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Devarasou S, Kang M, Shin JH. Biophysical perspectives to understanding cancer-associated fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021507. [PMID: 38855445 PMCID: PMC11161195 DOI: 10.1063/5.0199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cancer has evolved significantly, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) now recognized as a critical factor influencing the onset and progression of the disease. This broader perspective challenges the traditional view that cancer is primarily caused by mutations, instead emphasizing the dynamic interaction between different cell types and physicochemical factors within the TME. Among these factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) command attention for their profound influence on tumor behavior and patient prognoses. Despite their recognized importance, the biophysical and mechanical interactions of CAFs within the TME remain elusive. This review examines the distinctive physical characteristics of CAFs, their morphological attributes, and mechanical interactions within the TME. We discuss the impact of mechanotransduction on CAF function and highlight how these cells communicate mechanically with neighboring cancer cells, thereby shaping the path of tumor development and progression. By concentrating on the biomechanical regulation of CAFs, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their role in the TME and to illuminate new biomechanical-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jennifer H. Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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Huang J, Zhao Y. Effect of GLIS1 on the Lymph Node Metastasis of Cervical Squamous Carcinoma Based on Transcriptome Analysis. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1332-1344. [PMID: 38157104 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01432-4] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among female reproductive malignancies, and lymph node metastasis (LNM) represents the major reason for its poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to identify transcriptome differences in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who developed LNM or not and to outline the function of GLIS1 in determining metastatic fate in CSCC. In The Cancer Genome Atlas-endocervical adenocarcinoma project, patients with LNM had shorter overall survival than those without. Transcriptome data from CSCC patients with and without LNM were analyzed to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were enriched in metastasis-related pathways, such as extracellular matrix organization, cell-cell adhesion, and regulation of tissue remodeling. GLIS1 was overexpressed in tumor tissues of patients with LNM. COMP and ITGA11 were screened as downstream targets of GLIS1. GLIS1 promoted their transcription by binding to the promoter regions of COMP and ITGA11. GLIS1 enhanced the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in CSCC cells, while the knockdown of COMP or ITGA11 reversed the promotion of GLIS1 on CSCC cell malignant phenotype. Together, our results demonstrate that GLIS1 might be related to the LNM of CSCC patients via COMP and ITGA11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhen Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467, Zhongshan Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467, Zhongshan Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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Zeltz C, Kusche-Gullberg M, Heljasvaara R, Gullberg D. Novel roles for cooperating collagen receptor families in fibrotic niches. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 85:102273. [PMID: 37918273 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent data indicate that integrin and non-integrin collagen receptors cooperate in the fibrosis-specific microenvironment (i.e., the fibrotic niche). In certain tumor types, DDR1 can regulate the interaction with collagen III to regulate dormancy and metastasis, whereas in other tumor types, DDR1 can be shed and used to reorganize collagen. DDR1 expressed on tumor cells, together with DDR2 and α11β1 integrin expressed on cancer-associated fibroblasts, can increase tumor tissue stiffness. Integrin α1β1 and α2β1 are present on immune cells where they together with the immunosuppressive collagen receptor LAIR-1 can mediate binding to intratumor collagens. In summary, collagen-binding integrins together with DDRs, can create fibrillar collagen niches that act as traps to hinder immune cell trafficking into the tumor cell mass. Binding of collagens via LAIR-1 on immune cells in turn results in CD8+T-cell exhaustion. Continued studies of these complex interactions are needed for successful new stroma-based therapeutic interventions. In the current review, we will summarize recent data on collagen receptors with a special focus on their potential role in tumor fibrosis and highlight their collaborative roles in tumor fibrotic niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Zeltz
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Marion Kusche-Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ritva Heljasvaara
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway.
