1
|
Gargalionis AN, Papavassiliou KA, Basdra EK, Papavassiliou AG. Exploiting tumor mechanomedicine for lung cancer treatment. Cancer Lett 2024; 604:217229. [PMID: 39276916 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonios N Gargalionis
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, 'Attikon' University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kostas A Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'Sotiria' Chest Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthimia K Basdra
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shi L, Lim JY, Kam LC. Improving regulatory T cell production through mechanosensing. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:1138-1148. [PMID: 38450935 PMCID: PMC11065567 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37702] [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] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Induced Tregs (iTregs) have great promise in adoptive immunotherapy for treatment of autoimmune diseases. This report investigates the impacts of substrate stiffness on human Treg induction, providing a powerful yet simple approach to improving production of these cells. Conventional CD4+ human T cells were activated on materials of different elastic modulus and cultured under suppressive conditions. Enhanced Treg induction was observed on softer materials as early as 3 days following activation and persisted for multiple weeks. Substrate stiffness also affected epigenetic modification of Treg specific genes and Treg suppressive capacity. Tregs induced on substrates of an optimal stiffness balance quantity and suppressive quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingting Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Jee Yoon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Lance C. Kam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lee JWN, Holle AW. Engineering approaches for understanding mechanical memory in cancer metastasis. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021503. [PMID: 38605886 PMCID: PMC11008915 DOI: 10.1063/5.0194539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding cancer metastasis is crucial for advancing therapeutic strategies and improving clinical outcomes. Cancer cells face dynamic changes in their mechanical microenvironment that occur on timescales ranging from minutes to years and exhibit a spectrum of cellular transformations in response to these mechanical cues. A crucial facet of this adaptive response is the concept of mechanical memory, in which mechanosensitive cell behavior and function persists even when mechanical cues are altered. This review explores the evolving mechanical landscape during metastasis, emphasizing the significance of mechanical memory and its influence on cell behavior. We then focus on engineering techniques that are being utilized to probe mechanical memory of cancer cells. Finally, we highlight promising translational approaches poised to harness mechanical memory for new therapies, thereby advancing the frontiers of bioengineering applications in cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wen Nicole Lee
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411 Singapore, Singapore
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Haderk F, Chou YT, Cech L, Fernández-Méndez C, Yu J, Olivas V, Meraz IM, Barbosa Rabago D, Kerr DL, Gomez C, Allegakoen DV, Guan J, Shah KN, Herrington KA, Gbenedio OM, Nanjo S, Majidi M, Tamaki W, Pourmoghadam YK, Rotow JK, McCoach CE, Riess JW, Gutkind JS, Tang TT, Post L, Huang B, Santisteban P, Goodarzi H, Bandyopadhyay S, Kuo CJ, Roose JP, Wu W, Blakely CM, Roth JA, Bivona TG. Focal adhesion kinase-YAP signaling axis drives drug-tolerant persister cells and residual disease in lung cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3741. [PMID: 38702301 PMCID: PMC11068778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47423-0] [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: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy is effective in many tumor types including lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality. Paradigm defining examples are targeted therapies directed against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) subtypes with oncogenic alterations in EGFR, ALK and KRAS. The success of targeted therapy is limited by drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPs) which withstand and adapt to treatment and comprise the residual disease state that is typical during treatment with clinical targeted therapies. Here, we integrate studies in patient-derived and immunocompetent lung cancer models and clinical specimens obtained from patients on targeted therapy to uncover a focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-YAP signaling axis that promotes residual disease during oncogenic EGFR-, ALK-, and KRAS-targeted therapies. FAK-YAP signaling inhibition combined with the primary targeted therapy suppressed residual drug-tolerant cells and enhanced tumor responses. This study unveils a FAK-YAP signaling module that promotes residual disease in lung cancer and mechanism-based therapeutic strategies to improve tumor response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Haderk
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Ting Chou
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Cech
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Celia Fernández-Méndez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científícas (CSIC) y Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Johnny Yu
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Victor Olivas
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ismail M Meraz
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dora Barbosa Rabago
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - D Lucas Kerr
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Gomez
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David V Allegakoen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Juan Guan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Khyati N Shah
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kari A Herrington
- Center for Advanced Light Microscopy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Shigeki Nanjo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mourad Majidi
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Whitney Tamaki
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yashar K Pourmoghadam
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia K Rotow
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline E McCoach
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan W Riess
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tracy T Tang
- Vivace Therapeutics, Inc., 1500 Fashion Island Blvd., Suite 102, San Mateo, CA, USA
| | - Leonard Post
- Vivace Therapeutics, Inc., 1500 Fashion Island Blvd., Suite 102, San Mateo, CA, USA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pilar Santisteban
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científícas (CSIC) y Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sourav Bandyopadhyay
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeroen P Roose
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Collin M Blakely
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jack A Roth
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Trever G Bivona
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Skirzynska A, Xue C, Shoichet MS. Engineering Biomaterials to Model Immune-Tumor Interactions In Vitro. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2310637. [PMID: 38349174 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Engineered biomaterial scaffolds are becoming more prominent in research laboratories to study drug efficacy for oncological applications in vitro, but do they have a place in pharmaceutical drug screening pipelines? The low efficacy of cancer drugs in phase II/III clinical trials suggests that there are critical mechanisms not properly accounted for in the pre-clinical evaluation of drug candidates. Immune cells associated with the tumor may account for some of these failures given recent successes with cancer immunotherapies; however, there are few representative platforms to study immune cells in the context of cancer as traditional 2D culture is typically monocultures and humanized animal models have a weakened immune composition. Biomaterials that replicate tumor microenvironmental cues may provide a more relevant model with greater in vitro complexity. In this review, the authors explore the pertinent microenvironmental cues that drive tumor progression in the context of the immune system, discuss how these cues can be incorporated into hydrogel design to culture immune cells, and describe progress toward precision oncological drug screening with engineered tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Skirzynska
- Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Chang Xue
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mai Z, Lin Y, Lin P, Zhao X, Cui L. Modulating extracellular matrix stiffness: a strategic approach to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:307. [PMID: 38693104 PMCID: PMC11063215 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06697-4] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and the tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cancer progression and the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review comprehensively discusses the key factors regulating ECM remodeling, including the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the accumulation and crosslinking of ECM proteins. Furthermore, it provides a detailed exploration of how ECM stiffness influences the behaviors of both tumor and immune cells. Significantly, the impact of ECM stiffness on the response to various immunotherapy strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and therapeutic cancer vaccines, is thoroughly examined. The review also addresses the challenges in translating research findings into clinical practice, highlighting the need for more precise biomaterials that accurately mimic the ECM and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The insights offered aim to guide future research, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zizhao Mai
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhu Z, Wang Q, Zeng X, Zhu S, Chen J. Validation and identification of anoikis-related lncRNA signatures for improving prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:3915-3933. [PMID: 38385949 PMCID: PMC10929799 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205568] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) usually has a high metastasis rate and high mortality rate. To enable precise risk stratification, there is a need for novel biomarkers. As one form of apoptosis, anoikis results from the disruption of cell-cell connection or cell-ECM attachment. However, the impact of anoikis-related lncRNAs on ccRCC has not yet received adequate attention. METHODS The study utilized univariate Cox regression analysis in order to identify the overall survival (OS) associated anoikis-related lncRNAs (ARLs), followed by the LASSO algorithm for selection. On this basis, a risk model was subsequently established using five anoikis-related lncRNAs. To dig the inner molecular mechanism, KEGG, GO, and GSVA analyses were conducted. Additionally, the immune infiltration landscape was estimated using the ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA algorithms. RESULTS The study constructed a novel risk model based on five ARLs (AC092611.2, AC027601.2, AC103809.1, AL133215.2, and AL162586.1). Patients categorized as low-risk exhibited significantly better OS. Notably, the study observed marked different immune infiltration landscapes and drug sensitivity by risk stratification. Additionally, the study preliminarily explored potential signal pathways associated with risk stratification. CONCLUSION The study exhibited the crucial role of ARLs in the carcinogenesis of ccRCC, potentially through differential immune infiltration. Furthermore, the established risk model could serve as a valuable stratification factor for predicting OS prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjie Zhu
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qibo Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Zeng
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaoxing Zhu
- Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinchao Chen
