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Jain SM, Nagainallur Ravichandran S, Murali Kumar M, Banerjee A, Sun-Zhang A, Zhang H, Pathak R, Sun XF, Pathak S. Understanding the molecular mechanism responsible for developing therapeutic radiation-induced radioresistance of rectal cancer and improving the clinical outcomes of radiotherapy - A review. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2317999. [PMID: 38445632 PMCID: PMC10936619 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2317999] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Rectal cancer accounts for the second highest cancer-related mortality, which is predominant in Western civilizations. The treatment for rectal cancers includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Radiotherapy, specifically external beam radiation therapy, is the most common way to treat rectal cancer because radiation not only limits cancer progression but also significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence. However, therapeutic radiation-induced radioresistance to rectal cancer cells and toxicity to normal tissues are major drawbacks. Therefore, understanding the mechanistic basis of developing radioresistance during and after radiation therapy would provide crucial insight to improve clinical outcomes of radiation therapy for rectal cancer patients. Studies by various groups have shown that radiotherapy-mediated changes in the tumor microenvironment play a crucial role in developing radioresistance. Therapeutic radiation-induced hypoxia and functional alterations in the stromal cells, specifically tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), play a crucial role in developing radioresistance. In addition, signaling pathways, such as - the PI3K/AKT pathway, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and the hippo pathway, modulate the radiation responsiveness of cancer cells. Different radiosensitizers, such as small molecules, microRNA, nanomaterials, and natural and chemical sensitizers, are being used to increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy. This review highlights the mechanism responsible for developing radioresistance of rectal cancer following radiotherapy and potential strategies to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy for better management of rectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samatha M Jain
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India
| | - Shruthi Nagainallur Ravichandran
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India
| | - Makalakshmi Murali Kumar
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India
| | - Alexander Sun-Zhang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Orebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Rupak Pathak
- Division of Radiation Health, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Xiao-Feng Sun
- Department of Oncology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India
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Ye QW, Liu YJ, Li JQ, Han M, Bian ZR, Chen TY, Li JP, Liu SL, Zou X. GJA4 expressed on cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-A 'promoter' of the mesenchymal phenotype. Transl Oncol 2024; 46:102009. [PMID: 38833783 PMCID: PMC11190749 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Connexin is a transmembrane protein involved in gap junctions (GJs) formation. Our previous study found that connexin 37 (Cx37), encoded by gap junction protein alpha 4 (GJA4), expressed on fibroblasts acts as a promoter of CRC and is closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor immune microenvironment. However, to date, the mechanism concerning the malignancy of GJA4 in tumor stroma has not been studied. METHODS Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used to validate the expression and localization of GJA4. Using single-cell analysis, enrichment analysis, spatial transcriptomics, immunofluorescence staining (IF), Sirius red staining, wound healing and transwell assays, western blotting (WB), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay and in vivo experiments, we investigated the possible mechanisms of GJA4 in promoting CRC. RESULTS We discovered that in CRC, GJA4 on fibroblasts is involved in promoting fibroblast activation and promoting EMT through a fibroblast-dependent pathway. Furthermore, GJA4 may act synergistically with M2 macrophages to limit T cell infiltration by stimulating the formation of an immune-excluded desmoplasic barrier. Finally, we found a significantly correlation between GJA4 and pathological staging (P < 0.0001) or D2 dimer (R = 0.03, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION We have identified GJA4 expressed on fibroblasts is actually a promoter of the tumor mesenchymal phenotype. Our findings suggest that the interaction between GJA4+ fibroblasts and M2 macrophages may be an effective target for enhancing tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Wen Ye
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; No.1 Clinical Medicial College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yuan-Jie Liu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; No.1 Clinical Medicial College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jia-Qi Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; No.1 Clinical Medicial College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Mei Han
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Ze-Ren Bian
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; No.1 Clinical Medicial College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Tian-Yuan Chen
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; No.1 Clinical Medicial College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jie-Pin Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shen-Lin Liu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Xi Zou
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China; Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Yu Y, Lyu C, Li X, Yang L, Wang J, Li H, Xin Z, Xu X, Ren C, Yang G. Remodeling of tumor microenvironment by extracellular matrix protein 1a differentially regulates ovarian cancer metastasis. Cancer Lett 2024; 596:217022. [PMID: 38849014 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217022] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
We previously reported that extracellular matrix protein 1 isoform a (ECM1a) promotes epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) through autocrine signaling by binding to cell surface receptors αXβ2. However, the role of ECM1a as a secretory molecule in the tumor microenvironment is rarely reported. In this study, we constructed murine Ecm1-knockout mice and human ECM1a-knockin mice and further generated orthotopic or peritoneal xenograft tumor models to mimic the different metastatic stages of EOC. We show that ECM1a induces oncogenic metastasis of orthotopic xenograft tumors, but inhibits early-metastasis of peritoneal xenograft tumors. ECM1a remodels extracellular matrices (ECM) and promotes remote metastases by recruiting and transforming bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ+) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and facilitating the secretion of angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2). Competing with ECM1a, ANGPTL2 also binds to integrin αX through the P1/P2 peptides, resulting in negative effects on BMSC differentiation. Collectively, this study reveals the dual functions of ECM1a in remodeling of TME during tumor progression, emphasizing the complexity of EOC phenotypic heterogeneity and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinjue Yu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China; Department of Radiotherapy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Cuiting Lyu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Department of Pathology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Lina Yang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Jingshu Wang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Hui Li
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Zhaochen Xin
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Xinyi Xu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China; Department of Pathology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Chunxia Ren
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Gong Yang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China; Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Li Z, Sun S, Wang Y, Hua Y, Liu M, Zhou Y, Zhong L, Li T, Zhao H, Zhou X, Zeng X, Chen Q, Li J. PA28γ coordinates the cross-talk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor cells to promote OSCC progression via HDAC1/E2F3/IGF2 signaling. Cancer Lett 2024; 594:216962. [PMID: 38768680 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
PA28γ overexpression is aberrant and accompanied by poor patient prognosis in various cancers, the precise regulatory mechanism of this crucial gene in the tumor microenvironment remains incompletely understood. In this study, using oral squamous cell carcinoma as a model, we demonstrated that PA28γ exhibits high expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and its expression significantly correlates with the severity of clinical indicators of malignancy. Remarkably, we found that elevated levels of secreted IGF2 from PA28γ+ CAFs can enhance stemness maintenance and promote tumor cell aggressiveness through the activation of the MAPK/AKT pathway in a paracrine manner. Mechanistically, PA28γ upregulates IGF2 expression by stabilizing the E2F3 protein, a transcription factor of IGF2. Further mechanistic insights reveal that HDAC1 predominantly mediates the deacetylation and subsequent ubiquitination and degradation of E2F3. Notably, PA28γ interacts with HDAC1 and accelerates its degradation via a 20S proteasome-dependent pathway. Additionally, PA28γ+ CAFs exert an impact on the tumor immune microenvironment by secreting IGF2. Excitingly, our study suggests that targeting PA28γ+ CAFs or secreted IGF2 could increase the efficacy of PD-L1 therapy. Thus, our findings reveal the pivotal role of PA28γ in cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment and propose novel strategies for augmenting the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Silu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yufei Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Taiwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xikun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Xu Y, Li J, Wang J, Deng F. A novel CAF-cancer cell crosstalk-related gene prognostic index based on machine learning: prognostic significance and prediction of therapeutic response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:645. [PMID: 38982511 PMCID: PMC11234636 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05447-6] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-cancer cell crosstalk (CCCT) plays an important role in tumor microenvironment shaping and immunotherapy response. Current prognostic indexes are insufficient to accurately assess immunotherapy response in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to develop a CCCT-related gene prognostic index (CCRGPI) for assessing the prognosis and response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy of HNSCC patients. METHODS Two cellular models, the fibroblast-cancer cell indirect coculture (FCICC) model, and the fibroblast-cancer cell organoid (FC-organoid) model, were constructed to visualize the crosstalk between fibroblasts and cancer cells. Based on a HNSCC scRNA-seq dataset, the R package CellChat was used to perform cell communication analysis to identify gene pairs involved in CCCT. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was then applied to further refine the selection of these gene pairs. The selected gene pairs were subsequently subjected to stepwise regression to develop CCRGPI. We further performed a comprehensive analysis to determine the molecular and immune characteristics, and prognosis associated with ICI therapy in different CCRGPI subgroups. Finally, the connectivity map (CMap) analysis and molecular docking were used to screen potential therapeutic drugs. RESULTS FCICC and FC-organoid models showed that cancer cells promoted the activation of fibroblasts into CAFs, that CAFs enhanced the invasion of cancer cells, and that CCCT was somewhat heterogeneous. The CCRGPI was developed based on 4 gene pairs: IGF1-IGF1R, LGALS9-CD44, SEMA5A-PLXNA1, and TNXB-SDC1. Furthermore, a high CCRGPI score was identified as an adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Additionally, a high CCRGPI was positively correlated with the activation of the P53 pathway, a high TP53 mutation rate, and decreased benefit from ICI therapy but was inversely associated with the abundance of various immune cells, such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells. Moreover, Ganetespib was identified as a potential drug for HNSCC combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS The CCRGPI is reliable for predicting the prognosis and immunotherapy response of HSNCC patients and may be useful for guiding the individualized treatment of HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Xu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Junda Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, 510055, China
| | - Jinming Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, 510055, China.
| | - Feilong Deng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, 510055, China.
