1
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Liu R, Wang C, Sun Z, Shi X, Zhang Z, Luo J. Neuronal CFL1 upregulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma enhances tumor-nerve crosstalk and promotes tumor growth. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:874-884. [PMID: 38353363 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23694] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent cancer type, marked by a pronounced nerve density within the tumor microenvironment and a high rate of perineural invasion (PNI). Growing evidence suggests that the nervous system plays a vital role in HNSCC progression. Yet, the mechanisms governing cancer-nerve interactions remain largely elusive. Our research revealed that cofilin-1 (CFL1) is significantly overexpressed in HNSCC and correlates with both PNI and unfavorable prognosis. Utilizing multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry, we have localized CFL1 chiefly to the nerves adjacent to tumor sites. Significantly, it is the elevated expression of CFL1 in neuronal structures, rather than in the tumor cells, that aligns with diminished patient survival rates. We observed that HNSCC cells induced the expression of neuronal CFL1 and that the conditional knockout of neuronal CFL1 impedes tumor-nerve interactions. Both Gene Ontology functional enrichment analyses and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis demonstrate that CFL1 expression in HNSCC is associated with specific biological processes, including "RIBOSOME," "PROTEASOME," and "cadherin binding." In summary, HNSCC promotes the expression of CFL1 in nerves, which is essential for cancer-nerve interactions. The neuronal CFL1 is associated with PNI and may be a potential molecular prognostic marker of poor survival in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyan Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunli Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhonghao Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaotian Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingtao Luo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Medicine on Head & Neck Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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Giulietti M, Piva F, Cecati M, Maggio S, Guescini M, Saladino T, Scortichini L, Crocetti S, Caramanti M, Battelli N, Romagnoli E. Effects of Eribulin on the RNA Content of Extracellular Vesicles Released by Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:479. [PMID: 38534323 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060479] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid particles secreted by almost all human cells into the extracellular space. They perform the essential function of cell-to-cell communication, and their role in promoting breast cancer progression has been well demonstrated. It is known that EVs released by triple-negative and highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells treated with paclitaxel, a microtubule-targeting agent (MTA), promoted chemoresistance in EV-recipient cells. Here, we studied the RNA content of EVs produced by the same MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells treated with another MTA, eribulin mesylate. In particular, we analyzed the expression of different RNA species, including mRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, snoRNAs, piRNAs and tRNA fragments by RNA-seq. Then, we performed differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), functional enrichment analysis, and miRNA-target identification. Our findings demonstrate the possible involvement of EVs from eribulin-treated cells in the spread of chemoresistance, prompting the design of strategies that selectively target tumor EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Monia Cecati
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Serena Maggio
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Michele Guescini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Tiziana Saladino
- Oncology Unit AST3, Macerata Hospital, Via Santa Lucia 2, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Laura Scortichini
- Oncology Unit AST3, Macerata Hospital, Via Santa Lucia 2, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Sonia Crocetti
- Oncology Unit AST3, Macerata Hospital, Via Santa Lucia 2, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Miriam Caramanti
- Oncology Unit AST3, Macerata Hospital, Via Santa Lucia 2, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Nicola Battelli
- Oncology Unit AST3, Macerata Hospital, Via Santa Lucia 2, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Emanuela Romagnoli
- Oncology Unit AST3, Macerata Hospital, Via Santa Lucia 2, 62100 Macerata, Italy
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Wang X, Istvanffy R, Ye L, Teller S, Laschinger M, Diakopoulos KN, Görgülü K, Li Q, Ren L, Jäger C, Steiger K, Muckenhuber A, Vilne B, Çifcibaşı K, Reyes CM, Yurteri Ü, Kießler M, Gürçınar IH, Sugden M, Yıldızhan SE, Sezerman OU, Çilingir S, Süyen G, Reichert M, Schmid RM, Bärthel S, Oellinger R, Krüger A, Rad R, Saur D, Algül H, Friess H, Lesina M, Ceyhan GO, Demir IE. Phenotype screens of murine pancreatic cancer identify a Tgf-α-Ccl2-paxillin axis driving human-like neural invasion. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e166333. [PMID: 37607005 PMCID: PMC10617783 DOI: 10.1172/jci166333] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid cancers like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a type of pancreatic cancer, frequently exploit nerves for rapid dissemination. This neural invasion (NI) is an independent prognostic factor in PDAC, but insufficiently modeled in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) of PDAC. Here, we systematically screened for human-like NI in Europe's largest repository of GEMM of PDAC, comprising 295 different genotypes. This phenotype screen uncovered 2 GEMMs of PDAC with human-like NI, which are both characterized by pancreas-specific overexpression of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) and conditional depletion of p53. Mechanistically, cancer-cell-derived TGF-α upregulated CCL2 secretion from sensory neurons, which induced hyperphosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein paxillin via CCR4 on cancer cells. This activated the cancer migration machinery and filopodia formation toward neurons. Disrupting CCR4 or paxillin activity limited NI and dampened tumor size and tumor innervation. In human PDAC, phospho-paxillin and TGF-α-expression constituted strong prognostic factors. Therefore, we believe that the TGF-α-CCL2-CCR4-p-paxillin axis is a clinically actionable target for constraining NI and tumor progression in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rouzanna Istvanffy