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Park Y, Lee D, Lee JE, Park HS, Jung SS, Park D, Kang DH, Lee SI, Woo SD, Chung C. The Matrix Stiffness Coordinates the Cell Proliferation and PD-L1 Expression via YAP in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:598. [PMID: 38339350 PMCID: PMC10854616 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030598] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) exerts physiological activity, facilitates cell-to-cell communication, promotes cell proliferation and metastasis, and provides mechanical support for tumor cells. The development of solid tumors is often associated with increased stiffness. A stiff ECM promotes mechanotransduction, and the predominant transcription factors implicated in this phenomenon are YAP/TAZ, β-catenin, and NF-κB. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether YAP is a critical mediator linking matrix stiffness and PD-L1 in lung adenocarcinoma. We confirmed that YAP, PD-L1, and Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation, increase as the matrix stiffness increases in vitro using the lung adenocarcinoma cell lines PC9 and HCC827 cells. The knockdown of YAP decreased the expression of PD-L1 and Ki-67, and conversely, the overexpression of YAP increased the expression of PD-L1 and K-67 in a stiff-matrix environment (20.0 kPa). Additionally, lung cancer cells were cultured in a 3D environment, which provides a more physiologically relevant setting, and compared to the results obtained from 2D culture. Similar to the findings in 2D culture, it was confirmed that YAP influenced the expression of PD-L1 and K-67 in the 3D culture experiment. Our results suggest that matrix stiffness controls PD-L1 expression via YAP activation, ultimately contributing to cell proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeonhee Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 34943, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dahye Lee
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Jeong Eun Lee
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Hee Sun Park
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Sung Soo Jung
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Dongil Park
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Da Hyun Kang
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Song-I Lee
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Seong-Dae Woo
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| | - Chaeuk Chung
- Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (D.L.); (J.E.L.); (H.S.P.); (S.S.J.); (D.P.); (D.H.K.); (S.-I.L.); (S.-D.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Manoharan S, Saha S, Murugesan K, Santhakumar A, Perumal E. Natural bioactive compounds and STAT3 against hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. Life Sci 2024; 337:122351. [PMID: 38103726 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122351] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging and very fatal liver cancer. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is a crucial regulator of tumor development and are ubiquitously active in HCC. Therefore, targeting STAT3 has emerged as a promising approach for preventing and treating HCC. Various natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) have been proven to target STAT3 and have the potential to prevent and treat HCC as STAT3 inhibitors. Numerous kinds of STAT3 inhibitors have been identified, including small molecule inhibitors, peptide inhibitors, and oligonucleotide inhibitors. Due to the undesirable side effects of the conventional therapeutic drugs against HCC, the focus is shifted to NBCs derived from plants and other natural sources. NBCs can be broadly classified into the categories of terpenes, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenols. Most of the compounds belong to the family of terpenes, which prevent tumorigenesis by inhibiting STAT3 nuclear translocation. Further, through STAT3 inhibition, terpenes downregulate matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), modulating metastasis. Terpenes also suppress the anti-apoptotic proteins and cell cycle markers. This review provides comprehensive information related to STAT3 abrogation by NBCs in HCC with in vitro and in vivo evidences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suryaa Manoharan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Shreejit Saha
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Krishnasanthiya Murugesan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Aksayakeerthana Santhakumar
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Ekambaram Perumal
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mierke CT. Extracellular Matrix Cues Regulate Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction of Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:96. [PMID: 38201302 PMCID: PMC10777970 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010096] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular biophysical properties have particular implications for a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors and functions, including growth, motility, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, and signal transduction including mechanotransduction. Cells not only react to unambiguously mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), but can occasionally manipulate the mechanical features of the matrix in parallel with biological characteristics, thus interfering with downstream matrix-based cues in both physiological and pathological processes. Bidirectional interactions between cells and (bio)materials in vitro can alter cell phenotype and mechanotransduction, as well as ECM structure, intentionally or unintentionally. Interactions between cell and matrix mechanics in vivo are of particular importance in a variety of diseases, including primarily cancer. Stiffness values between normal and cancerous tissue can range between 500 Pa (soft) and 48 kPa (stiff), respectively. Even the shear flow can increase from 0.1-1 dyn/cm2 (normal tissue) to 1-10 dyn/cm2 (cancerous tissue). There are currently many new areas of activity in tumor research on various biological length scales, which are highlighted in this review. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between ECM and cancer cells is reduced to common features of different tumors and the characteristics are highlighted to identify the main pathways of interaction. This all contributes to the standardization of mechanotransduction models and approaches, which, ultimately, increases the understanding of the complex interaction. Finally, both the in vitro and in vivo effects of this mechanics-biology pairing have key insights and implications for clinical practice in tumor treatment and, consequently, clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Deng H, Wang Y, Yin Y, Shu J, Zhang J, Shu X, Wu F, He J. Effects of matrix viscoelasticity on cell-matrix interaction, actin cytoskeleton organization, and apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. J Mater Chem B 2023; 12:222-232. [PMID: 38079114 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02001k] [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: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Many recent reports have shown the effects of viscoelasticity of the extracellular matrix on the spreading, migration, proliferation, survival and cell-matrix interaction of mesenchymal stem cells and normal cells. However, the effect of matrix viscoelasticity on the behavior of tumor cells is still in the state of preliminary exploration. To this aim, we prepared a viscoelastic hydrogel matrix with a storage modulus of about 2 kPa and a loss modulus adjustable from 0 to 600 Pa, through adding linear alginate and regulating the compactness of a polyacrylamide covalent network. Overall, the addition of viscous components inhibited the apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, while it promoted their spreading and proliferation and in particular led to a well-developed cytoskeleton organization. However, with the increase of the viscous fraction, this trend was reversed, and the apoptosis of MG-63 cells gradually increased with gradually decreased spreading and proliferation, accompanied by a surprising manner change of the cytoskeleton from fusiform cells dominated by focal adhesion to dendritic cells dominated by pseudopodia. Besides the upregulation of MAPK, Ras, Rap1 and PI3K-Akt pathways commonly involved in mechanotransduction, the upregulation of the Wnt pathway and inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis were observed for the viscous matrix with a low loss modulus. The high viscosity matrix showed additional involvement of Hippo and NF-kappa B signaling pathways related to the cell-matrix interaction, with downregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway and upregulation related to mitochondrial organization. Our study would provide insight into the effect of viscosity on fundamental behaviors of tumor cells and might have important implications in designing antitumor materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Deng
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Yao Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Yue Yin
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Junwei Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xuedong Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Fang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jing He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang YZ, Li MZ, Wang GX, Wang DW. Bibliometric analysis of the global research status and trends of mechanotransduction in cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2023; 14:518-534. [PMID: 38059188 PMCID: PMC10696219 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i11.518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of cancer is thought to involve the dynamic crosstalk between the tumor cells and the microenvironment they inhabit. Such crosstalk is thought to involve mechanotransduction, a process whereby the cells sense mechanical cues such as stiffness, and translate these into biochemical signals, which have an impact on the subsequent cellular activities. Bibliometric analysis is a statistical method that involves investigating different aspects (including authors' names and affiliations, article keywords, journals and citations) of large volumes of literature. Despite an increase in mechanotransduction-related research in recent years, there are currently no bibliometric studies that describe the global status and trends of mechanotransduction-related research in the cancer field. AIM To investigate the global research status and trends of mechanotransduction in cancer from a bibliometric viewpoint. METHODS Literature on mechanotransduction in cancer published from January 1, 1900 to December 31, 2022 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Excel and GraphPad software carried out the statistical analysis of the relevant author, journal, organization, and country information. The co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and keyword burst analysis were visualized with VOSviewer and CiteSpace. RESULTS Of 597 publications from 745 institutions in 45 countries were published in 268 journals with 35510 citation times. With 270 articles, the United States is a well-established global leader in this field, and the University of California system, the most productive (n = 36) and influential institution (n = 4705 citations), is the most highly active in collaborating with other organizations. Cancers was the most frequent publisher with the highest H-index. The most productive researcher was Valerie M. Weaver, with 10 publications. The combined analysis of concurrent and burst keywords revealed that the future research hotspots of mechanotransduction in cancer were related to the plasma membrane, autophagy, piezo1/2, heterogeneity, cancer diagnosis, and post-transcriptional modifications. CONCLUSION Mechanotransduction-related cancer research remains a hot topic. The United States is in the leading position of global research on mechano-oncology after almost 30 years of investigations. Research group cooperations exist but remain largely domestic, lacking cross-national communications. The next big topic in this field is to explore how the plasma membrane and its localized mechanosensor can transduce mechanical force through post-transcriptional modifications and thereby participate in cellular activity regulations and cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Zhan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
| | - Meng-Zhu Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guang-Xin Wang
- Shandong Innovation Center of Intelligent Diagnosis, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250013, Shandong Province, China
| | - Da-Wei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Glucose & Lipids Metabolism and Brain Aging, Ministry of Education, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
