and key immune checkpoints were predicted. Ultimately, after PCK2 knockdown, cell proliferation and migration were significantly increased, and N-cadherin and vimentin expression were increased. PCK2 has been implicated in immune regulation, proliferation, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and is emerging as a novel predictive biomarker and metabolic-related clinical target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Youzhi Ye
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | | | - Hanfei Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| | - Zhong Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
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Santagata S, Rea G, Castaldo D, Napolitano M, Capiluongo A, D'Alterio C, Trotta AM, Ieranò C, Portella L, Di Maro S, Tatangelo F, Albino V, Guarino R, Cutolo C, Izzo F, Scala S. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor microenvironment is more suppressive than colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) tumor microenvironment. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:568-581. [PMID: 37142825 PMCID: PMC11014815 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10537-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While HCC is an inflammation-associated cancer, CRLM develops on permissive healthy liver microenvironment. To evaluate the immune aspects of these two different environments, peripheral blood-(PB), peritumoral-(PT) and tumoral tissues-(TT) from HCC and CRLM patients were evaluated. METHODS 40 HCC and 34 CRLM were enrolled and freshly TT, PT and PB were collected at the surgery. PB-, PT- and TT-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs, M/PMN-MDSC and PB-derived CD4+CD25- T-effector cells (Teffs) were isolated and characterized. Tregs' function was also evaluated in the presence of the CXCR4 inhibitor, peptide-R29, AMD3100 or anti-PD1. RNA was extracted from PB/PT/TT tissues and tested for FOXP3, CXCL12, CXCR4, CCL5, IL-15, CXCL5, Arg-1, N-cad, Vim, CXCL8, TGFβ and VEGF-A expression. RESULTS In HCC/CRLM-PB, higher number of functional Tregs, CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ was detected, although PB-HCC Tregs exert a more suppressive function as compared to CRLM Tregs. In HCC/CRLM-TT, Tregs were highly represented with activated/ENTPD-1+Tregs prevalent in HCC. As compared to CRLM, HCC overexpressed CXCR4 and N-cadherin/vimentin in a contest rich in arginase and CCL5. Monocytic MDSCs were highly represented in HCC/CRLM, while high polymorphonuclear MDSCs were detected only in HCC. Interestingly, the function of CXCR4-PB-Tregs was impaired in HCC/CRLM by the CXCR4 inhibitor R29. CONCLUSION In HCC and CRLM, peripheral blood, peritumoral and tumoral tissues Tregs are highly represented and functional. Nevertheless, HCC displays a more immunosuppressive TME due to Tregs, MDSCs, intrinsic tumor features (CXCR4, CCL5, arginase) and the contest in which it develops. As CXCR4 is overexpressed in HCC/CRLM tumor/TME cells, CXCR4 inhibitors may be considered for double hit therapy in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Santagata
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rea
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Castaldo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Napolitano
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Capiluongo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Crescenzo D'Alterio
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Trotta
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Portella
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Fabiana Tatangelo
- Pathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Albino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Guarino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Cutolo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scala
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Lee S, Blanco T, Musayeva A, Dehghani S, Narimatsu A, Forouzanfar K, Ortiz G, Kahale F, Wang S, Chen Y, Dohlman TH, Chauhan SK, Dana R. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells promote allograft survival by suppressing regulatory T cell dysfunction in high-risk corneal transplantation. Am J Transplant 2024:S1600-6135(24)00218-1. [PMID: 38514014 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2024.03.022] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Highly inflamed and neovascularized corneal graft beds are known as high-risk (HR) environments for transplant survival. One of the primary factors leading to this rejection is reduction in the suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Treg). Our results show that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) counteract interleukin-6-mediated Treg dysfunction by expressing interleukin-10. Additionally, MDSC maintain forkhead box P3 stability and their ability to suppress IFN-γ+ Th1 cells. Administering MDSC to HR corneal transplant recipients demonstrates prolonged graft survival via promotion of Treg while concurrently suppressing IFN-γ+ Th1 cells. Moreover, MDSC-mediated donor-specific immune tolerance leads to long-term corneal graft survival as evidenced by the higher survival rate or delayed survival of a second-party C57BL/7 (B6) graft compared to those of third-party C3H grafts observed in contralateral low-risk or HR corneal transplantation of BALB/c recipient mice, respectively. Our study provides compelling preliminary evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of MDSC in preventing Treg dysfunction, significantly improving graft survival in HR corneal transplantation, and showing promising potential for immune tolerance induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokjoo Lee
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tomas Blanco
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aytan Musayeva
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shima Dehghani
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Akitomo Narimatsu
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katayoon Forouzanfar
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gustavo Ortiz
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francesca Kahale
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shudan Wang
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yihe Chen
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas H Dohlman
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sunil K Chauhan
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Reza Dana
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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5
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Zhang C, Sui Y, Liu S, Yang M. The Roles of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Liver Disease. Biomedicines 2024; 12:299. [PMID: 38397901 PMCID: PMC10886773 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020299] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver disease-related mortality is a major cause of death worldwide. Hepatic innate and adaptive immune cells play diverse roles in liver homeostasis and disease. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells. MDSCs can be broadly divided into monocytic MDSCs and polymorphonuclear or granulocytic MDSCs, and they functionally interact with both liver parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells, such as hepatocytes and regulatory T cells, to impact liver disease progression. The infiltration and activation of MDSCs in liver disease can be regulated by inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, tumor-associated fibroblasts, epigenetic regulation factors, and gut microbiota during liver injury and cancer. Given the pivotal roles of MDSCs in advanced liver diseases, they can be targeted to treat primary and metastatic liver cancer, liver generation, alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease, and autoimmune hepatitis. Currently, several treatments such as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent berberine are under preclinical and clinical investigation to evaluate their therapeutic efficacy on liver disease and their effect on MDSC infiltration and function. Phenotypic alteration of MDSCs in different liver diseases that are in a model-dependent manner and lack special markers for distinct MDSCs are challenges for targeting MDSCs to treat liver disease. Multi-omics study is an option to uncover the features of disease-specific MDSCs and potential gene or protein targets for liver disease treatment. In summary, MDSCs play important roles in the pathogenesis and progression of liver disease by regulating both intrahepatic innate and adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunye Zhang
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA;
| | - Yuxiang Sui
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Linfen 041004, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- NextGen Precision Health Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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Gao X, Zuo S. Immune landscape and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: focus on innate and adaptive immune cells. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:1881-1899. [PMID: 36773210 PMCID: PMC10543580 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01015-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for roughly 90% of all cases of primary liver cancer, and the cases are on the rise. The treatment of advanced HCC is a serious challenge. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has marked a watershed moment in the history of HCC systemic treatment. Atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab has been approved as a first-line treatment for advanced HCC since 2020; however, the combination therapy is only effective in a limited percentage of patients. Considering that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) has a great impact on immunotherapies for HCC, an in-depth understanding of the immune landscape in tumors and the current immunotherapeutic approaches is extremely necessary. We elaborate on the features, functions, and cross talk of the innate and adaptive immune cells in HCC and highlight the benefits and drawbacks of various immunotherapies for advanced HCC, as well as future projections. HCC consists of a heterogeneous group of cancers with distinct etiologies and immune microenvironments. Almost all the components of innate and adaptive immune cells in HCC have altered, showing a decreasing trend in the number of tumor suppressor cells and an increasing trend in the pro-cancer cells, and there is also cross talk between various cell types. Various immunotherapies for HCC have also shown promising efficacy and application prospect. There are multilayered interwoven webs among various immune cell types in HCC, and emerging evidence demonstrates the promising prospect of immunotherapeutic approaches for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, No. 28, Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, No. 28, Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550000, Guizhou, China.