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neural Influences in Cancer (NIC) International Research Consortium
| | - Linhan Ye
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pain Clinic, Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei, China
| | - Steffen Teller
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Laschinger
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Kalliope N. Diakopoulos
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II & Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Kıvanç Görgülü
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II & Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Qiaolin Li
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lei Ren
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Jäger
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Comparative Experimental Pathology and Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Muckenhuber
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Comparative Experimental Pathology and Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Baiba Vilne
- Bioinformatics laboratory, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Kaan Çifcibaşı
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Mota Reyes
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neural Influences in Cancer (NIC) International Research Consortium
| | - Ümmügülsüm Yurteri
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Kießler
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Halil Gürçınar
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maya Sugden
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Sümeyye Çilingir
- Department of Physiology, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Güldal Süyen
- Department of Physiology, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Roland M. Schmid
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bärthel
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM) and Experimental Cancer Therapy
| | - Rupert Oellinger
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics
| | - Achim Krüger
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics
| | - Dieter Saur
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM) and Experimental Cancer Therapy
| | - Hana Algül
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II & Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Helmut Friess
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neural Influences in Cancer (NIC) International Research Consortium
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marina Lesina
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II & Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Güralp Onur Ceyhan
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- Neural Influences in Cancer (NIC) International Research Consortium
- Department of General Surgery, HPB-Unit, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ihsan Ekin Demir
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
- CRC 1321 Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neural Influences in Cancer (NIC) International Research Consortium
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of General Surgery, HPB-Unit, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Else Kröner Clinician Scientist Professor for Translational Pancreatic Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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4
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Scheff NN, Harris AL, Li J, Horan NL, Kubik MW, Kim SW, Nilsen ML. Pretreatment pain predicts perineural invasion in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:405. [PMID: 37341777 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07872-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Perineural invasion (PNI) in head and neck cancer (HNC) is a distinct pathological feature used to indicate aggressive tumor behavior and drive treatment strategies. Our study examined the prevalence and predictors of PNI in HNC patients stratified by tumor site. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients who underwent surgical resection at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between 2015 and 2018 was performed. Pretreatment pain was assessed at least 1 week before surgery using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N). Demographics, clinical characteristics, and concomitant medications were obtained from medical records. Patients with cancers at the oropharynx and non-oropharynx (i.e., cancer at oral cavity, mandible, larynx) sites were separately analyzed. Tumor blocks were obtained from 10 patients for histological evaluation of intertumoral nerve presence. RESULTS A total of 292 patients (202 males, median age = 60.94 ± 11.06) were assessed. Pain and PNI were significantly associated with higher T stage (p < 0.001) and tumor site (p < 0.001); patients with non-oropharynx tumors reported more pain and had a higher incidence of PNI compared to oropharynx tumors. However, multivariable analysis identified pain as a significant variable uniquely associated with PNI for both tumor sites. Evaluation of nerve presence in tumor tissue showed 5-fold higher nerve density in T2 oral cavity tumors compared to oropharyngeal tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our study finds that PNI is associated with pretreatment pain and tumor stage. These data support the need for additional research into the impact of tumor location when investigating targeted therapies of tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole N Scheff
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexandria L Harris
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jinhong Li
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nicole L Horan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mark W Kubik
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Seungwon W Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marci L Nilsen
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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5
