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Sun L, Zheng M, Gao Y, Brigstock DR, Gao R. Retinoic acid signaling pathway in pancreatic stellate cells: Insight into the anti-fibrotic effect and mechanism. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 967:176374. [PMID: 38309676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176374] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated following loss of cytoplasmic vitamin A (retinol)-containing lipid droplets, which is a key event in the process of fibrogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDCA). PSCs are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that produce stroma to induce PDAC cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. As an active metabolite of retinol, retinoic acid (RA) can regulate target gene expression in PSCs through its nuclear receptor complex (RAR/RXR or RXR/RXR) or transcriptional intermediary factor. Additionally, RA also has extranuclear and non-transcriptional effects. In vitro studies have shown that RA induces PSC deactivation which reduces extracellular matrix production through multiple modes of action, such as inhibiting TβRⅡ, PDGFRβ, β-catenin and Wnt production, downregulating ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation and suppressing active TGF-β1 release. RA alone or in combination with other reagents have been demonstrated to have an effective anti-fibrotic effect on cerulein-induced mouse CP models in vivo studies. Clinical trial data have shown that repurposing all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as a stromal-targeting agent for human pancreatic cancer is safe and tolerable, suggesting the possibility of using RA for the treatment of CP and PDCA in humans. This review focuses on RA signaling pathways in PSCs and the effects and mechanisms of RA in PSC-mediated fibrogenesis as well as the anti-fibrotic and anti-tumor effects of RA targeting PSCs or CAFs in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the potential therapies of RA against CP and PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Sun
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Pathology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meifang Zheng
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - David R Brigstock
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Runping Gao
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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2
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Madela F, Ferndale L, Aldous C. Diagnostic Differentiation between Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer: A Scoping Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:290. [PMID: 38337806 PMCID: PMC10855106 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14030290] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatitis, encompassing acute and chronic forms, and pancreatic cancer pose significant challenges to the exocrine tissue of the pancreas. Recurrence rates and complications following acute pancreatitis episodes can lead to long-term risks, including diabetes mellitus. Chronic pancreatitis can develop in approximately 15% of cases, regardless of the initial episode's severity. Alcohol-induced pancreatitis, idiopathic causes, cigarette smoking, and hereditary pancreatitis contribute to the progression to chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, with older age at onset and smoking identified as risk factors. This scoping review aims to synthesise recent publications (2017-2022) on the diagnostic differentiation between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer while identifying knowledge gaps in the field. The review focuses on biomarkers and imaging techniques in individuals with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Promising biomarkers such as faecal elastase-1 and specific chemokines offer non-invasive ways to assess pancreatic insufficiency and detect early biomarkers for chronic pancreatitis. Imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and positron emission tomography (PET), aid in differentiating between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. However, accurately distinguishing between the two conditions remains a challenge, particularly when a mass is present in the head of the pancreas. Several knowledge gaps persist despite advancements in understanding the association between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, including the correlation between histopathological grading systems, non-invasive imaging techniques, and biomarkers in chronic pancreatitis to determine the risk of progression to pancreatic cancer, as well as differentiating between the two conditions. Further research is necessary to enhance our understanding of these aspects, which can ultimately improve the diagnosis and management of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusi Madela
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (L.F.)
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Oey O, Sunjaya AF, Khan Y, Redfern A. Stromal inflammation, fibrosis and cancer: An old intuition with promising potential. World J Clin Oncol 2023; 14:230-246. [PMID: 37583950 PMCID: PMC10424089 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v14.i7.230] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/19/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now well established that the biology of cancer is influenced by not only malignant cells but also other components of the tumour microenvironment. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis have long been postulated to be involved in carcinogenesis. Chronic inflammation can promote tumorigenesis via growth factor/cytokine-mediated cellular proliferation, apoptotic resistance, immunosuppression; and free-radical-induced oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage. Fibrosis could cause a perturbation in the dynamics of the tumour microenvironment, potentially damaging the genome surveillance machinery of normal epithelial cells. In this review, we will provide an in-depth discussion of various diseases characterised by inflammation and fibrosis that have been associated with an increased risk of malignancy. In particular, we will present a comprehensive overview of the impact of alterations in stromal composition on tumorigenesis, induced as a consequence of inflammation and/or fibrosis. Strategies including the application of various therapeutic agents with stromal manipulation potential and targeted cancer screening for certain inflammatory diseases which can reduce the risk of cancer will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Oey
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Crawley NA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gardner Hospital, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Angela Felicia Sunjaya
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
| | - Yasir Khan
- Department of Medical Oncology, St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital, Midland 6056, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew Redfern
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch 6150, WA, Australia
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Târtea EA, Petrescu M, Udriștoiu I, Gheorman V, Biciușcă V, Petrescu AR, Ciurea AM, Vere CC. Clinical Outcomes Depending on Sympathetic Innervation in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15113040. [PMID: 37297000 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of our study was to evaluate sympathetic neuronal remodeling in patients with pancreatic cancer, together with its correlation with clinical outcomes. METHODS In this descriptive, retrospective study, we analyzed pancreatic cancer specimens and peritumoral pancreatic tissue from 122 patients. We also investigated tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity for the analysis of sympathetic nerve fibers and beta 2 adrenoreceptors immunoreactivity. To investigate the potential interaction between tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), beta 2 adrenoreceptors (B2A) immunoreactivity, and clinicopathological outcomes, we used the median to classify each case as TH+, respectively, B2A+ (if it presented a value higher than the median). RESULTS Firstly, the overall survival was analyzed according to TH and B2A immunoreactivity, in both intratumoral and peritumoral tissue. Only B2A immunoreactivity in the peritumoral pancreatic tissue influenced overall survival at 5 years of follow-up; thus, B2A+ patients recorded a 5-year survival of only 3% compared to B2A- patients who recorded an overall survival at 5 years of follow-up of 14% (HR = 1.758, 95% CI of ratio 1.297 to 2.938, p = 0.0004). Additionally, the increased immunoreactivity of B2A in the peritumoral tissue was also associated with other factors of poor prognosis, such as moderately or poorly differentiated tumors, the absence of response to first-line chemotherapy, or metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS The increased immunoreactivity of beta 2 adrenoreceptors in pancreatic peritumoral tissue represents a poor prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Anca Târtea