van Wigcheren GF, Cuenca-Escalona J, Stelloo S, Brake J, Peeters E, Horrevorts SK, Frölich S, Ramos-Tomillero I, Wesseling-Rozendaal Y, van Herpen CML, van de Stolpe A, Vermeulen M, de Vries IJM, Figdor CG, Flórez-Grau G. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tolerogenic dendritic cells are distinctively induced by PI3K and Wnt signaling pathways. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105276. [PMID: 37739035 PMCID: PMC10628850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Imbalanced immune responses are a prominent hallmark of cancer and autoimmunity. Myeloid cells can be overly suppressive, inhibiting protective immune responses or inactive not controlling autoreactive immune cells. Understanding the mechanisms that induce suppressive myeloid cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs), can facilitate the development of immune-restoring therapeutic approaches. MDSCs are a major barrier for effective cancer immunotherapy by suppressing antitumor immune responses in cancer patients. TolDCs are administered to patients to promote immune tolerance with the intent to control autoimmune disease. Here, we investigated the development and suppressive/tolerogenic activity of human MDSCs and TolDCs to gain insight into signaling pathways that drive immunosuppression in these different myeloid subsets. Moreover, monocyte-derived MDSCs (M-MDSCs) generated in vitro were compared to M-MDSCs isolated from head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. PI3K-AKT signaling was identified as being crucial for the induction of human M-MDSCs. PI3K inhibition prevented the downregulation of HLA-DR and the upregulation of reactive oxygen species and MerTK. In addition, we show that the suppressive activity of dexamethasone-induced TolDCs is induced by β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling. The identification of PI3K-AKT and Wnt signal transduction pathways as respective inducers of the immunomodulatory capacity of M-MDSCs and TolDCs provides opportunities to overcome suppressive myeloid cells in cancer patients and optimize therapeutic application of TolDCs. Lastly, the observed similarities between generated- and patient-derived M-MDSCs support the use of in vitro-generated M-MDSCs as powerful model to investigate the functionality of human MDSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glenn F van Wigcheren
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Jorge Cuenca-Escalona
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan Stelloo
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands; Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julia Brake
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eline Peeters
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie K Horrevorts
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Siebren Frölich
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Iván Ramos-Tomillero
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Michiel Vermeulen
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands; Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Carl G Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Georgina Flórez-Grau
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kalli M, Poskus MD, Stylianopoulos T, Zervantonakis IK. Beyond matrix stiffness: targeting force-induced cancer drug resistance. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:937-954. [PMID: 37558577 PMCID: PMC10592424 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
During tumor progression, mechanical abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) trigger signaling pathways in cells that activate cellular programs, resulting in tumor growth and drug resistance. In this review, we describe mechanisms of action for anti-cancer therapies and mechanotransduction programs that regulate cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival and phenotype switching. We discuss how the therapeutic response is impacted by the three main mechanical TME abnormalities: high extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and stiffness; interstitial fluid pressure (IFP); and elevated mechanical forces. We also review drugs that normalize these abnormalities or block mechanosensors and mechanotransduction pathways. Finally, we discuss current challenges and perspectives for the development of new strategies targeting mechanically induced drug resistance in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalli
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Matthew D Poskus
- Department of Bioengineering and Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chen MB, Javanmardi Y, Shahreza S, Serwinski B, Aref A, Djordjevic B, Moeendarbary E. Mechanobiology in oncology: basic concepts and clinical prospects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1239749. [PMID: 38020912 PMCID: PMC10644154 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1239749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between genetic transformations, biochemical communications, and physical interactions is crucial in cancer progression. Metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, involves a series of steps, including invasion, intravasation, circulation survival, and extravasation. Mechanical alterations, such as changes in stiffness and morphology, play a significant role in all stages of cancer initiation and dissemination. Accordingly, a better understanding of cancer mechanobiology can help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Targeting the physical properties of tumours and their microenvironment presents opportunities for intervention. Advancements in imaging techniques and lab-on-a-chip systems enable personalized investigations of tumor biomechanics and drug screening. Investigation of the interplay between genetic, biochemical, and mechanical factors, which is of crucial importance in cancer progression, offers insights for personalized medicine and innovative treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle B. Chen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Somayeh Shahreza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Serwinski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Northeastern University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amir Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Roy AM, Iyer R, Chakraborty S. The extracellular matrix in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerability. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101170. [PMID: 37652015 PMCID: PMC10518608 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101170] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is influenced by a "disorganized" extracellular matrix (ECM) that sensitizes cancer cells toward mechanical stress, signaling, and structural alterations. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), lack of knowledge about key ECM proteins driving the TME refractory to targeted therapies poses a barrier to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Herein, we discuss the contributions of various ECM components that impact hepatocytes and their surrounding support network during tumorigenesis. In addition, the underpinnings by which ECM proteins transduce mechanical signals to the liver TME are detailed. Finally, in view of the bidirectional feedback between the ECM, transformed hepatocytes, and immune cells, we highlight the potential role of the ECM disorganization process in shaping responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies. Our comprehensive characterization of these ECM components may provide a roadmap for innovative therapeutic approaches to restrain HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arya Mariam Roy
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Renuka Iyer
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | - Sayan Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Program of Developmental Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Otero-Sobrino Á, Blanco-Carlón P, Navarro-Aguadero MÁ, Gallardo M, Martínez-López J, Velasco-Estévez M. Mechanosensitive Ion Channels: Their Physiological Importance and Potential Key Role in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13710. [PMID: 37762011 PMCID: PMC10530364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanosensitive ion channels comprise a broad group of proteins that sense mechanical extracellular and intracellular changes, translating them into cation influx to adapt and respond to these physical cues. All cells in the organism are mechanosensitive, and these physical cues have proven to have an important role in regulating proliferation, cell fate and differentiation, migration and cellular stress, among other processes. Indeed, the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix in cancer change drastically due to high cell proliferation and modification of extracellular protein secretion, suggesting an important contribution to tumor cell regulation. In this review, we describe the physiological significance of mechanosensitive ion channels, emphasizing their role in cancer and immunity, and providing compelling proof of the importance of continuing to explore their potential as new therapeutic targets in cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Otero-Sobrino
- H12O-CNIO Hematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (Á.O.-S.); (P.B.-C.); (M.Á.N.-A.); (M.G.); (J.M.-L.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Blanco-Carlón
- H12O-CNIO Hematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (Á.O.-S.); (P.B.-C.); (M.Á.N.-A.); (M.G.); (J.M.-L.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Navarro-Aguadero
- H12O-CNIO Hematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (Á.O.-S.); (P.B.-C.); (M.Á.N.-A.); (M.G.); (J.M.-L.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Gallardo
- H12O-CNIO Hematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (Á.O.-S.); (P.B.-C.); (M.Á.N.-A.); (M.G.); (J.M.-L.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- H12O-CNIO Hematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (Á.O.-S.); (P.B.-C.); (M.Á.N.-A.); (M.G.); (J.M.-L.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Velasco-Estévez
- H12O-CNIO Hematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (Á.O.-S.); (P.B.-C.); (M.Á.N.-A.); (M.G.); (J.M.-L.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kalwa PL, Schäffer TE. Water flow elastography - A promising tool to measure tissue stiffness during minimally invasive surgery. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 145:106004. [PMID: 37418969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical properties are important markers for pathological processes in tissue. Elastography techniques are therefore becoming more and more useful for diagnostics. In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), however, the probe size is limited and the handling is restricted, thereby excluding the application of most established elastography techniques. In this paper we introduce water flow elastography (WaFE) as a new technique that benefits from a small and inexpensive probe. This probe flows pressurized water against the sample surface to locally indent it. The volume of the indentation is measured with a flow meter. We use finite element simulations to find the relation between the indentation volume, the water pressure, and the Young's modulus of the sample. We used WaFE to measure the Young's modulus of silicone samples and porcine organs, finding agreement within 10% to measurements with a commercial material testing machine. Our results show that WaFE is a promising technique for providing local elastography in MIS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul L Kalwa
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tilman E Schäffer