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Le TT, Oudin MJ. Understanding and modeling nerve-cancer interactions. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm049729. [PMID: 36621886 PMCID: PMC9844229 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The peripheral nervous system plays an important role in cancer progression. Studies in multiple cancer types have shown that higher intratumoral nerve density is associated with poor outcomes. Peripheral nerves have been shown to directly regulate tumor cell properties, such as growth and metastasis, as well as affect the local environment by modulating angiogenesis and the immune system. In this Review, we discuss the identity of nerves in organs in the periphery where solid tumors grow, the known mechanisms by which nerve density increases in tumors, and the effects these nerves have on cancer progression. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current in vitro and in vivo models used to study nerve-cancer interactions. Increased understanding of the mechanisms by which nerves impact tumor progression and the development of new approaches to study nerve-cancer interactions will facilitate the discovery of novel treatment strategies to treat cancer by targeting nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh T. Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 200 College Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Madeleine J. Oudin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 200 College Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
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6
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Le TT, Payne SL, Buckwald MN, Hayes LA, Parker SR, Burge CB, Oudin MJ. Sensory nerves enhance triple-negative breast cancer invasion and metastasis via the axon guidance molecule PlexinB3. NPJ Breast Cancer 2022; 8:116. [PMID: 36333352 PMCID: PMC9636220 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-022-00485-z] [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: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In breast cancer, nerve presence has been correlated with more invasive disease and worse prognosis, yet the mechanisms by which different types of peripheral nerves drive tumor progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified sensory nerves as more abundant in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors. Co-injection of sensory neurons isolated from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of adult female mice with human TNBC cells in immunocompromised mice increased the number of lung metastases. Direct in vitro co-culture of human TNBC cells with the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of adult female mice revealed that TNBC cells adhere to sensory neuron fibers leading to an increase in migration speed. Species-specific RNA sequencing revealed that co-culture of TNBC cells with sensory nerves upregulates the expression of genes associated with cell migration and adhesion in cancer cells. We demonstrated that lack of the semaphorin receptor PlexinB3 in cancer cells attenuate their adhesion to and migration on sensory nerves. Together, our results identify a mechanism by which nerves contribute to breast cancer migration and metastasis by inducing a shift in TNBC cell gene expression and support the rationale for disrupting neuron-cancer cell interactions to target metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh T Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Samantha L Payne
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Maia N Buckwald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Lily A Hayes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Savannah R Parker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | | | - Madeleine J Oudin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
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7
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Zhou S, Li J, Yu J, Wang Y, Wang Z, He Z, Ouyang D, Liu H, Wang Y. Tumor microenvironment adrenergic nerves blockade liposomes for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2022; 351:656-666. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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8
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Deborde S, Gusain L, Powers A, Marcadis A, Yu Y, Chen CH, Frants A, Kao E, Tang LH, Vakiani E, Amisaki M, Balachandran VP, Calo A, Omelchenko T, Jessen KR, Reva B, Wong RJ. Reprogrammed Schwann Cells Organize into Dynamic Tracks that Promote Pancreatic Cancer Invasion. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:2454-2473. [PMID: 35881881 PMCID: PMC9533012 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nerves are a component of the tumor microenvironment contributing to cancer progression, but the role of cells from nerves in facilitating cancer invasion remains poorly understood. Here we show that Schwann cells (SC) activated by cancer cells collectively function as tumor-activated Schwann cell tracks (TAST) that promote cancer cell migration and invasion. Nonmyelinating SCs form TASTs and have cell gene expression signatures that correlate with diminished survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In TASTs, dynamic SCs form tracks that serve as cancer pathways and apply forces on cancer cells to enhance cancer motility. These SCs are activated by c-Jun, analogous to their reprogramming during nerve repair. This study reveals a mechanism of cancer cell invasion that co-opts a wound repair process and exploits the ability of SCs to collectively organize into tracks. These findings establish a novel paradigm of how cancer cells spread and reveal therapeutic opportunities. SIGNIFICANCE How the tumor microenvironment participates in pancreatic cancer progression is not fully understood. Here, we show that SCs are activated by cancer cells and collectively organize into tracks that dynamically enable cancer invasion in a c-Jun-dependent manner. See related commentary by Amit and Maitra, p. 2240. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2221.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Deborde
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Laxmi Gusain
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ann Powers
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Andrea Marcadis
