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Chen D, Mao P, Sun C, Fan X, Zhu Q, Chen Z, He Z, Lou Y, Sun H. Prognostic Value of Combined Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Imaging Tumor Capsule in Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients after Narrow-Margin Hepatectomy. J Clin Med 2024; 13:351. [PMID: 38256485 PMCID: PMC10816149 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aimed to investigate the clinical value and prognostic patterns of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and imaging tumor capsule (ITC) in solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing narrow-margin hepatectomy. METHODS Data for solitary HCC patients treated with narrow-margin surgery were extracted from Shanghai General Hospital. Clinical features of recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and early recurrence were investigated by Cox/logistic regression. The significant variables were subsequently incorporated into the nomogram pattern. Survival analysis stratified by NLR and ITC was also performed. RESULTS The study included a cohort of 222 patients, with median RFS and OS of 24.083 and 32.283 months, respectively. Both an NLR ≥ 2.80 and incomplete ITC had a significant impact on prognosis. NLR and ITC independently affected RFS and OS, whereas alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ITC were identified as independent factors for early relapse. The RFS and OS nomogram, generated based on the Cox model, demonstrated good performance in validation. The combination of NLR and ITC showed greater predictive accuracy for 5-year RFS and OS. Subgroups with an NLR ≥ 2.80 and incomplete ITC had the worst prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Both NLR and ITC significantly affected RFS, OS, and early recurrence among solitary HCC patients who underwent narrow-margin hepatectomy. The combination of NLR and ITC has the potential to guide rational clinical treatment and determine the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desheng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (D.C.); (Q.Z.); (Z.C.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Pengjuan Mao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China;
| | - Chen Sun
- Clinical Research Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China;
| | - Xuhui Fan
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China;
| | - Qi Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (D.C.); (Q.Z.); (Z.C.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zeping Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (D.C.); (Q.Z.); (Z.C.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zeping He
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (D.C.); (Q.Z.); (Z.C.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yichao Lou
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (D.C.); (Q.Z.); (Z.C.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Hongcheng Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; (D.C.); (Q.Z.); (Z.C.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
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Zhou Y, Gu Q, Zhu L, Zhang S, Wu H, Pu X, Jiang C, Chen J. High endothelial venule is a prognostic immune-related biomarker in patients with resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13513. [PMID: 37401015 PMCID: PMC10693183 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Having been reported to be a crucial prognostic factor in solid tumours, the role of high endothelial venule (HEV) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unclear, however. The data of ICC and healthy individuals were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Meanwhile, a cutting-edge ICC high-resolution spatial transcriptome was also acquired before these data were comprehensively analysed using bioinformatics approaches. Moreover, 95 individuals with ICC who had undergone resection surgery were enrolled in this study to investigate the relationship between HEV and tumour microenvironment (TME) applying immunohistochemistry and multiple immunofluorescence techniques. The high-HEV subtype contains rich immune infiltrates including tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS), CD8+ T cells, and CD20+ B cells. Furthermore, HEV and TLS exhibited a strong relationship of spatial colocalization. Correlated with improved prognostic outcomes in ICC, the high-HEV subtype could be an independent prognostic indicator for individuals with ICC. This study revealed the association of HEV with immune function and observed a strong spatial colocalization correlation between HEV and TLS. Moreover, correlated with immunotherapeutic response, HEV could improve prognostic outcomes, which may be a potential indicator of immunotherapy pathology in ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryDrum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qian Gu
- Department of CardiologyFirst Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Linxi Zhu
- Department of Pancreatic surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Hongyan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Xiaohong Pu
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
| | - Chunping Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryDrum Tower Clinical College of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Department of Pancreatic surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong LaboratoryShounuo City Light West BlockJinan CityChina
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower HospitalThe Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjingChina
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Wu D, Li Y. Application of adoptive cell therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunology 2023; 170:453-469. [PMID: 37435926 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge. Novel treatment modalities are urgently needed to extend the overall survival of patients. The liver plays an immunomodulatory function due to its unique physiological structural characteristics. Therefore, following surgical resection and radiotherapy, immunotherapy regimens have shown great potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Adoptive cell immunotherapy is rapidly developing in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we summarize the latest research on adoptive immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The focus is on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells. Then tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), natural killer (NK) cells, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, and macrophages are briefly discussed. The main overview of the application and challenges of adoptive immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. It aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the current status of HCC adoptive immunotherapy and offers some strategies. We hope to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengqiang Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Clinical Laboratory of Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, Ningbo, China
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Mastrotto F, Pirazzini M, Negro S, Salama A, Martinez-Pomares L, Mantovani G. Sulfation at Glycopolymer Side Chains Switches Activity at the Macrophage Mannose Receptor (CD206) In Vitro and In Vivo. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:23134-23147. [PMID: 36472883 PMCID: PMC9782796 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mannose receptor (CD206) is an endocytic receptor expressed by selected innate immune cells and nonvascular endothelium, which plays a critical role in both homeostasis and pathogen recognition. Although its involvement in the development of several diseases and viral infections is well established, molecular tools able to both provide insight on the chemistry of CD206-ligand interactions and, importantly, effectively modulate its activity are currently lacking. Using novel SO4-3-Gal-glycopolymers targeting its cysteine-rich lectin ectodomain, this study uncovers and elucidates a previously unknown mechanism of CD206 blockade involving the formation of stable intracellular SO4-3-Gal-glycopolymer-CD206 complexes that prevents receptor recycling to the cell membrane. Further, we show that SO4-3-Gal glycopolymers inhibit CD206 both in vitro and in vivo, revealing hitherto unknown receptor function and demonstrating their potential as CD206 modulators within future immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mastrotto
- School
of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 5, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Marco Pirazzini
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Samuele Negro
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Alan Salama
- Department
of Renal Medicine, University College London, London NW3 2PF, U.K.