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tanaka I, Koyama J, Itoigawa H, Hayai S, Morise M. Metabolic barriers in non-small cell lung cancer with LKB1 and/or KEAP1 mutations for immunotherapeutic strategies. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1249237. [PMID: 37675220 PMCID: PMC10477992 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1249237] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely considered the standard initial treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when there are no targetable driver oncogenic alternations. NSCLC tumors that have two alterations in tumor suppressor genes, such as liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and/or Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), have been found to exhibit reduced responsiveness to these therapeutic strategies, as revealed by multiomics analyses identifying immunosuppressed phenotypes. Recent advancements in various biological approaches have gradually unveiled the molecular mechanisms underlying intrinsic reprogrammed metabolism in tumor cells, which contribute to the evasion of immune responses by the tumor. Notably, metabolic alterations in glycolysis and glutaminolysis have a significant impact on tumor aggressiveness and the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. Since glucose and glutamine are essential for the proliferation and activation of effector T cells, heightened consumption of these nutrients by tumor cells results in immunosuppression and resistance to ICI therapies. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the clinical efficacies of current therapeutic strategies against NSCLC harboring LKB1 and/or KEAP1 mutations, along with the metabolic alterations in glycolysis and glutaminolysis observed in these cancer cells. Furthermore, ongoing trials targeting these metabolic alterations are discussed as potential approaches to overcome the extremely poor prognosis associated with this type of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ichidai Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Closset L, Gultekin O, Salehi S, Sarhan D, Lehti K, Gonzalez-Molina J. The extracellular matrix - immune microenvironment crosstalk in cancer therapy: Challenges and opportunities. Matrix Biol 2023; 121:217-228. [PMID: 37524251 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) by cancer immunotherapy has led to improved patient outcomes. However, response to these treatments is heterogeneous and cancer-type dependant. The therapeutic activity of classical cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical oncology is modulated by alterations of the TIME. A major regulator of immune cell function and resistance to both immune and classical therapies is the extracellular matrix (ECM). Concurrently, cancer therapies reshape the TIME as well as the ECM, causing both pro- and anti-tumour responses. Accordingly, the TIME-ECM crosstalk presents attractive opportunities to improve therapy outcomes. Here, we review the molecular crosstalk between the TIME and the ECM in cancer and its implications in cancer progression and clinical intervention. Additionally, we discuss examples and future directions of ECM and TIME co-targeting in combination with oncological therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Closset
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, Stockholm 171 65, Sweden; Saint-Antoine Research center (CRSA), UMR_S 938, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75012, France
| | - Okan Gultekin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, Stockholm 171 65, Sweden
| | - Sahar Salehi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, Stockholm 171 65, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Pelvic Cancer, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, Stockholm 171 65, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jordi Gonzalez-Molina
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, Stockholm 171 65, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhang S, Regan K, Najera J, Grinstaff MW, Datta M, Nia HT. The peritumor microenvironment: physics and immunity. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:609-623. [PMID: 37156677 PMCID: PMC10523902 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer initiation and progression drastically alter the microenvironment at the interface between healthy and malignant tissue. This site, termed the peritumor, bears unique physical and immune attributes that together further promote tumor progression through interconnected mechanical signaling and immune activity. In this review, we describe the distinct physical features of the peritumoral microenvironment and link their relationship to immune responses. The peritumor is a region rich in biomarkers and therapeutic targets and thus is a key focus for future cancer research as well as clinical outlooks, particularly to understand and overcome novel mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Regan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Di X, Gao X, Peng L, Ai J, Jin X, Qi S, Li H, Wang K, Luo D. Cellular mechanotransduction in health and diseases: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:282. [PMID: 37518181 PMCID: PMC10387486 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01501-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular mechanotransduction, a critical regulator of numerous biological processes, is the conversion from mechanical signals to biochemical signals regarding cell activities and metabolism. Typical mechanical cues in organisms include hydrostatic pressure, fluid shear stress, tensile force, extracellular matrix stiffness or tissue elasticity, and extracellular fluid viscosity. Mechanotransduction has been expected to trigger multiple biological processes, such as embryonic development, tissue repair and regeneration. However, prolonged excessive mechanical stimulation can result in pathological processes, such as multi-organ fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and cancer immunotherapy resistance. Although the associations between mechanical cues and normal tissue homeostasis or diseases have been identified, the regulatory mechanisms among different mechanical cues are not yet comprehensively illustrated, and no effective therapies are currently available targeting mechanical cue-related signaling. This review systematically summarizes the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of typical mechanical cues in normal conditions and diseases with the updated evidence. The key effectors responding to mechanical stimulations are listed, such as Piezo channels, integrins, Yes-associated protein (YAP) /transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). We also reviewed the key signaling pathways, therapeutic targets and cutting-edge clinical applications of diseases related to mechanical cues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingpeng Di
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoshuai Gao
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Liao Peng
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhong Ai
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Kunjie Wang
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
| | - Deyi Luo
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Safaei S, Sajed R, Shariftabrizi A, Dorafshan S, Saeednejad Zanjani L, Dehghan Manshadi M, Madjd Z, Ghods R. Tumor matrix stiffness provides fertile soil for cancer stem cells. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:143. [PMID: 37468874 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02992-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrix stiffness is a mechanical characteristic of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that increases from the tumor core to the tumor periphery in a gradient pattern in a variety of solid tumors and can promote proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of tumor cells with self-renewal, asymmetric cell division, and differentiation capabilities. CSCs are thought to be responsible for metastasis, tumor recurrence, chemotherapy resistance, and consequently poor clinical outcomes. Evidence suggests that matrix stiffness can activate receptors and mechanosensor/mechanoregulator proteins such as integrin, FAK, and YAP, modulating the characteristics of tumor cells as well as CSCs through different molecular signaling pathways. A deeper understanding of the effect of matrix stiffness on CSCs characteristics could lead to development of innovative cancer therapies. In this review, we discuss how the stiffness of the ECM is sensed by the cells and how the cells respond to this environmental change as well as the effect of matrix stiffness on CSCs characteristics and also the key malignant processes such as proliferation and EMT. Then, we specifically focus on how increased matrix stiffness affects CSCs in breast, lung, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. We also discuss how the molecules responsible for increased matrix stiffness and the signaling pathways activated by the enhanced stiffness can be manipulated as a therapeutic strategy for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Safaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Roya Sajed
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Ahmad Shariftabrizi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Shima Dorafshan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Leili Saeednejad Zanjani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Masoumeh Dehghan Manshadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
| | - Roya Ghods
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14530, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Shakiba D, Genin GM, Zustiak SP. Mechanobiology of cancer cell responsiveness to chemotherapy and immunotherapy: Mechanistic insights and biomaterial platforms. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114771. [PMID: 36889646 PMCID: PMC10133187 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114771] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are central to how cancer treatments such as chemotherapeutics and immunotherapies interact with cells and tissues. At the simplest level, electrostatic forces underlie the binding events that are critical to therapeutic function. However, a growing body of literature points to mechanical factors that also affect whether a drug or an immune cell can reach a target, and to interactions between a cell and its environment affecting therapeutic efficacy. These factors affect cell processes ranging from cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix remodeling to transduction of signals by the nucleus to metastasis of cells. This review presents and critiques the state of the art of our understanding of how mechanobiology impacts drug and immunotherapy resistance and responsiveness, and of the in vitro systems that have been of value in the discovery of these effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delaram Shakiba
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Guy M Genin
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Silviya P Zustiak
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Park S, Chien AL, Brown ID, Chen J. Characterizing viscoelastic properties of human melanoma tissue using Prony series. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1162880. [PMID: 37091343 PMCID: PMC10117758 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1162880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most invasive and deadly skin cancer, which causes most of the deaths from skin cancer. It has been demonstrated that the mechanical properties of tumor tissue are significantly altered. However, data about characterizing the mechanical properties of in vivo melanoma tissue are extremely scarce. In addition, the viscoelastic or viscous properties of melanoma tissue are rarely reported. In this study, we measured and quantitated the viscoelastic properties of human melanoma tissues based on the stress relaxation test, using the indentation-based mechanical analyzer that we developed previously. The melanoma tissues from eight patients of different ages (57–95), genders (male and female patients), races (White and Asian), and sites (nose, arm, shoulder, and chest) were excised and tested. The results showed that the elastic property (i.e., shear modulus) of melanoma tissue was elevated compared to normal tissue, while the viscous property (i.e., relaxation time) was reduced. Moreover, the tissue thickness had a significant impact on the viscoelastic properties, probably due to the amount of the adipose layer. Our findings provide new insights into the role of the viscous and elastic properties of melanoma cell mechanics, which may be implicated in the disease state and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seungman Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Seungman Park,
| | - Anna L. Chien
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Isabelle D. Brown