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yasong Yu
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Chun-Hao Chen
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Anna Frants
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Elizabeth Kao
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Laura H. Tang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Efsevia Vakiani
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Masataka Amisaki
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Vinod P. Balachandran
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Annalisa Calo
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tatiana Omelchenko
- Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Kristjan R. Jessen
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Boris Reva
- Department of Genetics and Genomics Sciences, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Richard J. Wong
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Corresponding Author: Richard J. Wong, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-639-7638; E-mail:
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9
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Pan C, Winkler F. Insights and opportunities at the crossroads of cancer and neuroscience. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1454-1460. [PMID: 36097070 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00978-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The biological and pathological importance of mutual interactions between the nervous system and cancer have become increasingly evident. The emerging field of cancer neuroscience aims to decipher key signalling factors of cancer-nervous system crosstalk and to exploit these modulators as targets for improved anticancer therapies. Here we discuss the key achievements in cancer neuroscience research, inspire further interactions on a variety of related research topics, and provide a roadmap for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Pan
- Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Winkler
- Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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McIlvried LA, Atherton MA, Horan NL, Goch TN, Scheff NN. Sensory Neurotransmitter Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Modulates Tumor Growth and Lymphocyte Infiltration in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200019. [PMID: 35388989 PMCID: PMC9474661 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are highly innervated by peripheral sensory neurons. Local neurotransmitter release (e.g., calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)) from sensory neurons innervating cancer is linked to tumorigenesis. CGRP-immunoreactive nerve presence comprised 9.53±1.9% of total nerve area across 11 HNSCC patients. A syngeneic tongue tumor transplant mouse model of oral cancer and a global Calca knockout mouse (CGRPKO ) are used to investigate the impact of CGRP signaling on tumor growth and the associated immune response in vivo. In tumor-bearing CGRPKO mice, there is a significant reduction in tumor size over time compared to wildtype mice using two different mouse oral cancer cell lines. Furthermore, tumor tissue from CGRPKO mice had a significant increase in tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and NK1.1+ NK cells compared to wildtype. Fluorescent-activated cell sorting and real-time qPCR are used to confirm that CD4+ T cells are isolated from tumor-bearing wildtype mice containing a high expression of Ramp1 compared to sham mice. These data suggest that sensory neurotransmitter CGRP may modulate oral cancer progression via tumor immunosurveillance. Understanding the relationship between sensory neurons and cancer will aid in repurposing clinically available nervous system drugs for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A McIlvried
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Megan A Atherton
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Nicole L Horan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Tori N Goch
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Nicole N Scheff
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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11
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Guo Y, Gil Z. The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer-Nerve Crosstalk of the Peripheral Nervous System. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081294. [PMID: 35455973 PMCID: PMC9027707 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the pathogenic operations of cancer–nerve crosstalk (e.g., neuritogenesis, neoneurogensis, and perineural invasion—PNI) in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) during tumorigenesis, as well as the progression of all cancer types is continuing to emerge as an area of unique scientific interest and study, extensive, wide-ranging, and multidisciplinary investigations still remain fragmented and unsystematic. This is especially so in regard to the roles played by extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are lipid bilayer-enclosed nano- to microsized particles that carry multiple-function molecular cargos, facilitate intercellular communication in diverse processes. Accordingly, the biological significance of EVs has been greatly elevated in recent years, as there is strong evidence that they could contribute to important and possibly groundbreaking diagnostic and therapeutic innovations. This can be achieved and the pace of discoveries accelerated through cross-pollination from existing knowledge and studies regarding nervous system physiology and pathology, as well as thoroughgoing collaborations between oncologists, neurobiologists, pathologists, clinicians, and researchers. This article offers an overview of current and recent past investigations on the roles of EVs in cancer–nerve crosstalk, as well as in neural development, physiology, inflammation, injury, and regeneration in the PNS. By highlighting the mechanisms involved in physiological and noncancerous pathological cellular crosstalk, we provide hints that may inspire additional translational studies on cancer–nerve interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanning Guo
- Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel;
| | - Ziv Gil
- Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel;