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T- and B-Cells in the Inner Invasive Margin of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Resection Associate with Favorable Prognosis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030604. [PMID: 35158872 PMCID: PMC8833821 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world, which frequently recurs after curative resection. Several options to predict recurrence of HCC have been proposed, however, their prognostic ability is limited. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that distribution and numbers of T- and B-lymphocytes in different regions of the resected tumor may have different prognostic significance. Different subregions of HCC demonstrated uneven lymphocyte infiltration. CD20+ B-lymphocytes and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, or their combination in the inner tumor invasive margin and inner/outer margin ratios, convey the best prediction for time to recurrence and disease-free survival. The results offer a novel approach to the stratification of the risk of early tumor recurrence after curative liver resection. Abstract In this retrospective study on 67 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), after tumor resection, we evaluated the significance of CD3+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes and CD20+ B-lymphocytes in tumor and non-tumor liver for time to recurrence (TTR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival. After immunohistochemical staining, the density of nucleated lymphocyte profiles (QA) was estimated stereologically in the tumor center (TC), inner margin (inn M), outer margin (out M), peritumor and non-tumor liver. In TC, intermediate and high QA of CD8+ cells predicted longer TTR, whereas CD3+ and CD20+ were predictive only at high QA. DFS was predicted by high QA of CD3+, CD8+ and CD20+ cells in TC. The inn M harbored smaller QA of CD3+, CD8+ and CD20+ lymphocytes than out M. In contrast to out M, high T-cells’ QA and intermediate and high B-cell QA in inn M predicted longer TTR and DFS. High inn M/out M QA ratios of CD3+ and CD20+ cells were associated with longer TTR and DFS, whereas high inn M/out M QA ratio of CD8+ was predictive only for DFS. Patients with intermediate-high QA of combined CD8+ and CD20+ cells in inn M showed longer TTR and DFS, compared to CD8+-high or CD20+-high alone. Our findings highlight overall heterogeneity of the tumor invasive margin, the importance of inn M, and the predictive role of B-cells.
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Luo D, Zhao D, Zhang M, Hu C, Li H, Zhang S, Chen X, Huttad L, Li B, Jin C, Lin C, Han B. Alternative Splicing-Based Differences Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Genes, Immune Microenvironment, and Survival Prognosis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:731993. [PMID: 34760694 PMCID: PMC8574058 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.731993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) event is a novel biomarker of tumor tumorigenesis and progression. However, the comprehensive analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is lacking. Differentially expressed analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed alternative splicing (DEAS) events between HCC or ICC tissues and their normal tissues. The correlation between DEAS events and functional analyses or immune features was evaluated. The cluster analysis based on DEAS can accurately reflect the differences in the immune microenvironment between HCC and ICC. Forty-five immune checkpoints and 23 immune features were considered statistically significant in HCC, while only seven immune checkpoints and one immune feature in ICC. Then, the prognostic value of DEAS events was studied, and two transcripts with different basic cell functions (proliferation, cell cycle, invasion, and migration) were produced by ADHFE1 through alternative splicing. Moreover, four nomograms were established in conjunction with relevant clinicopathological factors. Finally, we found two most significant splicing factors and further showed their protein crystal structure. The joint analysis of the AS events in HCC and ICC revealed novel insights into immune features and clinical prognosis, which might provide positive implications in HCC and ICC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingan Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Deze Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chuan Hu
- Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haoran Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaowu Chen
- Asian Liver Center, Department of Surgery, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Lakshmi Huttad
- Asian Liver Center, Department of Surgery, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Bailiang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical School of Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Changwei Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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7
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Sirica AE, Strazzabosco M, Cadamuro M. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Morpho-molecular pathology, tumor reactive microenvironment, and malignant progression. Adv Cancer Res 2020; 149:321-387. [PMID: 33579427 PMCID: PMC8800451 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a relatively rare, but highly lethal and biologically complex primary biliary epithelial cancer arising within liver. After hepatocellular carcinoma, iCCA is the second most common primary liver cancer, accounting for approximately 10-20% of all primary hepatic malignancies. Over the last 10-20 years, iCCA has become the focus of increasing concern largely due to its rising incidence and high mortality rates in various parts of the world, including the United States. The challenges posed by iCCA are daunting and despite recent progress in the standard of care and management options for iCCA, the prognosis for this cancer continues to be dismal. In an effort to provide a framework for advancing our understanding of iCCA malignant aggressiveness and therapy resistance, this review will highlight key etiological, biological, molecular, and microenvironmental factors hindering more effective management of this hepatobiliary cancer. Particular focus will be on critically reviewing the cell origins and morpho-molecular heterogeneity of iCCAs, providing mechanistic insights into high risk fibroinflammatory cholangiopathies associated with iCCA development, and notably discussing the deleterious role played by the tumor reactive desmoplastic stroma in regulating iCCA malignant progression, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor immunobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alphonse E Sirica
