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Zook HN, Quijano JC, Ortiz JA, Donohue C, Lopez K, Li W, Erdem N, Jou K, Crook CJ, Garcia I, Kandeel F, Montero E, Ku HT. Activation of ductal progenitor-like cells from adult human pancreas requires extracellular matrix protein signaling. iScience 2024; 27:109237. [PMID: 38433896 PMCID: PMC10904999 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109237] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ductal progenitor-like cells are a sub-population of ductal cells in the adult human pancreas that have the potential to contribute to regenerative medicine. However, the microenvironmental cues that regulate their activation are poorly understood. Here, we establish a 3-dimensional suspension culture system containing six defined soluble factors in which primary human ductal progenitor-like and ductal non-progenitor cells survive but do not proliferate. Expansion and polarization occur when suspension cells are provided with a low concentration (5% v/v) of Matrigel, a sarcoma cell product enriched in many extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Screening of ECM proteins identified that collagen IV can partially recapitulate the effects of Matrigel. Inhibition of integrin α1β1, a major collagen IV receptor, negates collagen IV- and Matrigel-stimulated effects. These results demonstrate that collagen IV is a key ECM protein that stimulates the expansion and polarization of human ductal progenitor-like and ductal non-progenitor cells via integrin α1β1 receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather N. Zook
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Janine C. Quijano
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jose A. Ortiz
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Cecile Donohue
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Kassandra Lopez
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Wendong Li
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Neslihan Erdem
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Diabetes Immunology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Kevin Jou
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Christiana J. Crook
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Isaac Garcia
- Department of Diabetes Immunology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Fouad Kandeel
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Enrique Montero
- Department of Diabetes Immunology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hsun Teresa Ku
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Van Eyssen SR, Samarkina A, Isbilen O, Zeden MS, Volkan E. FimH and Type 1 Pili Mediated Tumor Cell Cytotoxicity by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli In Vitro. Pathogens 2023; 12:751. [PMID: 37375441 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060751] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli express hairlike proteinaceous surface projections, known as chaperone-usher pathway (CUP) pili. Type 1 pili are CUP pili with well-established pathogenic properties. The FimH adhesin subunit of type 1 pili plays a key role in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) as it mediates the adhesion of the bacteria to urothelial cells of the bladder. In this study, two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, were used to demonstrate the cytotoxic activities of type 1 piliated uropathogenic E. coli UTI89 on breast cancer cells in a type 1 pili and FimH-mediated manner. E. coli were grown in static and shaking conditions to induce or inhibit optimal type 1 pili biogenesis, respectively. Deletion constructs of UTI89 ΔfimH and a complemented strain (UTI89 ΔfimH/pfimH) were further utilized to genetically assess the effect of type 1 pili and FimH on cancer cell viability. After incubation with the different strains, cytotoxicity was measured using trypan blue exclusion assays. UTI89 grown statically caused significant cytotoxicity in both breast cancer cell lines whereas cytotoxicity was reduced when the cells were incubated with bacteria grown under shaking conditions. The incubation of both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 with UTI89 Δfim operon or ΔfimH showed a significant reduction in cytotoxicity exerted by the bacterial strains, revealing that type 1 pili expression was necessary for cytotoxicity. Complementing the ΔfimH strain with pfimH reversed the phenotype, leading to a significant increase in cytotoxicity. Incubating type 1 pili expressing bacteria with the competitive FimH inhibitor D-mannose before cancer cell treatment also led to a significant reduction in cytotoxicity on both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells, compared to vehicle control or D-mannose alone, indicating the requirement for functional FimH for cytotoxicity. Overall, our results reveal that, as opposed to UTI89 lacking type 1 pili, type 1 piliated UTI89 causes significant cancer cell mortality in a FimH-mediated manner, that is decreased with D-mannose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly Roselyn Van Eyssen
- Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
| | - Anastasia Samarkina
- Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
| | - Ovgu Isbilen
- Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
| | - Merve Suzan Zeden
- Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, H91TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Ender Volkan
- Biotechnology Research Center, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus, Mersin 10, 99258 Nicosia, Turkey
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3