- Head and Neck Institute, The Holy Family Hospital Nazareth, Nazareth 1641100, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-4-854-2480
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12
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Jiang SH, Zhang S, Wang H, Xue JL, Zhang ZG. Emerging experimental models for assessing perineural invasion in human cancers. Cancer Lett 2022; 535:215610. [PMID: 35283209 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer neuroscience has emerged as a burgeoning field for the investigation of cancer-nervous system interactions. Perineural invasion (PNI) is defined as the presence of cancer cells that surround and/or invade the nerves infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. PNI is closely associated with increased tumor recurrence and diminished survival in many cancer types. Based on diverse in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, mounting evidence suggests that the reciprocal crosstalk between nerves and cancer cells drives PNI, which is mediated by several factors including secreted neurotrophins, chemokines, exosomes, and inflammatory cells. Typical in vitro models using dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells cocultured with cancer cells or other cell types allow the study of isolated factors. Ex vivo PNI models created by cocultivating cancer cells with explanted vagus and sciatic nerves enable the study of neuroaffinity in a time-saving and cost-efficient manner. In vivo models such as genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM)-DRG model, provide the nerve microenvironment needed to recapitulate the complex pathophysiological processes of PNI. Here, we summarize the current methods commonly used for modeling PNI and discuss the inherent pros and cons of these approaches for understanding PNI biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Heng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| | - Shan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200123, PR China
| | - Jun-Li Xue
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200123, PR China.
| | - Zhi-Gang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
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13
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Dai H, Lou S, Zhang Y, Thanawala M, Huang K, Ji L, Carden S, Liao T, Abbassi M, Shu CJ, Lantermann A, Sadaghiani M, Blom D, Wagner J, Huang P. Transcriptional neural-like signaling contributes to an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. FASEB Bioadv 2022; 4:76-89. [PMID: 35024574 PMCID: PMC8728105 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2021-00076] [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: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor innervation has recently been documented and characterized in various settings and tumor types. However, the role that nerves innervating tumors play in the pathogenesis of cancer has not been clarified. In this study, we searched for neural signaling from bulk RNA sequencing from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and looked for patterns of interactions between different cell types within the tumor environment. Using a presynapse signature (PSS) as a probe, we showed that multiple stromal cell types crosstalk and/or contribute to neural signals. Based on the correlation and linear regression, we hypothesized that neural signals contribute to an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). To test this hypothesis, we performed in vitro dorsal root ganglion (DRG)/macrophage coculture experiments. Compared to the M2 macrophage monoculture, the DRG/M2 macrophage coculture prevented anti-inflammatory M2 to pro-inflammatory M1 polarization by LPS stimulation. Finally, a survey of different TCGA tumor types indicated that higher RNA neural signature is predictive of poor patient outcomes in multiple tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyue Dai
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Shan Lou
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yanbo Zhang
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | - Lexiang Ji
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Blom
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - John Wagner
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Pearl Huang
- Cygnal TherapeuticsCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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14
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Tumor innervation is triggered by endoplasmic reticulum stress. Oncogene 2022; 41:586-599. [PMID: 34785777 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02108-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nerve infiltration in the tumor microenvironment is emerging as a promoter of cancer progression that could be targeted in therapies, but the mechanisms initiating tumor innervation remain to be elucidated. Here we report that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cancer cells is transmitted to neuronal cells, resulting in neurite outgrowth and tumor innervation. In vitro, the induction of ER stress in various human cancer cells resulted in the synthesis and release of the precursor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) through a mechanism dependent on the transcription factor X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1). Cancer cell-released proBDNF was found to mediate the transmission of ER stress to neurons, resulting in the stimulation of neurite outgrowth. Next-generation sequencing indicated the increased expression of the Egl-9 family hypoxia inducible factor 3 (EGLN3) that was mediated by c-MYC and necessary to neurite outgrowth induced by proBDNF. In orthotopic tumor xenograft, ER stress stimulated XBP1 and proBDNF expression as well as tumor innervation. Anti-proBDNF antibody inhibited both tumor innervation and cancer progression induced by ER stress. Interestingly, the chemotherapeutic drug 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was found to induce ER stress and tumor innervation, and this effect was inhibited by anti-proBDNF antibody. Finally, in human tumors, cancer tissues with nerve infiltration expressed high XBP1 and proBDNF while EGLN3 was upregulated in infiltrated nerves. This study reveals that ER stress participates in tumor innervation through the release of proBDNF and that targeting this pathway could be used in future therapies.