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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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Capp JP, Catania F, Thomas F. From genetic mosaicism to tumorigenesis through indirect genetic effects. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300238. [PMID: 38736323 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300238] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Genetic mosaicism has long been linked to aging, and several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the potential connections between mosaicism and susceptibility to cancer. It has been proposed that mosaicism may disrupt tissue homeostasis by affecting intercellular communications and releasing microenvironmental constraints within tissues. The underlying mechanisms driving these tissue-level influences remain unidentified, however. Here, we present an evolutionary perspective on the interplay between mosaicism and cancer, suggesting that the tissue-level impacts of genetic mosaicism can be attributed to Indirect Genetic Effects (IGEs). IGEs can increase the level of cellular stochasticity and phenotypic instability among adjacent cells, thereby elevating the risk of cancer development within the tissue. Moreover, as cells experience phenotypic changes in response to challenging microenvironmental conditions, these changes can initiate a cascade of nongenetic alterations, referred to as Indirect non-Genetic Effects (InGEs), which in turn catalyze IGEs among surrounding cells. We argue that incorporating both InGEs and IGEs into our understanding of the process of oncogenic transformation could trigger a major paradigm shift in cancer research with far-reaching implications for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pascal Capp
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, INSA/University of Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, Toulouse, France
| | - Francesco Catania
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Kanayagawa, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Zhu H, Jin RU. The role of the fibroblast in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:319-327. [PMID: 38626060 PMCID: PMC11155289 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000001032] [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] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the number one risk factor for developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a deadly cancer with limited treatment options that has been increasing in incidence in the US. In this report, we discuss current studies on the role of mesenchyme and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in BE and EAC, and we highlight translational prospects of targeting these cells. RECENT FINDINGS New insights through studies using single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) have revealed an important emerging role of the mesenchyme in developmental signaling and cancer initiation. BE and EAC share similar stromal gene expression, as functional classifications of nonepithelial cells in BE show a remarkable similarity to EAC CAFs. Several recent sc-RNA seq studies and novel organoid fibroblast co-culture systems have characterized the subgroups of fibroblasts in BE and EAC, and have shown that these cells can directly influence the epithelium to induce BE development and cancer progression. Targeting the CAFs in EAC with may be a promising novel therapeutic strategy. SUMMARY The fibroblasts in the surrounding mesenchyme may have a direct role in influencing altered epithelial plasticity during BE development and progression to EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Zhu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Sheng Z, Wang X, Ding X, Zheng Y, Guo A, Cui J, Ma J, Duan W, Dong H, Zhang H, Cui M, Su W, Zhang B. Exosomal miRNA-92a derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts promote invasion and metastasis in breast cancer by regulating G3BP2. Cell Signal 2024; 119:111182. [PMID: 38640983 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111182] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) exert a tumor-promoting effect in various cancers, including breast cancer. CAFs secrete exosomes containing miRNA and proteins, influencing the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we identified CAF-derived exosomes that transport functional miR-92a from CAFs to tumor cells, thereby intensifying the aggressiveness of breast cancer. CAFs downregulate the expression of G3BP2 in breast cancer cells, and a significant elevation in miR-92a levels in CAF-derived exosomes was observed. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that miR-92a enhances breast cancer cell migration and invasion by directly targeting G3BP2, functioning as a tumor-promoting miRNA. We validated that the RNA-binding proteins SNRPA facilitate the transfer of CAF-derived exosomal miR-92a to breast cancer cells. The reduction of G3BP2 protein by CAF-derived exosomes releases TWIST1 into the nucleus, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and further exacerbating breast cancer progression. Moreover, CAF-derived exosomal miR-92a induces tumor invasion and metastasis in mice. Overall, our study reveals that CAF-derived exosomal miR-92a serves as a promoter in the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by reducing G3BP2 and may represent a potential novel tumor marker for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimei Sheng
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China; Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xuejie Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaodi Ding
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanhang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Weifang people's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Ai Guo
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Jiayu Cui
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Wanli Duan
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Hao Dong
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Meimei Cui
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Wenxia Su
- Department of Physiology, Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Baogang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China; Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China.
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10
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Pan Z, Xu G, Zhang Y, Wu M, Yu J, He X, Zhang W, Hu J. Galectin-1 Promotes Gastric Carcinoma Progression and Cisplatin Resistance Through the NRP-1/c-JUN/Wee1 Pathway. J Gastric Cancer 2024; 24:300-315. [PMID: 38960889 PMCID: PMC11224716 DOI: 10.5230/jgc.2024.24.e25] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Gastric cancer (GC) is among the deadliest malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a primary protein secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs); however, its role and mechanisms of action of Gal-1 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we stimulated GC cells with exogenous human recombinant galectin-1 protein (rhGal-1) to investigate its effects on the proliferation, migration, and resistance to cisplatin. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used simulated rhGal-1 protein as a paracrine factor produced by CAFs to induce GC cells and investigated its promotional effects and mechanisms in GC progression and cisplatin resistance. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay confirmed that Gal-1 expression was associated with clinicopathological parameters and correlated with the expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), c-JUN, and Wee1. RESULTS Our study reveals Gal-1 expression was significantly associated with poor outcomes. Gal-1 boosts the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells by activating the NRP-1/C-JUN/Wee1 pathway. Gal-1 notably increases GC cell resistance to cisplatin The NRP-1 inhibitor, EG00229, effectively counteracts these effects. CONCLUSIONS These findings revealed a potential mechanism by which Gal-1 promotes GC growth and contributes to chemoresistance, offering new therapeutic targets for the treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyang Pan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoxi Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Jinjiang Hospital, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Cancer Center, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meiling Wu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Yu
- Cancer Center, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xujun He
- Cancer Center, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Junfeng Hu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
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11
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Li X, González-Maroto C, Tavassoli M. Crosstalk between CAFs and tumour cells in head and neck cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:303. [PMID: 38926351 PMCID: PMC11208506 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02053-9] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are amongst the most aggressive, complex, and heterogeneous malignancies. The standard of care treatments for HNC patients include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or their combination. However, around 50% do not benefit while suffering severe toxic side effects, costing the individuals and society. Decades have been spent to improve HNSCC treatment outcomes with only limited success. Much of the research in HNSCC treatment has focused on understanding the genetics of the HNSCC malignant cells, but it has become clear that tumour microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the progression as well as treatment response in HNSCC. Understanding the crosstalk between cancer cells and TME is crucial for inhibiting progression and treatment resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the predominant component of stroma in HNSCC, serve as the primary source of extra-cellular matrix (ECM) and various pro-tumoral composites in TME. The activation of CAFs in HNSCC is primarily driven by cancer cell-secreted molecules, which in turn induce phenotypic changes, elevated secretive status, and altered ECM production profile. Concurrently, CAFs play a pivotal role in modulating the cell cycle, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and resistance to targeted and chemoradiotherapy in HNSCC cells. This modulation occurs through interactions with secreted molecules or direct contact with the ECM or CAF. Co-culture and 3D models of tumour cells and other TME cell types allows to mimic the HNSCC tumour milieu and enable modulating tumour hypoxia and reprograming cancer stem cells (CSC). This review aims to provide an update on the development of HNSCC tumour models comprising CAFs to obtain better understanding of the interaction between CAFs and tumour cells, and for providing preclinical testing platforms of current and combination with emerging therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Celia González-Maroto
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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12
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Li P, Zhang H, Chen T, Zhou Y, Yang J, Zhou J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis and immunosuppression in gastric cancer. Matrix Biol 2024:S0945-053X(24)00088-X. [PMID: 38936680 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, the mortality rate for gastric cancer remains one of the highest in the world. A large body of evidence has demonstrated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as core members of the stroma, can secrete cytokines, proteins and exosomes to create a tumour microenvironment that is conducive to cancer cell survival. CAFs can also interact with cancer cells to form a complex signalling network, enabling cancer cells to more easily metastasise to other organs and tissues in the body and develop metastatic foci. In this review, we provide an overview of the CAFs concept and activators. We focus on elucidating their effects on immune cells, intratumoural vasculature, extracellular matrix, as well as cancer cell activity, metastatic power and metabolism, and on enhancing the metastatic ability of cancer cells through activation of JAK/STAT, NF/κB and CXCL12/CXCR4. Various therapeutic agents targeting CAFs are also under development and are expected to improve the prognosis of gastric cancer in combination with existing treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyuan Li
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yajing Zhou
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jiaoyang Yang
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of general surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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13
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Schneider P, Zhang H, Simic L, Dai Z, Schrörs B, Akilli-Öztürk Ö, Lin J, Durak F, Schunke J, Bolduan V, Bogaert B, Schwiertz D, Schäfer G, Bros M, Grabbe S, Schattenberg JM, Raemdonck K, Koynov K, Diken M, Kaps L, Barz M. Multicompartment Polyion Complex Micelles Based on Triblock Polypept(o)ides Mediate Efficient siRNA Delivery to Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts for Antistromal Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2404784. [PMID: 38958110 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202404784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of primary liver cancer and the third leading cause for cancer-related death worldwide. The tumor is difficult-to-treat due to its inherent resistance to chemotherapy. Antistromal therapy is a novel therapeutic approach, targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in the tumor microenvironment. CAF-derived microfibrillar-associated protein 5 (MFAP-5) is identified as a novel target for antistromal therapy of HCC with high translational relevance. Biocompatible polypept(o)ide-based polyion complex micelles (PICMs) constructed with a triblock copolymer composed of a cationic poly(l-lysine) complexing anti-MFAP-5 siRNA (siMFAP-5) via electrostatic interaction, a poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) block loading cationic amphiphilic drug desloratatine (DES) via π-π interaction as endosomal escape enhancer and polysarcosine poly(N-methylglycine) for introducing stealth properties, are generated for siRNA delivery. Intravenous injection of siMFAP-5/DES PICMs significantly reduces the hepatic tumor burden in a syngeneic implantation model of HCC, with a superior MFAP-5 knockdown effect over siMFAP-5 PICMs or lipid nanoparticles. Transcriptome and histological analysis reveal that MFAP-5 knockdown inhibited CAF-related tumor vascularization, suggesting the anti-angiogenic effect of RNA interference therapy. In conclusion, multicompartment PICMs combining siMFAP-5 and DES in a single polypept(o)ide micelle induce a specific knockdown of MFAP-5 and demonstrate a potent antitumor efficacy (80% reduced tumor burden vs untreated control) in a clinically relevant HCC model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Schneider
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heyang Zhang
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
| | - Leon Simic
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
| | - Zhuqing Dai
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
| | - Barbara Schrörs
- Biosampling Unit, TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Freiligrathstr. 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Özlem Akilli-Öztürk
- Biosampling Unit, TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Freiligrathstr. 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jian Lin
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Physics at Interphases, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Feyza Durak
- Biosampling Unit, TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Freiligrathstr. 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jenny Schunke
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vanessa Bolduan
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bram Bogaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - David Schwiertz
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
| | - Gabriela Schäfer
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephan Grabbe
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jörn Markus Schattenberg
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Kaloian Koynov
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Physics at Interphases, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mustafa Diken
- Biosampling Unit, TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Freiligrathstr. 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonard Kaps
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Barz
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
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Yang J, Butti R, Cohn S, Toffessi-Tcheuyap V, Mal A, Nguyen M, Stevens C, Christie A, Mishra A, Ma Y, Kim J, Abraham R, Kapur P, Hammer RE, Brugarolas J. Unconventional mechanism of action and resistance to rapalogs in renal cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310793121. [PMID: 38861592 PMCID: PMC11194491 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310793121] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
mTORC1 is aberrantly activated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is targeted by rapalogs. As for other targeted therapies, rapalogs clinical utility is limited by the development of resistance. Resistance often results from target mutation, but mTOR mutations are rarely found in RCC. As in humans, prolonged rapalog treatment of RCC tumorgrafts (TGs) led to resistance. Unexpectedly, explants from resistant tumors became sensitive both in culture and in subsequent transplants in mice. Notably, resistance developed despite persistent mTORC1 inhibition in tumor cells. In contrast, mTORC1 became reactivated in the tumor microenvironment (TME). To test the role of the TME, we engineered immunocompromised recipient mice with a resistance mTOR mutation (S2035T). Interestingly, TGs became resistant to rapalogs in mTORS2035T mice. Resistance occurred despite mTORC1 inhibition in tumor cells and could be induced by coculturing tumor cells with mutant fibroblasts. Thus, enforced mTORC1 activation in the TME is sufficient to confer resistance to rapalogs. These studies highlight the importance of mTORC1 inhibition in nontumor cells for rapalog antitumor activity and provide an explanation for the lack of mTOR resistance mutations in RCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yang