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihai Petrescu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ion Udriștoiu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Victor Gheorman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Viorel Biciușcă
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | | | - Ana-Maria Ciurea
- Department of Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Cristin Constantin Vere
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
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Zhang G, Zhao X, Cai J, Li S, Li X, Li W, Shi P, Liu D, Zheng D, Zhang T, Feng R, Liu H. XCHT alleviates the pancreatic fibrosis via VDR/NLRP3 signaling pathway in a mouse model of CP. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 300:115689. [PMID: 36096349 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT) derived from the classic medical book Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases) in the Eastern Han Dynasty, which has been widely used in China and other Asian countries for the treatment of inflammation and fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), but the therapeutic mechanism of XCHT in pancreatic fibrosis remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate the intervention effects and explore pharmacological mechanism of XCHT on inflammation and fibrosis in cerulein-induced CP model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five main groups, 10 animals in each: Control, CP model (50 μg/kg cerulein), high dose XCHT-treated CP group (60 g/kg XCHT), medium dose XCHT-treated CP group (30 g/kg XCHT) and low dose XCHT-treated CP group (15 g/kg XCHT). Different doses of XCHT were given to mice by gavage twice a day for 2 weeks after the CP model induction. Pancreatic tissues were harvested and the pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by histological score, Sirius red staining, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining. ELISA, IHC and RT-qPCR were performed to detect the expression of Vitamin D3 (VD3) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in serum and pancreatic tissues, respectively. The expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome related genes and molecules were assayed by WB, IHC and RT-qPCR. RESULTS The pathohistological results demonstrated that XCHT markedly inhibited the fibrosis and chronic inflammation of cerulein-induced CP, indicated by reduction of collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, and NLRP3 expressions. XCHT significantly increased VD3 and VDR expression while reduced the pancreatic NLRP3 expression. Correspondingly, XCHT decreased the levels of NLRP3 downstream targets IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS These results revealed that XCHT suppressed the pancreatic fibrosis and chronic inflammation in cerulein-induced CP model by enhancing the VD3/VDR expression and inhibiting the secretion of NLRP3-assoicated inflammatory factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Zhang
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Xiumei Zhao
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Sainan Li
- Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xijing Li
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Wenchang Li
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Pengcheng Shi
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Duo Zheng
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Renrui Feng
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Duolun Rd, Tianjin, 300020, China.
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Heterogeneity of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163994. [PMID: 36010986 PMCID: PMC9406547 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stroma-targeting therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been extensively investigated, but no candidates have shown efficacy at the clinical trial stage. Studies of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) depletion in a mouse model suggested that CAFs have not only tumor-promoting function but also tumor-suppressive activity. Recently, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has revealed the complex tumor microenvironment within PDAC, and subpopulations of functionally distinct CAFs and their association with tumor immunity have been reported. However, the existence of tumor suppressive CAFs and CAFs involved in the maintenance of PDAC differentiation has also been reported. In the future, therapeutic strategies should be developed considering these CAF subpopulations, with the hope of improving the prognosis of PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of 9%. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have historically been considered tumor-promoting. However, multiple studies reporting that suppression of CAFs in PDAC mouse models resulted in more aggressive tumors and worse prognosis have suggested the existence of a tumor-suppressive population within CAFs, leading to further research on heterogeneity within CAFs. In recent years, the benefits of cancer immunotherapy have been reported in various carcinomas. Unfortunately, the efficacy of immunotherapies in PDAC has been limited, and the CAF-driven cancer immunosuppressive microenvironment has been suggested as the cause. Thus, clarification of heterogeneity within the tumor microenvironment, including CAFs and tumor immunity, is urgently needed to establish effective therapeutic strategies for PDAC. In this review, we report the latest findings on the heterogeneity of CAFs and the functions of each major CAF subtype, which have been revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing in recent years. We also describe reports of tumor-suppressive CAF subtypes and the existence of CAFs that maintain a differentiated PDAC phenotype and review the potential for targeted therapy.
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7
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Yao W, Luo D, Lv Z, Yang Y, Wang L, Ma B, Xue D, Hao C, Zhang Y. The Rabep1-Mediated Endocytosis and Activation of Trypsinogen to Promote Pancreatic Stellate Cell Activation. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081063. [PMID: 36008957 PMCID: PMC9406084 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis is still unclear. Trypsinogen activation is an active factor in acute pancreatitis that has not been studied in the occurrence of chronic pancreatitis. Methods: Immunofluorescence was used to detect the location and expression of trypsinogen in chronic pancreatitis and normal tissues. Microarray and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) were used to screen core genes and pathways in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to verify trypsinogen expression in PSCs after silencing Rabep1. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to validate trypsinogen activation and PSC activation after intervening in the endocytosis pathway. Results: Endocytosed trypsinogen was found in PSCs in CP clinical samples. Bioinformatic analysis showed that Rabep1 is a core gene that regulates trypsinogen endocytosis through the endocytosis pathway, verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analyses confirmed the activation of trypsinogen and PSCs through the endocytosis pathway in PSCs. Conclusion: This study discovered a new mechanism by which trypsinogen affects the activation of PSCs and the occurrence and development of CP. Through communication between pancreatic acinar cells and PSCs, trypsinogen can be endocytosed by PSCs and activated by the Rabep1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Yao
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Dankun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Zhenyi Lv
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Liyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Biao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Dongbo Xue
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Chenjun Hao
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China; (W.Y.); (D.L.); (Z.L.); (Y.Y.); (L.W.); (B.M.); (D.X.)
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
- Correspondence: (C.H.); (Y.Z.)