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center and Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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8
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Zeng Z, Ouyang J, Sun L, Zeng C, Zeng F, Wu S. Activatable Nanocomposite Probe for Preoperative Location and Intraoperative Navigation for Orthotopic Hepatic Tumor Resection via MSOT and Aggregation-Induced Near-IR-I/II Fluorescence Imaging. Anal Chem 2020; 92:9257-9264. [PMID: 32530263 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The precise location of tumor and completeness of surgical resection are critical to successful tumor surgery; thus, the method capable of preoperatively locating a tumor site and intraoperatively determining tumor margins would be highly ideal. Herein, an activatable nanocomposite probe was developed for preoperatively locating orthotopic hepatic tumor via multispectral optoacoustic tomography imaging and for intraoperative navigation via near-IR-1 (NIR-I) and NIR-II fluorescence imaging. The molecular probe comprises an electronic donor, an acceptor, and a recognition moiety and forms the nanocomposite probe with bovine serum albumin. The probe specifically responds to nitroreductase overexpressed in tumor cells, which transforms the aromatic nitro group into an electron-donating amino group and thus activates the probe. The activated probe with the aggregation-induced emission feature generates strong NIR-I/NIR-II fluorescence and optoacoustic signals for dual-mode imaging. Owing to the in situ response toward nitroreductase in tumor cells in the hepatic region, the probe is found capable of detecting early stage orthotopic liver tumors. Furthermore, with the nanocomposite probe, we can obtain the 3D MSOT images to accurately locate orthotopic liver tumors preoperatively and the NIR-I/NIR-II fluorescence images to provide intraoperative guidance for tumor resection surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Juan Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Lihe Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Fang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Shuizhu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, College of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510640, China
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9
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Martín-Sierra C, Martins R, Coucelo M, Abrantes AM, Oliveira RC, Tralhão JG, Botelho MF, Furtado E, Domingues MR, Paiva A, Laranjeira P. Elevated soluble TNFα levels and upregulated TNFα mRNA expression in purified peripheral blood monocyte subsets associated with high-grade hepatocellular carcinoma. J Inflamm (Lond) 2020; 17:14. [PMID: 32256215 PMCID: PMC7106708 DOI: 10.1186/s12950-020-00243-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammation is involved in the initiation and progression of various cancers, including liver cancer. The current study focuses on the characterization of the peripheral immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients, before and after surgical procedure, in order to assess the effect of tumor resection in the immune system homeostasis and to determine possible prognostic factors associated with high-grade tumors. We developed a whole-blood assay to monitor immune alterations and functional competence of peripheral monocytes in a group of 10 healthy individuals (HG), in 20 HCC patients and 8 CCA patients, by multi-color flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and ELISA techniques. RESULTS The qRT-PCR analysis showed an upregulation of TNFα expression by classical and intermediate monocytes purified from HCC patients presenting tumors in grade G3-G4 as compared to G1-G2 HCC patients. Moreover, ELISA assay confirmed elevated serum levels of TNFα in G3-G4 compared to G1-G2 HCC patients. A significant decrease of circulating non-classical monocytes was detected in both CCA and HCC patients before and after surgical procedure. In addition, a functional defect in circulating classical and intermediate monocytes was observed in both groups of cancer patients when compared to the HG, with partial recovery after the surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS This integrated analysis permitted the identification of altered functional competence of monocyte subsets in CCA and HCC patients. In addition, our results point to a potential role of TNFα as a prognostic peripheral biomarker in HCC patients, indicating the presence of high-grade tumors that should be further validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Martín-Sierra
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Service, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, Ed. S. Jerónimo, 3° piso, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - R. Martins
- Unidade Transplantação Hepática Pediátrica e de Adultos, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (UTHPA, CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Serviço de Cirurgia Geral, Unidade HBP, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto de Biofísica, IBILI, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M. Coucelo
- Unidade de Hematologia Molecular, Serviço de Hematologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A. M. Abrantes
- Instituto de Biofísica, IBILI, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - R. C. Oliveira
- Instituto de Biofísica, IBILI, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J. G. Tralhão
- Unidade Transplantação Hepática Pediátrica e de Adultos, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (UTHPA, CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Serviço de Cirurgia Geral, Unidade HBP, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto de Biofísica, IBILI, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M. F. Botelho
- Instituto de Biofísica, IBILI, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - E. Furtado
- Unidade Transplantação Hepática Pediátrica e de Adultos, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (UTHPA, CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M. R. Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, Department of Chemistry & QOPNA, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A. Paiva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Service, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, Ed. S. Jerónimo, 3° piso, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - P. Laranjeira
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Service, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, Ed. S. Jerónimo, 3° piso, Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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