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
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7
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Kim NY, Ha IJ, Um JY, Kumar AP, Sethi G, Ahn KS. Loganic acid regulates the transition between epithelial and mesenchymal-like phenotypes by alleviating MnSOD expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Life Sci 2023; 317:121458. [PMID: 36731649 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Cancer metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. There are few prior studies reported on molecules targeting C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) family and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). CXCRs are known to involve in angiogenesis, metastasis, cell survival and MnSOD is reported to be related in Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MAIN METHODS Cell viability and cell proliferation were measured by MTT and BrdU assay. Protein expression level of CXCR4/7, MMP-2/9, MnSOD, and EMT markers were evaluated by Western blot analysis. mRNA levels of Snail and Occludin were analyzed by Real-time RT-qPCR. Expression of EMT markers in cells was observed by immunocytochemistry. Cell invasion and migrations were evaluated by wound healing assay and boyden chamber assay. KEY FINDINGS We noticed that LGA abolished proliferation, invasive ability, and cellular migration. LGA down-regulated the protein levels of mesenchymal markers such as Twist, Snail, Fibronectin, and Vimentin in CXCL12-treated HCC cells. It also suppressed the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9/2. The amplification of MnSOD increased EMT-like phenotypes but with LGA treatment, these phenotypes were markedly attenuated. The overexpression of MnSOD increased the ROS levels significantly but ROS levels were decreased upon exposure to LGA and deletion of MnSOD suppressed the levels of various mesenchymal proteins. SIGNIFICANCE LGA could function as a novel anti-metastatic agent by suppressing metastasis and EMT process via attenuation of MnSOD expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Young Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - In Jin Ha
- Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center (K-CTC), Korean Medicine Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Um
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Liu P, Kong L, Liu Y, Li G, Xie J, Lu X. A key driver to promote HCC: Cellular crosstalk in tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1135122. [PMID: 37007125 PMCID: PMC10050394 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1135122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third greatest cause of cancer-related mortality, which of the major pathological type is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounting for more than 90%. HCC is characterized by high mortality and is predisposed to metastasis and relapse, leading to a low five-year survival rate and poor clinical prognosis. Numerous crosstalk among tumor parenchymal cells, anti-tumor cells, stroma cells, and immunosuppressive cells contributes to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), in which the function and frequency of anti-tumor cells are reduced with that of associated pro-tumor cells increasing, accordingly resulting in tumor malignant progression. Indeed, sorting out and understanding the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of cellular crosstalk in TME is crucial to discover more key targets and specific biomarkers, so that develop more efficient methods for early diagnosis and individualized treatment of liver cancer. This piece of writing offers insight into the recent advances in HCC-TME and reviews various mechanisms that promote HCC malignant progression from the perspective of mutual crosstalk among different types of cells in TME, aiming to assist in identifying the possible research directions and methods in the future for discovering new targets that could prevent HCC malignant progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyue Liu
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Lingyu Kong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Clinical Skills Training Center, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Jianjia Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Xin Lu
- Clinical Medical College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Tangshan, China
- *Correspondence: Xin Lu,
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Ezhilarasan D, Najimi M. Deciphering the possible reciprocal loop between hepatic stellate cells and cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment of the liver. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 182:103902. [PMID: 36621514 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103902] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)/myofibroblasts are the important sources of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the liver tumor microenvironment (TME). The crosstalk between activated HSCs and tumor cells mediates HCC progression, metastasis, tumor cell survival, angiogenesis and chemoresistance. In TME, HCC cells secrete various soluble factors responsible for the phenotypic activation of quiescent HSCs. Tumor cells use activated HSC-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) for migration and invasion. Further, in liver TME, activated HSCs and sinusoidal endothelial cells engage in a crosstalk that causes the secretion of angiogenesis and metastasis-related growth factors and cytokines. Activated HSCs and immune cells crosstalk to decrease immune surveillance in the liver TME by increasing the population of T regulatory cells and M2 macrophages or myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Thus, HSCs play a vital role in liver TME cell interactions. Therefore, a deep understanding of HSCs activation and their crosstalk with cancer and immune cells in TME may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to target HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077, India.