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Ramesh Butti
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Shannon Cohn
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78723
| | - Vanina Toffessi-Tcheuyap
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Arijit Mal
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Mylinh Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8816
| | - Christina Stevens
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Alana Christie
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Akhilesh Mishra
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Yuanqing Ma
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
| | - Jiwoong Kim
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8821
| | - Robert Abraham
- Oncology R&D Group, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, CA92121
| | - Payal Kapur
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-9234
| | - Robert E. Hammer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8816
| | - James Brugarolas
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-8852
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15
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Lang X, Xu L, Li L, Feng X. The Mechanism of Catalpol to Improve Oxidative Damage of Dermal Fibroblasts Based on Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2287-2297. [PMID: 38915869 PMCID: PMC11194171 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s467569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Catalpol, as a natural medicine small-molecule drug, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological effects. Methods The effect of catalpol on oxidative damage of mouse epidermal fibroblast L929 model and its mechanism were investigated by using hydrogen peroxide model, CCK8 method, flow cytometry, and Western blot. Results The effect of catalpol on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway was further studied to improve oxidative stress in cell models. The results showed that catalpol had no cytotoxicity to L929 cells, and inhibited the apoptosis of L929 cells after oxidative damage in a concentration-dependent manner, thus playing a role in cell protection. The oxidative damage of cells was inhibited by up-regulating the expression of the signature protein of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and inhibiting the interstitial formation of cells. Conclusion This study is a preliminary study on the protective function of catalpol against oxidation and apoptosis in dermal fibroblasts, which can provide a theoretical basis and drug guidance for promoting skin wound healing in the later stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Lang
- Pharmacy Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liyan Xu
- Orthopedic Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Li
- Pharmacy Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Feng
- Pharmacy Department, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
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16
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Chen X, Cheng G, Zhu L, Liu T, Yang X, Liu R, Ou Z, Zhang S, Tan W, Lin D, Wu C. Alarmin S100A8 imparts chemoresistance of esophageal cancer by reprogramming cancer-associated fibroblasts. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101576. [PMID: 38776909 PMCID: PMC11228400 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101576] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment for advanced esophageal cancer. However, durable benefits are achieved by only a limited subset of individuals due to the elusive chemoresistance. Here, we utilize patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma to investigate chemoresistance mechanisms in preclinical settings. We observe that activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are enriched in the tumor microenvironment of PDXs resistant to chemotherapy. Mechanistically, we reveal that cancer-cell-derived S100A8 triggers the intracellular RhoA-ROCK-MLC2-MRTF-A pathway by binding to the CD147 receptor of CAFs, inducing CAF polarization and leading to chemoresistance. Therapeutically, we demonstrate that blocking the S100A8-CD147 pathway can improve chemotherapy efficiency. Prognostically, we found the S100A8 levels in peripheral blood can serve as an indicator of chemotherapy responsiveness. Collectively, our study offers a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying chemoresistance in esophageal cancer and highlights the potential value of S100A8 in the clinical management of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Chen
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Guoyu Cheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Tianyuan Liu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Rucheng Liu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhengjie Ou
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shaosen Zhang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wen Tan
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China
| | - Dongxin Lin
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Chen Wu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing 100021, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100006, China.
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17
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Zhang H, Guan S, Wang L, Zhang M, Wang Z, Dai Z. Optical Fiber-Enabled In Situ Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation for Infiltrating Tumor Therapy in Brain. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401817. [PMID: 38885531 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401817] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
In addition to repressing proliferation, inhibiting the infiltration of tumor cells is an important strategy to improve the treatment of malignant tumors. Herein, a photocatalyst (pCNMC@Pt) is designed by sequentially assembling manganese dioxide, chlorin e6, and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles onto protonated graphitic carbon nitride. With the help of a Z-scheme structure and near-infrared (NIR) photosensitizer, pCNMC@Pt is capable of responding to NIR light to generate large amounts of hydrogen (H2). Taking lactic acid in the tumor microenvironment as a sacrificial reagent, H2 therapy initiated by the NIR photocatalyst remarkably impedes the growth of glioblastoma (GBM). More importantly, it is found that H2 can suppress the stemness of glioma stem cells, curbing both proliferation and infiltration of GBM. Furthermore, since pCNMC@Pt and light source are precisely co-localized through a self-built loading and illumination system, GBM in mouse brains can be efficiently treated, providing an alternative gas therapy approach to cure infiltrating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials and Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials of Jiangsu Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shujuan Guan
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials and Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials of Jiangsu Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials and Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials of Jiangsu Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Min Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials and Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials of Jiangsu Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoyin Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials and Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials of Jiangsu Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhihui Dai
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Biomedical Functional Materials and Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials of Jiangsu Province, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, P. R. China
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Payervand N, Pakravan K, Razmara E, Vinu KK, Ghodsi S, Heshmati M, Babashah S. Exosomal circ_0084043 derived from colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes in vitro endothelial cell angiogenesis by regulating the miR-140-3p/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31584. [PMID: 38828320 PMCID: PMC11140710 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) hold potential as diagnostic markers for colorectal cancer (CRC); however, their functional mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This work investigates the clinical implications of a unique set comprising six circRNAs derived from serum in CRC. Furthermore, we delve into the role of exosomal circ_0084043, originating from colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), with a specific focus on its contribution to endothelial cell angiogenesis. Methods The study analyzed circRNA levels in serum samples obtained from both CRC and control groups using qRT-PCR. Additionally, exosomes originating from colorectal CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were purified and confirmed by electron microscopy and Western blotting techniques. The proangiogenic effects of CAF-derived exosomal circ_0084043 were assessed in endothelial cells through proliferation, migration, and in vitro capillary tube formation assays. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were employed to clarify the role of the circ_0084043/miR-140-3p/HIF-1α axis in endothelial cell angiogenesis, utilizing luciferase reporter assay, Western blotting, and ELISA for mechanism elucidation. Results The candidate circRNAs (circ_0060745, circ_001569, circ_007142, circ_0084043, Circ_BANP, and CiRS-7) exhibited notably elevated expression in CRC patient sera compared to the levels observed in healthy individuals. Except for CiRS-7, all circRNAs showed elevated expression in CRC patients with positive lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stages. Exosomes released by colorectal CAFs augmented endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF expression and secretion. Circ_0084043 was highly detected in endothelial cells treated with CAF-derived exosomes. Silencing circ_0084043 reduced VEGFA expression and diminished CAF exosome-induced endothelial cell processes, indicating its pivotal role in angiogenesis. Circ_0084043 sponges miR-140-3p, regulating HIF-1α, and a reverse relationship was also identified between miR-140-3p and VEGFA in endothelial cells. Inhibiting miR-140-3p mitigated circ_0084043 knockdown effects in CAF exosome-treated endothelial cells. Co-transfection of si-circ_0084043 and a miR-140-3p inhibitor reversed the inhibited migration and angiogenesis caused by circ_0084043 knockdown in CAF exosome-treated endothelial cells. Inhibiting miR-140-3p rescued reduced VEGFA expression due to circ_0084043 knockdown in endothelial cells exposed to CAF-derived exosomes, indicating modulation of the circ_0084043/miR-140-3p/VEGF signaling in CAF-derived exosome-induced angiogenesis. Conclusions This study unveiled a distinctive signature of six serum-derived circular RNAs, indicating their potential as promising diagnostic biomarkers for CRC. Importantly, exosomal circ_0084043 originating from colorectal CAFs was identified as playing a crucial role in endothelial cell angiogenesis, exerting its influence through the modulation of the miR-140-3p/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Payervand
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Katayoon Pakravan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Razmara
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kailash Kumar Vinu
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Sara Ghodsi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Heshmati
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Babashah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Patra SK, Sahoo RK, Biswal S, Panda SS, Biswal BK. Enigmatic exosomal connection in lung cancer drug resistance. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102177. [PMID: 38617976 PMCID: PMC11015513 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer remains a significant global health concern with limited treatment options and poor prognosis, particularly in advanced stages. Small extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, secreted by cancer cells, play a pivotal role in mediating drug resistance in lung cancer. Exosomes have been found to facilitate intercellular communication by transferring various biomolecules between cancer cells and their microenvironment. Additionally, exosomes can transport signaling molecules promoting cancer cell survival and proliferation conferring resistance to chemotherapy. Moreover, exosomes can modulate the tumor microenvironment by inducing phenotypic changes hindering drug response. Understanding the role of exosomes in mediating drug resistance in lung cancer is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers to overcome treatment limitations. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on conventional and emerging drug resistance mechanisms and the involvement of exosomes as well as exosome-mediated factors mediating drug resistance in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambit K. Patra
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Rajeev K. Sahoo
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Stuti Biswal
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Shikshya S. Panda
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
| | - Bijesh Kumar Biswal
- Cancer Drug Resistance Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha 769008, India
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20
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Li JP, Liu YJ, Li Y, Yin Y, Ye QW, Lu ZH, Dong YW, Zhou JY, Zou X, Chen YG. Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of LMOD1 expression summarizes two modes of cell communication in colorectal cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:549. [PMID: 38849852 PMCID: PMC11161970 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05369-3] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular communication (CC) influences tumor development by mediating intercellular junctions between cells. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of CC in malignant transformation remain unknown. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of CC molecular expression during malignant transformation. It was found that although both tight junctions (TJs) and gap junctions (GJs) were involved in maintaining the tumor microenvironment (TME), they exhibited opposite characteristics. Mechanistically, for epithelial cells (parenchymal component), the expression of TJ molecules consistently decreased during normal-cancer transformation and is a potential oncogenic factor. For fibroblasts (mesenchymal component), the expression of GJs consistently increased during normal-cancer transformation and is a potential oncogenic factor. In addition, the molecular profiles of TJs and GJs were used to stratify colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, where subtypes characterized by high GJ levels and low TJ levels exhibited enhanced mesenchymal signals. Importantly, we propose that leiomodin 1 (LMOD1) is biphasic, with features of both TJs and GJs. LMOD1 not only promotes the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) but also inhibits the Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in cancer cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity of CC and provide new insights into further understanding of TME heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Pin Li
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan-Jie Liu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Li
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian-Wen Ye
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Lu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu-Wei Dong
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Yong Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xi Zou
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Chinese & Western Medicine and Oncology Clinical Research, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yu-Gen Chen
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
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21
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Liu S, Dai W, Jin B, Jiang F, Huang H, Hou W, Lan J, Jin Y, Peng W, Pan J. Effects of super-enhancers in cancer metastasis: mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:122. [PMID: 38844984 PMCID: PMC11157854 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02033-8] [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: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastasis remains the principal cause of cancer-related lethality despite advancements in cancer treatment. Dysfunctional epigenetic alterations are crucial in the metastatic cascade. Among these, super-enhancers (SEs), emerging as new epigenetic regulators, consist of large clusters of regulatory elements that drive the high-level expression of genes essential for the oncogenic process, upon which cancer cells develop a profound dependency. These SE-driven oncogenes play an important role in regulating various facets of metastasis, including the promotion of tumor proliferation in primary and distal metastatic organs, facilitating cellular migration and invasion into the vasculature, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enhancing cancer stem cell-like properties, circumventing immune detection, and adapting to the heterogeneity of metastatic niches. This heavy reliance on SE-mediated transcription delineates a vulnerable target for therapeutic intervention in cancer cells. In this article, we review current insights into the characteristics, identification methodologies, formation, and activation mechanisms of SEs. We also elaborate the oncogenic roles and regulatory functions of SEs in the context of cancer metastasis. Ultimately, we discuss the potential of SEs as novel therapeutic targets and their implications in clinical oncology, offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Bei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Wen Hou
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China
| | - Jinxia Lan
- College of Public Health and Health Management, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Yanli Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University Institute of Tumor Pharmacology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Weijie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Provincal Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 314000, China.
| | - Jingxuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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22
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Yang Q, Li X, Zhu W. Identification of a unique stress response state of T cells-related gene signature in patients with gastric cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:9709-9726. [PMID: 38848147 PMCID: PMC11210248 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205895] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC), the third most lethal cancer worldwide, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, leaving limited therapeutic options. Given the diverse outcomes among GC patients with similar AJCC/UICC-TNM characteristics, there is a pressing need for more reliable prognostic tools. Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have underscored this necessity. In this context, our study focused on a novel stress response state of T cells, termed TSTR, identified across multiple cancers, which is associated with resistance to immunotherapy. We aimed to develop a predictive gene signature for the TSTR phenotype within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of GC patients. By categorizing GC patients into high and low TSTR groups based on the infiltration states of TME TSTR cells, we observed significant differences in clinical prognosis and characteristics between the groups. Through a multi-step bioinformatics approach, we established an eight-gene signature based on genes differentially expressed between these groups. We conducted functional validations for the signature gene PDGFRL in GC cells. This gene signature effectively stratifies GC patients into high and low-risk categories, demonstrating robustness in predicting clinical outcomes. Furthermore, these risk groups exhibited distinct immune profiles, somatic mutations, and drug susceptibilities, highlighting the potential of our gene signature to enhance personalized treatment strategies in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yang
- Puai Medical College, Shaoyang University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weiyuan Zhu
- Puai Medical College, Shaoyang University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, Hunan, China
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23
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Wu J, Lu Q, Zhao J, Wu W, Wang Z, Yu G, Tian G, Gao Z, Wang Q. Enhancing the Inhibition of Breast Cancer Growth Through Synergistic Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment Using Combined Nano-Delivery Systems. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:5125-5138. [PMID: 38855730 PMCID: PMC11162247 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s460874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, and malignancy is closely linked to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we prepared mixed nano-sized formulations composed of pH-sensitive liposomes (Ber/Ru486@CLPs) and small-sized nano-micelles (Dox@CLGs). These liposomes and nano-micelles were modified by chondroitin sulfate (CS) to selectively target breast cancer cells. Methods Ber/Ru486@CLPs and Dox@CLGs were prepared by thin-film dispersion and ethanol injection, respectively. To mimic actual TME, the in vitro "condition medium of fibroblasts + MCF-7" cell model and in vivo "4T1/NIH-3T3" co-implantation mice model were established to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of drugs. Results The physicochemical properties showed that Dox@CLGs and Ber/Ru486@CLPs were 28 nm and 100 nm in particle size, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that the mixed formulations significantly improved drug uptake and inhibited cell proliferation and migration. The in vivo anti-tumor studies further confirmed the enhanced anti-tumor capabilities of Dox@CLGs + Ber/Ru486@CLPs, including smaller tumor volumes, weak collagen deposition, and low expression levels of α-SMA and CD31 proteins, leading to a superior anti-tumor effect. Conclusion In brief, this combination therapy based on Dox@CLGs and Ber/Ru486@CLPs could effectively inhibit tumor development, which provides a promising approach for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingliang Wu
- School of Medicine, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, 262700, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiao Lu
- School of Medicine, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, 262700, People’s Republic of China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jialin Zhao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wendi Wu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- School of Medicine, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, 262700, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guohua Yu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, 261000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guixiang Tian
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiqin Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, 261000, People’s Republic of China
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24
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Zhou Z, Qu C, Zhou P, Zhou Q, Li D, Wu X, Yang L. Extracellular vesicles activated cancer-associated fibroblasts promote lung cancer metastasis through mitophagy and mtDNA transfer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:158. [PMID: 38825680 PMCID: PMC11145873 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03077-w] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that oxidative stress and its resistance plays important roles in the process of tumor metastasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage is an important molecular event in oxidative stress. In lung cancer, the normal fibroblasts (NFs) are activated as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and act in the realms of the tumor microenvironment (TME) with consequences for tumor growth and metastasis. However, its activation mechanism and whether it participates in tumor metastasis through antioxidative stress remain unclear. METHODS The role and signaling pathways of tumor cell derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) activating NFs and the characteristic of induced CAFs (iCAFs) were measured by the transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, immunofluorescence, collagen contraction assay, quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, luciferase reporter assay and mitochondrial membrane potential detection. Mitochondrial genome and single nucleotide polymorphism sequencing were used to investigate the transport of mtDNA from iCAFs to ρ0 cells, which were tumor cells with mitochondrial dysfunction caused by depletion of mtDNA. Further, the effects of iCAFs on mitochondrial function, growth and metastasis of tumor cells were analysed in co-culture models both in vitro and in vivo, using succinate dehydrogenase, glutathione and oxygen consumption rate measurements, CCK-8 assay, transwell assay, xenotransplantation and metastasis experiments as well as in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our findings revealed that EVs derived from high-metastatic lung cancer cells packaged miR-1290 that directly targets MT1G, leading to activation of AKT signaling in NFs and inducing NFs conversion to CAFs. The iCAFs exhibit higher levels of autophagy and mitophagy and more mtDNA release, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) could further promote this process. After cocultured with the conditioned medium (CM) of iCAFs, the ρ0 cells may restore its mitochondrial function by acquisition of mtDNA from CAFs, and further promotes tumor metastasis. CONCLUSIONS These results elucidate a novel mechanism that CAFs activated by tumor-derived EVs can promote metastasis by transferring mtDNA and restoring mitochondrial function of tumor cells which result in resistance of oxidative stress, and provide a new therapeutic target for lung cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuan Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Xiangya Road 110, Changsha, 410078, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Chunhui Qu
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Xiangya Road 110, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Peijun Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Xiangya Road 110, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Life Science, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410012, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Xiangya Road 110, Changsha, 410078, China.
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Renmin Middle Road 139, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Lifang Yang
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Xiangya Road 110, Changsha, 410078, China.
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25
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Zhao L, Pang Y, Zhou Y, Chen J, Fu H, Guo W, Xu W, Xue X, Su G, Sun L, Wu H, Zhang J, Wang Z, Lin Q, Chen X, Chen H. Antitumor efficacy and potential mechanism of FAP-targeted radioligand therapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:142. [PMID: 38825657 PMCID: PMC11144707 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01853-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade holds great promise for synergistic antitumor efficacy. Targeted radionuclide therapy delivers radiation directly to tumor sites. LNC1004 is a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeting radiopharmaceutical, conjugated with the albumin binder Evans Blue, which has demonstrated enhanced tumor uptake and retention in previous preclinical and clinical studies. Herein, we demonstrate that 68Ga/177Lu-labeled LNC1004 exhibits increased uptake and prolonged retention in MC38/NIH3T3-FAP and CT26/NIH3T3-FAP tumor xenografts. Radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-LNC1004 induced a transient upregulation of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. The combination of 177Lu-LNC1004 and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy led to complete eradication of all tumors in MC38/NIH3T3-FAP tumor-bearing mice, with mice showing 100% tumor rejection upon rechallenge. Immunohistochemistry, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and TCR sequencing revealed that combination therapy reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment in mice to foster antitumor immunity by suppressing malignant progression and increasing cell-to-cell communication, CD8+ T-cell activation and expansion, M1 macrophage counts, antitumor activity of neutrophils, and T-cell receptor diversity. A preliminary clinical study demonstrated that 177Lu-LNC1004 was well-tolerated and effective in patients with refractory cancers. Further, scRNA-seq of peripheral blood mononuclear cells underscored the importance of addressing immune evasion through immune checkpoint blockade treatment. This was emphasized by the observed increase in antigen processing and presentation juxtaposed with T cell inactivation. In conclusion, our data supported the efficacy of immunotherapy combined with 177Lu-LNC1004 for cancer patients with FAP-positive tumors.
