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Guo T, Xu J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: a versatile mediator in tumor progression, metastasis, and targeted therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:1095-1116. [PMID: 38602594 PMCID: PMC11300527 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of TME and exhibit heterogeneous properties in their communication with tumor cells. This heterogeneity of CAFs can be attributed to various origins, including quiescent fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells, and mesothelial cells. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing has identified diverse phenotypes of CAFs, with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) being the most acknowledged, alongside newly discovered subtypes like antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Due to these heterogeneities, CAFs exert multiple functions in tumorigenesis, cancer stemness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metabolism, and metastasis. As a result, targeted therapies aimed at the TME, particularly focusing on CAFs, are rapidly developing, fueling the promising future of advanced tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchen Guo
- Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Panda VK, Mishra B, Nath AN, Butti R, Yadav AS, Malhotra D, Khanra S, Mahapatra S, Mishra P, Swain B, Majhi S, Kumari K, Radharani NNV, Kundu GC. Osteopontin: A Key Multifaceted Regulator in Tumor Progression and Immunomodulation. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1527. [PMID: 39062100 PMCID: PMC11274826 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071527] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of various cellular components such as tumor cells, stromal cells including fibroblasts, adipocytes, mast cells, lymphatic vascular cells and infiltrating immune cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and lymphocytes. The intricate interplay between these cells influences tumor growth, metastasis and therapy failure. Significant advancements in breast cancer therapy have resulted in a substantial decrease in mortality. However, existing cancer treatments frequently result in toxicity and nonspecific side effects. Therefore, improving targeted drug delivery and increasing the efficacy of drugs is crucial for enhancing treatment outcome and reducing the burden of toxicity. In this review, we have provided an overview of how tumor and stroma-derived osteopontin (OPN) plays a key role in regulating the oncogenic potential of various cancers including breast. Next, we dissected the signaling network by which OPN regulates tumor progression through interaction with selective integrins and CD44 receptors. This review addresses the latest advancements in the roles of splice variants of OPN in cancer progression and OPN-mediated tumor-stromal interaction, EMT, CSC enhancement, immunomodulation, metastasis, chemoresistance and metabolic reprogramming, and further suggests that OPN might be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for the evolving landscape of cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venketesh K. Panda
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Barnalee Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Angitha N. Nath
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Ramesh Butti
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX 75235, USA;
| | - Amit Singh Yadav
- Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.S.Y.); (N.N.V.R.)
| | - Diksha Malhotra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Sinjan Khanra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Samikshya Mahapatra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Priyanka Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Biswajit Swain
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Sambhunath Majhi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Kavita Kumari
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - N. N. V. Radharani
- Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.S.Y.); (N.N.V.R.)
| | - Gopal C. Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India; (V.K.P.); (B.M.); (A.N.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (S.M.); (P.M.); (B.S.); (S.M.); (K.K.)
- Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar 751024, India
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3
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Golo M, Newman PLH, Kempe D, Biro M. Mechanoimmunology in the solid tumor microenvironment. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1489-1502. [PMID: 38856041 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231427] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that adjoins the cancer cells within solid tumors and comprises distinct components such as extracellular matrix, stromal and immune cells, blood vessels, and an abundance of signaling molecules. In recent years, the mechanical properties of the TME have emerged as critical determinants of tumor progression and therapeutic response. Aberrant mechanical cues, including altered tissue architecture and stiffness, contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Moreover, burgeoning immunotherapies hold great promise for harnessing the immune system to target and eliminate solid malignancies; however, their success is hindered by the hostile mechanical landscape of the TME, which can impede immune cell infiltration, function, and persistence. Consequently, understanding TME mechanoimmunology - the interplay between mechanical forces and immune cell behavior - is essential for developing effective solid cancer therapies. Here, we review the role of TME mechanics in tumor immunology, focusing on recent therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the mechanical properties of the TME to potentiate T cell immunotherapies, and innovative assays tailored to evaluate their clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Golo
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Peter L H Newman
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daryan Kempe
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Maté Biro
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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4
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Rhodes JD, Goldenring JR, Lee SH. Regulation of metaplasia and dysplasia in the stomach by the stromal microenvironment. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1322-1330. [PMID: 38825636 PMCID: PMC11263556 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on the microenvironment associated with gastric carcinogenesis has focused on cancers of the stomach and often underestimates premalignant stages such as metaplasia and dysplasia. Since epithelial interactions with T cells, macrophages, and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are indispensable for the formation of precancerous lesions in the stomach, understanding the cellular interactions that promote gastric precancer warrants further investigation. Although various types of immune cells have been shown to play important roles in gastric carcinogenesis, it remains unclear how stromal cells such as fibroblasts influence epithelial transformation in the stomach, especially during precancerous stages. Fibroblasts exist as distinct populations across tissues and perform different functions depending on the expression patterns of cell surface markers and secreted factors. In this review, we provide an overview of known microenvironmental components in the stroma with an emphasis on fibroblast subpopulations and their roles during carcinogenesis in tissues including breast, pancreas, and stomach. Additionally, we offer insights into potential targets of tumor-promoting fibroblasts and identify open areas of research related to fibroblast plasticity and the modulation of gastric carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D Rhodes
- Program in Cancer Biology, Nashville, TN, USA
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James R Goldenring
- Program in Cancer Biology, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Nashville VA Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Su-Hyung Lee
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Trnkova L, Buocikova V, Mego M, Cumova A, Burikova M, Bohac M, Miklikova S, Cihova M, Smolkova B. Epigenetic deregulation in breast cancer microenvironment: Implications for tumor progression and therapeutic strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116559. [PMID: 38603889 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116559] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer comprises a substantial proportion of cancer diagnoses in women and is a primary cause of cancer-related mortality. While hormone-responsive cases generally have a favorable prognosis, the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer presents challenges, with intrinsic resistance to established treatments being a persistent issue. The complexity intensifies with the emergence of acquired resistance, further complicating the management of breast cancer. Epigenetic changes, encompassing DNA methylation, histone and RNA modifications, and non-coding RNAs, are acknowledged as crucial contributors to the heterogeneity of breast cancer. The unique epigenetic landscape harbored by each cellular component within the tumor microenvironment (TME) adds great diversity to the intricate regulations which influence therapeutic responses. The TME, a sophisticated ecosystem of cellular and non-cellular elements interacting with tumor cells, establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment and fuels processes such as tumor growth, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These factors contribute to challenging conditions in cancer treatment by fostering a hypoxic environment, inducing metabolic stress, and creating physical barriers to drug delivery. This article delves into the complex connections between breast cancer treatment response, underlying epigenetic changes, and vital interactions within the TME. To restore sensitivity to treatment, it emphasizes the need for combination therapies considering epigenetic changes specific to individual members of the TME. Recognizing the pivotal role of epigenetics in drug resistance and comprehending the specificities of breast TME is essential for devising more effective therapeutic strategies. The development of reliable biomarkers for patient stratification will facilitate tailored and precise treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Trnkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Verona Buocikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia; 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine & National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Cumova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Monika Burikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bohac
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine & National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia; Regenmed Ltd., Medena 29, Bratislava 811 01, Slovakia; Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
| | - Svetlana Miklikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Marina Cihova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Bozena Smolkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia.
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Takahashi K, Shoda K, Takiguchi K, Higuchi Y, Matsuoka K, Nakayama T, Saito R, Maruyama S, Nakata Y, Furuya S, Shiraishi K, Akaike H, Kawaguchi Y, Amemiya H, Kawaida H, Ichikawa D. Prognostic Impact of Stromal Profiles Educated by Gastric Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2024; 31:2309-2318. [PMID: 37919449 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14522-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts exhibit diversity and have several subtypes. The underlying relationship between the diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and their effect on gastric cancer progression remains unclear. In this study, mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated into cancer-associated fibroblasts with gastric cancer cell lines; clinical specimens were used to further investigate the impact of cancer-associated fibroblast diversity on cancer progression. METHODS Nine gastric cancer cell lines (NUGC3, NUGC4, MKN7, MKN45, MKN74, FU97, OCUM1, NCI-N87, and KATOIII) were used to induce mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into cancer-associated fibroblasts. The cancer-associated fibroblasts were classified based on ACTA2 and PDPN expression. Cell function analysis was used to examine the impact of cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes on cancer cell phenotype. Tissue samples from 97gastric patients who underwent gastrectomy were used to examine the clinical significance of each subtype classified according to cancer-associated fibroblast expression. RESULTS Co-culture of mesenchymal stem cells with nine gastric cancer cell lines revealed different subtypes of ACTA2 and PDPN expression in differentiated cancer-associated fibroblasts. Cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes with high ACTA2 plus PDPN expression levels significantly increased gastric cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. The cancer-associated fibroblast subtype with ACTA2 plus PDPN expression was an independent prognostic factor along with lymph node metastasis for patients who had gastric cancer and were undergoing surgery. CONCLUSIONS Cancer-associated fibroblasts are educated by gastric cancer cells during the development of cancer-associated fibroblast diversity. Differentiated cancer-associated fibroblasts with distinct expression patterns could affect gastric cancer progression and enable prognostic stratification for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Takahashi
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Shoda
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan.