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
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10
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Yao M, Liang S, Cheng B. Role of exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma and the regulation of traditional Chinese medicine. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1110922. [PMID: 36733504 PMCID: PMC9886889 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1110922] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs on the basis of chronic liver inflammatory diseases and cirrhosis. The liver microenvironment plays a vital role in the tumor initiation and progression. Exosomes, which are nanometer-sized membrane vesicles are secreted by a number of cell types. Exosomes carry multiple proteins, DNAs and various forms of RNA, and are mediators of cell-cell communication and regulate the tumor microenvironment. In the recent decade, many studies have demonstrated that exosomes are involved in the communication between HCC cells and the stromal cells, including endothelial cells, macrophages, hepatic stellate cells and the immune cells, and serve as a regulator in the tumor proliferation and metastasis, immune evasion and immunotherapy. In addition, exosomes can also be used for the diagnosis and treatment HCC. They can potentially serve as specific biomarkers for early diagnosis and drug delivery vehicles of HCC. Chinese herbal medicine, which is widely used in the prevention and treatment of HCC in China, may regulate the release of exosomes and exosomes-mediated intercellular communication. In this review, we summarized the latest progresses on the role of the exosomes in the initiation, progression and treatment of HCC and the potential value of Traditional Chinese medicine in exosomes-mediated biological behaviors of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Yao
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (The Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (The Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (The Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China,Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University (The Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Binbin Cheng,
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Chen X, Lv X, Han M, Hu Y, Zheng W, Xue H, Li Z, Li K, Tan W. EMP1 as a Potential Biomarker in Liver Fibrosis: A Bioinformatics Analysis. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2023; 2023:2479192. [PMID: 37008256 PMCID: PMC10060069 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2479192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to chronic injury, which may result in cirrhosis and liver failure. Studies have been carried on the mechanisms and pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. However, the potential cell-specific expressed marker genes involved in fibrotic processes remain unknown. In this study, we combined a publicly accessible single-cell transcriptome of human liver with microarray datasets to evaluate the cell-specific expression patterns of differentially expressed genes in the liver. We noticed that EMP1 (epithelial membrane protein 1) is significantly active not only in CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride)-treated mouse liver fibrosis but also in BDL (bile duct ligation)-induced liver fibrosis and even in human fibrotic liver tissues such as alcoholic hepatitis, NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), and advanced stage liver fibrosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that EMP1 is a specific fibrotic gene expressed in HSCs (hepatic stellate cells) and endothelial cells using the Protein Atlas single-cell transcriptome RNA-sequencing clustering. Its expression was significantly elevated in fibrotic HSCs or CCl4 and NASH-induced fibroblasts. Previous research revealed that EMP1 plays a role in proliferation, migration, metastasis, and tumorigeneses in different cancers via a variety of mechanisms. Because HSC activation and proliferation are two important steps following liver injury, it would be interesting to investigate the role of EMP1 in these processes. All of this information suggested that EMP1 could be used as a novel fibrotic liver marker and a possible target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchen Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinliang Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Manman Han
- Department of General Surgery, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yexiao Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wanqiong Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibo Xue
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhuokai Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kui Li
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Lishui Central Hospital, Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Lishui, Zhejiang, China
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12
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Kimm MA, Kästle S, Stechele MMR, Öcal E, Richter L, Ümütlü MR, Schinner R, Öcal O, Salvermoser L, Alunni-Fabbroni M, Seidensticker M, Goldberg SN, Ricke J, Wildgruber M. Early monocyte response following local ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:959987. [PMID: 36353535 PMCID: PMC9638411 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.959987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Local ablative therapies are established treatment modalities in the treatment of early- and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Systemic effects of local ablation on circulating immune cells may contribute to patients' response. Depending on their activation, myeloid cells are able to trigger HCC progression as well as to support anti-tumor immunity. Certain priming of monocytes may already occur while still in the circulation. By using flow cytometry, we analyzed peripheral blood monocyte cell populations from a prospective clinical trial cohort of 21 HCC patients following interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and investigated alterations in the composition of monocyte subpopulations and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (mMDSCs) as well as receptors involved in orchestrating monocyte function. We discovered that mMDSC levels increased following both IBT and RFA in virtually all patients. Furthermore, we identified varying alterations in the level of monocyte subpopulations following radiation compared to RFA. (A) Liquid biopsy liquid biopsy of circulating monocytes in the future may provide information on the inflammatory response towards local ablation as part of an orchestrated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie A. Kimm
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Kästle
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias M. R. Stechele
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Elif Öcal
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Richter
- Core Facility Flow Cytometry, Biomedical Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Muzaffer R. Ümütlü
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Regina Schinner
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Osman Öcal
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lukas Salvermoser
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Marianna Alunni-Fabbroni
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Seidensticker
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - S. Nahum Goldberg
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
- Laboratory for Minimally Invasive Tumor Therapies, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Image-guided Therapy and Interventional Oncology, Department of Radiology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jens Ricke
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Wildgruber
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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13