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Grants
- 82071961 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- 82272037 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- NUHSRO/2023/008/NUSMed/TCE/LOA National University of Singapore (NUS)
- NUHSRO/2021/034/TRP/09/Nanomedicine National University of Singapore (NUS)
- (MOH-001388-00, CG21APR1005) MOH | National Medical Research Council (NMRC)
- NRF-000352-00 National Research Foundation Singapore (National Research Foundation-Prime Minister's office, Republic of Singapore)
- Fujian Research and Training Grants for Young and Middle-aged Leaders in Healthcare, Key Scientific Research Program for Yong Scholars in Fujian (2021ZQNZD016), Fujian Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Yong Scholars (2022D005)
- Key Medical and Health Projects in Xiamen (Grant number 3502Z20209002), Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Xiamen Clinical Research Center for Head and Neck Cancer, and 2021 National Clinical Key Specialty, (Oncology, Grant number 3210013)
- National Research Foundation Singapore (National Research Foundation-Prime Minister’s office, Republic of Singapore)
- Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE-000387-00)
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yizhen Pang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yangfan Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Xiamen Cancer Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jianhao Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Colorectal Tumor Surgery, Xiamen Cancer Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Weizhi Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xin Xue
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoqiang Su
- Department of Colorectal Tumor Surgery, Xiamen Cancer Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Long Sun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hua Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhanxiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Neuroscience, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qin Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Xiamen Cancer Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Haojun Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Minnan PET Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Photoelectric Functional Materials, Xiamen Institute of Rare Earth Materials, Haixi Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China.
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Shin JH. Biophysical perspectives to understanding cancer-associated fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021507. [PMID: 38855445 PMCID: PMC11161195 DOI: 10.1063/5.0199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cancer has evolved significantly, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) now recognized as a critical factor influencing the onset and progression of the disease. This broader perspective challenges the traditional view that cancer is primarily caused by mutations, instead emphasizing the dynamic interaction between different cell types and physicochemical factors within the TME. Among these factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) command attention for their profound influence on tumor behavior and patient prognoses. Despite their recognized importance, the biophysical and mechanical interactions of CAFs within the TME remain elusive. This review examines the distinctive physical characteristics of CAFs, their morphological attributes, and mechanical interactions within the TME. We discuss the impact of mechanotransduction on CAF function and highlight how these cells communicate mechanically with neighboring cancer cells, thereby shaping the path of tumor development and progression. By concentrating on the biomechanical regulation of CAFs, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their role in the TME and to illuminate new biomechanical-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jennifer H. Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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Parisel E, Prudhomme L, Pol J. [The immunocytokine FAP-IL2v : a potent co-therapy for preventing resistance to trastuzumab in HER2 + breast cancer]. Med Sci (Paris) 2024; 40:569-572. [PMID: 38986105 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2024072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Dans le cadre de leur module d’analyse scientifique, des étudiants des promotions 2022-2023 et 2023-2024 des Master 2 « Immunologie Translationnelle et Biothérapies » (ITB) et « Immunologie Intégrative et Systémique » (I2S) (Mention Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Parcours Immunologie, Sorbonne Université) se sont penchés sur la littérature et ont pris la plume pour partager avec les lecteurs de m/s quelques-uns des faits marquants de l’actualité en immunologie. Voici une sélection de quelques-unes de ces nouvelles, illustrant la large palette des axes de recherche en cours sur les mécanismes physiopathologiques des maladies infectieuses, auto-immunes, inflammatoires et tumorales et sur le développement d’immunothérapies pour le traitement de ces pathologies.
On y découvre ainsi de nouvelles avancées sur l’analyse transcriptomique du microenvironnement inflammatoire de pathologies autoimmunes, sur des aspects mécanistiques impliqués dans la survie des cellules cancéreuses et la réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale des cellules NK, l’interconnexion entre le système immunitaire et le système nerveux périphérique, le développement de nouvelles immunothérapies permettant de cibler préférentiellement le microenvironnement tumoral et la prise en charge des effets secondaires autoimmuns cardiaques induits par les immunothérapies.
Toute l’équipe pédagogique remercie également chaleureusement les différents tuteurs, experts dans le domaine en lien avec les nouvelles, qui ont accompagné avec bienveillance et enthousiasme le travail de nos étudiants !
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Affiliation(s)
- Eléonore Parisel
- Master Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (BMC), Parcours Immunologie, M2 Immunologie Translationnelle et Biothérapies, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Laura Prudhomme
- Master Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (BMC), Parcours Immunologie, M2 Immunologie Translationnelle et Biothérapies, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jonathan Pol
- Centre de recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm U1138, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France - Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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Zhang Y, Fang Z, Pan D, Li Y, Zhou J, Chen H, Li Z, Zhu M, Li C, Qin L, Ren X, Gong Q, Luo K. Dendritic Polymer-Based Nanomedicines Remodel the Tumor Stroma: Improve Drug Penetration and Enhance Antitumor Immune Response. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401304. [PMID: 38469918 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in solid tumors, contributed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), hinders penetration of drugs and diminishes their therapeutic outcomes. A sequential treatment strategy of remodeling the ECM via a CAF modifier (dasatinib, DAS) is proposed to promote penetration of an immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducer (epirubicin, Epi) via apoptotic vesicles, ultimately enhancing the treatment efficacy against breast cancer. Dendritic poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (POEGMA)-based nanomedicines (poly[OEGMA-Dendron(G2)-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly-DAS] (P-DAS) and poly[OEGMA-Dendron(G2)-hydrazone-Epi] (P-Epi)) are developed for sequential delivery of DAS and Epi, respectively. P-DAS reprograms CAFs to reduce collagen by downregulating collagen anabolism and energy metabolism, thereby reducing the ECM deposition. The regulated ECM can enhance tumor penetration of P-Epi to strengthen its ICD effect, leading to an amplified antitumor immune response. In breast cancer-bearing mice, this approach alleviates the ECM barrier, resulting in reduced tumor burden and increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration, and more encouragingly, synergizes effectively with anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) therapy, significantly inhibiting tumor growth and preventing lung metastasis. Furthermore, systemic toxicity is barely detectable after sequential treatment with P-DAS and P-Epi. This approach opens a new avenue for treating desmoplastic tumors by metabolically targeting CAFs to overcome the ECM barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zaixiang Fang
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dayi Pan
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yunkun Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hongying Chen
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhiqian Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Mengli Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liwen Qin
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiangyi Ren
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Kui Luo
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, and Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Liu L, Zhong J, Zhang Z, Ye X, Wang X, Liu S, Zhang Z. Preclinical study and first-in-human imaging of [ 18F]FAP-2286, and comparison with 2-[ 18F]FDG PET/CT in various cancer patients. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:2012-2022. [PMID: 38326656 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06626-9] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fibroblast-activated protein (FAP) is highly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of many solid cancers, but low or absent in normal tissues. Our study aimed to develop a novel FAP-specific tracer, namely [18F]FAP-2286, and evaluated its performance in comparison with well-established agents such as [18F]FAPI-42 and [68Ga]Ga-FAP-2286 in preclinical research, as well as 2-[18F]FDG in pilot clinical study. METHODS [18F]FAP-2286 was manually synthesized in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Subsequent investigations encompassed cell uptake, competitive binding affinity, internalization and efflux assays using HT-1080hFAP cell lines. PET imaging and biodistribution studies were conducted in HEK-293ThFAP, A549hFAP, HT-1080hFAP tumor-bearing mice as well as HEK-293T, A549 and HT-1080 control groups. Furthermore, clinical evaluation of [18F]FAP-2286 was performed in fifteen patients with various cancers compared to 2-[18F]FDG PET. RESULTS The radiolabeling yield of [18F]FAP-2286 was 30.53 ± 5.20%, with a radiochemical purity exceeding 97%. In cell assays, [18F]FAP-2286 showed specific uptake, high internalization fraction and low cellular efflux. Rapid tumor uptake and satisfactory tumor retention was observed on micro-PET imaging and cancer patients. Meanwhile, the clinical research demonstrated that [18F]FAP-2286 may represent an alternative for low glucose-metabolism malignant tumors PET imaging such as gastric cancers. CONCLUSION [18F]FAP-2286 showed superior imaging quality including rapid and high target uptake and satisfactory retention in both tumor-bearing mice and cancer patients. It may emerge as a promising candidate for early or delayed phase imaging and 2-[18F]FDG non-avid cancers PET scan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Liu
- Nuclear Medicine Department, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jiawei Zhong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Xiaoting Ye
- Nuclear Medicine Department, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Xinlu Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Shaoyu Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Zhanwen Zhang
- Nuclear Medicine Department, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
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Wang Y, Ding S. Extracellular vesicles in cancer cachexia: deciphering pathogenic roles and exploring therapeutic horizons. J Transl Med 2024; 22:506. [PMID: 38802952 PMCID: PMC11129506 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05266-9] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia (CC) is a debilitating syndrome that affects 50-80% of cancer patients, varying in incidence by cancer type and significantly diminishing their quality of life. This multifactorial syndrome is characterized by muscle and fat loss, systemic inflammation, and metabolic imbalance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, play a crucial role in the progression of CC. These vesicles, produced by cancer cells and others within the tumor environment, facilitate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. A comprehensive review of the literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science reveals insights into the formation, release, and uptake of EVs in CC, underscoring their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The review also explores therapeutic strategies targeting EVs, which include modifying their release and content, utilizing them for drug delivery, genetically altering their contents, and inhibiting key cachexia pathways. Understanding the role of EVs in CC opens new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, potentially mitigating the syndrome's impact on patient survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China
| | - Shengguang Ding
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, 226001, P.R. China.