| | - Koichi Takiguchi
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yudai Higuchi
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Koichi Matsuoka
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakayama
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Ryo Saito
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Suguru Maruyama
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakata
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Shinji Furuya
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kensuke Shiraishi
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hidenori Akaike
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Kawaguchi
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hidetake Amemiya
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Kawaida
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ichikawa
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
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Liu X, Gao R, Wu Q, Li G, Xu X, Li W, Liu P, Wang X, Cai J, Li M, Wang Z. ITGA7 loss drives the differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to cancer-associated fibroblasts. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:479-493. [PMID: 38174862 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent a major cellular component of the tumor (pre-)metastatic niche and play an essential role in omental dissemination of ovarian cancer. The omentum is rich in adipose, and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have been identified as a source of CAFs. However, the molecular events driving the phenotype shift of ADSCs remain largely unexplored. In this research, we focus on integrins, transmembrane receptors that have been widely involved in cellular plasticity. We found that integrin α7 (ITGA7) was the only member of the integrin family that positively correlated with both overall survival and progression-free survival in ovarian cancer through GEPIA2. The immunohistochemistry signal of ITGA7 was apparent in the tumor stroma, and a lower omental ITGA7 level was associated with metastasis. Primary ADSCs were isolated from the omentum of patients with ovarian cancer and identified by cellular morphology, biomarkers, and multilineage differentiation. The conditional medium of ovarian cancer cells induced ITGA7 expression decrease and phenotypic changes in ADSCs. Downregulation of ITGA7 in primary omental ADSCs led to decrease in stemness properties and emerge of characteristic morphology and biomarkers of CAFs. Moreover, the conditioned medium of ADSCs with ITGA7 depletion exhibited enhanced abilities to improve the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Overall, these findings indicate that loss of ITGA7 may induce the differentiation of ADSCs to CAFs that contribute to a tumor-supportive niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiulei Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guoqing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenhan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoman Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Min Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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8
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Łabędź N, Anisiewicz A, Stachowicz-Suhs M, Banach J, Kłopotowska D, Maciejczyk A, Gazińska P, Piotrowska A, Dzięgiel P, Matkowski R, Wietrzyk J. Dual effect of vitamin D 3 on breast cancer-associated fibroblasts. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:209. [PMID: 38360633 PMCID: PMC10868064 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11961-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the tumor microenvironment. Despite the well-known in vitro antitumoral effect of vitamin D3 (VD3), its impact on breast CAFs is almost unknown. In this study, we analyzed the ex vivo effects of calcitriol on CAFs isolated from breast cancer tissues. METHODS CAFs were cultured with 1 and 10 nM calcitriol and their phenotype; gene expression, protein expression, and secretion were assessed. Calcitriol-treated CAFs-conditioned media (CM) were used to analyze the effect of CAFs on the migration and protein expression of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. RESULTS Tumor tissues from VD3-deficient patients exhibited lower levels of β-catenin and TGFβ1, along with higher levels of CYP24A1 compared to VD3-normal patients. In VD3-deficient patients, CAF infiltration was inversely associated with CYP24A1 levels and positively correlated with OPN levels. Calcitriol diminished CAFs' viability, but this effect was weaker in premenopausal and VD3-normal patients. Calcitriol reduced mRNA expression of CCL2, MMP9, TNC, and increased PDPN, SPP1, and TIMP1. It also decreased the secretion of CCL2, TNC, and the activity of MMP-2, while increasing cellular levels of TIMP1 in CAFs from all patient groups. In nonmetastatic and postmenopausal patients, PDPN surface expression increased, and CAFs CM from these groups decreased MCF-7 cell migration after ex vivo calcitriol treatment. In premenopausal and VD3-deficient patients, calcitriol reduced IDO1 expression in CAFs. Calcitriol-treated CAFs CM from these patients decreased OPN expression in MCF-7 and/or MDA-MB-231 cells. However, in premenopausal patients, calcitriol-treated CAFs CM also decreased E-cadherin expression in both cell lines. CONCLUSION The effects of calcitriol on breast CAFs, both at the gene and protein levels, are complex, reflecting the immunosuppressive or procancer properties of CAFs. The anticancer polarization of CAFs following ex vivo calcitriol treatment may result from decreased CCL2, TNC (gene and protein), MMP9, and MMP-2, while the opposite effect may result from increased PDPN, TIMP1 (gene and protein), and SPP1. Despite these multifaceted effects of calcitriol on molecule expression, CAFs' CMs from nonmetastatic and postmenopausal patients treated ex vivo with calcitriol decreased the migration of MCF-7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Łabędź
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland.
- Łukasiewicz Research Network-PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Stabłowicka 147, 54-066, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Artur Anisiewicz
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Martyna Stachowicz-Suhs
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Banach
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Kłopotowska
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adam Maciejczyk
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wroclaw, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Gazińska
- Łukasiewicz Research Network-PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Stabłowicka 147, 54-066, Wrocław, Poland
- Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, Great Maze Pond, King's College London, London, SE1 3SS, UK
| | - Aleksandra Piotrowska
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Ul., Chałubińskiego 6a, 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Dzięgiel
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Ul., Chałubińskiego 6a, 50-368, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wroclaw, Poland
- Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology and Hematology Center, Pl. Ludwika Hirszfelda 12, 53-413, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Wietrzyk
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wroclaw, Poland
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9
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Zheng J, Hao H. The importance of cancer-associated fibroblasts in targeted therapies and drug resistance in breast cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1333839. [PMID: 38273859 PMCID: PMC10810416 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1333839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a substantial role in the tumor microenvironment, exhibiting a strong association with the advancement of various types of cancer, including breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. CAFs represent the most abundant mesenchymal cell population in breast cancer. Through diverse mechanisms, including the release of cytokines and exosomes, CAFs contribute to the progression of breast cancer by influencing tumor energy metabolism, promoting angiogenesis, impairing immune cell function, and remodeling the extracellular matrix. Moreover, CAFs considerably impact the response to treatment in breast cancer. Consequently, the development of interventions targeting CAFs has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in the management of breast cancer. This article provides an analysis of the role of CAFs in breast cancer, specifically in relation to diagnosis, treatment, drug resistance, and prognosis. The paper succinctly outlines the diverse mechanisms through which CAFs contribute to the malignant behavior of breast cancer cells, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the potential of CAFs as valuable tools for early diagnosis, targeted therapy, treatment resistance, and prognosis assessment in breast cancer, thereby offering novel approaches for targeted therapy and overcoming treatment resistance in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hua Hao
- Department of Pathology, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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10
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Sari D, Gozuacik D, Akkoc Y. Role of autophagy in cancer-associated fibroblast activation, signaling and metabolic reprograming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1274682. [PMID: 38234683 PMCID: PMC10791779 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors not only consist of cancerous cells, but they also harbor several normal-like cell types and non-cellular components. cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of these cellular components that are found predominantly in the tumor stroma. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation and quality control mechanism, and recent studies provided evidence that autophagy played a critical role in CAF formation, metabolic reprograming and tumor-stroma crosstalk. Therefore, shedding light on the autophagy and its role in CAF biology might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the exploitation of more efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we provide an overview about the involvement of autophagy in CAF-related pathways, including transdifferentiation and activation of CAFs, and further discuss the implications of targeting tumor stroma as a treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyana Sari
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Devrim Gozuacik
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Biotechnology, SUNUM Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Yunus Akkoc
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
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11
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Saxena N, Chakraborty S, Dutta S, Bhardwaj G, Karnik N, Shetty O, Jadhav S, Zafar H, Sen S. Stiffness-dependent MSC homing and differentiation into CAFs - implications for breast cancer invasion. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261145. [PMID: 38108421 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening have been shown to be drivers of breast cancer invasiveness. Here, we examine how stiffness-dependent crosstalk between cancer cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within an evolving tumor microenvironment regulates cancer invasion. By analyzing previously published single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we establish the existence of a subpopulation of cells in primary tumors, secondary sites and circulatory tumor cell clusters of highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that co-express MSC and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) markers. By using hydrogels with stiffnesses of 0.5, 2 and 5 kPa to mimic different stages of ECM stiffening, we show that conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells cultured on 2 kPa gels, which mimic the pre-metastatic stroma, drives efficient MSC chemotaxis and induces stable differentiation of MSC-derived CAFs in a TGFβ (TGFB1)- and contractility-dependent manner. In addition to enhancing cancer cell proliferation, MSC-derived CAFs on 2 kPa gels maximally boost local invasion and confer resistance to flow-induced shear stresses. Collectively, our results suggest that homing of MSCs at the pre-metastatic stage and their differentiation into CAFs actively drives breast cancer invasion and metastasis in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Saxena
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay,Mumbai 400076, India
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Soura Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Sarbajeet Dutta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Garvit Bhardwaj
- Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Nupur Karnik
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Omshree Shetty
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Sameer Jadhav
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay,Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Hamim Zafar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
- Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine , IIT Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Shamik Sen
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
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12
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Batra H, Ding Q, Pandurengan R, Ibarguen H, Rabassedas NB, Sahin A, Wistuba I, Parra ER, Raso MG. Exploration of cancer associated fibroblasts phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment of classical and pleomorphic Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1281650. [PMID: 38192631 PMCID: PMC10772146 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1281650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
As the second most common subtype of breast carcinoma, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) microenvironment features have not been thoroughly explored. ILC has different histological subtypes and elucidating differences in their microenvironments could lead to a comprehensive development of cancer therapies. We designed a custom-made cancer associated fibroblast (CAFs) panel and used multiplex immunofluorescence to identify the differences in tumor microenvironment between Classic ILC and Pleomorphic ILC. Materials and methods Multiplex immunofluorescence were performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues using Opal-7 color kit. The antibodies used for phenotyping CAFs were Pan CK (AE1/AE3), CD45, A-SMA, FAP, S100, Thy-1 with optimized dilutions. The images were acquired and analyzed using Vectra 3.0 imaging system and InForm software respectively. Results We studied 19 different CAFs colocalized phenotypes in the tumor, stroma and overall tissue compartments between classic and pleomorphic ILC. Total A-SMA+, A-SMA+FAP+S100+ and A-SMA+S100+ CAFs demonstrated higher densities in classic ILC cases while FAP+S100+ and S-100+ CAFs were increased in the pleomorphic subtype samples. Conclusion Our study explores multiple CAFs phenotypes between classical and pleomorphic ILC. We showed that CAFs subset differ between Classic ILC and Pleomorphic ILC. A-SMA CAFs are more prevalent in the TME of classic ILCs whereas Pleomorphic ILCs are dominated by CAFs without A-SMA expression. This also iterates the importance of exploring this particular type of breast carcinoma in more detail, paving the way for meaningful translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Batra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingqing Ding