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Lu Y, Ma S, Ding W, Sun P, Zhou Q, Duan Y, Sartorius K. Resident Immune Cells of the Liver in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:931995. [PMID: 35965506 PMCID: PMC9365660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.931995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a central immunomodulator that ensures a homeostatic balance between protection and immunotolerance. A hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the deregulation of this tightly controlled immunological network. Immune response in the liver involves a complex interplay between resident innate, innate, and adaptive immune cells. The immune response in the liver is modulated by its continuous exposure to toxic molecules and microorganisms that requires a degree of immune tolerance to protect normal tissue from damage. In HCC pathogenesis, immune cells must balance a dual role that includes the elimination of malignant cells, as well as the repair of damaged liver tissue to maintain homeostasis. Immune response in the innate and adaptive immune systems extends to the cross-talk and interaction involving immune-regulating non-hematopoietic cells, myeloid immune cells, and lymphoid immune cells. In this review, we discuss the different immune responses of resident immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Current FDA-approved targeted therapies, including immunotherapy options, have produced modest results to date for the treatment of advanced HCC. Although immunotherapy therapy to date has demonstrated its potential efficacy, immune cell pathways need to be better understood. In this review article, we summarize the roles of specific resident immune cell subsets and their cross-talk subversion in HCC pathogenesis, with a view to identifying potential new biomarkers and therapy options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Lu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Chanozhou, China
| | - Shiying Ma
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Chanozhou, China
| | - Wei Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Sun
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Chanozhou, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Chanozhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Zhou, ; Yunfei Duan, ; Kurt Sartorius,
| | - Yunfei Duan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Chanozhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Zhou, ; Yunfei Duan, ; Kurt Sartorius,
| | - Kurt Sartorius
- Hepatitis Diversity Research Unit, School of Internal Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer Consortium (AHPBCC), Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- University of Kwazulu-Natal Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Unit (UKZN/GICRC), Durban, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Qi Zhou, ; Yunfei Duan, ; Kurt Sartorius,
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14
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Xiang X, Niu YR, Wang ZH, Ye LL, Peng WB, Zhou Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Vital suppressors of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:35-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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15
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Roberts LM, Perez MJ, Balogh KN, Mingledorff G, Cross JV, Munson JM. Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells Migrate in Response to Flow and Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Interaction in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14123008. [PMID: 35740673 PMCID: PMC9221529 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14123008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
At the site of the tumor, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) infiltrate and interact with elements of the tumor microenvironment in complex ways. Within the invading tumor, MDSCs are exposed to interstitial fluid flow (IFF) that exists within the chronic inflammatory tumor microenvironment at the tumor-lymphatic interface. As drivers of cell migration and invasion, the link between interstitial fluid flow, lymphatics, and MDSCs have not been clearly established. Here, we hypothesized that interstitial fluid flow and cells within the breast tumor microenvironment modulate migration of MDSCs. We developed a novel 3D model to mimic the breast tumor microenvironment and incorporated MDSCs harvested from 4T1-tumor bearing mice. Using live imaging, we found that sorted GR1+ splenocytes had reduced chemotactic index compared to the unsorted population, but their speed and displacement were similar. Using our adapted tissue culture insert assay, we show that interstitial fluid flow promotes MDSC invasion, regardless of absence or presence of tumor cells. Coordinating with lymphatic endothelial cells, interstitial fluid flow further enhanced invasion of MDSCs in the presence of 4T1 cells. We also show that VEGFR3 inhibition reduced both MDSC and 4T1 flow response. Together, these findings indicate a key role of interstitial fluid flow in MDSC migration as well as describe a tool to explore the immune microenvironment in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaDeidra Monét Roberts
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA;
| | - Matthew J. Perez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA;
| | - Kristen N. Balogh
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA; (K.N.B.); (J.V.C.)
| | - Garnett Mingledorff
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA;
| | - Janet V. Cross
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA; (K.N.B.); (J.V.C.)
| | - Jennifer M. Munson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA;
- Correspondence:
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16
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Geh D, Leslie J, Rumney R, Reeves HL, Bird TG, Mann DA. Neutrophils as potential therapeutic targets in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:257-273. [PMID: 35022608 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00568-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The success of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment contributed to a shift in systemic therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) towards combinations that include cancer immunotherapeutic agents. Thus far, the principal focus of cancer immunotherapy has been on interrupting immune checkpoints that suppress antitumour lymphocytes. As well as lymphocytes, the HCC environment includes numerous other immune cell types, among which neutrophils are emerging as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of HCC. A growing body of evidence supports neutrophils as key mediators of the immunosuppressive environment in which some cancers develop, as well as drivers of tumour progression. If neutrophils have a similar role in HCC, approaches that target or manipulate neutrophils might have therapeutic benefits, potentially including sensitization of tumours to conventional immunotherapy. Several neutrophil-directed therapies for patients with HCC (and other cancers) are now entering clinical trials. This Review outlines the evidence in support of neutrophils as drivers of HCC and details their mechanistic roles in development, progression and metastasis, highlighting the reasons that neutrophils are well worth investigating despite the challenges associated with studying them. Neutrophil-modulating anticancer therapies entering clinical trials are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Geh
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jack Leslie
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rob Rumney
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen L Reeves
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- The Liver Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Multidisciplinary Team, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Thomas G Bird
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Derek A Mann
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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17
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Controlling Cell Trafficking: Addressing Failures in CAR T and NK Cell Therapy of Solid Tumours. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040978. [PMID: 35205725 PMCID: PMC8870056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The precision guiding of endogenous or adoptively transferred lymphocytes to the solid tumour mass is obligatory for optimal anti-tumour effects and will improve patient safety. The recognition and elimination of the tumour is best achieved when anti-tumour lymphocytes are proximal to the malignant cells. For example, the regional secretion of soluble factors, cytotoxic granules, and cell-surface molecule interactions are required for the death of tumour cells and the suppression of neovasculature formation, tumour-associated suppressor, or stromal cells. The resistance of individual tumour cell clones to cellular therapy and the hostile environment of the solid tumours is a major challenge to adoptive cell therapy. We review the strategies that could be useful to overcoming insufficient immune cell migration to the tumour cell mass. We argue that existing 'competitive' approaches should now be revisited as complementary approaches to improve CAR T and NK cell therapy.
