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Lin J, Zou B, Li H, Wang J, Li S, Cao J, Xie D, Wang F. Collagen XVII promotes dormancy of colorectal cancer cells by activating mTORC2 signaling. Cell Signal 2024; 120:111234. [PMID: 38795810 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Tumor dormancy is the underpinning for cancer relapse and chemoresistance, leading to massive cancer-related death in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, our comprehension of the mechanisms dictating tumor dormancy and strategies for eliminating dormant tumor cells remains restricted. In this study, we identified that collagen XVII (COL17A1), a hemidesmosomal transmembrane protein, can promote the dormancy of CRC cells. The upregulation of COL17A1 was observed to prolong quiescence periods and diminish drug susceptibility of CRC cells. Mechanistically, COL17A1 acts as a scaffold, enhancing the crosstalk between mTORC2 and Akt, thereby instigating the mTORC2-mediated dormant signaling. Notably, the activation of mTORC2 is contingent upon the intracellular domain of COL17A1, regardless of its ectodomain shedding. Our findings underscore a pivotal role of the COL17A1-mTORC2 axis in CRC dormancy, suggesting that mTORC2-specific inhibitors may hold therapeutic prospects for the eradication of dormant tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Bingxu Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Shuman Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, China
| | - Jinghua Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Fengwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China.
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Zhang W, Zhang K, Shi J, Qiu H, Kan C, Ma Y, Hou N, Han F, Sun X. The impact of the senescent microenvironment on tumorigenesis: Insights for cancer therapy. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14182. [PMID: 38650467 PMCID: PMC11113271 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing global burden of cancer, especially among people aged 60 years and over, has become a key public health issue. This trend suggests the need for a deeper understanding of the various cancer types in order to develop universally effective treatments. A prospective area of research involves elucidating the interplay between the senescent microenvironment and tumor genesis. Currently, most oncology research focuses on adulthood and tends to ignore the potential role of senescent individuals on tumor progression. Senescent cells produce a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that has a dual role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). While SASP components can remodel the TME and thus hinder tumor cell proliferation, they can also promote tumorigenesis and progression via pro-inflammatory and pro-proliferative mechanisms. To address this gap, our review seeks to investigate the influence of senescent microenvironment changes on tumor development and their potential implications for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
- Department of PathologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Kexin Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Hongyan Qiu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Chengxia Kan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Yujie Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Ningning Hou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Fang Han
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
- Department of PathologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Discipline of EndocrinologyAffiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical UniversityWeifangChina
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Elshazly AM, Shahin U, Al Shboul S, Gewirtz DA, Saleh T. A Conversation with ChatGPT on Contentious Issues in Senescence and Cancer Research. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:313-327. [PMID: 38458774 PMCID: PMC11026153 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.124.000871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, such as Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT), have achieved a high degree of popularity within the scientific community due to their utility in providing evidence-based reviews of the literature. However, the accuracy and reliability of the information output and the ability to provide critical analysis of the literature, especially with respect to highly controversial issues, has generally not been evaluated. In this work, we arranged a question/answer session with ChatGPT regarding several unresolved questions in the field of cancer research relating to therapy-induced senescence (TIS), including the topics of senescence reversibility, its connection to tumor dormancy, and the pharmacology of the newly emerging drug class of senolytics. ChatGPT generally provided responses consistent with the available literature, although occasionally overlooking essential components of the current understanding of the role of TIS in cancer biology and treatment. Although ChatGPT, and similar AI platforms, have utility in providing an accurate evidence-based review of the literature, their outputs should still be considered carefully, especially with respect to unresolved issues in tumor biology. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Artificial Intelligence platforms have provided great utility for researchers to investigate biomedical literature in a prompt manner. However, several issues arise when it comes to certain unresolved biological questions, especially in the cancer field. This work provided a discussion with ChatGPT regarding some of the yet-to-be-fully-elucidated conundrums of the role of therapy-induced senescence in cancer treatment and highlights the strengths and weaknesses in utilizing such platforms for analyzing the scientific literature on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Elshazly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - Uruk Shahin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - Sofian Al Shboul