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Wessels D, Lusche DF, Voss E, Soll DR. 3D and 4D Tumorigenesis Model for the Quantitative Analysis of Cancer Cell Behavior and Screening for Anticancer Drugs. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2364:299-318. [PMID: 34542859 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1661-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells from cell lines and tumor biopsy tissue undergo aggregation and aggregate coalescence when dispersed in a 3D Matrigel™ matrix. Coalescence is a dynamic process mediated by a subset of cells within the population of cancer cells. In contrast, non-tumorigenic cells from normal cell lines and normal tissues do not aggregate or coalesce, nor do they possess the motile cell types that orchestrate coalescence of cancer cells. Therefore, coalescence is a cancer cell-specific phenotype that may drive tumor growth in vivo, especially in cases of field cancerization. Here, we describe a simple 3D tumorigenesis model that takes advantage of the coalescence capabilities of cancer cells and uses this feature as the basis for a screen for treatments that inhibit tumorigenesis. The screen is especially useful in testing monoclonal antibodies that target cell-cell interactions, cell-matrix interactions, cell adhesion molecules, cell surface receptors, and general cell surface markers. The model can also be used for 2D imaging in a 96-well plate for rapid screening and is adaptable for 3D high-resolution assessment. In the latter case, we show how the 3D model can be optically sectioned with differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, then reconstructed in 4D and quantitatively analyzed by computer-assisted methods, or, alternatively, imaged with confocal microscopy for 4D quantitative analysis of cancer cell interactions with normal cells within the tumor microenvironment. We demonstrate reconstructions and quantitative analyses using the advanced image analysis software J3D-DIAS 4.2, in order to illustrate the types of detailed phenotypic characterizations that have proven useful. Other software packages may be able to perform similar types of analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Wessels
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Daniel F Lusche
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Edward Voss
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - David R Soll
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Wessels DJ, Pujol C, Pradhan N, Lusche DF, Gonzalez L, Kelly SE, Martin EM, Voss ER, Park YN, Dailey M, Sugg SL, Phadke S, Bashir A, Soll DR. Directed movement toward, translocation along, penetration into and exit from vascular networks by breast cancer cells in 3D. Cell Adh Migr 2021; 15:224-248. [PMID: 34338608 PMCID: PMC8331046 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2021.1957527] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a computer-assisted platform using laser scanning confocal microscopy to 3D reconstruct in real-time interactions between metastatic breast cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We demonstrate that MB-231 cancer cells migrate toward HUVEC networks, facilitated by filopodia, migrate along the network surfaces, penetrate into and migrate within the HUVEC networks, exit and continue migrating along network surfaces. The system is highly amenable to 3D reconstruction and computational analyses, and assessments of the effects of potential anti-metastasis monoclonal antibodies and other drugs. We demonstrate that an anti-RHAMM antibody blocks filopodium formation and all of the behaviors that we found take place between MB-231 cells and HUVEC networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Wessels
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Claude Pujol
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nikash Pradhan
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Daniel F Lusche
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Luis Gonzalez
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sydney E Kelly
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Martin
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Edward R Voss
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Yang-Nim Park
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Michael Dailey
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sonia L Sugg
- Department of Surgery, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sneha Phadke
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Amani Bashir
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - David R Soll
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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5
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Lusche DF, Wessels DJ, Reis RJ, Forrest CC, Thumann AR, Soll DR. New monoclonal antibodies that recognize an unglycosylated, conserved, extracellular region of CD44 in vitro and in vivo, and can block tumorigenesis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250175. [PMID: 33891595 PMCID: PMC8064539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that binds to hyaluronic acid, plays roles in a number of cellular processes and is expressed in a variety of cell types. It is up-regulated in stem cells and cancer. Anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies affect cell motility and aggregation, and repress tumorigenesis and metastasis. Here we describe four new anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies originating from B cells of a mouse injected with a plasmid expressing CD44 isoform 12. The four monoclonal antibodies bind to the terminal, extracellular, conserved domain of CD44 isoforms. Based on differences in western blot patterns of cancer cell lysates, the four anti-CD44 mAbs separated into three distinct categories that include P4G9, P3D2, and P3A7, and P3G4. Spot assay analysis with peptides generated in Escherichia coli support the conclusion that the monoclonal antibodies recognize unglycosylated sequences in the N-terminal conserved region between amino acid 21-220, and analyses with a peptide generated in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, demonstrate that these monoclonal antibodies bind to these peptides only after deglycosylation. Western blots with lysates from three cancer cell lines demonstrate that several CD44 isoforms are unglycosylated in the anti-CD44 target regions. The potential utility of the monoclonal antibodies in blocking tumorigenesis was tested by co-injection of cells of the breast cancer-derived tumorigenic cell line MDA-MB-231 with the anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody P3D2 into the mammary fat pads of mice. All five control mice injected with MDA-MB-231 cells plus anti-IgG formed palpable tumors, while only one of the six test mice injected with MDA-MB-231 cells plus P3D2 formed a tiny tumor, while the remaining five were tumor-free, indicating that the four anti-CD44 mAbs may be useful therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Lusche