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18
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Zhang Y, Zhai Z, Duan J, Wang X, Zhong J, Wu L, Li A, Cao M, Wu Y, Shi H, Zhong J, Guo Z. Lactate: The Mediator of Metabolism and Immunosuppression. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:901495. [PMID: 35757394 PMCID: PMC9218951 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.901495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Warburg effect, one of the hallmarks of tumors, produces large amounts of lactate and generates an acidic tumor microenvironment via using glucose for glycolysis. As a metabolite, lactate not only serves as a substrate to provide energy for supporting cell growth and development but also acts as an important signal molecule to affect the biochemical functions of intracellular proteins and regulate the biological functions of different kinds of cells. Notably, histone lysine lactylation (Kla) is identified as a novel post-modification and carcinogenic signal, which provides the promising and potential therapeutic targets for tumors. Therefore, the metabolism and functional mechanism of lactate are becoming one of the hot fields in tumor research. Here, we review the production of lactate and its regulation on immunosuppressive cells, as well as the important role of Kla in hepatocellular carcinoma. Lactate and Kla supplement the knowledge gap in oncology and pave the way for exploring the mechanism of oncogenesis and therapeutic targets. Research is still needed in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Zhao Zhai
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jiali Duan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiangcai Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jinghua Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Longqiu Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - An Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Miao Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yanyang Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Huaqiu Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huaqiu Shi, ; Jianing Zhong, ; Zhenli Guo,
| | - Jianing Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huaqiu Shi, ; Jianing Zhong, ; Zhenli Guo,
| | - Zhenli Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huaqiu Shi, ; Jianing Zhong, ; Zhenli Guo,
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19
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Hao X, Sun G, Zhang Y, Kong X, Rong D, Song J, Tang W, Wang X. Targeting Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment of HCC: New Opportunities and Challenges. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:775462. [PMID: 34869376 PMCID: PMC8633569 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.775462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune associated cells in the microenvironment have a significant impact on the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and have received more and more attention. Different types of immune-associated cells play different roles, including promoting/inhibiting HCC and several different types that are controversial. It is well known that immune escape of HCC has become a difficult problem in tumor therapy. Therefore, in recent years, a large number of studies have focused on the immune microenvironment of HCC, explored many mechanisms worth identifying tumor immunosuppression, and developed a variety of immunotherapy methods as targets, laying the foundation for the final victory in the fight against HCC. This paper reviews recent studies on the immune microenvironment of HCC that are more reliable and important, and provides a more comprehensive view of the investigation of the immune microenvironment of HCC and the development of more immunotherapeutic approaches based on the relevant summaries of different immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Hao
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangshun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangyi Kong
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dawei Rong
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhua Song
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Tang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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20
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Hao Z, Li R, Wang Y, Li S, Hong Z, Han Z. Landscape of Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cell in Tumor Immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2021; 9:77. [PMID: 34689842 PMCID: PMC8543853 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00333-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a group of immature cells that produced by emergency myelopoiesis. Emerging evidences have identified the vital role of MDSC in cancer microenvironment, in which MDSC exerts both immunological and non-immunological activities to assist the progression of cancer. Advances in pre-clinical research have provided us the understanding of MDSC in cancer context from the perspective of molecular mechanism. In clinical scenario, MDSC and its subsets have been discovered to exist in peripheral blood and tumor site of patients from various types of cancers. In this review, we highlight the clinical value of MDSC in predicting prognosis of cancer patients and the responses of immunotherapies, therefore to propose the MDSC-inhibiting strategy in the scenario of cancer immunotherapies. Phenotypes and biological functions of MDSC in cancer microenvironment are comprehensively summarized to provide potential targets of MDSC-inhibiting strategy from the aspect of molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaonian Hao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruyuan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Department of Gynecology and Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shuangying Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenya Hong
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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21
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Therapeutic Values of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Facts and Hopes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205127. [PMID: 34680276 PMCID: PMC8534227 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Myeloid-derived suppressor cells restrict the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint inhibitors for a subset of patients mainly through thwarting T cell infiltration into tumor sites. Treatments targeting MDSCs have shown potent inhibitory effects on multiple tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we summarize the pathological mechanisms of MDSCs and their clinical significance as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for HCC patients, and we provide the latest progress of MDSCs-targeting treatment in HCC. Abstract One of the major challenges in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment is drug resistance and low responsiveness to systemic therapies, partly due to insufficient T cell infiltration. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature marrow-derived cell populations with heterogeneity and immunosuppression characteristics and are essential components of the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Increasing evidence has demonstrated that MDSCs are indispensable contributing factors to HCC development in a T cell-dependent or non-dependent manner. Clinically, the frequency of MDSCs is firmly linked to HCC clinical outcomes and the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Furthermore, MDSCs can also be used as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for patients with HCC. Therefore, treatments reprograming MDSCs may offer potential therapeutic opportunities in HCC. Here, we recapitulated the dynamic relevance of MDSCs in the initiation and development of HCC and paid special attention to the effect of MDSCs on T cells infiltration in HCC. Finally, we pointed out the potential therapeutic effect of targeting MDSCs alone or in combination, hoping to provide new insights into HCC treatment.
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22