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8
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Ammer-Herrmenau C, Wolf L, Nasrin SS, Ramu I, Roggiolani R, Goetze RG, Buchholz SM, Sendler M, Ellenrieder V, Neesse A. Activity of acute pancreatitis is modified by secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine ablation. United European Gastroenterol J 2022; 10:544-555. [PMID: 35699570 PMCID: PMC9278565 DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a frequent cause for hospitalization. However, molecular determinants that modulate severity of experimental pancreatitis are only partially understood. Objective To investigate the role of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) during cerulein‐induced AP in mice. Methods AP was induced by repeated cerulein injections in SPARC knock‐out mice (SPARC−/−) and control littermates (SPARC+/+). Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine expression and severity of AP were determined by histopathological scoring, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical assays. For functional analysis, primary murine acinar cell cultures with subsequent amylase release assays were employed. Proteome profiler assay and ELISA were conducted from pancreatic tissue lysates, and co‐immunofluorescence was performed. Results Upon cerulein induction, SPARC expression was robustly induced in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) but not in acinar cells. Genetic SPARC ablation resulted in attenuated severity of AP with significantly reduced levels of pancreatic necrosis, apoptosis, immune cell infiltration, and reduced fibrosis upon chronic stimulation. However, the release of amylase upon cerulein stimulation in primary acinar cell culture from SPARC+/+ and SPARC−/− was indistinguishable. Notably, immune cell derived C‐C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) was highly elevated in SPARC+/+ pancreatic tissue potentially linking PSC derived SPARC with CCL2 induction in AP. Conclusion SPARC mediates the severity of AP. The potential link between SPARC and the CCL2 axis could open new avenues for tailored therapeutic interventions in AP patients and warrants further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Ammer-Herrmenau
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Laurin Wolf
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Syeda S Nasrin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Iswarya Ramu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Roberta Roggiolani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Robert G Goetze
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Soeren M Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Mathias Sendler
- Department of Medicine A, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
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9
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Communicator-Driven Data Preprocessing Improves Deep Transfer Learning of Histopathological Prediction of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081964. [PMID: 35454869 PMCID: PMC9031738 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081964] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis and its diagnosis can be challenging. Histopathological slides can be digitalized and their analysis can then be supported by computer algorithms. For this purpose, computer algorithms (neural networks) need to be trained to detect the desired tissue type (e.g., pancreatic cancer). However, raw training data often contain many different tissue types. Here we show a preprocessing step using two communicators that sort unfitting tissue tiles into a new dataset class. Using the improved dataset neural networks distinguished pancreatic cancer from other tissue types on digitalized histopathological slides including lymph node metastases. Abstract Pancreatic cancer is a fatal malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Early detection in primary and secondary locations is critical, but fraught with challenges. While digital pathology can assist with the classification of histopathological images, the training of such networks always relies on a ground truth, which is frequently compromised as tissue sections contain several types of tissue entities. Here we show that pancreatic cancer can be detected on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) sections by convolutional neural networks using deep transfer learning. To improve the ground truth, we describe a preprocessing data clean-up process using two communicators that were generated through existing and new datasets. Specifically, the communicators moved image tiles containing adipose tissue and background to a new data class. Hence, the original dataset exhibited improved labeling and, consequently, a higher ground truth accuracy. Deep transfer learning of a ResNet18 network resulted in a five-class accuracy of about 94% on test data images. The network was validated with independent tissue sections composed of healthy pancreatic tissue, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancer lymph node metastases. The screening of different models and hyperparameter fine tuning were performed to optimize the performance with the independent tissue sections. Taken together, we introduce a step of data preprocessing via communicators as a means of improving the ground truth during deep transfer learning and hyperparameter tuning to identify pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma primary tumors and metastases in histological tissue sections.
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10
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Shi S, Ye L, Jin K, Xiao Z, Yu X, Wu W. Innate Lymphoid Cells: Emerging Players in Pancreatic Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073748. [PMID: 35409105 PMCID: PMC8998564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Common pancreatic diseases have caused significant economic and social burdens worldwide. The interstitial microenvironment is involved in and plays a crucial part in the occurrence and progression of pancreatic diseases. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), an innate population of immune cells which have only gradually entered our visual field in the last 10 years, play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, regulating metabolism, and participating in regeneration and repair. Recent evidence indicates that ILCs in the pancreas, as well as in other tissues, are also key players in pancreatic disease and health. Herein, we examined the possible functions of different ILC subsets in common pancreatic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and discussed the potential practical implications of the relevant findings for future further treatment of these pancreatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saimeng Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (S.S.); (L.Y.); (K.J.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Longyun Ye
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (S.S.); (L.Y.); (K.J.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kaizhou Jin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (S.S.); (L.Y.); (K.J.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhiwen Xiao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (S.S.); (L.Y.); (K.J.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (S.S.); (L.Y.); (K.J.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (X.Y.); (W.W.); Tel.: +86-21-6403-1446 (X.Y. & W.W.)
| | - Weiding Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (S.S.); (L.Y.); (K.J.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (X.Y.); (W.W.); Tel.: +86-21-6403-1446 (X.Y. & W.W.)
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11
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Hamada S, Matsumoto R, Masamune A. Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Metabolic Alteration: Physiology and Pathophysiology. Front Physiol 2022; 13:865105. [PMID: 35370770 PMCID: PMC8967348 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.865105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells play a pivotal role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis. A wide variety of external stimuli can cause PSC activation accompanied by metabolic changes, which alters the tissue microenvironment by producing extracellular matrix proteins, cytokines, growth factors, and other mediators. Several metabolites aggravate fibrosis and inflammation by acting as key activating factors for PSCs. In other words, PSCs sense systemic metabolic changes. The detrimental effects of PSC activation on normal pancreatic cells, especially islet cells, further complicate metabolic imbalance through the dysregulation of glucose metabolism. PSC activation promotes cancer by altering the metabolism in pancreatic cancer cells, which collaborate with PSCs to efficiently adapt to environmental changes, promoting their growth and survival. This collaboration also contributes to the acquisition of chemoresistance. PSCs sequester chemotherapeutic agents and produce competing molecules as additional resistance mechanisms. The application of these metabolic targets for novel therapeutic strategies is currently being explored. This mini-review summarizes the role of PSCs in metabolic regulation of normal and cancerous cells.
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12
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Kpeglo D, Hughes MD, Dougan L, Haddrick M, Knowles MA, Evans SD, Peyman SA. Modeling the mechanical stiffness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Matrix Biol Plus 2022; 14:100109. [PMID: 35399702 PMCID: PMC8990173 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The PDAC stroma stiffness underlines its malignant behavior and drug resistance. 3D in vitro cultures must model the PDAC stroma to effectively drug efficacy. PSCs are responsible for the stroma, and its activity is increased with TGF-β. Develop a 3D culture model of PDAC, which includes PSCs and TGF-β. Assess the mechanical stiffness, stain for collagen, and investigate gemcitabine efficacy.