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Chen J, Wang H, Xu J, Chen E, Meng Q, Wang J, Xiang H, Zhou W, Shan G, Ju Z, Song Z. CircZFR promotes colorectal cancer progression via stabilizing BCLAF1 and regulating the miR-3127-5p/RTKN2 axis. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2514-y. [PMID: 38805063 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2514-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is frequently linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we identified circZFR as a promising biomarker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis. CircZFR was upregulated in CRC tissues and serum exosomes and its level was linked to cancer incidence, advanced-stages, and metastasis. In both in vitro and in vivo settings, circZFR promoted the growth and spread while suppressing apoptosis of CRC. Exosomes with circZFR overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration of cocultured CRC cells. Mechanistically, epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) in CRC cells may enhance the production of circZFR. BCL2-associated transcription factor 1 (BCLAF1) bound to circZFR, which prevented its ubiquitinated degradation. Additionally, circZFR sponged miR-3127-5p to boost rhotekin 2 (RTKN2) expression. Our TCP1-CD-QDs nanocarrier was able to carry and deliver circZFR siRNA (si-circZFR) to the vasculature of CRC tissues and cells, which inhibited the growth of tumors in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Taken together, our results show that circZFR is an oncogenic circRNA, which promotes the development and spread of CRC in a BCLAF1 and miR-3127-5p-dependent manner. CircZFR is a possible serum biopsy marker for the diagnosis and a desirable target for further treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jianbin Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Engeng Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Qing Meng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Haoyi Xiang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Ge Shan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Regional medical center for National Institute of Respiratory Disease, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Zhenyu Ju
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhangfa Song
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Treatment of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
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Yin N, Li X, Zhang X, Xue S, Cao Y, Niedermann G, Lu Y, Xue J. Development of pharmacological immunoregulatory anti-cancer therapeutics: current mechanistic studies and clinical opportunities. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:126. [PMID: 38773064 PMCID: PMC11109181 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01826-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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy represented by anti-PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment, but challenges related to resistance and toxicity still remain. Due to the advancement of immuno-oncology, an increasing number of novel immunoregulatory targets and mechanisms are being revealed, with relevant therapies promising to improve clinical immunotherapy in the foreseeable future. Therefore, comprehending the larger picture is important. In this review, we analyze and summarize the current landscape of preclinical and translational mechanistic research, drug development, and clinical trials that brought about next-generation pharmacological immunoregulatory anti-cancer agents and drug candidates beyond classical immune checkpoint inhibitors. Along with further clarification of cancer immunobiology and advances in antibody engineering, agents targeting additional inhibitory immune checkpoints, including LAG-3, TIM-3, TIGIT, CD47, and B7 family members are becoming an important part of cancer immunotherapy research and discovery, as are structurally and functionally optimized novel anti-PD-(L)1 and anti-CTLA-4 agents and agonists of co-stimulatory molecules of T cells. Exemplified by bispecific T cell engagers, newly emerging bi-specific and multi-specific antibodies targeting immunoregulatory molecules can provide considerable clinical benefits. Next-generation agents also include immune epigenetic drugs and cytokine-based therapeutics. Cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic viruses are not covered in this review. This comprehensive review might aid in further development and the fastest possible clinical adoption of effective immuno-oncology modalities for the benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanhao Yin
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xintong Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xuanwei Zhang
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shaolong Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 20, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
- Institute of Disaster Medicine & Institute of Emergency Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Gaopeng Avenue, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Gabriele Niedermann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site DKTK-Freiburg, Robert-Koch-Strasse 3, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - You Lu
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2222, Xinchuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Jianxin Xue
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Cancer Center & State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, and The National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
- Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 2222, Xinchuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, PR China.
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Chen Z, Ou Y, Ye F, Li W, Jiang H, Liu S. Machine learning identifies the role of SMAD6 in the prognosis and drug susceptibility in bladder cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:264. [PMID: 38767747 PMCID: PMC11106122 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05798-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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder cancer (BCa) is among the most prevalent malignant tumors affecting the urinary system. Due to its highly recurrent nature, standard treatments such as surgery often fail to significantly improve patient prognosis. Our research aims to predict prognosis and identify precise therapeutic targets for novel treatment interventions. METHODS We collected and screened genes related to the TGF-β signaling pathway and performed unsupervised clustering analysis on TCGA-BLCA samples based on these genes. Our analysis revealed two novel subtypes of bladder cancer with completely different biological characteristics, including immune microenvironment, drug sensitivity, and more. Using machine learning classifiers, we identified SMAD6 as a hub gene contributing to these differences and further investigated the role of SMAD6 in bladder cancer in the single-cell transcriptome data. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between SMAD6 and immune checkpoint genes. Finally, we performed a series of in vitro assays to verify the function of SMAD6 in bladder cancer cell lines. RESULTS We have revealed two novel subtypes of bladder cancer, among which C1 exhibits a worse prognosis, lower drug sensitivity, a more complex tumor microenvironment, and a 'colder' immune microenvironment compared to C2. We identified SMAD6 as a key gene responsible for the differences and further explored its impact on the molecular characteristics of bladder cancer. Through in vitro experiments, we found that SMAD6 promoted the prognosis of BCa patients by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of BCa cells. CONCLUSION Our study reveals two novel subtypes of BCa and identifies SMAD6 as a highly promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziang Chen
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxi Ou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangdie Ye
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijian Li
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haowen Jiang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shenghua Liu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Bala V, Patel V, Sewell-Loftin MK. Cadherin Expression Is Regulated by Mechanical Phenotypes of Fibroblasts in the Perivascular Matrix. Cells Tissues Organs 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38768571 DOI: 10.1159/000539319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The influence of mechanical forces generated by stromal cells in the perivascular matrix is thought to be a key regulator in controlling blood vessel growth. Cadherins are mechanosensors that facilitate and maintain cell-cell interactions and blood vessel integrity, but little is known about how stromal cells regulate cadherin signaling in the vasculature. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between mechanical phenotypes of stromal cells with cadherin expression in 3D tissue engineering models of vascular growth. METHODS Stromal cell lines were subjected to a bead displacement assay to track matrix distortions and characterize mechanical phenotypes in 3D microtissue models. These cells included human ventricular cardiac (NHCF), dermal (NHDF), lung (NHLF), breast cancer-associated (CAF), and normal breast fibroblasts (NBF). Cells were embedded in a fibrin matrix (10 mg/mL) with fluorescent tracker beads; images were collected every 30 min. We also studied endothelial cells (ECs) in co-culture with mechanically active or inactive stromal cells and quantified N-Cad, OB-Cad, and VE-Cad expression using immunofluorescence. RESULTS Bead displacement studies identified mechanically active stromal cells (CAFs, NHCFs, NHDFs) that generate matrix distortions and mechanically inactive cells (NHLFs, NBFs). CAFs, NHCFs, and NHDFs displaced the matrix with an average magnitude of 3.17 ± 0.11 μm, 3.13 ± 0.06 μm, and 2.76 ± 0.05 μm, respectively, while NHLFs and NBFs displaced the matrix with an average of 1.82 ± 0.05 μm and 2.66 ± 0.06 μm in fibrin gels. Compared to ECs only, CAFs + ECs as well as NBFs + ECs in 3D co-culture significantly decreased expression of VE-Cad; in addition, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient for N-Cad and VE-Cad showed a strong correlation (>0.7), suggesting cadherin colocalization. Using a microtissue model, we demonstrated that mechanical phenotypes associated with increased matrix deformations correspond to enhanced angiogenic growth. The results could suggest a mechanism to control tight junction regulation in developing vascular beds for tissue engineering scaffolds or understanding vascular growth during developmental processes. CONCLUSION Our studies provide novel data for how mechanical phenotype of stromal cells in combination with secreted factor profiles is related to cadherin regulation, localization, and vascularization potential in 3D microtissue models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Bala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Vidhi Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Chi H, Jiang L, Zhang S, Liu Y, Yang G, Tian G. Editorial: Targeting key cellular signaling network for cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1425261. [PMID: 38817609 PMCID: PMC11137230 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1425261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lai Jiang
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shengke Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Gang Tian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Molecular Diagnosis of Clinical Diseases, Luzhou, China
- Molecular Diagnosis of Clinical Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Sánchez-Ramírez D, Mendoza-Rodríguez MG, Alemán OR, Candanedo-González FA, Rodríguez-Sosa M, Montesinos-Montesinos JJ, Salcedo M, Brito-Toledo I, Vaca-Paniagua F, Terrazas LI. Impact of STAT-signaling pathway on cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer and its role in immunosuppression. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1705-1724. [PMID: 38764833 PMCID: PMC11099434 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.1705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most commonly diagnosed and deadliest types of cancer worldwide. CRC displays a desmoplastic reaction (DR) that has been inversely associated with poor prognosis; less DR is associated with a better prognosis. This reaction generates excessive connective tissue, in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical cells that form a part of the tumor microenvironment. CAFs are directly involved in tumorigenesis through different mechanisms. However, their role in immunosuppression in CRC is not well understood, and the precise role of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) in mediating CAF activity in CRC remains unclear. Among the myriad chemical and biological factors that affect CAFs, different cytokines mediate their function by activating STAT signaling pathways. Thus, the harmful effects of CAFs in favoring tumor growth and invasion may be modulated using STAT inhibitors. Here, we analyze the impact of different STATs on CAF activity and their immunoregulatory role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Sánchez-Ramírez
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Mónica G Mendoza-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Omar R Alemán
- Department of Biology, Facultad de Quimica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Fernando A Candanedo-González
- Department of Pathology, National Medical Center Century XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Miriam Rodríguez-Sosa
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Juan José Montesinos-Montesinos
- Laboratorio de Células Troncales Mesenquimales, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Oncológicas, Hospital de Oncología Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Salcedo
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina y Oncologia Genomica, Instituto Mexciano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 07300, Mexico
| | - Ismael Brito-Toledo
- Servicio de Colon y Recto, Hospital de Oncología Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Felipe Vaca-Paniagua
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Luis I Terrazas
- Unidad de Investigacion en Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
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Ma W, Lu Y, Jin X, Lin N, Zhang L, Song Y. Targeting selective autophagy and beyond: From underlying mechanisms to potential therapies. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00199-1. [PMID: 38750694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved turnover process for intracellular substances in eukaryotes, relying on lysosomal (in animals) or vacuolar (in yeast and plants) mechanisms. In the past two decades, emerging evidence suggests that, under specific conditions, autophagy can target particular macromolecules or organelles for degradation, a process termed selective autophagy. Recently, accumulating studies have demonstrated that the abnormality of selective autophagy is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of many human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. AIM OF REVIEW This review aims at systematically and comprehensively introducing selective autophagy and its role in various diseases, while unravelling the molecular mechanisms of selective autophagy. By providing a theoretical basis for the development of related small-molecule drugs as well as treating related human diseases, this review seeks to contribute to the understanding of selective autophagy and its therapeutic potential. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW In this review, we systematically introduce and dissect the major categories of selective autophagy that have been discovered. We also focus on recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying both classical and non-classical selective autophagy. Moreover, the current situation of small-molecule drugs targeting different types of selective autophagy is further summarized, providing valuable insights into the discovery of more candidate small-molecule drugs targeting selective autophagy in the future. On the other hand, we also reveal clinically relevant implementations that are potentially related to selective autophagy, such as predictive approaches and treatments tailored to individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Ultrasound, Department of Hematology and Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yingying Lu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Ultrasound, Department of Hematology and Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Na Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Ultrasound, Department of Hematology and Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Yaowen Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Ultrasound, Department of Hematology and Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
