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Battaglia AM, Sacco A, Vecchio E, Scicchitano S, Petriaggi L, Giorgio E, Bulotta S, Levi S, Faniello CM, Biamonte F, Costanzo F. Iron affects the sphere-forming ability of ovarian cancer cells in non-adherent culture conditions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1272667. [PMID: 38033861 PMCID: PMC10682100 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1272667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the first step of the metastatic cascade. It is a regulated process involving interaction between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME). Iron is a key micronutrient within the TME. Here, we explored the role of iron in the ability of ovarian cancer cells to successfully detach from the ECM. Methods: HEY and PEO1 ovarian cancer cells were grown in 3D conditions. To mimic an iron rich TME, culture media were supplemented with 100 μM Fe3+. Cell mortality was evaluated by cytofluorimetric assay. The invasive potential of tumor spheroids was performed in Matrigel and documented with images and time-lapses. Iron metabolism was assessed by analyzing the expression of CD71 and FtH1, and by quantifying the intracellular labile iron pool (LIP) through Calcein-AM cytofluorimetric assay. Ferroptosis was assessed by quantifying mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation through MitoSOX and BODIPY-C11 cytofluorimetric assays, respectively. Ferroptosis markers GPX4 and VDAC2 were measured by Western blot. FtH1 knockdown was performed by using siRNA. Results: To generate spheroids, HEY and PEO1 cells prevent LIP accumulation by upregulating FtH1. 3D HEY moderately increases FtH1, and LIP is only slightly reduced. 3D PEO1upregulate FtH1 and LIP results significantly diminished. HEY tumor spheroids prevent iron import downregulating CD71, while PEO1 cells strongly enhance it. Intracellular ROS drop down during the 2D to 3D transition in both cell lines, but more significantly in PEO1 cells. Upon iron supplementation, PEO1 cells continue to enhance CD71 and FtH1 without accumulating the LIP and ROS and do not undergo ferroptosis. HEY, instead, accumulate LIP, undergo ferroptosis and attenuate their sphere-forming ability and invasiveness. FtH1 knockdown significantly reduces the generation of PEO1 tumor spheroids, although without sensitizing them to ferroptosis. Discussion: Iron metabolism reprogramming is a key event in the tumor spheroid generation of ovarian cancer cells. An iron-rich environment impairs the sphere-forming ability and causes cell death only in ferroptosis sensitive cells. A better understanding of ferroptosis sensitivity could be useful to develop effective treatments to kill ECM-detached ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Martina Battaglia
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sacco
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Eleonora Vecchio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Scicchitano
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lavinia Petriaggi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuele Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biology, Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sonia Levi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Concetta Maria Faniello
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Flavia Biamonte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Center of Interdepartmental Services (CIS), Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Costanzo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Center of Interdepartmental Services (CIS), Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Schofield JH, Longo J, Sheldon RD, Albano E, Hawk MA, Murphy S, Duong L, Rahmy S, Lu X, Jones RG, Schafer ZT. Acod1 Expression in Cancer Cells Promotes Immune Evasion through the Generation of Inhibitory Peptides. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.14.557799. [PMID: 37745450 PMCID: PMC10515953 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.14.557799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Targeting PD-1 is an important component of many immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapeutic approaches. However, ICB is not an efficacious strategy in a variety of cancer types, in part due to immunosuppressive metabolites in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we find that αPD-1-resistant cancer cells produce abundant itaconate (ITA) due to enhanced levels of aconitate decarboxylase (Acod1). Acod1 has an important role in the resistance to αPD-1, as decreasing Acod1 levels in αPD-1 resistant cancer cells can sensitize tumors to αPD-1 therapy. Mechanistically, cancer cells with high Acod1 inhibit the proliferation of naïve CD8+ T cells through the secretion of inhibitory factors. Surprisingly, inhibition of CD8+ T cell proliferation is not dependent on secretion of ITA, but is instead a consequence of the release of small inhibitory peptides. Our study suggests that strategies to counter the activity of Acod1 in cancer cells may sensitize tumors to ICB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H. Schofield
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Joseph Longo
- Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Ryan D. Sheldon
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Emma Albano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Mark A. Hawk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Sean Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Loan Duong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Sharif Rahmy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
| | - Russell G. Jones
- Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
| | - Zachary T. Schafer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 USA
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Takahashi N, Cho P, Selfors LM, Kuiken HJ, Kaul R, Fujiwara T, Harris IS, Zhang T, Gygi SP, Brugge JS. 3D Culture Models with CRISPR Screens Reveal Hyperactive NRF2 as a Prerequisite for Spheroid Formation via Regulation of Proliferation and Ferroptosis. Mol Cell 2020; 80:828-844.e6. [PMID: 33128871 PMCID: PMC7718371 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated mutations that stabilize NRF2, an oxidant defense transcription factor, are predicted to promote tumor development. Here, utilizing 3D cancer spheroid models coupled with CRISPR-Cas9 screens, we investigate the molecular pathogenesis mediated by NRF2 hyperactivation. NRF2 hyperactivation was necessary for proliferation and survival in lung tumor spheroids. Antioxidant treatment rescued survival but not proliferation, suggesting the presence of distinct mechanisms. CRISPR screens revealed that spheroids are differentially dependent on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) for proliferation and the lipid peroxidase GPX4 for protection from ferroptosis of inner, matrix-deprived cells. Ferroptosis inhibitors blocked death from NRF2 downregulation, demonstrating a critical role of NRF2 in protecting matrix-deprived cells from ferroptosis. Interestingly, proteomics analyses show global enrichment of selenoproteins, including GPX4, by NRF2 downregulation, and targeting NRF2 and GPX4 killed spheroids overall. These results illustrate the value of spheroid culture in revealing environmental or spatial differential dependencies on NRF2 and reveal exploitable vulnerabilities of NRF2-hyperactivated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Takahashi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Patricia Cho
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Laura M Selfors
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hendrik J Kuiken
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Roma Kaul
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Takuro Fujiwara
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Isaac S Harris
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joan S Brugge
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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