Despite improvements in the understanding of disease biology, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains the most malignant cancer of the pancreas. PDAC constitutes ∼95% of all pancreatic cancers, and it is highly resistant to therapeutics. The increased tissue rigidity, which stems from the rich fibrotic stroma in the tumor microenvironment, is central to disease development, physiology, and resistance to drug perfusion. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for overproduction of extracellular matrix in the fibrotic stroma, and this is exacerbated by the overexpression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). However, there are few in vitro PDAC models, which include both PSCs and TGF-β or mimic in vivo-like tumor stiffness. In this study, we present a three-dimensional in vitro PDAC model, which includes PSCs and TGF-β, and recapitulates PDAC tissue mechanical stiffness. Using oscillatory shear rheology, we show the mechanical stiffness of the model is within range of the PDAC tissue stiffness by day 21 of culture and highlight that the matrix environment is essential to adequately capture PDAC disease. PDAC is a complex, aggressive disease with poor prognosis, and biophysically relevant in vitro PDAC models, which take into account tissue mechanics, will provide improved tumor models for effective therapeutic assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delanyo Kpeglo
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
| | - Matthew D.G. Hughes
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Lorna Dougan
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Malcolm Haddrick
- Medicines Discovery Catapult, Block 35, Mereside Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Margaret A. Knowles
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James’s (LIMR), School of Medicine, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
| | - Stephen D. Evans
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Sally A. Peyman
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James’s (LIMR), School of Medicine, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK
- Corresponding author at: Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, LS2 9 JT, UK.
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13
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Sánchez-Ramírez D, Medrano-Guzmán R, Candanedo-González F, De Anda-González J, García-Rios LE, Pérez-Koldenkova V, Gutiérrez-de la Barrera M, Rodríguez-Enríquez S, Velasco-Velázquez M, Pacheco-Velázquez SC, Piña-Sánchez P, Mayani H, Gómez-Delgado A, Monroy-García A, Martínez-Lara AK, Montesinos JJ. High expression of both desmoplastic stroma and epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers associate with shorter survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Eur J Histochem 2022; 66. [PMID: 35174683 PMCID: PMC8883614 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic stroma (DS) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play a key role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. To date, however, the combined expression of DS and EMT markers, and their association with variations in survival within each clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between expression of DS and EMT markers and survival variability in patients diagnosed with PDAC. We examined the expression levels of DS markers alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and vimentin, and the EMT markers epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM), pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin, by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray in a retrospective cohort of 25 patients with PDAC. The results were examined for association with survival by clinical stage and by degree of tumor differentiation. High expression of DS markers -α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin- was associated with decreased survival at intermediate and advanced clinical stages (p=0.006-0.03), as well as with both poorly and moderately differentiated tumor grades (p=0.01-0.02). Interestingly, the same pattern was observed for EMT markers, i.e., EPCAM, pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin (p=0.00008-0.03). High expression of DS and EMT markers within each clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation was associated with lower PDAC survival. Evaluation of these markers may have a prognostic impact on survival time variation in patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Sánchez-Ramírez
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Rafael Medrano-Guzmán
- Department of Sarcomas, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Fernando Candanedo-González
- Department of Pathology, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Jazmín De Anda-González
- Department of Pathology, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Luis Enrique García-Rios
- Department of Sarcomas, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Vadim Pérez-Koldenkova
- National Laboratory of Advanced Microscopy-IMSS, National Medical Center, Siglo XXI IMSS, Mexico City.
| | | | | | - Marco Velasco-Velázquez
- Department of Pharmacology and Peripheral Research Unit in Translational Biomedicine (CMN 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE), School of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City.
| | | | - Patricia Piña-Sánchez
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Héctor Mayani
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Delgado
- Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical Research Unit, Pediatric Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Alberto Monroy-García
- Immunology and Cancer Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center (IMSS), Mexico City.
| | - Ana Karen Martínez-Lara
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Juan José Montesinos
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
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14
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Opitz FV, Haeberle L, Daum A, Esposito I. Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246188. [PMID: 34944807 PMCID: PMC8699458 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive neoplasm with a poor survival rate. This is mainly due to late detection, which substantially limits therapy options. A better understanding of the early phases of pancreatic carcinogenesis is fundamental for improving patient prognosis in the future. In this article, we focused on the tumor microenvironment (TME), which provides the biological niche for the development of PDAC from its most common precursor lesions, PanIN (pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias). Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis. A characteristic of PDAC is the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitates bypassing of the immune surveillance. The TME consists of a desmoplastic stroma, largely composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immunosuppressive immune cells, immunoregulatory soluble factors, neural network cells, and endothelial cells with complex interactions. PDAC develops from various precursor lesions such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN), and possibly, atypical flat lesions (AFL). In this review, we focus on the composition of the TME in PanINs to reveal detailed insights into the complex restructuring of the TME at early time points in PDAC progression and to explore ways of modifying the TME to slow or even halt tumor progression.