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Kundu M, Butti R, Panda VK, Malhotra D, Das S, Mitra T, Kapse P, Gosavi SW, Kundu GC. Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and mechanism of immunotherapy-based drug resistance in breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:92. [PMID: 38715072 PMCID: PMC11075356 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, the most frequent female malignancy, is often curable when detected at an early stage. The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is more challenging and may be unresponsive to conventional therapy. Immunotherapy is crucial for treating metastatic breast cancer, but its resistance is a major limitation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is vital in modulating the immunotherapy response. Various tumor microenvironmental components, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are involved in TME modulation to cause immunotherapy resistance. This review highlights the role of stromal cells in modulating the breast tumor microenvironment, including the involvement of CAF-TAM interaction, alteration of tumor metabolism leading to immunotherapy failure, and other latest strategies, including high throughput genomic screening, single-cell and spatial omics techniques for identifying tumor immune genes regulating immunotherapy response. This review emphasizes the therapeutic approach to overcome breast cancer immune resistance through CAF reprogramming, modulation of TAM polarization, tumor metabolism, and genomic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Brainware University, West Bengal, 700125, India
| | - Ramesh Butti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Venketesh K Panda
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Diksha Malhotra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Sumit Das
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Tandrima Mitra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Prachi Kapse
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Suresh W Gosavi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Gopal C Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
- Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
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Khaloozadeh F, Razmara E, Asgharpour-Babayian F, Fallah A, Ramezani R, Rouhollah F, Babashah S. Exosomes derived from colorectal cancer cells take part in activation of stromal fibroblasts through regulating PHLPP isoforms. EXCLI JOURNAL 2024; 23:634-654. [PMID: 38887393 PMCID: PMC11180944 DOI: 10.17179/excli2024-6926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Given that tumor cells primarily instigate systemic changes through exosome secretion, our study delved into the role of colorectal cancer (CRC)-secreted exosomal miR-224 in stromal reprogramming and its impact on endothelial cell angiogenesis. Furthermore, we assessed the potential clinical significance of a specific signature of circulating serum-derived miRNAs, serving as a non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Circulating serum-derived miR-103a-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-224-5p were significantly up-regulated, while miR-215-5p, and miR-455-5p showed a significant down-regulation in CRC patients than in healthy individuals. Our findings indicated that the expressions of CAF-specific markers (α-SMA and FAP) and CAF-derived cytokines (IL-6, and SDF-1) were induced in fibroblasts stimulated with SW480 CRC exosomes, partly due to Akt activation. As a plausible mechanism, exosomal transfer of miR-224 from SW40 CRC cells may activate stromal fibroblasts, which in turn, may promote endothelial cell sprouting. The study identified PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 as direct targets of miR-224 and demonstrated that CRC-secreted exosomal miR-224 activates Akt signaling by regulating PHLPP1/2 in activated fibroblasts, thereby affecting the stromal cell proliferation and migration. This study established a panel of six-circulating serum-derived miRNAs as a non-invasive biomarker for CRC diagnosis. Also, we proposed a supporting model in which CRC-secreted exosomal miR-224 takes part in the stromal reprogramming to CAFs partly through regulating Akt signaling. This may affect the malignant biological behavior of activated stromal cells and thereby elicit a vascular response within the microenvironment of CRC cells. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Khaloozadeh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Razmara
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Fallah
- Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reihaneh Ramezani
- Department of Family Therapy, Women Research Center, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rouhollah
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Babashah
- Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Li H, Xin G, Zhou Q, Yu X, Wan C, Wang Y, Wen A, Zhang K, Zhang B, Cao Y, Huang W. Qingkailing granule alleviates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and SRC/STAT3 signaling pathways. Bioorg Chem 2024; 146:107286. [PMID: 38537336 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107286] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) poses a significant challenge with limited treatment options and a high mortality rate of approximately 45 %. Qingkailing Granule (QKL), derived from the Angong Niuhuang Pill, shows promise in addressing pulmonary conditions. Using a comprehensive approach, combining network pharmacology analysis with experimental validation, this study explores the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of QKL against PF for the first time. In vivo, QKL reduced collagen deposition and suppressed proinflammatory cytokines in a bleomycin-induced PF mouse model. In vitro studies demonstrated QKL's efficacy in protecting cells from bleomycin-induced injury and reducing collagen accumulation and cell migration in TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis cell models. Network pharmacology analysis revealed potential mechanisms, confirmed by western blotting, involving the modulation of PI3K/AKT and SRC/STAT3 signaling pathways. Molecular docking simulations highlighted interactions between QKL's active compounds and key proteins, showing inhibitory effects on epithelial damage and fibrosis. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of QKL in alleviating pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis through the downregulation of PI3K/AKT and SRC/STAT3 signaling pathways, with a pivotal role attributed to its active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guang Xin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qilong Zhou
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiuxian Yu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chengyu Wan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yilan Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ao Wen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Boli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China; Innovative Chinese Medicine Academician Workstation, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology, Tissue-Orientated Property of Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Sun W, Xie S, Liu SF, Hu X, Xing D. Evolving Tumor Characteristics and Smart Nanodrugs for Tumor Immunotherapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:3919-3942. [PMID: 38708176 PMCID: PMC11070166 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s453265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Typical physiological characteristics of tumors, such as weak acidity, low oxygen content, and upregulation of certain enzymes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), provide survival advantages when exposed to targeted attacks by drugs and responsive nanomedicines. Consequently, cancer treatment has significantly progressed in recent years. However, the evolution and adaptation of tumor characteristics still pose many challenges for current treatment methods. Therefore, efficient and precise cancer treatments require an understanding of the heterogeneity degree of various factors in cancer cells during tumor evolution to exploit the typical TME characteristics and manage the mutation process. The highly heterogeneous tumor and infiltrating stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular components collectively form a unique TME, which plays a crucial role in tumor malignancy, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and immune escape. Therefore, the development of new treatment methods that can adapt to the evolutionary characteristics of tumors has become an intense focus in current cancer treatment research. This paper explores the latest understanding of cancer evolution, focusing on how tumors use new antigens to shape their "new faces"; how immune system cells, such as cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, help tumors become "invisible", that is, immune escape; whether the diverse cancer-associated fibroblasts provide support and coordination for tumors; and whether it is possible to attack tumors in reverse. This paper discusses the limitations of targeted therapy driven by tumor evolution factors and explores future strategies and the potential of intelligent nanomedicines, including the systematic coordination of tumor evolution factors and adaptive methods, to meet this therapeutic challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshe Sun
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaowei Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shi Feng Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaokun Hu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, People’s Republic of China
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Liang X, Huang X, Cai Z, Deng Y, Liu D, Hu J, Jin Z, Zhou X, Zhou H, Wang L. The S100 family is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune cell infiltration in pan-cancer. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:137. [PMID: 38684596 PMCID: PMC11058162 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The S100 protein family is a group of small molecular EF-hand calcium-binding proteins that play critical roles in various biological processes, including promotion of growth, metastasis and immune evasion of tumor. However, the potential roles of S100 protein family expression in tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration in pan-cancer remain elusive. METHODS Herein, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the expression patterns of the S100 protein family in pan-cancer, meticulously examining their correlation with characteristics of TME cell infiltration. The S100 score was constructed to quantify S100 family expression patterns of individual tumors. RESULTS The S100 family was a potent risk factor in many cancers. Clustering analysis based on the transcriptome patterns of S100 protein family identified two cancer clusters with distinct immunophenotypes and clinical characteristics. Cluster A, with lower S100 expression, exhibited lower immune infiltration, whereas, Cluster B, with higher S100 expression, featured higher immune infiltration. Interestingly, Cluster B had a poorer prognosis, likely due to an immune-excluded phenotype resulting from stromal activation. The analysis revealed robust enrichment of the TGFb and EMT pathways in the cohort exhibiting high S100 score, alongside a positive correlation between the S100 score and Treg levels, suggesting the manifestation of an immune-excluded phenotype in this group. Moreover, S100 families were associated with the prognosis of 22 different cancers and a noteworthy association was observed between high S100 score and an unfavorable response to anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy. Consistent findings across two independent immunotherapy cohorts substantiated the advantageous therapeutic outcomes and clinical benefits in patients displaying lower S100score. CONCLUSION Our analysis demonstrated the role of S100 family in formation of TME diversity and complexity, enabling deeper cognition of TME infiltration characterization and the development of personalized immunotherapy strategies targeting S100 family for unique tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Liang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaoshan Huang
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zihong Cai
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yeling Deng
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Radiology, Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Jiayi Hu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Zhihao Jin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Hongsheng Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Sun J, Du R, Li X, Liu C, Wang D, He X, Li G, Zhang K, Wang S, Hao Q, Zhang Y, Li M, Gao Y, Zhang C. CD63 + cancer-associated fibroblasts confer CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance to breast cancer cells by exosomal miR-20. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216747. [PMID: 38403110 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216747] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have rapidly received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a new type of therapy for patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, with the widespread application of CDK4/6i, drug resistance has become a new challenge for clinical practice and has greatly limited the treatment effect. Here, the whole microenvironment landscape of ER+ breast cancer tumors was revealed through single-cell RNA sequencing, and a specific subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CD63+ CAFs) was identified as highly enriched in CDK4/6i resistant tumor tissues. Then, we found that CD63+ CAFs can distinctly promote resistance to CDK4/6i in breast cancer cells and tumor xenografts. In addition, it was discovered that miR-20 is markedly enriched in the CD63+ CAFs-derived exosomes, which are used to communicate with ER+ breast cancer cells, leading to CDK4/6i resistance. Furthermore, exosomal miR-20 could directly target the RB1 mRNA 3'UTR and negatively regulate RB1 expression to decrease CDK4/6i sensitivity in breast cancer cells. Most importantly, we designed and synthesized cRGD-miR-20 sponge nanoparticles and found that they can enhance the therapeutic effect of CDK4/6i in breast cancer. In summary, our findings reveal that CD63+ CAFs can promote CDK4/6i resistance via exosomal miR-20, which induces the downregulation of RB1 in breast cancer cells, and suggest that CD63+ CAFs may be a novel therapeutic target to enhance CDK4/6i sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Ruoxin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Xiaoju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China; Bioinformatics Center of AMMS, Beijing, 100850, PR China
| | - Chenlin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Donghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Xiangmei He
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Guodong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Kuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Shuning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Qiang Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Yingqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Meng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China.