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Renganayaki Pandurengan
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Heladio Ibarguen
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Neus Bota Rabassedas
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Aysegul Sahin
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ignacio Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Edwin Roger Parra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Gabriela Raso
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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13
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Melchionna R, Trono P, Di Carlo A, Di Modugno F, Nisticò P. Transcription factors in fibroblast plasticity and CAF heterogeneity. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:347. [PMID: 38124183 PMCID: PMC10731891 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02934-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, research focused on the multifaceted landscape and functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) aimed to reveal their heterogeneity and identify commonalities across diverse tumors for more effective therapeutic targeting of pro-tumoral stromal microenvironment. However, a unified functional categorization of CAF subsets remains elusive, posing challenges for the development of targeted CAF therapies in clinical settings.The CAF phenotype arises from a complex interplay of signals within the tumor microenvironment, where transcription factors serve as central mediators of various cellular pathways. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technology have emphasized the role of transcription factors in the conversion of normal fibroblasts to distinct CAF subtypes across various cancer types.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the specific roles of transcription factor networks in shaping CAF heterogeneity, plasticity, and functionality. Beginning with their influence on fibroblast homeostasis and reprogramming during wound healing and fibrosis, it delves into the emerging insights into transcription factor regulatory networks. Understanding these mechanisms not only enables a more precise characterization of CAF subsets but also sheds light on the early regulatory processes governing CAF heterogeneity and functionality. Ultimately, this knowledge may unveil novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, addressing the existing challenges of stromal-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Trono
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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14
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Faqeer A, Wang M, Alam G, Padhiar AA, Zheng D, Luo Z, Zhao IS, Zhou G, van den Beucken JJJP, Wang H, Zhang Y. Cleaved SPP1-rich extracellular vesicles from osteoclasts promote bone regeneration via TGFβ1/SMAD3 signaling. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122367. [PMID: 38465579 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122367] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Bone remodeling is a tightly coupled process between bone forming osteoblasts (OBs) and bone resorbing osteoclasts (OCs) to maintain bone architecture and systemic mineral homeostasis throughout life. However, the mechanisms responsible for the coupling between OCs and OBs have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we first validate that secreted extracellular vesicles by osteoclasts (OC-EVs) promote osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and further demonstrate the efficacy of osteoclasts and their secreted EVs in treating tibial bone defects. Furthermore, we show that OC-EVs contain several osteogenesis-promoting proteins as cargo. By employing proteomic and functional analysis, we reveal that mature osteoclasts secrete thrombin cleaved phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) through extracellular vesicles which triggers MSCs osteogenic differentiation into OBs by activating Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGFβ1) and Smad family member 3 (SMAD3) signaling. In conclusion, our findings prove an important role of SPP1, present as cargo in OC-derived EVs, in signaling to MSCs and driving their differentiation into OBs. This biological mechanism implies a paradigm shift regarding the role of osteoclasts and their signaling toward the treatment of skeletal disorders which require bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Faqeer
- School of Dentistry, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Mengzhen Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Gulzar Alam
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Arshad Ahmed Padhiar
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China; Department of Ecology and Evoluitonary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3043, USA
| | - Dexiu Zheng
- School of Dentistry, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Zhiming Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Irene Shuping Zhao
- School of Dentistry, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Guangqian Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China
| | - Jeroen J J P van den Beucken
- Department of Dentistry - Regenerative Biomaterials, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, 6525EX, the Netherlands; Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboudumc, 6500HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Huanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China; Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- School of Dentistry, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518015, China.
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15
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Chauhan A, Agarwal S, Masih M, Gautam PK. The Multifunction Role of Tumor-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Interaction with Immune Cells in Breast Cancer. Immunol Invest 2023; 52:856-878. [PMID: 37615117 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2249025] [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] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous group of progenitor cells that play a multifunctional role including tissue regeneration, self-renewal properties, and differentiate into cells of mesodermal lineage such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. MSCs come into contact with tumor microenvironment (TME) and differentiate into tumor-associated MSCs (TA-MSCs). Various substances such as chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and others are released by tumor cells to recruit MSCs. TA-MSCs induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program which mediates tumor growth progression, migration, and invasion. Role of MSCs in the tumor progression, stemness, malignancy, and treatment resistance in the breast cancer TME. Immunomodulation by MSCs is mediated by a combination of cell contact-dependent mechanisms and soluble substances. Monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, and NK cells all show signs of MSCs' immunomodulatory capability. In a complicated interplay initiated by MSCs, anti-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role, as they unveil their full immunomodulatory potential. MSC- secreted cytokines are commonly blamed for the interaction between MSCs, monocytes, and Tregs. Here, we review the current knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in MSC-mediated immunomodulation and focus on the role MSCs play in breast cancer progression and its TME.Abbreviation MSC: Mesenchymal Stem Cells; TME: Tumor Microenvironment; TAMS; Tumour-associated Macrophages; ECM: Extracellular matrix; CAFs: Cancer-associated Fibroblasts; CFUs: Colony-forming unit Fibroblasts; Tregs: T regulatory cells; Bregs; Regulatory B cells; IFN-γ: Interferon-gamma; TNF-α: Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha; IL: Interleukin; TGF-β: transforming growth factorβ; PGE2: Prostaglandin E2; CXCR: Chemokine Receptor; Blimp-1; B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1; CCL: Chemokine motif ligand; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Chauhan
- Department of Biochemistry, AII India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonam Agarwal
- Department of Biochemistry, AII India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Marilyn Masih
- Department of Biochemistry, AII India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry, AII India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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16
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Zhang H, Yue X, Chen Z, Liu C, Wu W, Zhang N, Liu Z, Yang L, Jiang Q, Cheng Q, Luo P, Liu G. Define cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment: new opportunities in cancer immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:159. [PMID: 37784082 PMCID: PMC10544417 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01860-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite centuries since the discovery and study of cancer, cancer is still a lethal and intractable health issue worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained much attention as a pivotal component of the tumor microenvironment. The versatility and sophisticated mechanisms of CAFs in facilitating cancer progression have been elucidated extensively, including promoting cancer angiogenesis and metastasis, inducing drug resistance, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and developing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Owing to their robust tumor-promoting function, CAFs are considered a promising target for oncotherapy. However, CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells. Some subpopulations exert an inhibitory role in tumor growth, which implies that CAF-targeting approaches must be more precise and individualized. This review comprehensively summarize the origin, phenotypical, and functional heterogeneity of CAFs. More importantly, we underscore advances in strategies and clinical trials to target CAF in various cancers, and we also summarize progressions of CAF in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinghai Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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17
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Liu T, Guo S, Ji Y, Zhu W. Role of cancer-educated mesenchymal stromal cells on tumor progression. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115405. [PMID: 37660642 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115405] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The malignant tumor is the main cause of human deaths worldwide. Current therapies focusing on the tumor itself have achieved unprecedented benefits. Various pro-tumorigenic factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME) could abolish the effect of cancer therapy. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are one of the substantial components in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor progression. However, MSCs are not inherently tumor-promoting. Indeed, they acquire pro-tumorigenic properties under the education of the TME. We herein review how various elements in the TME including tumor cells, immune cells, pro-inflammatory factors, hypoxia, and extracellular matrix influence the biological characteristics of MSCs through complex interactions and demonstrate the underlying mechanisms. We also highlight the importance of tumor-associated mesenchymal stromal cells (TA-MSCs) in promoting tumor progression. Our review gives a new insight into the TA-MSCs as a potential tumor therapeutic target. It is anticipated that subverting MSCs education will facilitate the outbreak of therapeutic strategies against tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Shuwei Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yong Ji
- Department of Surgery, Jingjiang People's Hospital, Jingjiang 214500, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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18
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Liu Z, Hou P, Fang J, Zhu J, Zha J, Liu R, Ding Y, Zuo M, Li P, Cao L, Feng C, Melino G, Shao C, Shi Y. Mesenchymal stromal cells confer breast cancer doxorubicin resistance by producing hyaluronan. Oncogene 2023; 42:3221-3235. [PMID: 37704784 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02837-w] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy resistance represents a major cause of therapeutic failure and mortality in cancer patients. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), an integral component of tumor microenvironment, are known to promote drug resistance. However, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that MSCs confer breast cancer resistance to doxorubicin by diminishing its intratumoral accumulation. Hyaluronan (HA), a major extracellular matrix (ECM) product of MSCs, was found to mediate the chemoresistant effect. The chemoresistant effect of MSCs was abrogated when hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (HAS2) was depleted or inhibited. Exogenous HA also protected tumor grafts from doxorubicin. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis indicates that HA can bind with doxorubicin, mainly via hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds, and thus reduce its entry into breast cancer cells. This mechanism is distinct from the reported chemoresistant effect of HA via its receptor on cell surface. High HA serum levels were also found to be positively associated with chemoresistance in breast cancer patients. Our findings indicate that the HA-doxorubicin binding dynamics can confer cancer cells chemoresistance. Reducing HA may enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanhong Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Pengbo Hou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Jiankai Fang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingyu Zhu
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juanmin Zha
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Yayun Ding
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muqiu Zuo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peishan Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lijuan Cao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Feng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Changshun Shao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yufang Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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19
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Zhao Z, Li T, Sun L, Yuan Y, Zhu Y. Potential mechanisms of cancer-associated fibroblasts in therapeutic resistance. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115425. [PMID: 37660643 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous improvements in research and new cancer therapeutics, the goal of eradicating cancer remains elusive because of drug resistance. For a long time, drug resistance research has been focused on tumor cells themselves; however, recent studies have found that the tumor microenvironment also plays an important role in inducing drug resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a main component of the tumor microenvironment. They cross-talk with cancer cells to support their survival in the presence of anticancer drugs. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of CAFs in tumor drug resistance. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between CAFs and cancer cells and insight into the importance of CAFs in drug resistance can guide the development of new anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), Shenyang, China.
