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Son DO, Benitez R, Diao L, Hinz B. How to Keep Myofibroblasts under Control: Culture of Mouse Skin Fibroblasts on Soft Substrates. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1923-1934. [PMID: 39078357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
During the physiological healing of skin wounds, fibroblasts recruited from the uninjured adjacent dermis and deeper subcutaneous fascia layers are transiently activated into myofibroblasts to first secrete and then contract collagen-rich extracellular matrix into a mechanically resistant scar. Scar tissue restores skin integrity after damage but comes at the expense of poor esthetics and loss of tissue function. Stiff scar matrix also mechanically activates various precursor cells into myofibroblasts in a positive feedback loop. Persistent myofibroblast activation results in pathologic accumulation of fibrous collagen and hypertrophic scarring, called fibrosis. Consequently, the mechanisms of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast activation and persistence are studied to develop antifibrotic and prohealing treatments. Mechanistic understanding often starts in a plastic cell culture dish. This can be problematic because contact of fibroblasts with tissue culture plastic or glass surfaces invariably generates myofibroblast phenotypes in standard culture. We describe a straight-forward method to produce soft cell culture surfaces for fibroblast isolation and continued culture and highlight key advantages and limitations of the approach. Adding a layer of elastic silicone polymer tunable to the softness of normal skin and the stiffness of pathologic scars allows to control mechanical fibroblast activation while preserving the simplicity of conventional 2-dimensional cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ok Son
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Raquel Benitez
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Li Diao
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Melchionna R, Trono P, Di Carlo A, Di Modugno F, Nisticò P. Transcription factors in fibroblast plasticity and CAF heterogeneity. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:347. [PMID: 38124183 PMCID: PMC10731891 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02934-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research focused on the multifaceted landscape and functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) aimed to reveal their heterogeneity and identify commonalities across diverse tumors for more effective therapeutic targeting of pro-tumoral stromal microenvironment. However, a unified functional categorization of CAF subsets remains elusive, posing challenges for the development of targeted CAF therapies in clinical settings.The CAF phenotype arises from a complex interplay of signals within the tumor microenvironment, where transcription factors serve as central mediators of various cellular pathways. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technology have emphasized the role of transcription factors in the conversion of normal fibroblasts to distinct CAF subtypes across various cancer types.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the specific roles of transcription factor networks in shaping CAF heterogeneity, plasticity, and functionality. Beginning with their influence on fibroblast homeostasis and reprogramming during wound healing and fibrosis, it delves into the emerging insights into transcription factor regulatory networks. Understanding these mechanisms not only enables a more precise characterization of CAF subsets but also sheds light on the early regulatory processes governing CAF heterogeneity and functionality. Ultimately, this knowledge may unveil novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, addressing the existing challenges of stromal-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Trono
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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Kay EJ, Zanivan S, Rufini A. Proline metabolism shapes the tumor microenvironment: from collagen deposition to immune evasion. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 84:103011. [PMID: 37864905 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Proline is a nonessential amino acid, and its metabolism has been implicated in numerous malignancies. Together with a direct role in regulating cancer cells' proliferation and survival, proline metabolism plays active roles in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) display high rates of proline biosynthesis to support the production of collagen for the extracellular matrix (ECM). Indeed, impaired proline metabolism in CAFs results in reduced collagen deposition and compromises the growth and metastatic spread of cancer. Moreover, the rate of proline metabolism regulates intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which influence the production and release of cytokines from cancer cells, contributing toward an immune-permissive TME. Hence, targeting proline metabolism is a promising anticancer strategy that could improve patients' outcome and response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Kay
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Sara Zanivan
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Alessandro Rufini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK.
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Sänger CS, Cernakova M, Wietecha MS, Garau Paganella L, Labouesse C, Dudaryeva OY, Roubaty C, Stumpe M, Mazza E, Tibbitt MW, Dengjel J, Werner S. Serine protease 35 regulates the fibroblast matrisome in response to hyperosmotic stress. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh9219. [PMID: 37647410 PMCID: PMC10468140 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Hyperosmotic stress occurs in several diseases, but its long-term effects are largely unknown. We used sorbitol-treated human fibroblasts in 3D culture to study the consequences of hyperosmotic stress in the skin. Sorbitol regulated many genes, which help cells cope with the stress condition. The most robustly regulated gene encodes serine protease 35 (PRSS35). Its regulation by hyperosmotic stress was dependent on the kinases p38 and JNK and the transcription factors NFAT5 and ATF2. We identified different collagens and collagen-associated proteins as putative PRSS35 binding partners. This is functionally important because PRSS35 affected the extracellular matrix proteome, which limited cell proliferation. The in vivo relevance of these findings is reflected by the coexpression of PRSS35 and its binding partners in human skin wounds, where hyperosmotic stress occurs as a consequence of excessive water loss. These results identify PRSS35 as a key regulator of the matrisome under hyperosmotic stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina S. Sänger
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Cernakova
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mateusz S. Wietecha
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Lorenza Garau Paganella
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Energy and Process Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Céline Labouesse
- Institute for Energy and Process Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oksana Y. Dudaryeva
- Institute for Energy and Process Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carole Roubaty
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Ch. du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michael Stumpe
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Ch. du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mark W. Tibbitt
- Institute for Energy and Process Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jörn Dengjel
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Ch. du Musée 10, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Werner
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Dong G, Chen P, Xu Y, Liu T, Yin R. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Key criminals of tumor pre-metastatic niche. Cancer Lett 2023; 566:216234. [PMID: 37236390 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant and important components of the tumour mesenchyme, and have been extensively studied for their role in primary tumours. CAFs provide biomechanical support for tumour cells and play key roles in immunosuppression and tumour metastasis. CAFs can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the primary tumour by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), increasing adhesion to tumour cells, remodelling the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the primary tumour, and changing its mechanical stiffness, which provides a pathway for tumour metastasis. Moreover, CAFs can form cell clusters with circulating tumour cells (CTCs) to help them resist blood shear forces and achieve colonisation of distant host organs. Recent studies have revealed their roles in pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation and prevention. In this review, we discuss the role of CAFs in PMN formation and therapeutic interventions targeting PMN and CAFs to prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhang Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; The Fourth Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 21009, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; The Fourth Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 21009, Nanjing, China
| | - Youtao Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China.
| | - Tongyan Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; Department of Scientific Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rong Yin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; Department of Scientific Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Biobank of Clinical Resources, Nanjing, 210009, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 211116, Nanjing, China
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