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jingchun Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Almici E, Arshakyan M, Carrasco JL, Martínez A, Ramírez J, Enguita AB, Monsó E, Montero J, Samitier J, Alcaraz J. Quantitative Image Analysis of Fibrillar Collagens Reveals Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers and Histotype-dependent Aberrant Mechanobiology in Lung Cancer. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100155. [PMID: 36918057 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Fibrillar collagens are the most abundant extracellular matrix components in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Yet, the potential of collagen fiber descriptors as a source of clinically-relevant biomarkers in NSCLC is mainly unknown. Likewise, our understanding of the aberrant collagen organization and associated tumor-promoting effects needs to be better defined. To address these limitations, we identified a digital pathology approach that can be easily implemented in pathology units based on the Curvelet Transform filtering and single Fiber Reconstruction (CT-FIRE) software analysis of picrosirius (PSR) stains of fibrillar collagens imaged with polarized light (PL). CT-FIRE settings were pre-optimized to assess a panel of collagen fiber descriptors in PSR-PL images of tissue microarrays from surgical NSCLC patients (106 adenocarcinomas (ADC), 89 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC)). Using this approach, we identified straightness as the single high-accuracy diagnostic collagen fiber descriptor (average area under the curve AUC = 0.92) and fiber density as the single descriptor consistently associated with poor prognosis in both ADC and SCC independently of the gold standard based on tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastasis (TNM) staging (Hazard ratio HR = 2.69 (1.55-4.66), p < 0.001). Moreover, we found that collagen fibers were markedly straighter, longer, and more aligned in tumors compared to paired samples from uninvolved pulmonary tissue, particularly in ADC, which is indicative of increased tumor stiffening. Consistently, we observed an increase in a panel of stiffness-associated processes in the high collagen fiber density patient group selectively in ADC, including venous/lymphatic invasion, fibroblast activation (alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)), and immune evasion (programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)). Likewise, transcriptional correlation analysis supported the potential involvement of the major Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)/TAZ mechanobiology pathway in ADC. Our results provide a proof-of-principle to use CT-FIRE analysis of PSR-PL images to assess new collagen fiber-based diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in pathology units, which may improve the clinical management of surgical NSCLC patients. Our findings also unveil an aberrant stiff microenvironment in lung ADC that may foster immune evasion and dissemination, encouraging future work to identify therapeutic opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Almici
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marselina Arshakyan
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Thoracic Oncology Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Lluís Carrasco
- Unit of Biostatistics, Department of Basic Clinical Practice, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Martínez
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Ramírez
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Pathology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Enguita
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Pathology, Hospital 12 Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Monsó
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Joan Montero
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Networking Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biomedicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Samitier
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Networking Biomedical Research Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain; Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Alcaraz
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain; Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Thoracic Oncology Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Papavassiliou KA, Marinos G, Papavassiliou AG. Targeting YAP/TAZ in Combination with PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Cells 2023; 12:cells12060871. [PMID: 36980211 PMCID: PMC10047112 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060871] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients has improved in the last decade as a result of introducing new therapeutics, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, in the clinic. Still, some NSCLC patients do not benefit from these therapies due to intrinsic resistance or the development of acquired resistance and their malignant disease progresses. Further research on the molecular underpinnings of NSCLC pathobiology is required in order to discover clinically relevant molecular targets that regulate tumor immunity and to develop reasonable therapeutic combinations that will promote the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Yes-associated Protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), the final effectors of the Hippo signaling transduction pathway, are emerging as key players in NSCLC development and progression. Herein, we overview studies that have investigated the oncogenic role of YAP/TAZ in NSCLC, focusing on immune evasion, and highlight the therapeutic potential of combining YAP/TAZ inhibitory agents with immune checkpoint inhibitors for the management of NSCLC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kostas A. Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, “Sotiria” Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Marinos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-746-2508
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Deng B, Zhao Z, Kong W, Han C, Shen X, Zhou C. Biological role of matrix stiffness in tumor growth and treatment. J Transl Med 2022; 20:540. [PMID: 36419159 PMCID: PMC9682678 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03768-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the biological role of changes in physical factors in carcinogenesis and progression has attracted increasing attention. Matrix stiffness, also known as ECM stress, is a critical physical factor of tumor microenvironment and remains alternating during carcinogenesis as a result of ECM remodeling through activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular collagen accumulation, crosslinking and fibrosis. Different content and density of extracellular collagen in ECM endows matrix with varying stiffness. Physical signals induced by matrix stiffness are transmitted to tumor cells primarily by the integrins receptor family and trigger a series of mechanotransduction that result in changes in tumor cell morphology, proliferative capacity, and invasive ability. Importantly, accumulating evidence revealed that changes in matrix stiffness in tumor tissues greatly control the sensitivity of tumor cells in response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy through integrin signaling, YAP signaling, and related signaling pathways. Here, the present review analyzes the current research advances on matrix stiffness and tumor cell behavior with a view to contributing to tumor cell growth and treatment, with the hope of improving the understanding of the biological role of matrix stiffness in tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boer Deng
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Weimin Kong
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Chao Han
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaochang Shen
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Chunxiao Zhou
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Xu M, Zhang T, Xia R, Wei Y, Wei X. Targeting the tumor stroma for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:208. [PMID: 36324128 PMCID: PMC9628074 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01670-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are comprised of both cancer cells and surrounding stromal components. As an essential part of the tumor microenvironment, the tumor stroma is highly dynamic, heterogeneous and commonly tumor-type specific, and it mainly includes noncellular compositions such as the extracellular matrix and the unique cancer-associated vascular system as well as a wide variety of cellular components including activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, pericytes. All these elements operate with each other in a coordinated fashion and collectively promote cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to study the interaction and crosstalk between stromal components and neoplastic cells. Meanwhile, we have also witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of tumor stroma in solid tumors. A series of clinical trials targeting the tumor stroma have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce and discuss current advances in the understanding of various stromal elements and their roles in cancers. We also elaborate on potential novel approaches for tumor-stroma-based therapeutic targeting, with the aim to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maosen Xu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ruolan Xia
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Onwudiwe K, Burchett AA, Datta M. Mechanical and metabolic interplay in the brain metastatic microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:932285. [PMID: 36059679 PMCID: PMC9436395 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.932285] [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: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this Perspective, we provide our insights and opinions about the contribution-and potential co-regulation-of mechanics and metabolism in incurable breast cancer brain metastasis. Altered metabolic activity can affect cancer metastasis as high glucose supply and demand in the brain microenvironment favors aerobic glycolysis. Similarly, the altered mechanical properties of disseminating cancer cells facilitate migration to and metastatic seeding of the brain, where local metabolites support their progression. Cancer cells in the brain and the brain tumor microenvironment often possess opposing mechanical and metabolic properties compared to extracranial cancer cells and their microenvironment, which inhibit the ease of extravasation and metastasis of these cells outside the central nervous system. We posit that the brain provides a metabolic microenvironment that mechanically reinforces the cellular structure of cancer cells and supports their metastatic growth while restricting their spread from the brain to external organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wang C, Yang J. Mechanical forces: The missing link between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
32
|
Zhang T, Jia Y, Yu Y, Zhang B, Xu F, Guo H. Targeting the tumor biophysical microenvironment to reduce resistance to immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 186:114319. [PMID: 35545136 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitors has evolved into a new pillar of cancer treatment in clinics, but dealing with treatment resistance (either primary or acquired) is a major challenge. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has a substantial impact on the pathological behaviors and treatment response of many cancers. The biophysical clues in TME have recently been considered as important characteristics of cancer. Furthermore, there is mounting evidence that biophysical cues in TME play important roles in each step of the cascade of cancer immunotherapy that synergistically contribute to immunotherapy resistance. In this review, we summarize five main biophysical cues in TME that affect resistance to immunotherapy: extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, ECM stiffness, tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), solid stress, and vascular shear stress. First, the biophysical factors involved in anti-tumor immunity and therapeutic antibody delivery processes are reviewed. Then, the causes of these five biophysical cues and how they contribute to immunotherapy resistance are discussed. Finally, the latest treatment strategies that aim to improve immunotherapy efficacy by targeting these biophysical cues are shared. This review highlights the biophysical cues that lead to immunotherapy resistance, also supplements their importance in related technologies for studying TME biophysical cues in vitro and therapeutic strategies targeting biophysical cues to improve the effects of immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yuanbo Jia
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Feng Xu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Guo T, He C, Venado A, Zhou Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Lung Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3523-3558. [PMID: 35766837 PMCID: PMC10088466 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and imparts a wide variety of environmental cues to cells. In the past decade, a growing body of work revealed that the mechanical properties of the ECM, commonly known as matrix stiffness, regulate the fundamental cellular processes of the lung. There is growing appreciation that mechanical interplays between cells and associated ECM are essential to maintain lung homeostasis. Dysregulation of ECM-derived mechanical signaling via altered mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways is associated with many common lung diseases. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of lung fibrosis. The stiffened ECM is not merely a sequelae of lung fibrosis but can actively drive the progression of fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view on the role of matrix stiffness in lung health and disease. We begin by summarizing the effects of matrix stiffness on the function and behavior of various lung cell types and on regulation of biomolecule activity and key physiological processes, including host immune response and cellular metabolism. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which cells probe matrix stiffness and convert mechanical signals to regulate gene expression. We highlight the factors that govern matrix stiffness and outline the role of matrix stiffness in lung development and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. We envision targeting of deleterious matrix mechanical cues for treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Advances in technologies for matrix stiffness measurements and design of stiffness-tunable matrix substrates are also explored. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3523-3558, 2022.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aida Venado