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20
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Xu Y, Li W, Lin S, Liu B, Wu P, Li L. Fibroblast diversity and plasticity in the tumor microenvironment: roles in immunity and relevant therapies. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:234. [PMID: 37723510 PMCID: PMC10506315 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01204-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), enriched in the tumor stroma, have received increasing attention because of their multifaceted effects on tumorigenesis, development, metastasis, and treatment resistance in malignancies. CAFs contributed to suppressive microenvironment via different mechanisms, while CAFs also exerted some antitumor effects. Therefore, CAFs have been considered promising therapeutic targets for their remarkable roles in malignant tumors. However, patients with malignancies failed to benefit from current CAFs-targeted drugs in many clinical trials, which suggests that further in-depth investigation into CAFs is necessary. Here, we summarize and outline the heterogeneity and plasticity of CAFs mainly by exploring their origin and activation, highlighting the regulation of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment during tumor evolution, as well as the critical roles performed by CAFs in tumor immunity. In addition, we summarize the current immunotherapies targeting CAFs, and conclude with a brief overview of some prospects for the future of CAFs research in the end. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Li
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shitong Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Binghan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Li Li
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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21
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Li Y, Wang C, Huang T, Yu X, Tian B. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer metastasis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1194835. [PMID: 37496657 PMCID: PMC10367093 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1194835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer deaths are primarily caused by metastasis. There are several treatment options that can be used to treat breast cancer. There are, however, a limited number of treatments that can either prevent or inhibit the spread of breast tumor metastases. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Studies have increasingly focused on the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in metastasis of breast cancer. As the most abundant cells in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer pathogenesis. They can remodel the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and engage in crosstalk with cancer cells or other stroma cells by secreting growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, as well as components of the ECM, which assist the tumor cells to invade through the TME and cause distant metastasis. Clinically, CAFs not only foster the initiation, growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer but also serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, therapy, and prediction of prognosis. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics and subtypes of CAFs and their functions in breast cancer metastasis, focusing on their important roles in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that CAFs are vital partners of breast cancer cells that assist metastasis and may represent ideal targets for prevention and treatment of breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Changyuan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department II, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xijie Yu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bole Tian
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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22
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Dong G, Chen P, Xu Y, Liu T, Yin R. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Key criminals of tumor pre-metastatic niche. Cancer Lett 2023; 566:216234. [PMID: 37236390 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant and important components of the tumour mesenchyme, and have been extensively studied for their role in primary tumours. CAFs provide biomechanical support for tumour cells and play key roles in immunosuppression and tumour metastasis. CAFs can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the primary tumour by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), increasing adhesion to tumour cells, remodelling the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the primary tumour, and changing its mechanical stiffness, which provides a pathway for tumour metastasis. Moreover, CAFs can form cell clusters with circulating tumour cells (CTCs) to help them resist blood shear forces and achieve colonisation of distant host organs. Recent studies have revealed their roles in pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation and prevention. In this review, we discuss the role of CAFs in PMN formation and therapeutic interventions targeting PMN and CAFs to prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhang Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; The Fourth Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 21009, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; The Fourth Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 21009, Nanjing, China
| | - Youtao Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China.
| | - Tongyan Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; Department of Scientific Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China.
| | - Rong Yin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, 21009, Nanjing, China; Department of Scientific Research, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Biobank of Clinical Resources, Nanjing, 210009, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 211116, Nanjing, China
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23
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Yang D, Liu J, Qian H, Zhuang Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: from basic science to anticancer therapy. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-01013-0. [PMID: 37394578 PMCID: PMC10394065 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01013-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as a central component of the tumor microenvironment in primary and metastatic tumors, profoundly influence the behavior of cancer cells and are involved in cancer progression through extensive interactions with cancer cells and other stromal cells. Furthermore, the innate versatility and plasticity of CAFs allow their education by cancer cells, resulting in dynamic alterations in stromal fibroblast populations in a context-dependent manner, which highlights the importance of precise assessment of CAF phenotypical and functional heterogeneity. In this review, we summarize the proposed origins and heterogeneity of CAFs as well as the molecular mechanisms regulating the diversity of CAF subpopulations. We also discuss current strategies to selectively target tumor-promoting CAFs, providing insights and perspectives for future research and clinical studies involving stromal targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakai Yang
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Microbiology and Immunity Department, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicines, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Qian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qin Zhuang
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Si H, Esquivel M, Mendoza Mendoza E, Roarty K. The covert symphony: cellular and molecular accomplices in breast cancer metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1221784. [PMID: 37440925 PMCID: PMC10333702 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1221784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has emerged as the most commonly diagnosed cancer and primary cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Although significant progress has been made in targeting the primary tumor, the effectiveness of systemic treatments to prevent metastasis remains limited. Metastatic disease continues to be the predominant factor leading to fatality in the majority of breast cancer patients. The existence of a prolonged latency period between initial treatment and eventual recurrence in certain patients indicates that tumors can both adapt to and interact with the systemic environment of the host, facilitating and sustaining the progression of the disease. In order to identify potential therapeutic interventions for metastasis, it will be crucial to gain a comprehensive framework surrounding the mechanisms driving the growth, survival, and spread of tumor cells, as well as their interaction with supporting cells of the microenvironment. This review aims to consolidate recent discoveries concerning critical aspects of breast cancer metastasis, encompassing the intricate network of cells, molecules, and physical factors that contribute to metastasis, as well as the molecular mechanisms governing cancer dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiang Si
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Madelyn Esquivel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Erika Mendoza Mendoza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kevin Roarty
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
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25
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Peng Z, Tong Z, Ren Z, Ye M, Hu K. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and its derived exosomes: a new perspective for reshaping the tumor microenvironment. Mol Med 2023; 29:66. [PMID: 37217855 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00665-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). They extensively communicate with the other cells. Exosome-packed bioactive molecules derived from CAFs can reshape the TME by interacting with other cells and the extracellular matrix, which adds a new perspective for their clinical application in tumor targeted therapy. An in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics of CAF-derived exosomes (CDEs) is critical for depicting the detailed landscape of the TME and developing tailored therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. In this review, we have summarized the functional roles of CAFs in the TME, particularly focusing on the extensive communication mediated by CDEs that contain biological molecules such as miRNAs, proteins, metabolites, and other components. In addition, we have also highlighted the prospects for diagnostic and therapeutic applications based on CDEs, which could guide the future development of exosome-targeted anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Peng
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhiwei Tong
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zihao Ren
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Manping Ye
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Kongwang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Hefei, 230022, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, Fuyang, 236000, China.