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China.
| | - Cun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, PR China.
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Røgenes H, Finne K, Winge I, Akslen LA, Östman A, Milosevic V. Development of 42 marker panel for in-depth study of cancer associated fibroblast niches in breast cancer using imaging mass cytometry. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1325191. [PMID: 38711512 PMCID: PMC11070582 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1325191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC) is a novel, and formidable high multiplexing imaging method emerging as a promising tool for in-depth studying of tissue architecture and intercellular communications. Several studies have reported various IMC antibody panels mainly focused on studying the immunological landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME). With this paper, we wanted to address cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a component of the TME very often underrepresented and not emphasized enough in present IMC studies. Therefore, we focused on the development of a comprehensive IMC panel that can be used for a thorough description of the CAF composition of breast cancer TME and for an in-depth study of different CAF niches in relation to both immune and breast cancer cell communication. We established and validated a 42 marker panel using a variety of control tissues and rigorous quantification methods. The final panel contained 6 CAF-associated markers (aSMA, FAP, PDGFRa, PDGFRb, YAP1, pSMAD2). Breast cancer tissues (4 cases of luminal, 5 cases of triple negative breast cancer) and a modified CELESTA pipeline were used to demonstrate the utility of our IMC panel for detailed profiling of different CAF, immune and cancer cell phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Røgenes
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kenneth Finne
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingeborg Winge
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars A. Akslen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Östman
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Vladan Milosevic
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Chen C, Liu J, Lin X, Xiang A, Ye Q, Guo J, Rui T, Xu J, Hu S. Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and regulated cell death in tumors: insights into apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:189. [PMID: 38649701 PMCID: PMC11035635 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01958-9] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the main stromal component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play multifaceted roles in cancer progression through paracrine signaling, exosome transfer, and cell interactions. Attractively, recent evidence indicates that CAFs can modulate various forms of regulated cell death (RCD) in adjacent tumor cells, thus involving cancer proliferation, therapy resistance, and immune exclusion. Here, we present a brief introduction to CAFs and basic knowledge of RCD, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. In addition, we further summarize the different types of RCD in tumors that are mediated by CAFs, as well as the effects of these modes of RCD on CAFs. This review will deepen our understanding of the interactions between CAFs and RCD and might offer novel therapeutic avenues for future cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aizhai Xiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qianwei Ye
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jufeng Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Rui
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shufang Hu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
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Fu W, Feng Q, Tao R. Machine learning developed a fibroblast-related signature for predicting clinical outcome and drug sensitivity in ovarian cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37783. [PMID: 38640321 PMCID: PMC11030012 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer death. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) is involved in wound healing and inflammatory processes, tumor occurrence and progression, and chemotherapy resistance in OC. GSE184880 dataset was used to identify CAF-related genes in OC. CAF-related signature (CRS) was constructed using integrative 10 machine learning methods with the datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas, GSE14764, GSE26193, GSE26712, GSE63885, and GSE140082. The performance of CRS in predicting immunotherapy benefits was verified using 3 immunotherapy datasets (GSE91061, GSE78220, and IMvigor210) and several immune calculating scores. The Lasso + StepCox[forward] method-based predicting model having a highest average C index of 0.69 was referred as the optimal CRS and it had a stable and powerful performance in predicting clinical outcome of OC patients, with the 1-, 3-, and 5-year area under curves were 0.699, 0.708, and 0.767 in the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. The C index of CRS was higher than that of tumor grade, clinical stage, and many developed signatures. Low CRS score demonstrated lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score, lower immune escape score, higher PD1&CTLA4 immunophenoscore, higher tumor mutation burden score, higher response rate and better prognosis in OC, suggesting a better immunotherapy response. OC patients with low CRS score had a lower half maximal inhibitory concentration value of some drugs (Gemcitabine, Tamoxifen, and Nilotinib, etc) and lower score of some cancer-related hallmarks (Notch signaling, hypoxia, and glycolysis, etc). The current study developed an optimal CRS in OC, which acted as an indicator for the prognosis, stratifying risk and guiding treatment for OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fu
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ran Tao
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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47
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Song S, Li X, Xue X, Dong W, Li C. Progress in the Study of the Role and Mechanism of HTRA1 in Diseases Related to Vascular Abnormalities. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:1479-1491. [PMID: 38650587 PMCID: PMC11034561 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s456912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
High temperature requirement A1 (HTRA1) is a member of the serine protease family, comprising four structural domains: IGFBP domain, Kazal domain, protease domain and PDZ domain. HTRA1 encodes a serine protease, a secreted protein that is widely expressed in the vasculature. HTRA1 regulates a wide range of physiological processes through its proteolytic activity, and is also involved in a variety of vascular abnormalities-related diseases. This article reviews the role of HTRA1 in the development of vascular abnormalities-related hereditary cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), tumors and other diseases. Through relevant research advances to understand the role of HTRA1 in regulating signaling pathways or refolding, translocation, degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, thus directly or indirectly regulating angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and playing an important role in vascular homeostasis, further understanding the mechanism of HTRA1's role in vascular abnormality-related diseases is important for HTRA1 to be used as a therapeutic target in related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shina Song
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Geriatrics, General Hospital of TISCO, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuting Xue
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenping Dong
- Department of Geriatrics, General Hospital of TISCO, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changxin Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
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48
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Noh SU, Lim J, Shin SW, Kim Y, Park WY, Batinic-Haberle I, Choi C, Park W. Single-Cell Profiling Reveals Immune-Based Mechanisms Underlying Tumor Radiosensitization by a Novel Mn Porphyrin Clinical Candidate, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP 5+ (BMX-001). Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:477. [PMID: 38671924 PMCID: PMC11047573 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040477] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Manganese porphyrins reportedly exhibit synergic effects when combined with irradiation. However, an in-depth understanding of intratumoral heterogeneity and immune pathways, as affected by Mn porphyrins, remains limited. Here, we explored the mechanisms underlying immunomodulation of a clinical candidate, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+ (BMX-001, MnBuOE), using single-cell analysis in a murine carcinoma model. Mice bearing 4T1 tumors were divided into four groups: control, MnBuOE, radiotherapy (RT), and combined MnBuOE and radiotherapy (MnBuOE/RT). In epithelial cells, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, TNF-α signaling via NF-кB, angiogenesis, and hypoxia-related genes were significantly downregulated in the MnBuOE/RT group compared with the RT group. All subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were clearly reduced in MnBuOE and MnBuOE/RT. Inhibitory receptor-ligand interactions, in which epithelial cells and CAFs interacted with CD8+ T cells, were significantly lower in the MnBuOE/RT group than in the RT group. Trajectory analysis showed that dendritic cells maturation-associated markers were increased in MnBuOE/RT. M1 macrophages were significantly increased in the MnBuOE/RT group compared with the RT group, whereas myeloid-derived suppressor cells were decreased. CellChat analysis showed that the number of cell-cell communications was the lowest in the MnBuOE/RT group. Our study is the first to provide evidence for the combined radiotherapy with a novel Mn porphyrin clinical candidate, BMX-001, from the perspective of each cell type within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Up Noh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.U.N.); (S.-W.S.); (Y.K.)
- Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinyeong Lim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.L.); (W.-Y.P.)
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Won Shin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.U.N.); (S.-W.S.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yeeun Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.U.N.); (S.-W.S.); (Y.K.)
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.L.); (W.-Y.P.)
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Ines Batinic-Haberle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Changhoon Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.U.N.); (S.-W.S.); (Y.K.)
| | - Won Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (S.U.N.); (S.-W.S.); (Y.K.)
- Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
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Lv D, Fei Y, Chen H, Wang J, Han W, Cui B, Feng Y, Zhang P, Chen J. Crosstalk between T lymphocyte and extracellular matrix in tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1340702. [PMID: 38690275 PMCID: PMC11058664 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1340702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex three-dimensional structure composed of proteins, glycans, and proteoglycans, constituting a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. Complex interactions among immune cells, extracellular matrix, and tumor cells promote tumor development and metastasis, consequently influencing therapeutic efficacy. Hence, elucidating these interaction mechanisms is pivotal for precision cancer therapy. T lymphocytes are an important component of the immune system, exerting direct anti-tumor effects by attacking tumor cells or releasing lymphokines to enhance immune effects. The ECM significantly influences T cells function and infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, thereby impacting the behavior and biological characteristics of tumor cells. T cells are involved in regulating the synthesis, degradation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix through the secretion of cytokines and enzymes. As a result, it affects the proliferation and invasive ability of tumor cells as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying T lymphocyte-ECM interactions in the tumor immune microenvironment and their potential application in immunotherapy. It provides novel insights for the development of innovative tumor therapeutic strategies and drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Center for Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Zheng H, An M, Luo Y, Diao X, Zhong W, Pang M, Lin Y, Chen J, Li Y, Kong Y, Zhao Y, Yin Y, Ai L, Huang J, Chen C, Lin T. PDGFRα +ITGA11 + fibroblasts foster early-stage cancer lymphovascular invasion and lymphatic metastasis via ITGA11-SELE interplay. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:682-700.e12. [PMID: 38428409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) exhibit considerable heterogeneity in advanced cancers; however, the functional annotation and mechanism of CAFs in early-stage cancers remain elusive. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic, we identify a previously unknown PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAF subset in early-stage bladder cancer (BCa). Multicenter clinical analysis of a 910-case cohort confirms that PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs are associated with lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and poor prognosis in early-stage BCa. These CAFs facilitate LVI and lymph node (LN) metastasis in early-stage BCa, as evidenced in a PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs-specific deficient mouse model. Mechanistically, PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs promote lymphangiogenesis via recognizing ITGA11 surface receptor SELE on lymphatic endothelial cells to activate SRC-p-VEGFR3-MAPK pathway. Further, CHI3L1 from PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs aligns the surrounding matrix to assist cancer cell intravasation, fostering early-stage BCa LVI and LN metastasis. Collectively, our study reveals the crucial role of PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs in shaping metastatic landscape, informing the treatment of early-stage BCa LVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanhao Zheng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Mingjie An
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuming Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiayao Diao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Zhong
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Mingrui Pang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Jiancheng Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuanlong Li
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yao Kong
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Tumor Intervention, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yina Yin
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Le Ai
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Changhao Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
| | - Tianxin Lin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
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