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Liu Z, Ji P, Liu H, Yu L, Zhang SM, Liu P, Zhang XZ, Luo GF, Shang Z. FNIII14 Peptide-Enriched Membrane Nanocarrier to Disrupt Stromal Barriers through Reversing CAFs for Augmenting Drug Penetration in Tumors. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:9963-9971. [PMID: 37729438 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Given the key roles of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in shaping tumor stroma, this study shows a CAF-associated ITGB1-inactivating peptide-enriched membrane nanodelivery system (designated as PMNPs-D) to simultaneously target CAFs and tumor cells for boosted chemotherapy through promoted drug perfusion. In the structure of PMNPs-D, the PLGA-based inner core is loaded with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, and the outer surface is cloaked by hybrid biomembranes with the insertion of integrin β1 (ITGB1) inhibiting peptide (i.e., FNIII14). After prolonged blood circulation and actively targeting in tumor sites, PMNPs-D can respond to CAF-overexpressed fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) to trigger the release of FNIII14, which will bind to ITGB1 and inhibit CAFs' biological function in producing the stromal matrix, thereby loosening the condensed stromal structure and enhancing the permeability of nanotherapeutics in tumors. As a result, this tailor-designed nanosystem shows substantial tumor inhibition and metastasis retardation in aggressive adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) tumor-harboring mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Ping Ji
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Hanzhe Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Lili Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Shi-Man Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Pan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Xian-Zheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China
| | - Guo-Feng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
| | - Zhengjun Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China
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Leask A, Naik A, Stratton RJ. Back to the future: targeting the extracellular matrix to treat systemic sclerosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:713-723. [PMID: 37789119 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-01032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of a stable extracellular matrix (ECM); fibrotic tissue is composed principally of highly crosslinked type I collagen and highly contractile myofibroblasts. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by skin and organ fibrosis. The fibrotic process has been recognized in SSc for >40 years, but drugs with demonstrable efficacy against SSc fibrosis in ameliorating the lung involvement have only recently been identified. Unfortunately, these treatments are ineffective at improving the skin score in patients with SSc. Previous clinical trials in SSc have largely focused on the cross-purposing of anti-inflammatory drugs and the use of immunosuppressive drugs from the transplantation field, which address inflammatory and/or autoimmune processes. Limited examination has taken place of specific anti-fibrotic agents developed through their ability to directly target the ECM in SSc by, for example, alleviating the persistent matrix stiffness and mechanotransduction that might be required for both the initiation and maintenance of fibrosis, including in SSc. However, because of the importance of the ECM in the SSc phenotype, attempts have now been made to identify drugs that specifically target the ECM, including some drugs that are currently under consideration for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - Angha Naik
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Richard J Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, London, UK
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Bates ME, Libring S, Reinhart-King CA. Forces exerted and transduced by cancer-associated fibroblasts during cancer progression. Biol Cell 2023; 115:e2200104. [PMID: 37224184 PMCID: PMC10757454 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202200104] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Although it is well-known that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in regulating tumor progression, the effects of mechanical tissue changes on CAFs are understudied. Myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), in particular, are known to alter tumor matrix architecture and composition, heavily influencing the mechanical forces in the tumor microenvironment (TME), but much less is known about how these mechanical changes initiate and maintain the myCAF phenotype. Additionally, recent studies have pointed to the existence of CAFs in circulating tumor cell clusters, indicating that CAFs may be subject to mechanical forces beyond the primary TME. Due to their pivotal role in cancer progression, targeting CAF mechanical regulation may provide therapeutic benefit. Here, we will discuss current knowledge and summarize existing gaps in how CAFs regulate and are regulated by matrix mechanics, including through stiffness, solid and fluid stresses, and fluid shear stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Bates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah Libring
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Martínez-Nieto GA, Teppo HR, Petrelius N, Izzi V, Devarajan R, Petäistö T, Liu H, Kim KS, Karppinen SM, Ruotsalainen H, Koivunen J, Mäki JM, Walker GC, Pihlajaniemi T, Gullberg D, Heljasvaara R. Upregulated integrin α11 in the stroma of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma promotes skin carcinogenesis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:981009. [PMID: 36003785 PMCID: PMC9393502 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.981009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin α11β1 is a collagen-binding integrin that is needed to induce and maintain the myofibroblast phenotype in fibrotic tissues and during wound healing. The expression of the α11 is upregulated in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in various human neoplasms. We investigated α11 expression in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and in benign and premalignant human skin lesions and monitored its effects on cSCC development by subjecting α11-knockout (Itga11−/−) mice to the DMBA/TPA skin carcinogenesis protocol. α11-deficient mice showed significantly decreased tumor cell proliferation, leading to delayed tumor development and reduced tumor burden. Integrin α11 expression was significantly upregulated in the desmoplastic tumor stroma of human and mouse cSCCs, and the highest α11 expression was detected in high-grade tumors. Our results point to a reduced ability of α11-deficient stromal cells to differentiate into matrix-producing and tumor-promoting CAFs and suggest that this is one causative mechanism underlying the observed decreased tumor growth. An unexpected finding in our study was that, despite reduced CAF activation, the α11-deficient skin tumors were characterized by the presence of thick and regularly aligned collagen bundles. This finding was attributed to a higher expression of TGFβ1 and collagen crosslinking lysyl oxidases in the Itga11-/- tumor stroma. In summary, our data suggest that α11β1 operates in a complex interactive tumor environment to regulate ECM synthesis and collagen organization and thus foster cSCC growth. Further studies with advanced experimental models are still needed to define the exact roles and molecular mechanisms of stromal α11β1 in skin tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo A. Martínez-Nieto
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hanna-Riikka Teppo
- Cancer Research and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Pathology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Noora Petrelius
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Valerio Izzi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Finnish Cancer Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raman Devarajan
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tiina Petäistö
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hengshuo Liu
- Matrix Biology Group, Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kris S. Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sanna-Maria Karppinen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Heli Ruotsalainen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jarkko Koivunen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Joni M. Mäki
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Matrix Biology Group, Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ritva Heljasvaara
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Matrix Biology Group, Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- *Correspondence: Ritva Heljasvaara,
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