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26
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Zhao Z, Li T, Yuan Y, Zhu Y. What is new in cancer-associated fibroblast biomarkers? Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:96. [PMID: 37143134 PMCID: PMC10158035 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01125-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is one of the important drivers of tumor development. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor stroma and actively participate in tumor development, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and other biological behaviors. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells, a reflection of the diversity of their origin, biomarkers, and functions. The diversity of CAF origin determines the complexity of CAF biomarkers, and CAF subpopulations expressing different biomarkers may play contrasting roles in tumor progression. In this review, we provide an overview of these emerging CAF biomarkers and the biological functions that they suggest, which may give a better understanding of the relationship between CAFs and tumor cells and be of great significance for breakthroughs in precision targeted therapy for tumors. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of GI Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 of Nanjing Road, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University), No. 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China.
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27
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Fan X, Meng M, Li B, Chen H, Tan J, Xu K, Xiao S, Kwan HY, Liu Z, Su T. Brevilin A is a potent anti-metastatic CRC agent that targets the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the HSCs-CRC interplay. J Transl Med 2023; 21:260. [PMID: 37062842 PMCID: PMC10105967 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of the colorectal cancer (CRC) patients will develop liver metastasis that underlies the cancer mortality. In the hepatic tumor microenvironment, the interplay between CRC cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and the activation of HSCs to become carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) will further promote the cancer development. Nevertheless, the critical signaling molecule that involved in these processes remains unknown, which hinders the development of effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of metastatic CRC (mCRC). METHODS Conditioned medium system and co-cultured system were used to examine the interplay between CRC cells and HSCs. Luminex liquid suspension chip detection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to screen for the mediators in the conditioned medium that facilitated the CRC-HSCs interplay and HSCs-to-CAFs differentiation. Cell and animal models were used to examine whether brevilin A inhibited CRC liver metastasis via the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis. RESULTS In the CRC-HSCs interplay, CRC promoted HSCs-to-CAFs differentiation by releasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); and HSCs released interleukin 6 (IL6) that activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the CRC and hence increased the cancer metastatic potential. The functions of the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the HSCs-CRC interplay were further validated by VEGF recombinant protein and IL6 neutralizing antibody. More importantly, brevilin A, an active compound isolated from Centipeda minima (L.) A. Br. et Aschers, targeted the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the CRC-HSCs interplay, hence significantly inhibited colorectal liver metastasis and cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS We are the first to demonstrate brevilin A possesses potent anti-mCRC effect by targeting the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the CRC-HSCs interplay. Our findings not only support the development of brevilin A as a novel therapeutic agent for mCRC treatment, but also pave the path for the development of other VEGF-IL6-STAT3 targeting therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingjing Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Baoting Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincheng Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Keyang Xu
- Centre for Cancer & Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shilin Xiao
- Centre for Cancer & Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiu-Yee Kwan
- Centre for Cancer & Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhongqiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Tao Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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28
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Fan M, Zhang Y, Shi H, Xiang L, Yao H, Lin R. Bone mesenchymal stem cells promote gastric cancer progression through TGF-β1/Smad2 positive feedback loop. Life Sci 2023; 323:121657. [PMID: 37019301 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been proven to be recruited into the tumor microenvironment and contribute to gastric cancer (GC) progression, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the exact role and potential mechanism of BMSCs in the progression of GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bioinformatics analyzed were used to clarify the correlation between TGF-β1 and prognosis of gastric cancer. Cell co-culture were used to explore the interaction between gastric cancer cells (GCs) and BMSCs. Quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot assay were used to detect gene and protein expression, respectively. The biological characteristics of GCs and BMSCs were detected by immunofluorescence, Transwell migration, Elisa and invasion assay. Xenograft models in nude mice were constructed to evaluate GC development in vivo. KEY FINDINGS TGF-β1 was overexpressed in GC cells and tissues, and is positively related to the poor prognosis of patients. TGF-β1 from GCs activated the Smad2 pathway in BMSCs, promoting their differentiation into carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and TGF-β1 expression. Concomitantly, TGF-β1 secreted by CAFs activate Smad2 signaling in GC cells, thus inducing their epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TGF-β1 secretion. BMSCs can dramatically promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GCs while blocking TGF-β1/Smad2 positive feedback loop can reverse these effects. SIGNIFICANCE The TGF-β1/Smad2 positive feedback loop between GCs and BMSCs, promotes the CAFs differentiation of BMSCs and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of GCs, resulting in the progression of GC.
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29
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Li Q, Yuan H, Zhao G, Zhang J, Li S, Gong D, Feng T, Kou Q, Wang Q, Wang G, Li S, Li K, Lin P. ZNF32 prevents the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts through negative regulation of TGFB1 transcription in breast cancer. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22837. [PMID: 36934389 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201801r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the fundamental cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and therapy resistance of breast cancer. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of CAFs activation from normal fibroblasts (NFs) are still not well understood. In the present study, we reported that ZNF32 expression in breast cancer cells was negatively correlated with CAF-related markers (FSP1, α-SMA, and FAP) in stromal fibroblasts, and loss of ZNF32 promoted the activation of CAFs, as evidenced by the enhanced proliferation and contractility of CAFs. ZNF32 deficiency-mediated fibroblast activation promoted the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ZNF32 inhibited TGFB1 transcription by directly binding to the -1968/-1962 region of the TGFB1 promoter, leading to the prevention of fibroblast activation. Altogether, our findings reveal an important mechanism by which ZNF32 suppression increases the transcription of the TGFB1 gene in breast cancer cells, and subsequently, elevated levels of secretory TGF-β stimulate NFs transformation into CAFs, which in turn facilitates the malignant progression of breast cancer. Our data implicated ZNF32 as a potential therapeutic strategy against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Li
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Siqi Li
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Di Gong
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyu Feng
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiming Kou
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qijing Wang
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guanru Wang
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shan Li
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Li
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Lin
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, and Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Luo H, Zhu Y, Wang J, Wang Y, Wei L. Comprehensive profile and contrastive analysis of circular RNA expression in cervical squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14759. [PMID: 36721776 PMCID: PMC9884480 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies have shown circular RNA (circRNA) dysregulation is associated with the pathogenesis of cervical cancer,particularly in individual carcinoma variants. The aim of this study is to investigate and contrastively analyze the expression pattern of circRNAs in cervical squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma mediated by human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16). Methods The expression of circRNAs in cervical squamous carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (ADC) and adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) tissues, together with the adjacent normal tissues (ANT), was profiled by high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Bioinformatics analysis and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validation of the sequencing data were performed. A network of circRNA-miRNA (microRNA)-mRNA was then constructed according to predicted targets and function of candidate circRNAs. Results A total of 11,685 annotated circRNAs were identified in six cervical samples. There were 42 up-regulated and 98 down-regulated circRNAs. 215 circRNAs were up-regulated in SCC but down-regulated circRNAs in ADC, while 50 circRNAs displayed the opposite trend. Function enrichment analysis based on different expressions of circRNAs found that the most enriched pathway in all the three pathologic variants of cervical cancer was the "ubiquitin mediated proteolysis" pathway. Eight key candidate circRNAs derived from this pathway were further validated, and we noticed that several target miRNAs of candidate circRNAs could target the source genes. Based on this we constructed a related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Conclusion Through a comprehensive interpretation of differentially expressed circRNAs in different pathologic variants of cervical cancer, this study provides new insights into the process of tumor differentiation mediated by HPV. Our results may help to complement the molecular typing and stem cell theory of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxue Luo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lihui Wei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Zhang L. The Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Modulating the Breast Cancer Microenvironment. Cell Transplant 2023; 32:9636897231220073. [PMID: 38135917 DOI: 10.1177/09636897231220073] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is significant and multifaceted. MSCs are recruited to breast tumor sites through molecular signals released by tumor sites. Once in the TME, MSCs undergo polarization and interact with various cell populations, including immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), cancer stem cells (CSCs), and breast cancer cells. In most cases, MSCs play roles in breast cancer therapeutic resistance, but there is also evidence that indicates their abilities to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. MSCs possess inherent regenerative and homing properties, making them attractive candidates for cell-based therapies. Therefore, MSCs can be engineered to express therapeutic molecules or deliver anti-cancer agents directly to tumor sites. Unraveling the intricate relationship between MSCs and the breast TME has the potential to uncover novel therapeutic targets and advance our understanding of breast cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luxiao Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Eguchi T, Csizmadia E, Kawai H, Sheta M, Yoshida K, Prince TL, Wegiel B, Calderwood SK. SCAND1 Reverses Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth and Migration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11243993. [PMID: 36552758 PMCID: PMC9777339 DOI: 10.3390/cells11243993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible cellular program that transiently places epithelial (E) cells into pseudo-mesenchymal (M) cell states. The malignant progression and resistance of many carcinomas depend on EMT activation, partial EMT, or hybrid E/M status in neoplastic cells. EMT is activated by tumor microenvironmental TGFβ signal and EMT-inducing transcription factors, such as ZEB1/2, in tumor cells. However, reverse EMT factors are less studied. We demonstrate that prostate epithelial transcription factor SCAND1 can reverse the cancer cell mesenchymal and hybrid E/M phenotypes to a more epithelial, less invasive status and inhibit their proliferation and migration in DU-145 prostate cancer cells. SCAND1 is a SCAN domain-containing protein and hetero-oligomerizes with SCAN-zinc finger transcription factors, such as MZF1, for accessing DNA and the transcriptional co-repression of target genes. We found that SCAND1 expression correlated with maintaining epithelial features, whereas the loss of SCAND1 was associated with mesenchymal phenotypes of tumor cells. SCAND1 and MZF1 were mutually inducible and coordinately included in chromatin with hetero-chromatin protein HP1γ. The overexpression of SCAND1 reversed hybrid E/M status into an epithelial phenotype with E-cadherin and β-catenin relocation. Consistently, the co-expression analysis in TCGA PanCancer Atlas revealed that SCAND1 and MZF1 expression was negatively correlated with EMT driver genes, including CTNNB1, ZEB1, ZEB2 and TGFBRs, in prostate adenocarcinoma specimens. In addition, SCAND1 overexpression suppressed tumor cell proliferation by reducing the MAP3K-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Of note, in a mouse tumor xenograft model, SCAND1 overexpression significantly reduced Ki-67(+) and Vimentin(+) tumor cells and inhibited migration and lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed high expression of SCAND1 and MZF1 to correlate with better prognoses in pancreatic cancer and head and neck cancers, although with poorer prognosis in kidney cancer. Overall, these data suggest that SCAND1 induces expression and coordinated heterochromatin-binding of MZF1 to reverse the hybrid E/M status into an epithelial phenotype and, inhibits tumor cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis, potentially by repressing the gene expression of EMT drivers and the MAP3K-MEK-ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Eguchi
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.E.); (S.K.C.); Tel.: +81-86-235-6661 (T.E.); +1-617-667-4240 (S.K.C.); Fax: +81-86-235-6664 (T.E.); +1-617-667-4245 (S.K.C.)