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Sánchez PS, Rigual MDM, Djouder N. Inflammatory and Non-Inflammatory Mechanisms Controlling Cirrhosis Development. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205045. [PMID: 34680192 PMCID: PMC8534267 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The liver is continuously exposed to several harmful factors, subsequently activating sophisticated mechanisms set-up in order to repair and regenerate the damaged liver and hence to prevent its failure. When the injury becomes chronic, the regenerative response becomes perpetual and goes awry, leading to cirrhosis with a fatal liver dysfunction. Cirrhosis is a well-known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common, usually lethal, human primary liver neoplasm with very limited therapeutic options. Considering the pivotal role of immune factors in the development of cirrhosis, here we review and discuss the inflammatory pathways and components implicated in the development of cirrhosis. A better understanding of these circuits would help the design of novel strategies to prevent and treat cirrhosis and HCC, two lethal diseases. Abstract Because the liver is considered to be one of the most important metabolic organs in the body, it is continuously exposed to damaging environmental agents. Upon damage, several complex cellular and molecular mechanisms in charge of liver recovery and regeneration are activated to prevent the failure of the organ. When liver injury becomes chronic, the regenerative response goes awry and impairs the liver function, consequently leading to cirrhosis, a liver disorder that can cause patient death. Cirrhosis has a disrupted liver architecture and zonation, along with the presence of fibrosis and parenchymal nodules, known as regenerative nodules (RNs). Inflammatory cues contribute to the cirrhotic process in response to chronic damaging agents. Cirrhosis can progress to HCC, the most common and one of the most lethal liver cancers with unmet medical needs. Considering the essential role of inflammatory pathways in the development of cirrhosis, further understanding of the relationship between immune cells and the activation of RNs and fibrosis would guide the design of innovative therapeutic strategies to ameliorate the survival of cirrhotic and HCC patients. In this review, we will summarize the inflammatory mechanisms implicated in the development of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nabil Djouder
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-3-491-732-8000 (ext. 3830); Fax: +34-3-491-224-6914
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Ezhilarasan D. Hepatic stellate cells in the injured liver: Perspectives beyond hepatic fibrosis. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:436-449. [PMID: 34514599 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, our understanding of the pathological role of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in fibrotic liver disease has increased dramatically. As HSCs are identified as the principal collagen-producing cells in the injured liver, several experimental and clinical studies have targeted HSCs to treat liver fibrosis. However, HSCs also play a critical role in developing nonfibrotic liver diseases such as cholestasis, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this review exclusively focuses on the role of activated HSCs beyond hepatic fibrosis. In cholestasis conditions, elevated bile salts and bile acids activate HSCs to secrete collagen and other extracellular matrix products, which cause biliary fibrosis and cholangitis. In the chronically injured liver, autocrine and paracrine signaling from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells activates HSCs to induce portal hypertension via endothelin-1 release. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), activated HSCs are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). The crosstalk between activated HSC/CAF and tumor cells is associated with tumor cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, and chemoresistance. In TME, activated HSCs convert macrophages to tumor-associated macrophages and induce the differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes to regulatory DCs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, respectively. This differentiation, in turn, increases T cells proliferation and induces their apoptosis leading to reduced immune surveillance in TME. Thus, HSCs activation in chronically injured liver is a critical process involved in the progression of cholestasis, portal hypertension, and liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, The Blue Lab, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Division, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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24
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Guo Y, Luo W, Huang S, Zhao W, Chen H, Ma Y, Ye M, Nie Y, Zhang Y, Huang C, Zhou Q, He X, Chen M. DTYMK Expression Predicts Prognosis and Chemotherapeutic Response and Correlates with Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:871-885. [PMID: 34377684 PMCID: PMC8349219 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s312604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the liver. Identifying specific molecular markers that can predict HCC prognosis is extremely important. The protein deoxythymidylate kinase (DTYMK) has been reported to contribute to unfavorable prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer patients, but its role in the prediction of HCC patient prognosis has not been clarified. Methods Samples from the TCGA and GEO databases were consecutively enrolled for gene expression analysis, clinicopathology analysis, immune microenvironment analysis and chemotherapeutic response prediction. The results were validated using 86 samples from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of DTYMK on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Functional enrichment analysis was used to describe the marker pathways that were significantly related to DTYMK. TIMER (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource), TISIDB (Tumor and Immune System Interaction DataBase) and CIBERSORT (Cell type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets Of RNA Transcripts) were used to explore the immune microenvironment. Results We found that DTYMK expression upregulation is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients and tightly related to the pathways regulating the cell cycle and acid metabolism. Our findings revealed that hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with high DTYMK expression were more sensitive to sorafenib and many other chemotherapeutic drugs. We also found an inhibiting effect of DTYMK on the immune microenvironment in the process of tumorigenesis. Discussion We found that DTYMK has potential as a new prognostic and chemotherapeutic response biomarker for HCC patients and correlates with the immune microenvironment in HCC. However, there are some deficiencies in our study. First, this is a retrospective study that may lead to selection bias. Second, the protein expression of DTYMK was investigated via immunohistochemical analysis. Finally, we did not explore the exact underlying molecular mechanisms of DTYMK in tumorigenesis in this study, which is needed to be clarified in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Guo
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Weixin Luo
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanzhou Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Huadi Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihao Ma
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Maodong Ye
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Nie
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- Liver Transplantation Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100005, People's Republic of China
| | - Changjun Huang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Hui Ya Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Huizhou, Guangdong, 516081, People's Republic of China.,Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoshun He
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Maogen Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
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Saxena S, Singh RK. Chemokines orchestrate tumor cells and the microenvironment to achieve metastatic heterogeneity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:447-476. [PMID: 33959849 PMCID: PMC9863248 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09970-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chemokines, a subfamily of the cell cytokines, are low molecular weight proteins known to induce chemotaxis in leukocytes in response to inflammatory and pathogenic signals. A plethora of literature demonstrates that chemokines and their receptors regulate tumor progression and metastasis. With these diverse functionalities, chemokines act as a fundamental link between the tumor cells and their microenvironment. Recent studies demonstrate that the biology of chemokines and their receptor in metastasis is complex as numerous chemokines are involved in regulating site-specific tumor growth and metastasis. Successful treatment of disseminated cancer is a significant challenge. The most crucial problem for treating metastatic cancer is developing therapy regimes capable of overcoming heterogeneity problems within primary tumors and among metastases and within metastases (intralesional). This heterogeneity of malignant tumor cells can be related to metastatic potential, response to chemotherapy or specific immunotherapy, and many other factors. In this review, we have emphasized the role of chemokines in the process of metastasis and metastatic heterogeneity. Individual chemokines may not express the full potential to address metastatic heterogeneity, but chemokine networks need exploration. Understanding the interplay between chemokine-chemokine receptor networks between the tumor cells and their microenvironment is a novel approach to overcome the problem of metastatic heterogeneity. Recent advances in the understanding of chemokine networks pave the way for developing a potential targeted therapeutic strategy to treat metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandha Saxena
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA.