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15
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Wandmacher AM, Mehdorn AS, Sebens S. The Heterogeneity of the Tumor Microenvironment as Essential Determinant of Development, Progression and Therapy Response of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4932. [PMID: 34638420 PMCID: PMC8508450 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is commonly diagnosed at advanced stages and most anti-cancer therapies have failed to substantially improve prognosis of PDAC patients. As a result, PDAC is still one of the deadliest tumors. Tumor heterogeneity, manifesting at multiple levels, provides a conclusive explanation for divergent survival times and therapy responses of PDAC patients. Besides tumor cell heterogeneity, PDAC is characterized by a pronounced inflammatory stroma comprising various non-neoplastic cells such as myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and different leukocyte populations which enrich in the tumor microenvironment (TME) during pancreatic tumorigenesis. Thus, the stromal compartment also displays a high temporal and spatial heterogeneity accounting for diverse effects on the development, progression and therapy responses of PDAC. Adding to this heterogeneity and the impact of the TME, the microbiome of PDAC patients is considerably altered. Understanding this multi-level heterogeneity and considering it for the development of novel therapeutic concepts might finally improve the dismal situation of PDAC patients. Here, we outline the current knowledge on PDAC cell heterogeneity focusing on different stromal cell populations and outline their impact on PDAC progression and therapy resistance. Based on this information, we propose some novel concepts for treatment of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Maxi Wandmacher
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Anne-Sophie Mehdorn
- Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Building C, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Building U30 Entrance 1, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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16
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Tao Y, Shao F, Cai M, Liu Z, Peng Y, Huang Q, Meng F. Activated Pancreatic Stellate Cells Enhance the Warburg Effect to Cause the Malignant Development in Chronic Pancreatitis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:714598. [PMID: 34540683 PMCID: PMC8446660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.714598] [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: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a precancerous condition associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but its evolutionary mechanism is unclear. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are closely related to the occurrence and development of CP and PDAC, but it is not clear whether PSCs play a key role in this “inflammation-cancer transition”. Our research found that co-culture with activated PSCs promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells and pancreatic cancer cells. At the same time, activated PSCs had a significant effect on the expression of the glycolysis markers (pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, glucose transporter 1, hexokinase-II and monocarboxylate transporter 4; PKM2, LDHA, GLUT1, HK2 and MCT4) in normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells and pancreatic cancer cells and increased lactic acid production and glucose consumption in these two cells. In vivo experiments showed that the expression of the glycolysis markers in pancreatic duct epithelial cells and the marker protein (α-SMA) of activated PSCs in the pancreatic duct peripancreatic interstitium were higher in pancreatic cancer tissues and chronic pancreatitis tissues than in normal pancreatic tissues in both animals and humans. In addition, analysis of human tissue specimens showed that there is a correlation between the expression of glycolysis markers and α-SMA. These findings indicate that activated PSCs play an important role in the development and progression of chronic pancreatitis into pancreatic cancer by regulating and promoting aerobic glycolysis. Our research provides a new theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of CP malignancy and the selection of targets for reversing CP malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tao
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Shao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science & Technology of China, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Ming Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science & Technology of China, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yao Peng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Futao Meng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science & Technology of China, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
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17
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Gutiérrez ML, Muñoz-Bellvís L, Orfao A. Genomic Heterogeneity of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Clinical Impact. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4451. [PMID: 34503261 PMCID: PMC8430663 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death due to limited advances in recent years in early diagnosis and personalized therapy capable of overcoming tumor resistance to chemotherapy. In the last decades, significant advances have been achieved in the identification of recurrent genetic and molecular alterations of PDAC including those involving the KRAS, CDKN2A, SMAD4, and TP53 driver genes. Despite these common genetic traits, PDAC are highly heterogeneous tumors at both the inter- and intra-tumoral genomic level, which might contribute to distinct tumor behavior and response to therapy, with variable patient outcomes. Despite this, genetic and genomic data on PDAC has had a limited impact on the clinical management of patients. Integration of genomic data for classification of PDAC into clinically defined entities-i.e., classical vs. squamous subtypes of PDAC-leading to different treatment approaches has the potential for significantly improving patient outcomes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the most relevant genomic subtypes of PDAC including the impact of distinct patterns of intra-tumoral genomic heterogeneity on the classification and clinical and therapeutic management of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Laura Gutiérrez
- Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Cancer Research Center (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium-CIBER-CIBERONC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Muñoz-Bellvís
- Cancer Research Center (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium-CIBER-CIBERONC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Service of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, University Hospital of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Cancer Research Center (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium-CIBER-CIBERONC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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18
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Morphological Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Cancer Reflects Structural and Functional Divergence. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040895. [PMID: 33672734 PMCID: PMC7924365 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, which is largely due to resistance to treatment. Tumor heterogeneity is a known cause for treatment failure and has been studied at the molecular level. Morphological heterogeneity is common but has not been investigated, despite the fact that pathology examination is an integral part of clinical diagnostics. This study assessed whether morphological heterogeneity reflects structural and functional diversity in key cancer biological processes. Using archival tissues from resected pancreatic cancer, we selected four common and distinct morphological phenotypes and demonstrated that these differed significantly for a panel of 26 structural and functional features of the cancer-cell and stromal compartments. The strong link between these features and morphological phenotypes allowed prediction of the latter based on the results for the panel of features. The findings of this study indicate that morphological heterogeneity reflects biological diversity and that its assessment may potentially provide clinically relevant information. Abstract Inter- and intratumor heterogeneity is an important cause of treatment failure. In human pancreatic cancer (PC), heterogeneity has been investigated almost exclusively at the genomic and transcriptional level. Morphological heterogeneity, though prominent and potentially easily assessable in clinical practice, remains unexplored. This proof-of-concept study aims at demonstrating that morphological heterogeneity reflects structural and functional divergence. From the wide morphological spectrum of conventional PC, four common and distinctive patterns were investigated in 233 foci from 39 surgical specimens. Twenty-six features involved in key biological processes in PC were analyzed (immuno-)histochemically and morphometrically: cancer cell proliferation (Ki67) and migration (collagen fiber alignment, MMP14), cancer stem cells (CD44, CD133, ALDH1), amount, composition and spatial arrangement of extracellular matrix (epithelial proximity, total collagen, collagen I and III, fibronectin, hyaluronan), cancer-associated fibroblasts (density, αSMA), and cancer-stroma interactions (integrins α2, α5, α1; caveolin-1). All features differed significantly between at least two of the patterns. Stromal and cancer-cell-related features co-varied with morphology and allowed prediction of the morphological pattern. In conclusion, morphological heterogeneity in the cancer-cell and stromal compartments of PC correlates with structural and functional diversity. As such, histopathology has the potential to inform on the operationality of key biological processes in individual tumors.