| | - Eva Csizmadia
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hotaka Kawai
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Mona Sheta
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
- Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Egypt
| | - Kunihiro Yoshida
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | | | - Barbara Wegiel
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stuart K. Calderwood
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (T.E.); (S.K.C.); Tel.: +81-86-235-6661 (T.E.); +1-617-667-4240 (S.K.C.); Fax: +81-86-235-6664 (T.E.); +1-617-667-4245 (S.K.C.)
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Toledo B, Picon-Ruiz M, Marchal JA, Perán M. Dual Role of Fibroblasts Educated by Tumour in Cancer Behavior and Therapeutic Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:15576. [PMID: 36555218 PMCID: PMC9778751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumours are complex systems with dynamic interactions between tumour cells, non-tumour cells, and extracellular components that comprise the tumour microenvironment (TME). The majority of TME's cells are cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are crucial in extracellular matrix (ECM) construction, tumour metabolism, immunology, adaptive chemoresistance, and tumour cell motility. CAF subtypes have been identified based on the expression of protein markers. CAFs may act as promoters or suppressors in tumour cells depending on a variety of factors, including cancer stage. Indeed, CAFs have been shown to promote tumour growth, survival and spread, and secretome changes, but they can also slow tumourigenesis at an early stage through mechanisms that are still poorly understood. Stromal-cancer interactions are governed by a variety of soluble factors that determine the outcome of the tumourigenic process. Cancer cells release factors that enhance the ability of fibroblasts to secrete multiple tumour-promoting chemokines, acting on malignant cells to promote proliferation, migration, and invasion. This crosstalk between CAFs and tumour cells has given new prominence to the stromal cells, from being considered as mere physical support to becoming key players in the tumour process. Here, we focus on the concept of cancer as a non-healing wound and the relevance of chronic inflammation to tumour initiation. In addition, we review CAFs heterogeneous origins and markers together with the potential therapeutic implications of CAFs "re-education" and/or targeting tumour progression inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Toledo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Manuel Picon-Ruiz
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Macarena Perán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, E-18100 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain
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Fang Z, Meng Q, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Liu J, Liang C, Hua J, Zhao Y, Yu X, Shi S. Signaling pathways in cancer-associated fibroblasts: recent advances and future perspectives. CANCER COMMUNICATIONS (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 43:3-41. [PMID: 36424360 PMCID: PMC9859735 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer initiation and progression. Well-known signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Hedgehog (Hh), Notch, Wnt, Hippo, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways, as well as transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), P53, Snail, and Twist, constitute complex regulatory networks in the TME to modulate the formation, activation, heterogeneity, metabolic characteristics and malignant phenotype of CAFs. Activated CAFs remodel the TME and influence the malignant biological processes of cancer cells by altering the transcriptional and secretory characteristics, and this modulation partially depends on the regulation of signaling cascades. The results of preclinical and clinical trials indicated that therapies targeting signaling pathways in CAFs demonstrated promising efficacy but were also accompanied by some failures (e.g., NCT01130142 and NCT01064622). Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the signaling cascades in CAFs might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the development of more efficient and safer stroma-targeted cancer therapies. Here, we review recent advances in studies of signaling pathways in CAFs and briefly discuss some future perspectives on CAF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengli Fang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Institutes of Biomedical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
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Rogers MP, Kothari A, Read M, Kuo PC, Mi Z. Maintaining Myofibroblastic-Like Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts by Cancer Stemness Signal Transduction Feedback Loop. Cureus 2022; 14:e29354. [PMID: 36284815 PMCID: PMC9583706 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29354] [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] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAF) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) promote cancer stemness, growth, and metastasis. Cancer cell-derived osteopontin (OPN) has been reported as a biomarker related to malignant cancer growth. In this study, we confirm that cancer cell stemness is required for the maintenance of an OPN-induced myCAF phenotype.
Methods: MDA-MB-231 or HepG2 cells and Sox2 knockout variants were co-cultured with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In selected instances, the OPN bioactivity inhibitor OPN-R3 aptamer (APT), OPN-R3 mutant aptamer (MuAPT), or cancer cell stemness inhibitor BBI-608 were added separately. MDA-MB-231 cancer stemness and myCAF markers were quantified by real-time PCR. Stemness-lacking cancer cell mice models were created to confirm that stemness is required for the maintenance of the OPN-induced myCAF phenotype in vivo.
Results: In an MDA-MB-231 co-culture system, myCAF and stemness markers increased. Osteopontin and stemness blockade in this co-culture system decreased both myCAF and stemness marker expression, but OPN blockade after 72 hours had no effect. In contrast, when BBI608 was added at 72 hours, myCAF markers were abated after 36-hour treatment. Replacing wildtype with MDA-MB-231(-/-sox2) in co-cultures at 72 hours decreased myCAF marker expression to baseline despite the Western blot confirming the presence of OPN. Conversely, replacing MDA-MB-231(-/-sox2) cells with wildtype increased myCAF marker expression to a level equivalent to the MDA-MB-231+MSC co-culture system. In vivo osteopontin blockade diminished stemness and myCAF marker expression and stemness lacking cancer cell models, indicated by decreasing myCAF presence. Experiments were repeated in a HepG2 cell line with identical results.
Conclusions: Cancer and myCAF crosstalk increases myCAF maintenance and cancer cell stemness. In this study using human breast and liver cancer cell lines, maintenance of the OPN-induced myCAF phenotype also requires cancer stemness. This indicates that the myCAF phenotype requires two distinct signaling pathways: initiation and maintenance.