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26
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Herrero A, Benedicto A, Romayor I, Olaso E, Arteta B. Inhibition of COX-2 Impairs Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis through Reduced Stromal Cell Reaction. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2021; 29:342-351. [PMID: 33455946 PMCID: PMC8094073 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2020.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver colonization is initiated through the interplay between tumor cells and adhesion molecules present in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). This crosstalk stimulates tumor COX-2 upregulation and PGE2 secretion. To elucidate the role of the LSEC intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the prometastatic response exerted by tumor and stromal COX-2, we utilized celecoxib (CLX) as a COX-2 inhibitory agent. We analyzed the in vitro proliferative and secretory responses of murine C26 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), cultured alone or with LSECs, and their effect on LSEC and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) migration and in vivo liver metastasis. CLX reduced sICAM-1-stimulated COX-2 activation and PGE2 secretion in C26 cells cultured alone or cocultured with LSECs. Moreover, CLX abrogated sICAM-1-induced C26 cell proliferation and C26 secretion of promigratory factors for LSECs and HSCs. Interestingly, CLX reduced the protumoral response of HSC, reducing their migratory potential when stimulated with C26 secretomes and impairing their secretion of chemotactic factors for LSECs and C26 cells and proliferative factors for C26 cells. In vivo, CLX abrogated the prometastatic ability of sICAM-1-activated C26 cells while reducing liver metastasis. COX-2 inhibition blocked the creation of a favorable tumor microenvironment (TME) by hindering the intratumoral recruitment of activated HSCs and macrophages in addition to the accumulation of fibrillar collagen. These results point to COX-2 being a key modulator of processes initiated by host ICAM-1 during tumor cell/LSEC/HSC crosstalk, leading to the creation of a prometastatic TME in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Herrero
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aitor Benedicto
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Irene Romayor
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Elvira Olaso
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Arteta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, School of Medicine and Nursing, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
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27
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Cui C, Lan P, Fu L. The role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in gastrointestinal cancer. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2021; 41:442-471. [PMID: 33773092 PMCID: PMC8211353 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer encompasses a range of malignancies that originate in the digestive system, which together represent the most common form of cancer diagnosed worldwide. However, despite numerous advances in both diagnostics and treatment, the incidence and mortality rate of GI cancer are on the rise. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that increase in number under certain pathological conditions, such as infection and inflammation, and this expansion is of particular relevance to cancer. MDSCs are heavily involved in the regulation of the immune system and act to dampen its response to tumors, favoring the escape of tumor cells from immunosurveillance and increasing both metastasis and recurrence. Several recent studies have supported the use of MDSCs as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in patients with cancer, and potentially as a novel treatment target. In the present review, the mechanisms underlying the immunosuppressive functions of MDSCs are described, and recent researches concerning the involvement of MDSCs in the progression, prognosis, and therapies of GI cancer are reviewed. The aim of this work was to present the development of novel treatments targeting MDSCs in GI cancer in the hope of improving outcomes for patients with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and International Cancer Centre, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Penglin Lan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and International Cancer Centre, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Li Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and International Cancer Centre, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, P. R. China
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28
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Xue D, Zheng Y, Wen J, Han J, Tuo H, Liu Y, Peng Y. Role of chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 45:809-823. [PMID: 33650640 PMCID: PMC7859922 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, with an unsatisfactory prognosis, although treatments are improving. One of the main challenges for the treatment of HCC is the prevention or management of recurrence and metastasis of HCC. It has been found that chemokines and their receptors serve a pivotal role in HCC progression. In the present review, the literature on the multifactorial roles of exosomes in HCC from PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase were obtained, with a specific focus on the functions and mechanisms of chemokines in HCC. To date, >50 chemokines have been found, which can be divided into four families: CXC, CX3C, CC and XC, according to the different positions of the conserved N‑terminal cysteine residues. Chemokines are involved in the inflammatory response, tumor immune response, proliferation, invasion and metastasis via modulation of various signaling pathways. Thus, chemokines and their receptors directly or indirectly shape the tumor cell microenvironment, and regulate the biological behavior of the tumor. In addition, the potential application of chemokines in chemotaxis of exosomes as drug vehicles is discussed. Exosomes containing chemokines or expressing receptors for chemokines may improve chemotaxis to HCC and may thus be exploited for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Xue
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Ya Zheng
- Medical Center Laboratory, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Junye Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Jingzhao Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Hongfang Tuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Yanhui Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
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PIWIL1 governs the crosstalk of cancer cell metabolism and immunosuppressive microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:86. [PMID: 33633112 PMCID: PMC7907082 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00485-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered energy metabolism of cancer cells shapes the immune cell response in the tumor microenvironment that facilitates tumor progression. Herein, we reported the novel of tumor cell-expressed Piwi Like RNA-Mediated Gene Silencing 1 (PIWIL1) in mediating the crosstalk of fatty acid metabolism and immune response of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PIWIL1 expression in HCC was increased compared to normal hepatic tissues and was positively correlated with the proliferation rate of HCC cell lines. PIWIL1 overexpression accelerated in vitro proliferation and in vivo growth of HCC tumors, while PIWIL1 knockdown showed opposite effects. PIWIL1 increased oxygen consumption and energy production via fatty acid metabolism without altering aerobic glycolysis. Inhibition of fatty acid metabolism abolished PIWIL1-induced HCC proliferation and growth. RNA-seq analysis revealed that immune system regulation might be involved, which was echoed by the experimental observation that PIWIL1-overexpressing HCC cells attracted myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) into the tumor microenvironment. MDSCs depletion reduced the proliferation and growth of PIWIL1-overexpressing HCC tumors. Complement C3, whose secretion was induced by PIWIL1 in HCC cells, mediates the interaction of HCC cells with MDSCs by activated p38 MAPK signaling in MDSCs, which in turn initiated expression of immunosuppressive cytokine IL10. Neutralizing IL10 secretion reduced the immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs in the microenvironment of PIWIL1-overexpressing HCC. Taken together, our study unraveled the critical role of PIWIL1 in initiating the interaction of cancer cell metabolism and immune cell response in HCC. Tumor cells-expressed PIWIL1 may be a potential target for the development of novel HCC treatment.