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Hofschröer V, Najder K, Rugi M, Bouazzi R, Cozzolino M, Arcangeli A, Panyi G, Schwab A. Ion Channels Orchestrate Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression and Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:586599. [PMID: 33841132 PMCID: PMC8025202 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.586599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis. Therapeutic interventions are largely ineffective. A better understanding of the pathophysiology is required. Ion channels contribute substantially to the "hallmarks of cancer." Their expression is dysregulated in cancer, and they are "misused" to drive cancer progression, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Ion channels are located in the cell membrane at the interface between the intracellular and extracellular space. They sense and modify the tumor microenvironment which in itself is a driver of PDAC aggressiveness. Ion channels detect, for example, locally altered proton and electrolyte concentrations or mechanical stimuli and transduce signals triggered by these microenvironmental cues through association with intracellular signaling cascades. While these concepts have been firmly established for other cancers, evidence has emerged only recently that ion channels are drivers of PDAC aggressiveness. Particularly, they appear to contribute to two of the characteristic PDAC features: the massive fibrosis of the tumor stroma (desmoplasia) and the efficient immune evasion. Our critical review of the literature clearly shows that there is still a remarkable lack of knowledge with respect to the contribution of ion channels to these two typical PDAC properties. Yet, we can draw parallels from ion channel research in other fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. Evidence is accumulating that pancreatic stellate cells express the same "profibrotic" ion channels. Similarly, it is at least in part known which major ion channels are expressed in those innate and adaptive immune cells that populate the PDAC microenvironment. We explore potential therapeutic avenues derived thereof. Since drugs targeting PDAC-relevant ion channels are already in clinical use, we propose to repurpose those in PDAC. The quest for ion channel targets is both motivated and complicated by the fact that some of the relevant channels, for example, KCa3.1, are functionally expressed in the cancer, stroma, and immune cells. Only in vivo studies will reveal which arm of the balance we should put our weights on when developing channel-targeting PDAC therapies. The time is up to explore the efficacy of ion channel targeting in (transgenic) murine PDAC models before launching clinical trials with repurposed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Najder
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Micol Rugi
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rayhana Bouazzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Cozzolino
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Annarosa Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Albrecht Schwab
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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20
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Vincent P, Bruza P, Palisoul SM, Gunn JR, Samkoe KS, Hoopes PJ, Hasan T, Pogue BW. Visualization and quantification of pancreatic tumor stroma in fresh tissue via ultraviolet surface excitation. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2021; 26:JBO-200312R. [PMID: 33423407 PMCID: PMC7850982 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.26.1.016002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The study has confirmed the feasibility of using ultraviolet (UV) excitation to visualize and quantify desmoplasia in fresh tumor tissue of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, which provides a useful imaging platform to evaluate acute therapeutic responses. AIM Stromal network of collagen prominent in PDAC tumors is examined by imaging fresh tissue samples stained with histological dyes. Fluorescence signals are color-transferred to mimic Masson's trichrome staining. APPROACH Murine tumor samples were stained with Hoechst, eosin, and rhodamine B and excited at 275-nm. Fluorescence signals in the visible spectrum were captured by a CMOS color camera with high contrast and resolution at whole-tumor slice field of view. RESULTS Fluorescence imaging using UV excitation is capable of visualizing collagen deposition in PDAC tumors. Both fluorescence and histology data showed collagen content of up to 30%. The collagen modulation effect due to photodynamic priming treatment was observed showing 13% of collagen reduction. Necrosis area is visible and perfusion imaging using Texas Red dextran is feasible. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates collagen visualization in fresh PDAC tumor samples using UV excitation. This imaging platform also provides quantitative stromal information from fiber analysis and visibility of necrosis and perfusion, suitable for therapeutic response assessment of photodynamic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Vincent
- Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Address all correspondence to Phuong Vincent,
| | - Petr Bruza
- Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Scott M. Palisoul
- Dartmouth-Hitchock Pathology Shared Resource Lab, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Jason R. Gunn
- Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Kimberley S. Samkoe
- Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - P. Jack Hoopes
- Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Tayyaba Hasan
- Harvard Medical School, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Brian W. Pogue
- Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
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21
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Zhang G, Tang L, Liu H, Liu D, Wang M, Cai J, Liu W, Nie W, Zhang Y, Yu X. Psidium guajava Flavonoids Prevent NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Alleviate the Pancreatic Fibrosis in a Chronic Pancreatitis Mouse Model. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2021; 49:2001-2015. [PMID: 34961420 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x21500944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a multifactorial, inflammatory syndrome characterized by acinar atrophy and fibrosis. Activation of NOD-like receptors family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a central mediator of multiple chronic inflammatory responses and chronic fibrosis including pancreatic fibrosis in CP. The Psidium guajavaleaf is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammation, but the anti-inflammatory effect of Psidium guajavaleaf on CP has not yet been revealed. In this study, we investigated whether the extract of total flavonoids from Psidium guajava leaves (TFPGL) plays a therapeutic mechanism on CP through NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in a mouse CP model. The H&E and acid-Sirius red staining indicted that TFPGL attenuated the inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis significantly. The results of immunohistological staining, western blot and RT-qPCR showed that the expressions of NLRP3 and caspase-1 were significantly increased in the CP model group, while TFPGL significantly decreased the NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression at both the gene and protein levels. Moreover, ELISA assay was used to examine the levels of NLRP3 inflammasome target genes, such as caspase-1, IL-1[Formula: see text] and IL-18. We found that TFPGL treatment decreased the expression of caspase-1, IL-1[Formula: see text] and IL-18, which is critical for the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and inflammation response significantly. These results demonstrated that TFPGL attenuated pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis via preventing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and TFPGL can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixian Zhang
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Liming Tang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Santan Hospital, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Manxue Wang
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Weijun Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin NanKai Hospital, Tianjin 300100, P. R. China
| | - Wei Nie
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acute Abdomen Disease Associated Organ Injury and ITCWM Repair, Tianjin NanKai Hospital, Tianjin 300100, P. R. China
| | - Xiaomeng Yu
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Tianjin Institute of Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medicine and Health Research Center, Tianjin 300020, P. R. China
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22
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Zhang Z, Zhang H, Liu T, Chen T, Wang D, Tang D. Heterogeneous Pancreatic Stellate Cells Are Powerful Contributors to the Malignant Progression of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:783617. [PMID: 34988078 PMCID: PMC8722736 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.783617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is associated with highly malignant tumors and poor prognosis due to strong therapeutic resistance. Accumulating evidence shows that activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) play an important role in the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer. In recent years, the rapid development of single-cell sequencing technology has facilitated the analysis of PSC population heterogeneity, allowing for the elucidation of the relationship between different subsets of cells with tumor development and therapeutic resistance. Researchers have identified two spatially separated, functionally complementary, and reversible subtypes, namely myofibroblastic and inflammatory PSC. Myofibroblastic PSC produce large amounts of pro-fibroproliferative collagen fibers, whereas inflammatory PSC express large amounts of inflammatory cytokines. These distinct cell subtypes cooperate to create a microenvironment suitable for cancer cell survival. Therefore, further understanding of the differentiation of PSC and their distinct functions will provide insight into more effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tian Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tian Chen
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Institute of General Surgery, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Clinical Medical College, Institute of General Surgery, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Dong Tang,
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23
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Garcia PE, Scales MK, Allen BL, Pasca di Magliano M. Pancreatic Fibroblast Heterogeneity: From Development to Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:E2464. [PMID: 33198201 PMCID: PMC7698149 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is characterized by an extensive fibroinflammatory microenvironment that accumulates from the onset of disease progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a prominent cellular component of the stroma, but their role during carcinogenesis remains controversial, with both tumor-supporting and tumor-restraining functions reported in different studies. One explanation for these contradictory findings is the heterogeneous nature of the fibroblast populations, and the different roles each subset might play in carcinogenesis. Here, we review the current literature on the origin and function of pancreatic fibroblasts, from the developing organ to the healthy adult pancreas, and throughout the initiation and progression of PDA. We also discuss clinical approaches to targeting fibroblasts in PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma E. Garcia
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA;
| | - Michael K. Scales
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.K.S.); (B.L.A.)