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Ghita I, Piperi E, Atamas SP, Bentzen SM, Ord RA, Dyalram D, Lubek JE, Younis RH. Cytokine profiling in plasma distinguishes the histological inflammatory subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and a novel regulatory role of osteopontin. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 3:993638. [PMID: 36338570 PMCID: PMC9632968 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.993638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can be classified according to the histological inflammatory subtype (HIS) into inflamed (HIS-INF) or immune excluded (HIS-IE). HIS-IE was previously associated with higher levels of soluble Semaphorin 4D (HsS4D) in plasma, and higher transcriptional levels of osteopontin (OPN) in the tumor tissue, compared to HIS-INF. The goal of the current study is to investigate whether the HIS inflammatory subtype can be distinguished by a differential cytokine panel in peripheral blood. Retrospectively collected five HIS-INF and five HIS-IE tumor tissue with paired plasma were included in the study. Five healthy donors (HD) and five autoimmune/chronic inflammatory conditions (AI/CI) were controls. The ELISA-Luminex™ system was used to detect 40 traditional cytokines in plasma. Human cytokine array (104 cytokines) was used for the conditioned medium (CM) of the HNSCC HN6 cell line. Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) siRNA and recombinant human osteopontin (rh-OPN) were used to investigate the effect of OPN on Sema4D expression. The HIS-IE cytokine profile was higher than HIS-INF but comparable to AI/CI. HIS-INF had the lowest cytokine levels. HIS-IE was differentially higher in IP-10 and IL8 compared to HD, while HIS-INF was higher in IL-10. Sema4D inhibition in HN6 resulted in a decrease of OPN in the CM of HN6, and treatment with rh-OPN rescued Sema4D in HN6 cell lysate and associated CM. In conclusion, the current work demonstrates a novel association between the HIS subtypes and a differential pattern of cytokine expression in plasma. These findings can open new avenues for HNSCC patient stratification and hence provide better personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Ghita
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Evangelia Piperi
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oral Medicine / Pathology and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sergei P. Atamas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine. Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Soren M. Bentzen
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Maryland School of Medicine. Baltimore, MD, United States
- Biostatistics Core, Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Biostatistics Division, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert A. Ord
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Head and Neck Surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Donita Dyalram
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Head and Neck Surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joshua E. Lubek
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Head and Neck Surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rania H. Younis
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Tumor immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Correspondence: Rania H. Younis
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Fotsitzoudis C, Koulouridi A, Messaritakis I, Konstantinidis T, Gouvas N, Tsiaoussis J, Souglakos J. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: The Origin, Biological Characteristics and Role in Cancer-A Glance on Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184394. [PMID: 36139552 PMCID: PMC9497276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor microenvironment is a major contributor to tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy. It consists of many cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which derive from different types of cells. CAFs detected in different tumor types are linked to poor prognosis, as in the case of colorectal cancer. Although their functions differ according to their subtype, their detection is not easy, and there are no established markers for such detection. They are possible targets for therapeutic treatment. Many trials are ongoing for their use as a prognostic factor and as a treatment target. More research remains to be carried out to establish their role in prognosis and treatment. Abstract The therapeutic approaches to cancer remain a considerable target for all scientists around the world. Although new cancer treatments are an everyday phenomenon, cancer still remains one of the leading mortality causes. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains in this category, although patients with CRC may have better survival compared with other malignancies. Not only the tumor but also its environment, what we call the tumor microenvironment (TME), seem to contribute to cancer progression and resistance to therapy. TME consists of different molecules and cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are a major component. They arise from normal fibroblasts and other normal cells through various pathways. Their role seems to contribute to cancer promotion, participating in tumorigenesis, proliferation, growth, invasion, metastasis and resistance to treatment. Different markers, such as a-SMA, FAP, PDGFR-β, periostin, have been used for the detection of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Their detection is important for two main reasons; research has shown that their existence is correlated with prognosis, and they are already under evaluation as a possible target for treatment. However, extensive research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Fotsitzoudis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Asimina Koulouridi
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ippokratis Messaritakis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-394926
| | | | | | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Souglakos
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
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Zhu Y, Li X, Wang L, Hong X, Yang J. Metabolic reprogramming and crosstalk of cancer-related fibroblasts and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:988295. [PMID: 36046791 PMCID: PMC9421293 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.988295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is notorious that cancer cells alter their metabolism to adjust to harsh environments of hypoxia and nutritional starvation. Metabolic reprogramming most often occurs in the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME is defined as the cellular environment in which the tumor resides. This includes surrounding blood vessels, fibroblasts, immune cells, signaling molecules and the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is increasingly recognized that cancer cells, fibroblasts and immune cells within TME can regulate tumor progression through metabolic reprogramming. As the most significant proportion of cells among all the stromal cells that constitute TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are closely associated with tumorigenesis and progression. Multitudinous studies have shown that CAFs participate in and promote tumor metabolic reprogramming and exert regulatory effects via the dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Previous studies have demonstrated that curbing the substance exchange between CAFs and tumor cells can dramatically restrain tumor growth. Emerging studies suggest that CAFs within the TME have emerged as important determinants of metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic reprogramming also occurs in the metabolic pattern of immune cells. In the meanwhile, immune cell phenotype and functions are metabolically regulated. Notably, immune cell functions influenced by metabolic programs may ultimately lead to alterations in tumor immunity. Despite the fact that multiple previous researches have been devoted to studying the interplays between different cells in the tumor microenvironment, the complicated relationship between CAFs and immune cells and implications of metabolic reprogramming remains unknown and requires further investigation. In this review, we discuss our current comprehension of metabolic reprogramming of CAFs and immune cells (mainly glucose, amino acid, and lipid metabolism) and crosstalk between them that induces immune responses, and we also highlight their contributions to tumorigenesis and progression. Furthermore, we underscore potential therapeutic opportunities arising from metabolism dysregulation and metabolic crosstalk, focusing on strategies targeting CAFs and immune cell metabolic crosstalk in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyan Li
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiwei Hong
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of General surgery, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
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Dios-Barbeito S, González R, Cadenas M, García LF, Victor VM, Padillo FJ, Muntané J. Impact of nitric oxide in liver cancer microenvironment. Nitric Oxide 2022; 128:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Tan Y, Zhao L, Yang YG, Liu W. The Role of Osteopontin in Tumor Progression Through Tumor-Associated Macrophages. Front Oncol 2022; 12:953283. [PMID: 35898884 PMCID: PMC9309262 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.953283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional phosphorylated protein. It is widely involved in solid tumor progression, such as intensification of macrophage recruitment, inhibition of T-cell activity, aggravation of tumor interstitial fibrosis, promotion of tumor metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and angiogenesis. Most of these pathologies are affected by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAMs have been extensively characterized, including their subsets, phenotypes, activation status, and functions, and are considered a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. This review focuses on the interaction between OPN and TAMs in mediating tumor progression. We discuss the strategies for targeting OPN and TAMs to treat cancer and factors that may affect the therapeutic outcomes of blocking OPN or depleting TAMs. We also discuss the role of cancer cell- vs. TAM-derived OPN in tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of how OPN affects TAM recruitment and polarization, and why OPN could mediate anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects, as well as previously reported discrepancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Tan
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Guang Yang, ; Wentao Liu,
| | - Wentao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- National–Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Guang Yang, ; Wentao Liu,
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Xiang X, Niu YR, Wang ZH, Ye LL, Peng WB, Zhou Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Vital suppressors of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:35-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Muchlińska A, Nagel A, Popęda M, Szade J, Niemira M, Zieliński J, Skokowski J, Bednarz-Knoll N, Żaczek AJ. Alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts secreting osteopontin promote growth of luminal breast cancer. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:45. [PMID: 35690734 PMCID: PMC9188043 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00351-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been shown to support tumor development in a variety of cancers. Different markers were applied to classify CAFs in order to elucidate their impact on tumor progression. However, the exact mechanism by which CAFs enhance cancer development and metastasis is yet unknown.
Methods Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was examined immunohistochemically in intratumoral CAFs of nonmetastatic breast cancers and correlated with clinicopathological data. Four CAF cell lines were isolated from patients with luminal breast cancer (lumBC) and classified according to the presence of α-SMA protein. Conditioned medium (CM) from CAF cultures was used to assess the influence of CAFs on lumBC cell lines: MCF7 and T47D cells using Matrigel 3D culture assay. To identify potential factors accounting for promotion of tumor growth by α-SMAhigh CAFs, nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel (NanoString) was used. Results In luminal breast cancer, presence of intratumoral CAFs expressing high level of α-SMA (13% of lumBC group) correlated with poor prognosis (p = 0.019). In in vitro conditions, conditioned medium obtained from primary cultures of α-SMA-positive CAFs isolated from luminal tumors was observed to enhance growth of lumBC cell line colonies in 3D Matrigel, in contrast to CM derived from α-SMA-negative CAFs. Multigene expression analysis indicated that osteopontin (OPN) was overexpressed in α-SMA-positive CAFs in both clinical samples and in vitro models. OPN expression was associated with higher percentage of Ki67-positive cells in clinical material (p = 0.012), while OPN blocking in α-SMA-positive CAF-derived CM attenuated growth of lumBC cell line colonies in 3D Matrigel. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that α-SMA-positive CAFs might enhance tumor growth via secretion of OPN. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11658-022-00351-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Muchlińska
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna Nagel
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marta Popęda
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jolanta Szade
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Niemira
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jacek Zieliński
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jarosław Skokowski
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-214, Gdansk, Poland.,Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure Poland (BBMRI.PL), 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Natalia Bednarz-Knoll
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna J Żaczek
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland.