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Tian S, Liao L, Zhou Q, Huang X, Zheng P, Guo Y, Deng T, Tian X. Curcumin inhibits the growth of liver cancer by impairing myeloid-derived suppressor cells in murine tumor tissues. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:286. [PMID: 33732362 PMCID: PMC7905673 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin, one of the active ingredients of Curcuma longa (Jianghuang), has been reported to exert multiple bioactivities, including pro-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities. In recent years, curcumin has been extensively studied, and it has been revealed that curcumin inhibits the growth of numerous types of cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, the inhibitory effects of curcumin on the activation or expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in liver cancer and the underlying mechanism have not yet been determined. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of curcumin on MDSC activity and the associated anti-neoplastic mechanism in a HepG2 ×enograft mouse model. The effect of curcumin on the viability of Huh-7, MHCC-97H and HepG2 cells in vitro was analyzed using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The effects of curcumin on tumor growth, numbers of MDSCs, expression levels of proteins involved in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signaling pathway, levels of related inflammatory factors and angiogenesis were determined in HepG2 ×enograft model mice, which were given different doses of curcumin via intragastrical administration. The results of the present study revealed that curcumin inhibited the viability of Huh-7, MHCC-97H and HepG2 cells and the growth of HepG2 ×enograft tumors in mice. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that curcumin reduced the number of MDSCs in mouse xenograft tumors. In addition, the results demonstrated that curcumin inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-6, IL-1β, prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase-2, in mouse xenograft tumors. Furthermore, curcumin suppressed the secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which are essential factors for MDSCs modulation, in tumor tissues. Additionally, curcumin was revealed to inhibit angiogenesis, which was demonstrated by the downregulation of the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin in western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence experiments. In conclusion, the findings of the present study identified a novel mechanism via which curcumin may suppress the growth of liver cancer by reducing the numbers of MDSCs and subsequently disrupting the process of angiogenesis. These conclusions were supported by the observed inactivation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory response and the downregulation of GM-CSF and G-CSF secretion in xenograft tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P.R. China
| | - Liu Liao
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P.R. China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410007, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodi Huang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndromes Translational Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P.R. China
| | - Piao Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P.R. China
| | - Yinmei Guo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P.R. China
| | - Tianhao Deng
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410006, P.R. China
| | - Xuefei Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410208, P.R. China
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Ma C, Zhang Q, Greten TF. MDSCs in liver cancer: A critical tumor-promoting player and a potential therapeutic target. Cell Immunol 2021; 361:104295. [PMID: 33508529 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (~75-85%) and cholangiocarcinoma (~10-15%) account for the majority of primary liver malignancies. Patients with primary liver cancer are often diagnosed with unresectable diseases and do not respond well to current therapies. The liver is also a common site of metastasis. Liver metastasis is difficult to treat, and the prognosis is poor. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells with immunosuppressive activity. MDSCs are an important component of the tumor microenvironment and promote tumor progression through various mechanisms. MDSCs expand in both liver cancer patients and mouse liver cancer models. Importantly, MDSCs correlate with poor clinical outcomes for liver cancer patients. The tumor-promoting functions of MDSCs have also been shown in mouse liver cancer models. All these studies suggest that targeting MDSCs can potentially benefit liver cancer treatment. This review summarizes the current findings of MDSC regulation in liver cancer and related disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ma
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Qianfei Zhang
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; NCI-CCR Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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32
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Liu BQ, Bao ZY, Zhu JY, Liu H. Fibrinogen-like protein 2 promotes the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the hepatocellular carcinoma tumor microenvironment. Oncol Lett 2020; 21:47. [PMID: 33281958 PMCID: PMC7709556 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma can be classified into cellular and non-cellular components. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are cellular components of this microenvironment that serve an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) has been demonstrated to promote tumor progression by regulating cellular components of the tumor microenvironment in various types of malignant tumor. The present study aimed to determine the expression of FGL2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its effect on the tumor microenvironment in order to determine novel targets for liver cancer treatment. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative PCR were performed to determine the expression level of FGL2 and the correlation with surface markers of human MDSCs in hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell line overexpressing FGL2 was established by stable transfection of a lentivirus expressing FGL2. In addition, fresh bone marrow cells extracted from mouse femurs were in vitro cultured using conditioned medium derived from the cell line overexpressing FGL2. An orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model was also established. The results demonstrated that FGL2 expression level in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was closely associated with tumor size. FGL2 level was positively correlated with the expression level of the MDSC surface markers CD11b and CD33 in hepatocellular carcinoma. The in vitro results demonstrated that FGL2 could maintain the undifferentiated state of bone marrow cells, therefore promoting MDSC accumulation. Furthermore, in the orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model, we observed that overexpression of FGL2 could promote tumor growth and significantly increase the number of MDSCs in the tumors and spleen. Taken together, these findings suggested that FGL2 may promote hepatocellular carcinoma tumor growth by promoting the accumulation of MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Qian Liu
- Department of Transplant and Hepatobilliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China.,Department of Anorectal Surgery, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Ye Bao
- Department of Transplant and Hepatobilliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Yi Zhu
- Department of Transplant and Hepatobilliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Transplant and Hepatobilliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
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The Novel Target of Colorectal Carcinoma: TRIM44 Regulates Cell Migration and Invasion via Activation of CXCR4/NF-κB Signaling. Cell Biochem Biophys 2020; 79:113-121. [PMID: 33151473 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-020-00955-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Tripartite motif containing 44 (TRIM44) has been reported to regulate various biological effects in malignant cancers and matrix Metalloproteinases has been demonstrated to be associated with cancer cell migration and invasion. Nonetheless, the expression and molecular mechanism of TRIM44 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain rarely known. TRIM44 was overexpressed or knocked down in CRC cells. Subsequently, the effects of TRIM44 on cell migration and invasion as well as underlying molecular mechanisms were detected. Data showed that TRIM44 was highly expressed in CRC cell lines. Downregulation of TRIM44 inhibited the cell viability, migration, and invasion in SW-480 cells. In addition, overexpression of TRIM44 enhanced the expression of NF-κB and CXCR4, and enhanced the binding between NF-κB and CXCR4 promoter region. In summarize, TRIM44 may serve as a potential target for CRC diagnosis and progression.
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Abstract
Chronic liver injury due to viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and metabolic disorders is a worldwide health concern. Insufficient treatment of chronic liver injury leads to fibrosis, causing liver dysfunction and carcinogenesis. Most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develop in the fibrotic liver. Pathological features of liver fibrosis include extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, mesenchymal cell activation, immune deregulation, and angiogenesis, all of which contribute to the precancerous environment, supporting tumor development. Among liver cells, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and macrophages play critical roles in fibrosis and HCC. These two cell types interplay and remodel the ECM and immune microenvironment in the fibrotic liver. Once HCC develops, HCC-derived factors influence HSCs and macrophages to switch to protumorigenic cell populations, cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages, respectively. This review aims to summarize currently available data on the roles of HSCs and macrophages in liver fibrosis and HCC, with a focus on their interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michitaka Matsuda
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ekihiro Seki
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
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