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15
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Pan S, Yin K, Tang Z, Wang S, Chen Z, Wang Y, Zhu H, Han Y, Liu M, Jiang M, Xu N, Zhang G. Stimulation of hypothalamic oxytocin neurons suppresses colorectal cancer progression in mice. eLife 2021; 10:e67535. [PMID: 34528509 PMCID: PMC8536257 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the nervous system is involved in tumor development in the periphery, however, the role of the central nervous system remains largely unknown. Here, by combining genetic, chemogenetic, pharmacological, and electrophysiological approaches, we show that hypothalamic oxytocin (Oxt)-producing neurons modulate colitis-associated cancer (CAC) progression in mice. Depletion or activation of Oxt neurons could augment or suppress CAC progression. Importantly, brain treatment with celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, excites Oxt neurons and inhibits CAC progression, and this anti-tumor effect was significantly attenuated in Oxt neuron-lesioned mice. Furthermore, brain treatment with celastrol suppresses sympathetic neuronal activity in the celiac-superior mesenteric ganglion (CG-SMG), and activation of β2 adrenergic receptor abolishes the anti-tumor effect of Oxt neuron activation or centrally administered celastrol. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that hypothalamic Oxt neurons regulate CAC progression by modulating the neuronal activity in the CG-SMG. Stimulation of Oxt neurons using chemicals, for example, celastrol, might be a novel strategy for colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susu Pan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical CollegeWuhanChina
- Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Kaili Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical CollegeWuhanChina
- Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Zhiwei Tang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Shuren Wang
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical CollegeWuhanChina
- Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yirong Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Hongxia Zhu
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yunyun Han
- Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Mei Liu
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Man Jiang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Ningzhi Xu
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Guo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Ministry of Education, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical CollegeWuhanChina
- Institute for Brain Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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16
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Sigorski D, Gulczyński J, Sejda A, Rogowski W, Iżycka-Świeszewska E. Investigation of Neural Microenvironment in Prostate Cancer in Context of Neural Density, Perineural Invasion, and Neuroendocrine Profile of Tumors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:710899. [PMID: 34277455 PMCID: PMC8281889 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.710899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stroma contains the neural compartment with specific components and action. Neural microenvironment processing includes among others axonogenesis, perineural invasion (PNI), neurosignaling, and tumor cell neural/neuroendocrine differentiation. Growing data suggest that tumor-neural crosstalk plays an important function in prostate cancer (PCa) biology. However, the mechanisms involved in PNI and axonogenesis, as well as their patho-clinical correlations in this tumor are unclear. Methods The present study was carried out on FFPE samples of 73 PCa and 15 benign prostate (BP) cases. Immunohistochemistry with neural markers PGP9.5, TH, and NFP was performed on constructed TMAs and selected tissue sections. The analyzed parameters of tumor innervation included small nerve density (ND) measured on pan-neural marker (PGP9.5) and TH s4tained slides, as well assessment of PNI presence and morphology. The qualitative and topographic aspects were studied. In addition, the expression of neuroendocrine marker chromogranin and NPY was assessed with dedicated indexes. The correlations of the above parameters with basic patho-clinical data such as patients’ age, tumor stage, grade, angioinvasion, and ERG status were examined. Results The study showed that innervation parameters differed between cancer and BP. The neural network in PCa revealed heterogeneity, and ND PGP9.5 in tumor was significantly lower than in its periphery. The density of sympathetic TH-positive fibers and its proportion to all fibers was lower in cancer than in the periphery and BP samples. Perineural invasion was confirmed in 76% of cases, usually multifocally, occurring more commonly in tumors with a higher grade. NPY expression in PCa cells was common with its intensity often rising towards PNI. ERG+ tumors showed higher ND, more frequent PNI, and a higher stage. Moreover, chromogranin-positive cells were more pronounced in PCa with higher NPY expression. Conclusions The analysis showed an irregular axonal network in prostate cancer with higher neural density (panneural and adrenergic) in the surroundings and the invasive front. ND and PNI interrelated with NPY expression, neuroendocrine differentiation, and ERG status. The above findings support new evidence for the presence of autocrine and paracrine interactions in prostate cancer neural microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Sigorski