| | - Benjamin L. Allen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.K.S.); (B.L.A.)
- Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (M.K.S.); (B.L.A.)
- Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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24
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Khan T, Seddon AM, Dalgleish AG, Khelwatty S, Ioannou N, Mudan S, Modjtahedi H. Synergistic activity of agents targeting growth factor receptors, CDKs and downstream signaling molecules in a panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines and the identification of antagonistic combinations: Implications for future clinical trials in pancreatic cancer. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:2581-2594. [PMID: 33125153 PMCID: PMC7640362 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive, heterogeneous and fatal type of human cancers for which more effective therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of a panel of seven human pancreatic cancer cell lines (HPCCLs) to treatment with various tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, an inhibitor of STAT3 stattic, and a cytotoxic agent gemcitabine both as single agents and in combination. The membranous expression of various receptors and the effect of selected agents on cell cycle distribution, cell signaling pathways and migration was determined using flow cytometry, western blot analysis and scratch wound healing assays, respectively. While the expression of both HER-3 and HER-4 was low or negative, the expression of EGFR and HER2 was high or intermediate in all HPCCLs. Of all the agents examined, the CDK1/2/5/9 inhibitor, dinacicilib, was the most potent agent which inhibited the proliferation of all seven HPCCLs with IC50 values of ≤10 nM, followed by SRC targeting TKI dasatinib (IC50 of ≤258 nM), gemcitabine (IC50 of ≤330 nM), stattic (IC50 of ≤2 µM) and the irreversible pan-HER TKI afatinib (IC50 of ≤2.95 µM). Treatment with afatinib and dasatinib inhibited the ligand-induced phosphorylation of EGFR and SRC respectively. Statistically significant associations were found between HER2 expression and response to treatment with the ALK/IGF-IR/InsR inhibitor ceritinib and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1/2/3 inhibitor AZD4547, HER3 and IGF-IR expression and their response to treatment with TKIs targeting HER family members (erlotinib and afatinib), and c-MET and ALK7 expression and their response to treatment with stattic. Interestingly, treatment with a combination of afatinib with dasatinib and gemcitabine with dasatinib resulted in synergistic tumor growth inhibition in all HPCCLs examined. In contrast, the combination of afatinib with dinaciclib was found to be antagonistic. Finally, the treatment with afatinib, dasatinib and dinaciclib strongly inhibited the migration of all HPCCLs examined. In conclusion, the CDK1/2/5/9 inhibitor dinaciclib, irreversible pan-HER TKI afatinib and SRC targeting TKI dasatinib were most effective at inhibiting the proliferation and migration of HPCCLs and the combination of afatinib with dasatinib and gemcitabine with dasatinib led to synergistic tumor growth inhibition in all HPCCLs examined. Our results support further investigation on the therapeutic potential of these combinations in future clinical trials in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanzeel Khan
- School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University London, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Alan M Seddon
- School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University London, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
| | | | - Said Khelwatty
- School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University London, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Nikolaos Ioannou
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NT, UK
| | - Satvinder Mudan
- St George's Hospital, University of London, London SW17 0QT, UK
| | - Helmout Modjtahedi
- School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University London, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
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25
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Johnson J, Sharick JT, Skala MC, Li L. Sample preparation strategies for high-throughput mass spectrometry imaging of primary tumor organoids. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2020; 55:e4452. [PMID: 31661714 PMCID: PMC7254934 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Patient-derived 3D organoids show great promise for understanding patient heterogeneity and chemotherapy response in human-derived tissue. The combination of organoid culture techniques with mass spectrometry imaging provides a label-free methodology for characterizing drug penetration, patient-specific response, and drug biotransformation. However, current methods used to grow tumor organoids employ extracellular matrices that can produce small molecule background signal during mass spectrometry imaging analysis. Here, we develop a method to isolate 3D human tumor organoids out of a Matrigel extracellular matrix into gelatin mass spectrometry compatible microarrays for high-throughput mass spectrometry imaging analysis. The alignment of multiple organoids in the same z-axis is essential for sectioning organoids together and for maintaining reproducible sample preparation on a single glass slide for up to hundreds of organoids. This method successfully removes organoids from extracellular matrix interference and provides an organized array for high-throughput imaging analysis to easily identify organoids by eye for area selection and further analysis. With this method, mass spectrometry imaging can be readily applied to organoid systems for preclinical drug development and personalized medicine research initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Johnson
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Melissa C. Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lingjun Li
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Lingjun Li (), Phone: 608-265-8491, Fax: 608-262-5345
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26
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Nielsen MFB, Mortensen MB, Sørensen MD, Wirenfeldt M, Kristensen BW, Schrøder HD, Pfeiffer P, Detlefsen S. Spatial and phenotypic characterization of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts after neoadjuvant treatment. Histol Histopathol 2020; 35:811-825. [PMID: 31960942 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC) is characterized by a highly fibrotic desmoplastic stroma. Subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been identified in chemotherapy-naïve PC (CTN-PC), but their precise functions are still unclear. Our knowledge regarding the properties of CAFs in the regressive stroma after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) of PC (NAT-PC) is particularly limited. We aimed to examine the marker phenotypic properties of CAFs in the regressive stroma of PC. Surgical specimens from patients with CTN-PC (n=10) and NAT-PC (n=10) were included. Juxtatumoural, peripheral, lobular, septal, peripancreatic, and regressive stromal compartments were manually outlined using digital imaging analysis (DIA) for area quantification. The compartment-specific expression of CD271, cytoglobin, DOG-1, miR-21, osteonectin, PDGF-Rβ, and tenascin C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization, using manual scoring and automated DIA. The area fraction of the regressive stroma was significantly higher in NAT-PC than in CTN-PC (P=0.0002). CD271 (P<0.01), cytoglobin (P<0.05), DOG1 (P<0.05), miR-21 (P<0.05), and tenascin C (P<0.05) exhibited significant differences in their expression profiles between the juxtatumoural compared to the peripheral and regressive stroma. PDGF-Rβ expression was significantly higher in juxtatumoural than in peripheral CAFs (P<0.05). Our data provide further support of the concept of stromal heterogeneity and phenotypic different CAF subtypes in PC. CAFs in the regressive stroma of NAT-PC show a marker phenotype similar to some (namely, peripheral) and different from other (namely, juxtatumoural) previously defined CAF subtypes. It may be hypothesized that phenotypic CAF subtypes, at least in part, also may share functional properties. Studies examining the precise functional characteristics of CAF subtypes in PC are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friberg Bruun Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Bau Mortensen