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
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Zingoni A, Antonangeli F, Sozzani S, Santoni A, Cippitelli M, Soriani A. The senescence journey in cancer immunoediting. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:68. [PMID: 38561826 PMCID: PMC10983694 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01973-5] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression is continuously controlled by the immune system which can identify and destroy nascent tumor cells or inhibit metastatic spreading. However, the immune system and its deregulated activity in the tumor microenvironment can also promote tumor progression favoring the outgrowth of cancers capable of escaping immune control, in a process termed cancer immunoediting. This process, which has been classified into three phases, i.e. "elimination", "equilibrium" and "escape", is influenced by several cancer- and microenvironment-dependent factors. Senescence is a cellular program primed by cells in response to different pathophysiological stimuli, which is based on long-lasting cell cycle arrest and the secretion of numerous bioactive and inflammatory molecules. Because of this, cellular senescence is a potent immunomodulatory factor promptly recruiting immune cells and actively promoting tissue remodeling. In the context of cancer, these functions can lead to both cancer immunosurveillance and immunosuppression. In this review, the authors will discuss the role of senescence in cancer immunoediting, highlighting its context- and timing-dependent effects on the different three phases, describing how senescent cells promote immune cell recruitment for cancer cell elimination or sustain tumor microenvironment inflammation for immune escape. A potential contribution of senescent cells in cancer dormancy, as a mechanism of therapy resistance and cancer relapse, will be discussed with the final objective to unravel the immunotherapeutic implications of senescence modulation in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Antonangeli
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, 86077, Italy
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy.
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5
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Collignon E. Unveiling the role of cellular dormancy in cancer progression and recurrence. Curr Opin Oncol 2024; 36:74-81. [PMID: 38193374 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000001013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cellular dormancy is a major contributor to cancer progression and recurrence. This review explores recent findings on the molecular mechanisms implicated in cancer dormancy and investigates potential strategies to improve therapeutic interventions. RECENT FINDINGS Research on cancer dormancy reveals a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Providing a latent reservoir of tumor cells with reduced proliferation and enhanced drug-tolerance, dormant cancer cells emerge from a clonally diverse population after therapy or at metastatic sites. These cells exhibit distinct transcriptional and epigenetic profiles, involving the downregulation of Myc and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways, and the induction of autophagy. Senescence traits, under the control of factors such as p53, also contribute significantly. The tumor microenvironment can either promote or prevent dormancy establishment, notably through the involvement of T and NK cells within the dormant tumor niche. Strategies to combat dormancy-related relapse include direct elimination of dormant tumor cells, sustaining dormancy to prolong survival, or awakening dormant cells to re-sensitize them to antiproliferative drugs. SUMMARY Improving our understanding of cancer dormancy at primary and secondary sites provides valuable insights into patient care and relapse prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Collignon
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Faculty of Medicine, ULB-Cancer Research Centre (U-CRC) and Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Singvogel K, Schittek B. Dormancy of cutaneous melanoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38419052 PMCID: PMC10903048 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03278-5] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Many cancer-related deaths including melanoma result from metastases that develop months or years after the initial cancer therapy. Even the most effective drugs and immune therapies rarely eradicate all tumor cells. Instead, they strongly reduce cancer burden, permitting dormant cancer cells to persist in niches, where they establish a cellular homeostasis with their host without causing clinical symptoms. Dormant cancers respond poorly to most drugs and therapies since they do not proliferate and hide in niches. It therefore remains a major challenge to develop novel therapies for dormant cancers. In this review we focus on the mechanisms regulating the initiation of cutaneous melanoma dormancy as well as those which are involved in reawakening of dormant cutaneous melanoma cells. In recent years the role of neutrophils and niche components in reawakening of melanoma cells came into focus and indicate possible future therapeutic applications. Sophisticated in vitro and in vivo melanoma dormancy models are needed to make progress in this field and are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Singvogel
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Schittek
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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7