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.,Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, Warmian-Masurian Cancer Center of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jacek Gulczyński
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.,Department of Pathomorphology, Copernicus Hospital, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Sejda
- Department of Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Wojciech Rogowski
- Department of Health, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Słupsk, Poland.,Department of Oncology, Chemotherapy, Clinical trials, Regional Hospital, Słupsk, Poland
| | - Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.,Department of Pathomorphology, Copernicus Hospital, Gdańsk, Poland
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17
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Hunt PJ, Andújar FN, Silverman DA, Amit M. Mini-review: Trophic interactions between cancer cells and primary afferent neurons. Neurosci Lett 2021; 746:135658. [PMID: 33482305 PMCID: PMC7899767 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135658] [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: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer neurobiology is an emerging discipline that inevitably unfurls new perspectives in oncology. The role that nerves play in cancer progression resonates with the long-reported dependency of tumors on neuro-molecular mechanisms that remain insufficiently elucidated. Whereas interactions between neurotrophic growth factors and receptors have been heavily studied in the nervous system, their expression in cancers and their impact on tumor cell growth and metastasis through their corresponding signaling pathways has been undervalued. Accumulating evidence suggests that trophic factors released by nerves strongly influence tumor development and that this neural contribution appears to not only play a stimulatory role but also function as an essential part of the tumor's microenvironment. This bidirectional communication between proliferating cells and tumor-infiltrating nerves drives axonogenesis and tumor growth and migration. Acquiring a better understanding of the trophic interactions between primary afferent neurons and invading tumors will guide clinically actionable strategies to prevent tumor-associated axonogenesis, disrupting the chemical crosstalk between neurons and tumors and ultimately decreasing tumor growth and spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Hunt
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
| | - Fabiola N Andújar
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Deborah A Silverman
- University of Texas Medical Scientist Training Program at Houston, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.
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18
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Hunt PJ, Kabotyanski KE, Calin GA, Xie T, Myers JN, Amit M. Interrupting Neuron-Tumor Interactions to Overcome Treatment Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3741. [PMID: 33322770 PMCID: PMC7762969 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the tumor microenvironment release neurotransmitters, neuroligins, chemokines, soluble growth factors, and membrane-bound growth factors that solid tumors leverage to drive their own survival and spread. Tumors express nerve-specific growth factors and microRNAs that support local neurons and guide neuronal growth into tumors. The development of feed-forward relationships between tumors and neurons allows tumors to use the perineural space as a sanctuary from therapy. Tumor denervation slows tumor growth in animal models, demonstrating the innervation dependence of growing tumors. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments have identified many of the secreted signaling molecules (e.g., acetylcholine, nerve growth factor) that are passed between neurons and cancer cells, as well as the major signaling pathways (e.g., MAPK/EGFR) involved in these trophic interactions. The molecules involved in these signaling pathways serve as potential biomarkers of disease. Additionally, new treatment strategies focus on using small molecules, receptor agonists, nerve-specific toxins, and surgical interventions to target tumors, neurons, and immune cells of the tumor microenvironment, thereby severing the interactions between tumors and surrounding neurons. This article discusses the mechanisms underlying the trophic relationships formed between neurons and tumors and explores the emerging therapies stemming from this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Hunt
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.J.H.); (K.E.K.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine E. Kabotyanski
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.J.H.); (K.E.K.)
| | - George A. Calin
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Tongxin Xie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.X.); (J.N.M.)
| | - Jeffrey N. Myers
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.X.); (J.N.M.)
| | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.X.); (J.N.M.)
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