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Pressure increases PD-L1 expression in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and causes resistance to anti-ROR1 CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6919. [PMID: 35484298 PMCID: PMC9051206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the abnormal vasculation and proliferation, the tumor microenvironment is hypoxic, lacking nutrients, and under high interstitial pressure. Compared to oxygen and nutrients, the effect of pressure on cancer biology remains poorly studied. Here we constructed αROR1-CAR T cells and co-cultured with A549 cells with and without elevated pressure. We then measured apoptosis and cell death by flow cytometry and luciferase activity. We also measured cytokine (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) release by ELISA. The results show that pressure-preconditioned A549 cells are much resistant to αROR1-CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Pressure preconditioning does not appear to affect the expression of αROR1-CAR or cytokine production. However, pressure preconditioning upregulates PD-L1 expression in A549 cells and decreases cytokine release from αROR1-CAR T cells. In addition, Pembrolizumab and Cemiplimab that block PD-1::PD-L1 interaction increase the cytokine production in αROR1-CAR T cells, increase the apoptotic cell death in A549 cells, and improve the αROR1-CAR T-mediated cytotoxicity. In xenograft mice, pressure preconditioning increases tumorigenesis of A549 cells, which can be blocked by a combined therapy using Pembrolizumab and αROR1-CAR T cells. Together, our studies suggest that elevated pressure in the tumor microenvironment could blunt the T cell therapy by upregulating PD-L1 expression, which could be overcome by combining CAR T therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Collapse
|
35
|
Almagro J, Messal HA, Elosegui-Artola A, van Rheenen J, Behrens A. Tissue architecture in tumor initiation and progression. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:494-505. [PMID: 35300951 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The 3D architecture of tissues bearing tumors impacts on the mechanical microenvironment of cancer, the accessibility of stromal cells, and the routes of invasion. A myriad of intrinsic and extrinsic forces exerted by the cancer cells, the host tissue, and the molecular and cellular microenvironment modulate the morphology of the tumor and its malignant potential through mechanical, biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic cues. Recent studies have investigated how tissue architecture influences cancer biology from tumor initiation and progression to distant metastatic seeding and response to therapy. With a focus on carcinoma, the most common type of cancer, this review discusses the latest discoveries on how tumor architecture is built and how tissue morphology affects the biology and progression of cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Almagro
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Hendrik A Messal
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto Elosegui-Artola
- Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Department of Physics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jacco van Rheenen
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Axel Behrens
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Convergence Science Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK; Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Fan Z, Wu C, Chen M, Jiang Y, Wu Y, Mao R, Fan Y. The generation of PD-L1 and PD-L2 in cancer cells: From nuclear chromatin reorganization to extracellular presentation. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1041-1053. [PMID: 35530130 PMCID: PMC9069407 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting on PD-1/PD-L1 has shown remarkable promise in treating cancers. However, the low response rate and frequently observed severe side effects limit its broad benefits. It is partially due to less understanding of the biological regulation of PD-L1. Here, we systematically and comprehensively summarized the regulation of PD-L1 from nuclear chromatin reorganization to extracellular presentation. In PD-L1 and PD-L2 highly expressed cancer cells, a new TAD (topologically associating domain) (chr9: 5,400,000-5,600,000) around CD274 and CD273 was discovered, which includes a reported super-enhancer to drive synchronous transcription of PD-L1 and PD-L2. The re-shaped TAD allows transcription factors such as STAT3 and IRF1 recruit to PD-L1 locus in order to guide the expression of PD-L1. After transcription, the PD-L1 is tightly regulated by miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins via the long 3'UTR. At translational level, PD-L1 protein and its membrane presentation are tightly regulated by post-translational modification such as glycosylation and ubiquitination. In addition, PD-L1 can be secreted via exosome to systematically inhibit immune response. Therefore, fully dissecting the regulation of PD-L1/PD-L2 and thoroughly detecting PD-L1/PD-L2 as well as their regulatory networks will bring more insights in ICB and ICB-based combinational therapy.
Collapse
Key Words
- 3′-UTR, 3′-untranslated region
- ADAM17, a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17
- APCs, antigen-presenting cells
- AREs, adenylate and uridylate (AU)-rich elements
- ATF3, activating transcription factor 3
- CD273/274, cluster of differentiation 273/274
- CDK4, cyclin-dependent kinase 4
- CMTM6, CKLF like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 6
- CSN5, COP9 signalosome subunit 5
- CTLs, cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- EMT, epithelial to mesenchymal transition
- EpCAM, epithelial cell adhesion molecule
- Exosome
- FACS, fluorescence-activated cell sorting
- GSDMC, Gasdermin C
- GSK3β, glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta
- HSF1, heat shock transcription factor 1
- Hi-C, high throughput chromosome conformation capture
- ICB, immune checkpoint blockade
- IFN, interferon
- IL-6, interleukin 6
- IRF1, interferon regulatory factor 1
- Immune checkpoint blockade
- JAK, Janus kinase 1
- NFκB, nuclear factor kappa B
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- OTUB1, OTU deubiquitinase, ubiquitin aldehyde binding 1
- PARP1, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1
- PD-1, programmed cell death-1
- PD-L1
- PD-L1, programmed death-ligand 1
- PD-L2
- PD-L2, programmed death ligand 2
- Post-transcriptional regulation
- Post-translational regulation
- SP1, specificity protein 1
- SPOP, speckle-type POZ protein
- STAG2, stromal antigen 2
- STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
- T2D, type 2 diabetes
- TADs, topologically associating domains
- TFEB, transcription factor EB
- TFs, transcription factors
- TNFα, tumor necrosis factor-alpha
- TTP, tristetraprolin
- Topologically associating domain
- Transcription
- UCHL1, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1
- USP22, ubiquitin specific peptidase 22
- dMMR, deficient DNA mismatch repair
- irAEs, immune related adverse events
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Fan
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Laboratory of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Changyue Wu
- Laboratory of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Miaomiao Chen
- Laboratory of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yongying Jiang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Laboratory of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Renfang Mao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yihui Fan
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Laboratory of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Chen Y, Zhao M, Zhang L, Shen D, Xu X, Yi Q, Tang L. SNF5, a core subunit of SWI/SNF complex, regulates melanoma cancer cell growth, metastasis, and immune escape in response to matrix stiffness. Transl Oncol 2022; 17:101335. [PMID: 34999540 PMCID: PMC8749166 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased stiffness of the extracellular matrix is an important hallmark of melanoma development and progression, but its regulatory role and related mechanisms remain unclear. We adapted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-micropillar-based matrix platform and investigated the effect of matrix stiffness on the proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune escape of melanoma cells. We observed a stiff matrix enhanced cell proliferation, EMT, and immune escape of A375 cells. Furthermore, the expression of SNF5 on the stiffer matrix was higher than that on the softer matrix. Next, we investigated whether SNF5 is an important transducer in response to matrix stiffness. Our results revealed that knockdown of SNF5 significantly decreased stiff matrix-induced activation of cell proliferation, EMT and immune escape. Meanwhile, the overexpression of SNF5 showed its ability to increase cell proliferation, invasion and immune escape by activating the STAT-3 pathway in vitro. Furthermore, SNF5 deficiency elevated the level of tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and decreased the number of PD-L1 positive cells in vivo. Together, our findings suggested that stiffer substrate enhanced melanoma development by upregulating SNF5 expression, and SNF5 is a key mediator of stiffer matrix-induced immune evasion of melanoma cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministlry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Meilian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministlry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministlry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Dongliang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministlry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xichao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministlry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qian Yi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
| | - Liling Tang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministlry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Matrix Stiffness Contributes to Cancer Progression by Regulating Transcription Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041049. [PMID: 35205794 PMCID: PMC8870363 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Matrix stiffness is recognized as a critical factor in cancer progression. Recent studies have shown that matrix stiffening is caused by the accumulation, contraction, and crosslinking of the extracellular matrix by cancer and stromal cells. Cancer and stromal cells respond to matrix stiffness, which determines the phenotypes of these cells. In addition, matrix stiffness activates and/or inactivates specific transcription factors in cancer and stromal cells to regulate cancer progression. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of cancer stiffening and progression that are regulated by transcription factors responding to matrix stiffness. Abstract Matrix stiffness is critical for the progression of various types of cancers. In solid cancers such as mammary and pancreatic cancers, tumors often contain abnormally stiff tissues, mainly caused by stiff extracellular matrices due to accumulation, contraction, and crosslinking. Stiff extracellular matrices trigger mechanotransduction, the conversion of mechanical cues such as stiffness of the matrix to biochemical signaling in the cells, and as a result determine the cellular phenotypes of cancer and stromal cells in tumors. Transcription factors are key molecules for these processes, as they respond to matrix stiffness and are crucial for cellular behaviors. The Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is one of the most studied transcription factors that is regulated by matrix stiffness. The YAP/TAZ are activated by a stiff matrix and promotes malignant phenotypes in cancer and stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts. In addition, other transcription factors such as β-catenin and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) also play key roles in mechanotransduction in cancer tissues. In this review, the mechanisms of stiffening cancer tissues are introduced, and the transcription factors regulated by matrix stiffness in cancer and stromal cells and their roles in cancer progression are shown.