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Surgery, HPB Section, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mia Dahl Sørensen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Wirenfeldt
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Bjarne Winther Kristensen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Daa Schrøder
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Per Pfeiffer
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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27
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Iwasaki T, Hiraoka N, Ino Y, Nakajima K, Kishi Y, Nara S, Esaki M, Shimada K, Katai H. Reduction of intrapancreatic neural density in cancer tissue predicts poorer outcome in pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:1491-1502. [PMID: 30776178 PMCID: PMC6447831 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural invasion is one of the malignant features contributing to locally advanced and/or metastatic disease progression in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Few studies exist on the distribution and state of nerve fibers in PDAC tissue and their clinicopathological impacts. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic value of intrapancreatic neural alterations in patients with PDAC. We retrospectively analyzed 256 patients with PDAC who underwent macroscopic curative surgery. Nerve fibers, immunolabeled with a specific neural marker GAP-43, were digitally counted and compared among PDAC, chronic pancreatitis (CP) and normal pancreatic tissues. Interlobular nerve fibers were apparently hypertrophic in both CP and PDAC, although intrapancreatic neural density and nerve number decreased characteristically in PDAC. They tended to decrease toward the center of the tumor. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses revealed a statistically significant correlation between low neural density and shorter overall survival (OS) (P = 0.014), and between high neural invasion and shorter OS (P = 0.017). Neural density (P = 0.04; HR = 1.496; 95% CI 1.018-2.199) and neural invasion ratio (P = 0.064; HR = 1.439; 95% CI .980-2.114) were prognostic factors of shorter OS in the multivariate analysis. These findings suggest low intrapancreatic neural density in patients with PDAC as an independent prognosticator, which may represent aggressive tumor behavior. Furthermore, we propose a simple, practical and reproducible method (to measure neural density and the neural invasion ratio during conventional histopathological diagnosis of PDAC), which has been validated using another cohort (n = 81).
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshimitsu Iwasaki
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
- Division of Pathology and Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
- Course of Advanced Clinical Research of CancerJuntendo University Graduate School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Nobuyoshi Hiraoka
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
- Division of Pathology and Clinical LaboratoriesNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Yoshinori Ino
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Kosei Nakajima
- Division of Molecular PathologyNational Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Yoji Kishi
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Satoshi Nara
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Minoru Esaki
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Kazuaki Shimada
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
| | - Hitoshi Katai
- Course of Advanced Clinical Research of CancerJuntendo University Graduate School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Gastric Surgery DivisionNational Cancer Center HospitalTokyoJapan
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28
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Nielsen MFB, Mortensen MB, Detlefsen S. Typing of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts identifies different subpopulations. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:4663-4678. [PMID: 30416314 PMCID: PMC6224473 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i41.4663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine whether it is possible to identify different immune phenotypic subpopulations of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic cancer (PC).
METHODS We defined four different stromal compartments in surgical specimens with PC: The juxtatumoural, peripheral, lobular and septal stroma. Tissue microarrays were produced containing all pre-defined PC compartments, and the expression of 37 fibroblast (FB) and 8 extracellular matrix (ECM) markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence (IF), double-IF, and/or in situ hybridization. The compartment-specific mean labelling score was determined for each marker using a four-tiered scoring system. DOG1 gene expression was examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR).
RESULTS CD10, CD271, cytoglobin, DOG1, miR-21, nestin, and tenascin C exhibited significant differences in expression profiles between the juxtatumoural and peripheral compartments. The expression of CD10, cytoglobin, DOG1, nestin, and miR-21 was moderate/strong in juxtatumoural CAFs (j-CAFs) and barely perceptible/weak in peripheral CAFs (p-CAFs). The upregulation of DOG1 gene expression in PC compared to normal pancreas was verified by qPCR. Tenascin C expression was strong in the juxtatumoural ECM and barely perceptible/weak in the peripheral ECM. CD271 expression was barely perceptible in j-CAFs but moderate in the other compartments. Galectin-1 was stronger expressed in j-CAFs vs septal fibroblasts, PDGF-Rβ, tissue transglutaminase 2, and hyaluronic acid were stronger expressed in lobular fibroblasts vs p-CAFs, and plectin-1 was stronger expressed in j-CAFs vs l-FBs. The expression of the remaining 33 markers did not differ significantly when related to the quantity of CAFs/FBs or the amount of ECM in the respective compartments.
CONCLUSION Different immune phenotypic CAF subpopulations can be identified in PC, using markers such as cytoglobin, CD271, and miR-21. Future studies should determine whether CAF subpopulations have different functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friberg Bruun Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense C 5000, Denmark
| | - Michael Bau Mortensen
- Department of Surgery, HPB Section, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense C 5000, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense C 5000, Denmark
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