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Garimella SV, Gampa SC, Chaturvedi P. Mitochondria in Cancer Stem Cells: From an Innocent Bystander to a Central Player in Therapy Resistance. Stem Cells Cloning 2023; 16:19-41. [PMID: 37641714 PMCID: PMC10460581 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s417842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to rank among the world's leading causes of mortality despite advancements in treatment. Cancer stem cells, which can self-renew, are present in low abundance and contribute significantly to tumor recurrence, tumorigenicity, and drug resistance to various therapies. The drug resistance observed in cancer stem cells is attributed to several factors, such as cellular quiescence, dormancy, elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, apoptosis evasion mechanisms, high expression of drug efflux pumps, protective vascular niche, enhanced DNA damage response, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, hypoxic stability, and stemness-related signaling pathways. Multiple studies have shown that mitochondria play a pivotal role in conferring drug resistance to cancer stem cells, through mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, and dynamics. A better understanding of how mitochondria contribute to tumorigenesis, heterogeneity, and drug resistance could lead to the development of innovative cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sireesha V Garimella
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Siri Chandana Gampa
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Pankaj Chaturvedi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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Evangelou K, Belogiannis K, Papaspyropoulos A, Petty R, Gorgoulis VG. Escape from senescence: molecular basis and therapeutic ramifications. J Pathol 2023; 260:649-665. [PMID: 37550877 DOI: 10.1002/path.6164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence constitutes a stress response mechanism in reaction to a plethora of stimuli. Senescent cells exhibit cell-cycle arrest and altered function. While cell-cycle withdrawal has been perceived as permanent, recent evidence in cancer research introduced the so-called escape-from-senescence concept. In particular, under certain conditions, senescent cells may resume proliferation, acquiring highly aggressive features. As such, they have been associated with tumour relapse, rendering senescence less effective in inhibiting cancer progression. Thus, conventional cancer treatments, incapable of eliminating senescence, may benefit if revisited to include senolytic agents. To this end, it is anticipated that the assessment of the senescence burden in everyday clinical material by pathologists will play a crucial role in the near future, laying the foundation for more personalised approaches. Here, we provide an overview of the investigations that introduced the escape-from-senescence phenomenon, the identified mechanisms, as well as the major implications for pathology and therapy. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Evangelou
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Belogiannis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Papaspyropoulos
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Russell Petty
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Vassilis G Gorgoulis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Faculty Institute for Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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9
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Mallin MM, Kim N, Choudhury MI, Lee SJ, An SS, Sun SX, Konstantopoulos K, Pienta KJ, Amend SR. Cells in the polyaneuploid cancer cell (PACC) state have increased metastatic potential. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023:10.1007/s10585-023-10216-8. [PMID: 37326720 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10216-8] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although metastasis is the leading cause of cancer deaths, it is quite rare at the cellular level. Only a rare subset of cancer cells (~ 1 in 1.5 billion) can complete the entire metastatic cascade: invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, extravasation, and colonization (i.e. are metastasis competent). We propose that cells engaging a Polyaneuploid Cancer Cell (PACC) phenotype are metastasis competent. Cells in the PACC state are enlarged, endocycling (i.e. non-dividing) cells with increased genomic content that form in response to stress. Single-cell tracking using time lapse microscopy reveals that PACC state cells have increased motility. Additionally, cells in the PACC state exhibit increased capacity for environment-sensing and directional migration in chemotactic environments, predicting successful invasion. Magnetic Twisting Cytometry and Atomic Force Microscopy reveal that cells in the PACC state display hyper-elastic properties like increased peripheral deformability and maintained peri-nuclear cortical integrity that predict successful intravasation and extravasation. Furthermore, four orthogonal methods reveal that cells in the PACC state have increased expression of vimentin, a hyper-elastic biomolecule known to modulate biomechanical properties and induce mesenchymal-like motility. Taken together, these data indicate that cells in the PACC state have increased metastatic potential and are worthy of further in vivo analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela M Mallin
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Cancer Ecology Center, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Nicholas Kim
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Se Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Steven S An
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Sean X Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Kenneth J Pienta
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cancer Ecology Center, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah R Amend
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cancer Ecology Center, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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