Collapse
|
39
|
Owczarek C, Ortiz-Zapater E, Kim J, Papaevangelou E, Santis G, Parsons M. CAR Co-Operates With Integrins to Promote Lung Cancer Cell Adhesion and Invasion. Front Oncol 2022; 12:829313. [PMID: 35252000 PMCID: PMC8889575 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.829313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) is a member of the junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) family of adhesion receptors and is localised to epithelial cell tight and adherens junctions. CAR has been shown to be highly expressed in lung cancer where it is proposed to promote tumor growth and regulate epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), however the potential role of CAR in lung cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. To better understand the role of this receptor in tumor progression, we manipulated CAR expression in both epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like lung cancer cells. In both cases, CAR overexpression promoted tumor growth in vivo in immunocompetent mice and increased cell adhesion in the lung after intravenous injection without altering the EMT properties of each cell line. Overexpression of WTCAR resulted in increased invasion in 3D models and enhanced β1 integrin activity in both cell lines, and this was dependent on phosphorylation of the CAR cytoplasmic tail. Furthermore, phosphorylation of CAR was enhanced by substrate stiffness in vitro, and CAR expression increased at the boundary of solid tumors in vivo. Moreover, CAR formed a complex with the focal adhesion proteins Src, Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and paxillin and promoted activation of the Guanine Triphosphate (GTP)-ase Ras-related Protein 1 (Rap1), which in turn mediated enhanced integrin activation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CAR contributes to lung cancer metastasis via promotion of cell-matrix adhesion, providing new insight into co-operation between cell-cell and cell-matrix proteins that regulate different steps of tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Owczarek
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Ortiz-Zapater
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jana Kim
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, St Thomas Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Efthymia Papaevangelou
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - George Santis
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Maddy Parsons,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Current Immunotherapeutic Strategies Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 Axis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Oncogenic Driver Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010245. [PMID: 35008669 PMCID: PMC8745513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment strategies targeting programed cell death 1 (PD-1) or its ligand, PD-L1, have been developed as immunotherapy against tumor progression for various cancer types including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The recent pivotal clinical trials of immune-checkpoint inhibiters (ICIs) combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy have reshaped therapeutic strategies and established various first-line standard treatments. The therapeutic effects of ICIs in these clinical trials were analyzed according to PD-L1 tumor proportion scores or tumor mutational burden; however, these indicators are insufficient to predict the clinical outcome. Consequently, molecular biological approaches, including multi-omics analyses, have addressed other mechanisms of cancer immune escape and have revealed an association of NSCLC containing specific driver mutations with distinct immune phenotypes. NSCLC has been characterized by driver mutation-defined molecular subsets and the effect of driver mutations on the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 expression on the tumor itself. In this review, we summarize the results of recent clinical trials of ICIs in advanced NSCLC and the association between driver alterations and distinct immune phenotypes. We further discuss the current clinical issues with a future perspective for the role of precision medicine in NSCLC.
Collapse
|
41
|
Mechanical modeling of lung alveoli: From macroscopic behaviour to cell mechano-sensing at microscopic level. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 126:105043. [PMID: 34922295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.105043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mechanical signals sensed by the alveolar cells through the changes in the local matrix stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are determinant for regulating cellular functions. Therefore, the study of the mechanical response of lung tissue becomes a fundamental aspect in order to further understand the mechanosensing signals perceived by the cells in the alveoli. This study is focused on the development of a finite element (FE) model of a decellularized rat lung tissue strip, which reproduces accurately the mechanical behaviour observed in the experiments by means of a tensile test. For simulating the complex structure of the lung parenchyma, which consists of a heterogeneous and non-uniform network of thin-walled alveoli, a 3D model based on a Voronoi tessellation is developed. This Voronoi-based model is considered very suitable for recreating the geometry of cellular materials with randomly distributed polygons like in the lung tissue. The material model used in the mechanical simulations of the lung tissue was characterized experimentally by means of AFM tests in order to evaluate the lung tissue stiffness on the micro scale. Thus, in this study, the micro (AFM test) and the macro scale (tensile test) mechanical behaviour are linked through the mechanical simulation with the 3D FE model based on Voronoi tessellation. Finally, a micro-mechanical FE-based model is generated from the Voronoi diagram for studying the stiffness sensed by the alveolar cells in function of two independent factors: the stretch level of the lung tissue and the geometrical position of the cells on the extracellular matrix (ECM), distinguishing between pneumocyte type I and type II. We conclude that the position of the cells within the alveolus has a great influence on the local stiffness perceived by the cells. Alveolar cells located at the corners of the alveolus, mainly type II pneumocytes, perceive a much higher stiffness than those located in the flat areas of the alveoli, which correspond to type I pneumocytes. However, the high stiffness, due to the macroscopic lung tissue stretch, affects both cells in a very similar form, thus no significant differences between them have been observed.
Collapse
|
42
|
He Y, Liu T, Dai S, Xu Z, Wang L, Luo F. Tumor-Associated Extracellular Matrix: How to Be a Potential Aide to Anti-tumor Immunotherapy? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:739161. [PMID: 34733848 PMCID: PMC8558531 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.739161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade therapy, has made major breakthroughs in the therapy of cancers. However, less than one-third of the cancer patients obtain significant and long-lasting therapeutic effects by cancer immunotherapy. Over the past few decades, cancer-related inflammations have been gradually more familiar to us. It’s known that chronic inflammation in tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a predominant role in tumor immunosuppression. Tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM), as a core member of TME, has been a research hotspot recently. A growing number of studies indicate that tumor-associated ECM is one of the major obstacles to realizing more successful cases of cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we discussed the potential application of tumor-associated ECM in the cancer immunity and its aide potentialities to anti-tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Oncology Department, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuang Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Huang J, Zhang L, Wan D, Zhou L, Zheng S, Lin S, Qiao Y. Extracellular matrix and its therapeutic potential for cancer treatment. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:153. [PMID: 33888679 PMCID: PMC8062524 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 293] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the major components of tumors that plays multiple crucial roles, including mechanical support, modulation of the microenvironment, and a source of signaling molecules. The quantity and cross-linking status of ECM components are major factors determining tissue stiffness. During tumorigenesis, the interplay between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) often results in the stiffness of the ECM, leading to aberrant mechanotransduction and further malignant transformation. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of ECM dysregulation in the TME would contribute to the discovery of promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Herein, we summarized the knowledge concerning the following: (1) major ECM constituents and their functions in both normal and malignant conditions; (2) the interplay between cancer cells and the ECM in the TME; (3) key receptors for mechanotransduction and their alteration during carcinogenesis; and (4) the current therapeutic strategies targeting aberrant ECM for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Huang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Dalong Wan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Shengzhang Lin
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, 310000, China.