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Pazhani J, Jayaraman S, Veeraraghavan VP, Somasundaram DB, Raj AT, Patil S. Targeting cancer associated fibroblasts - A TGF-β based immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2022; 130:105899. [PMID: 35561489 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.105899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jayanthi Pazhani
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Selvaraj Jayaraman
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Vishnu Priya Veeraraghavan
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Dinesh Babu Somasundaram
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Centre, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
| | - A Thirumal Raj
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, Chennai 600 130, India
| | - Shankargouda Patil
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
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Hu D, Li Z, Zheng B, Lin X, Pan Y, Gong P, Zhuo W, Hu Y, Chen C, Chen L, Zhou J, Wang L. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer: Challenges and opportunities. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:401-434. [PMID: 35481621 PMCID: PMC9118050 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is proposed to contribute substantially to the progression of cancers, including breast cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment. Studies have revealed that CAFs in breast cancer originate from several types of cells and promote breast cancer malignancy by secreting factors, generating exosomes, releasing nutrients, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and suppressing the function of immune cells. CAFs are also becoming therapeutic targets for breast cancer due to their specific distribution in tumors and their unique biomarkers. Agents interrupting the effect of CAFs on surrounding cells have been developed and applied in clinical trials. Here, we reviewed studies examining the heterogeneity of CAFs in breast cancer and expression patterns of CAF markers in different subtypes of breast cancer. We hope that summarizing CAF-related studies from a historical perspective will help to accelerate the development of CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengdi Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqing Li
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Xixi Lin
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yuehong Pan
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Peirong Gong
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Wenying Zhuo
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China.,Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Hu
- Affiliated Cixi Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315300, P. R. China
| | - Cong Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Lini Chen
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Jichun Zhou
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Linbo Wang
- Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China.,Biomedical Research Center and Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P. R. China
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Bladder Cancer Cells Exert Pleiotropic Effects on Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12040549. [PMID: 35455040 PMCID: PMC9025060 DOI: 10.3390/life12040549] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapies are considered one of the most promising disciplines in biomedicine. Bladder cancer patients could benefit from therapies directed to promote healing after invasive surgeries or to lessen urinary incontinence, a common side effect of both cancer itself and the treatment. However, the local delivery of cells producing large amounts of paracrine factors may alter interactions within the microenvironment. For this reason, reconstructive cellular therapies for patients with a history of cancer carry a potential risk of tumor reactivation. We used an indirect co-culture model to characterize the interplay between adipose-derived stem cells and bladder cancer cells. Incubation with ASCs increased MCP-1 secretion by bladder cancer cells (from 2.1-fold to 8.1-fold, depending on the cell line). Cancer cell-derived factors altered ASC morphology. Cells with atypical shapes and significantly enlarged volumes appeared within the monolayer. Incubation in a conditioned medium (CM) containing soluble mediators secreted by 5637 and HB-CLS-1 bladder cancer cell lines decreased ASC numbers by 47.5% and 45.7%. A significant increase in adhesion to ECM components, accompanied by reduced motility and sheet migration, was also observed after incubation in CM from 5637 and HB-CLS-1 cells. No differences were observed when ASCs were co-cultured with HT-1376 cells. Our previous and present results indicate that soluble mediators secreted by ASCs and bladder cancer cells induce opposite effects influencing cells that represent the non-muscle-invasive urinary bladder.
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Wang F, Hou W, Li X, Lu L, Huang T, Zhu M, Miao C. SETD8 cooperates with MZF1 to participate in hyperglycemia-induced endothelial inflammation via elevation of WNT5A levels in diabetic nephropathy. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:30. [PMID: 35350980 PMCID: PMC8962284 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00328-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is regarded as the main vascular complication of diabetes mellitus, directly affecting the outcome of diabetic patients. Inflammatory factors were reported to participate in the progress of DN. Wingless-type family member 5 (WNT5A), myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1), and lysine methyltransferase 8 (SETD8) have also been reported to elevate inflammatory factor levels and activate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway to induce endothelial dysfunction. In the current study, it was assumed that MZF1 associates with SETD8 to regulate WNT5A transcription, thus resulting in hyperglycemia-induced glomerular endothelial inflammation in DN. Methods The present study recruited 25 diagnosed DN patients (type 2 diabetes) and 25 control participants (nondiabetic renal cancer patients with normal renal function, stage I–II) consecutively. Moreover, a DN rat and cellular model was constructed in the present study. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were implemented to determine protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. Coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) and immunofluorescence were implemented in human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and dual luciferase assays were implemented to determine transcriptional activity. Results The results of this study indicated that levels of WNT5A expression, p65 phosphorylation (p-p65), and inflammatory factors were all elevated in DN patients and rats. In vitro, levels of p-p65 and inflammatory factors increased along with the increase of WNT5A expression in hyperglycemic HGECs. Moreover, high glucose increased MZF1 expression and decreased SETD8 expression. MZF1 and SETD8 inhibit each other under the stimulus of high glucose, but cooperate to regulate WNT5A expression, thus influencing p-p65 and endothelial inflammatory factors levels. Overexpression of MZF1 and silencing of SETD8 induced endothelial p-p65 and inflammatory factors levels, which can be reversed by si-WNT5A. Mechanistic research indicated that MZF1, SETD8, and its downstream target histone H4 lysine 20 methylation (H4K20me1) all occupied the WNT5A promoter region. sh-SETD8 expanded the enrichment of MZF1 on WNT5A promoter. Our in vivo study proved that SETD8 overexpression inhibited levels of WNT5A, p-p65 expression, and inflammatory factors in DN rats. Conclusions MZF1 links with SETD8 to regulate WNT5A expression in HGECs, thus elevating levels of hyperglycemia-mediated inflammatory factors in glomerular endothelium of DN patients and rats. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR2000029425. 2020/1/31, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=48548 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11658-022-00328-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenting Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lihong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Minmin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Ermakov MS, Nushtaeva AA, Richter VA, Koval OA. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and their role in tumor progression. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2022; 26:14-21. [PMID: 35342854 PMCID: PMC8894099 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-22-03] [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: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The stromal elements of a malignant tumor can promote cancer progression and metastasis. The structure of the tumor stroma includes connective tissue elements, blood vessels, nerves, and extracellular matrix (ECM). Some of the cellular elements of the tumor stroma are cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The origin and function of CAFs have been actively studied over the past thirty years. CAFs produce collagen, the main scaffold protein of the extracellular matrix. Collagen in the tumor stroma stimulates fibrosis, enhances the rigidity of tumor tissue, and disrupts the transmission of proliferation and differentiation signaling pathways. CAFs control tumor angiogenesis, cell motility, tumor immunogenic properties, and the development of resistance to chemo- and immunotherapy. As a result of metabolic adaptation of rapidly growing tumor tissue to the nutrients and oxygen deprivation, the main type of energy production in cells changes from oxidative phosphorylation to anaerobic glycolysis. These changes lead to sequential molecular alterations, including the induction of specified transcriptional factors that result in the CAFs activation. The molecular phenotype of activated CAFs is similar to fibroblasts activated during inflammation. In activated CAFs, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is synthetized de novo and various proteases and fibronectin are produced. Since CAFs are found in all types of carcinomas, these cells are potential targets for the development of new approaches for anticancer therapy. Some CAFs originate from resident fibroblasts of the organs invaded by the tumor, while others originate from epithelial tumor cells, which are undergoing an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). To date, many molecular and metabolic inducers of the EMT have been discovered including the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), hypoxia, and inflammation. This review classifies modern concepts of molecular markers of CAFs, their functional features, and discusses the stages of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the potential of CAFs as a target for antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. S. Ermakov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - A. A. Nushtaeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - V. A. Richter
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - O. A. Koval
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University
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Tanaka M. Crosstalk of tumor stromal cells orchestrates invasion and spreading of gastric cancer. Pathol Int 2022; 72:219-233. [PMID: 35112770 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Tumors contain various stromal cells that support cancer progression. Some types of cancer, such as scirrhous gastric cancer, are characterized by large areas of fibrosis accompanied by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Asporin (ASPN) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan highly expressed in CAFs of various tumors. ASPN accelerates CAF migration and invasion, resulting in CAF-led cancer cell invasion. In addition, ASPN further upregulated the expression of genes specific to a characteristic subgroup of fibroblasts in tumors. These cells were preferentially located at the tumor periphery and could be generated by a unique mechanism involving the CAF-mediated education of normal fibroblasts (CEFs). In this review, we at first describe recent findings regarding the function of ASPN in the tumor microenvironment, as well as the mechanism involved in the generation of CEFs. CAFs are derived from heterogeneous origins besides resident normal fibroblasts. Among them, CAFs derived from mesothelial cells (mesothelial cell-derived CAF [MC-CAFs]) play pivotal roles in peritoneal carcinomatosis. We observed that MC-CAFs on the surfaces of organs also participate in tumor formation by infiltrating into the parenchyma, promoting local invasion by gastric cancers. This review also highlights the potential functions of macrophages in the formation of MC-CAFs in gastric cancers, by transfer the contents of cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
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Wang W, Cheng B, Yu Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts as accomplices to confer therapeutic resistance in cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 5:889-901. [PMID: 36627901 PMCID: PMC9771752 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The "seed and soil" concept has reformed paradigms for cancer treatment in the past decade. Accumulating evidence indicates that the intimate crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells plays a tremendous role in tumor progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the largest population of stroma cells, influence therapeutic effects through diverse mechanisms. Herein, we summarize the recent advances in the versatile functions of CAFs regarding their heterogeneity, and we mainly discuss the pro-tumorigenic functions of CAFs which promote tumorigenesis and confer therapeutic resistance to tumors. Targeting CAFs is emerging as one of the most appealing strategies in anticancer therapies. The endeavors to target or reprogram the specific subtypes of CAFs provide great cancer treatment opportunities, which may provide a better clinical benefit to cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Research Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Research Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Research Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong, China
- Cancer Precision Medicine, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Biopolis, Singapore 138672, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School of Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Correspondence to: Prof. Qiang Yu, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School of Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore. E-mail:
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Matricellular proteins in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:249-281. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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