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Deborah J. Wessels
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Ryan J. Reis
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Cristopher C. Forrest
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Alexis R. Thumann
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - David R. Soll
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank, Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wessels DJ, Pradhan N, Park YN, Klepitsch MA, Lusche DF, Daniels KJ, Conway KD, Voss ER, Hegde SV, Conway TP, Soll DR. Reciprocal signaling and direct physical interactions between fibroblasts and breast cancer cells in a 3D environment. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218854. [PMID: 31233557 PMCID: PMC6590889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenic cells undergo cell aggregation and aggregate coalescence in a 3D Matrigel environment. Here, we expanded this 3D platform to assess the interactions of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) and human primary mammary fibroblasts (HPMFs) with breast cancer-derived, tumorigenic cells (MDA-MB-231). Medium conditioned by MDA-MB-231 cells activates both types of fibroblasts, imbuing them with the capacity to accelerate the rate of aggregation and coalescence of MDA-MB-231 cells more than four fold. Acceleration is achieved 1) by direct physical interactions with MDA-MB-231 cells, in which activated fibroblasts penetrate the MDA-MB-231/Matrigel 3D environment and function as supporting scaffolds for MDA-MB-231 aggregation and coalescence, and 2) through the release of soluble accelerating factors, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and, in the case of activated NHDFs, SDF-1α/CXCL12. Fibroblast activation includes changes in morphology, motility, and gene expression. Podoplanin (PDPN) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) are upregulated by more than nine-fold in activated NHDFs while activated HPMFs upregulate FAP, vimentin, desmin, platelet derived growth factor receptor A and S100A4. Overexpression of PDPN, but not FAP, in NHDF cells in the absence of MDA-MB-231-conditioned medium, activates NHDFs. These results reveal that complex reciprocal signaling between fibroblasts and cancer cells, coupled with their physical interactions, occurs in a highly coordinated fashion that orchestrates aggregation and coalescence, behaviors specific to cancer cells in a 3D environment. These in vitro interactions may reflect events involved in early tumorigenesis, particularly in cases of field cancerization, and may represent a new mechanism whereby cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J. Wessels
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Nikash Pradhan
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yang-Nim Park
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Megan A. Klepitsch
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Daniel F. Lusche
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Karla J. Daniels
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Kayla D. Conway
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Edward R. Voss
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Suchaeta V. Hegde
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Thomas P. Conway
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - David R. Soll
- Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank and W.M. Keck Dynamic Image Analysis Facility, Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
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Jang I, Beningo KA. Integrins, CAFs and Mechanical Forces in the Progression of Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050721. [PMID: 31137693 PMCID: PMC6562616 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells respond to both chemical and mechanical cues present within their microenvironment. Various mechanical signals are detected by and transmitted to the cells through mechanoreceptors. These receptors often contact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), where the external signals are converted into a physiological response. Integrins are well-defined mechanoreceptors that physically connect the actomyosin cytoskeleton to the surrounding matrix and transduce signals. Families of α and β subunits can form a variety of heterodimers that have been implicated in cancer progression and differ among types of cancer. These heterodimers serve as the nexus of communication between the cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is dynamic and composed of stromal cells, ECM and associated soluble factors. The most abundant stromal cells within the TME are cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Accumulating studies implicate CAFs in cancer development and metastasis through their remodeling of the ECM and release of large amounts of ECM proteins and soluble factors. Considering that the communication between cancer cells and CAFs, in large part, takes place through the ECM, the involvement of integrins in the crosstalk is significant. This review discusses the role of integrins, as the primary cell-ECM mechanoreceptors, in cancer progression, highlighting integrin-mediated mechanical communication between cancer cells and CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imjoo Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
| | - Karen A Beningo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
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