| | - Yiting Qiao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Petersen EV, Chudakova DA, Skorova EY, Anikin V, Reshetov IV, Mynbaev OA. The Extracellular Matrix-Derived Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Personalized Therapy of Malignant Tumors. Front Oncol 2020; 10:575569. [PMID: 33425730 PMCID: PMC7793707 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.575569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor biomarkers already have proven clinical value and have become an integral part in cancer management and modern translational oncology. The tumor tissue microenvironment (TME), which includes extracellular matrix (ECM), signaling molecules, immune and stromal cells, and adjacent non-tumorous tissue, contributes to cancer pathogenesis. Thus, TME-derived biomarkers have many clinical applications. This review is predominately based on the most recent publications (manuscripts published in a last 5 years, or seminal publications published earlier) and fills a gap in the current literature on the cancer biomarkers derived from the TME, with particular attention given to the ECM and products of its processing and degradation, ECM-associated extracellular vesicles (EVs), biomechanical characteristics of ECM, and ECM-derived biomarkers predicting response to the immunotherapy. We discuss the clinical utility of the TME-incorporating three-dimensional in vitro and ex vivo cell culture models for personalized therapy. We conclude that ECM is a critical driver of malignancies and ECM-derived biomarkers should be included in diagnostics and prognostics panels of markers in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Petersen
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Daria A. Chudakova
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ekaterina Yu. Skorova
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Vladimir Anikin
- Harefield Hospital, The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Harefield, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Sechenov Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor V. Reshetov
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Department of Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, Sechenov Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ospan A. Mynbaev
- Department of Molecular and Bio Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Marino GE, Weeraratna AT. A glitch in the matrix: Age-dependent changes in the extracellular matrix facilitate common sites of metastasis. AGING AND CANCER 2020; 1:19-29. [PMID: 35694033 PMCID: PMC9187055 DOI: 10.1002/aac2.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
People over 55 years old represent the majority of cancer patients and suffer from increased metastatic burden compared to the younger patient population. As the aging population increases globally, it is prudent to understand how the intrinsic aging process contributes to cancer progression. As we age, we incur aberrant changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of our organs, which contribute to numerous pathologies, including cancer. Notably, the lung, liver, and bone represent the most common sites of distal metastasis for all cancer types. In this review, we describe how age-dependent changes in the ECM of these organs influence cancer progression. Further, we outline how these alterations prime the premetastatic niche and why these may help explain the disparity in outcome for older cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gloria E. Marino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ashani T. Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
James NE, Woodman M, DiSilvestro PA, Ribeiro JR. The Perfect Combination: Enhancing Patient Response to PD-1-Based Therapies in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2150. [PMID: 32756436 PMCID: PMC7466102 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with an overall 5-year survival of only 47%. As the development of novel targeted therapies is drastically necessary in order to improve patient survival, current EOC clinical trials have heavily focused on immunotherapeutic approaches, centered upon programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. While PD-1 monotherapies have only exhibited modest responses for patients, it has been theorized that in order to enhance EOC patient response to immunotherapy, combinatorial regimens must be investigated. In this review, unique challenges to EOC PD-1 response will be discussed, along with a comprehensive description of both preclinical and clinical studies evaluating PD-1-based combinatorial therapies. Promising aspects of PD-1-based combinatorial approaches are highlighted, while also discussing specific preclinical and clinical areas of research that need to be addressed, in order to optimize EOC patient immunotherapy response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. James
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
| | - Morgan Woodman
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
| | - Paul A. DiSilvestro
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Ribeiro
- Program in Women’s Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA; (N.E.J.); (M.W.); (P.A.D.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zuo HX, Jin Y, Wang Z, Li MY, Zhang ZH, Wang JY, Xing Y, Ri MH, Jin CH, Xu GH, Piao LX, Ma J, Jin X. Curcumol inhibits the expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 through crosstalk between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and STAT3 (T705) signaling pathways in hepatic cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 257:112835. [PMID: 32278762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Curcuma wenyujin is a Chinese traditional herbal medicine that is commonly used as an anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-tumorigenic agent. Curcumol is a representative index component for the quality control of the essential oil of Curcuma wenyujin, which is currently used as an anti-cancer drug, and is included in the State Pharmacopoeia Commission of the People's Republic of China (2005). However, the mechanisms of action and molecular functions of curcumol are not yet fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to identify new effects of curcumol from the perspective of cancer immunotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The underlying mechanism of the inhibition of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) activation by curcumol was investigated in vitro via homology modeling, molecular docking experiments, luciferase reporter assays, MTT assays, RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays. Changes in cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and the tumor-killing activity of T-cells were analyzed via EdU labeling, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound-healing, Matrigel Transwell invasion, tube formation, and T-cell killing. The anti-tumor activity of curcumol was assessed in vivo in a murine xenograft model using Hep3B cells. RESULTS Curcumol reduced the expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) via JAK1, JAK2, and Src pathways and inhibited hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein synthesis via mTOR/p70S6K/eIF4E and MAPK pathways. Furthermore, we revealed crosstalk between STAT3 and HIF-1α pathways, which collaboratively regulated PD-L1 activation, and that curcumol played a role in this regulation. Curcumol inhibited cell proliferation, S-phase progression, tube formation, invasion, and metastasis by inhibiting PD-L1. In addition, curcumol restored the activity of cytotoxic T-cells and their capacity for tumor cell killing by inhibiting PD-L1. In vivo experiments confirmed that curcumol inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS These results illustrated that curcumol inhibits the expression of PD-L1 through crosstalk between HIF-1α and p-STAT3 (T705) signaling pathways in hepatic cancer. Thus, curcumol might represent a promising lead compound for the development of new targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xiang Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China; College of Pharmacy, Beihua University, Jilin, 132013, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ming Yue Li
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Zhi Hong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jing Ying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yue Xing
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Myong Hak Ri
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Cheng Hua Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Guang Hua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Lian Xun Piao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Juan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Xuejun Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Azadi S, Tafazzoli Shadpour M. The microenvironment and cytoskeletal remodeling in tumor cell invasion. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 356:257-289. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
49
|
Brown Adipocyte and Splenocyte Co-Culture Maintains Regulatory T Cell Subset in Intermittent Hypobaric Conditions. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 16:539-548. [PMID: 31624708 PMCID: PMC6778593 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-019-00205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brown adipocytes have thermogenic characteristics in neonates and elicit anti-inflammatory responses. We postulated that thermogenic brown adipocytes produce distinctive intercellular effects in a hypobaric state. The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between brown adipocyte and regulatory T cell (Treg) expression under intermittent hypobaric conditions. Methods Brown and white adipocytes were harvested from the interscapular and flank areas of C57BL6 mice, respectively. Adipocytes were cultured with syngeneic splenocytes after isolation and differentiation. Intermittent hypobaric conditions were generated using cyclic negative pressure application for 48 h in both groups of adipocytes. Expression levels of Tregs (CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + T cells), cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), and the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)] co-inhibitory ligand were examined. Results Splenocytes, cultured with brown and white adipocytes, exhibited comparable Treg expression in a normobaric state. Under hypobaric conditions, brown adipocytes maintained a subset of Tregs. However, a decrease in Tregs was found in the white adipocyte group. TNF-α levels increased in both groups under hypobaric conditions. In the brown adipocyte group, anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression increased significantly; meanwhile, IL-10 expression decreased in the white adipocyte group. PD-L1 levels increased more significantly in brown adipocytes than in white adipocytes under hypobaric conditions. Conclusion Both brown and white adipocytes support Treg expression when they are cultured with splenocytes. Of note, brown adipocytes maintained Treg expression in intermittent hypobaric conditions. Anti-inflammatory cytokines and co-inhibitory ligands mediate the immunomodulatory effects of brown adipocytes under altered atmospheric conditions. Brown adipocytes showed the feasibility as a source of adjustment in physical stresses.
Collapse
|
50
|
Martinez VG, Park D, Acton SE. Immunotherapy: breaching the barriers for cancer treatment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180214. [PMID: 31431180 PMCID: PMC6627023 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The great ambition to treat cancer through harnessing a patient's own immune responses has started to become reality. Clinical trials have shown impressive results and some patients reaching the end of existing treatment options have achieved full remission. Yet the response rate even within the most promising trials remain at just 30-40% of patients. To date, the focus of immunotherapy research has been to identify tumour antigens, and to enhance activation of effector lymphocytes. Yet this is only the first step to effective immunotherapy for a broader range of patients. Activated cytotoxic T cells can only act on their tumour cell targets if they have free and easy access to all tumour regions. Solid tumours are complex, heterogeneous environments which vary greatly in their physical properties. We must now focus our efforts on understanding how factors such as the composition, density and geometry of tumour extracellular matrix acts to impede or promote immune cell infiltration and activation, and work to design novel pharmacological interventions which restore and enhance leucocyte trafficking within solid tumours. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Forces in cancer: interdisciplinary approaches in tumour mechanobiology'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor G. Martinez
- Stromal Immunology Group, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Danielle Park
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sophie E. Acton
- Stromal Immunology Group, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| |
Collapse
|