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Romano V, Ruocco MR, Carotenuto P, Barbato A, Venuta A, Acampora V, De Lella S, Vigliar E, Iaccarino A, Troncone G, Calì G, Insabato L, Russo D, Franco B, Masone S, Velotti N, Accurso A, Pellegrino T, Fiume G, Belviso I, Montagnani S, Avagliano A, Arcucci A. Generation and Characterization of a Tumor Stromal Microenvironment and Analysis of Its Interplay with Breast Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Model to Study Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Inactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126875. [PMID: 35743318 PMCID: PMC9224278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs), the most abundant non-cancer stromal cells of the breast tumor microenvironment (TME), dramatically sustain breast cancer (BC) progression by interacting with BC cells. BCAFs, as well as myofibroblasts, display an up regulation of activation and inflammation markers represented by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). BCAF aggregates have been identified in the peripheral blood of metastatic BC patients. We generated an in vitro stromal model consisting of human primary BCAFs grown as monolayers or 3D cell aggregates, namely spheroids and reverted BCAFs, obtained from BCAF spheroids reverted to 2D cell adhesion growth after 216 h of 3D culture. We firstly evaluated the state of activation and inflammation and the mesenchymal status of the BCAF monolayers, BCAF spheroids and reverted BCAFs. Then, we analyzed the MCF-7 cell viability and migration following treatment with conditioned media from the different BCAF cultures. After 216 h of 3D culture, the BCAFs acquired an inactivated phenotype, associated with a significant reduction in α-SMA and COX-2 protein expression. The deactivation of the BCAF spheroids at 216 h was further confirmed by the cytostatic effect exerted by their conditioned medium on MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, the reverted BCAFs also retained a less activated phenotype as indicated by α-SMA protein expression reduction. Furthermore, the reverted BCAFs exhibited a reduced pro-tumor phenotype as indicated by the anti-migratory effect exerted by their conditioned medium on MCF-7 cells. The deactivation of BCAFs without drug treatment is possible and leads to a reduced capability of BCAFs to sustain BC progression in vitro. Consequently, this study could be a starting point to develop new therapeutic strategies targeting BCAFs and their interactions with cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Romano
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Ruocco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Pietro Carotenuto
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.B.); (B.F.)
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Barbato
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.B.); (B.F.)
| | - Alessandro Venuta
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Vittoria Acampora
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Sabrina De Lella
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Elena Vigliar
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Antonino Iaccarino
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Gaetano Calì
- IEOS Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale ‘G. Salvatore’, National Council of Research, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Insabato
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.I.); (D.R.)
| | - Daniela Russo
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.I.); (D.R.)
| | - Brunella Franco
- TIGEM, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (A.B.); (B.F.)
- Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, School for Advanced Studies, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Masone
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nunzio Velotti
- Department of Advanced Biochemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonello Accurso
- Department of General, Oncological, Bariatric and Endocrine-Metabolic Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Tommaso Pellegrino
- DAI Chirurgia Generale, Endocrinologia, Ortopedia e Riabilitazione, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Fiume
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Immacolata Belviso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Stefania Montagnani
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Angelica Avagliano
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-081-7463422 (A.A. & A.A.)
| | - Alessandro Arcucci
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.R.); (A.V.); (V.A.); (S.D.L.); (E.V.); (A.I.); (G.T.); (I.B.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-081-7463422 (A.A. & A.A.)
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Spheroid Formation and Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal and Immune Components. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116215. [PMID: 35682890 PMCID: PMC9181487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. Peritoneal dissemination (or carcinomatosis) accompanied by ascites formation is the most unfavorable factor in the progression and recurrence of OC. Tumor cells in ascites are present as either separate cells or, more often, as cell aggregates, i.e., spheroids which promote implantation on the surface of nearby organs and, at later stages, metastases to distant organs. Malignant ascites comprises a unique tumor microenvironment; this fact may be of relevance in the search for new prognostic and predictive factors that would make it possible to personalize the treatment of patients with OC. However, the precise mechanisms of spheroid formation and carcinomatosis are still under investigation. Here, we summarize data on ascites composition as well as the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, the key stromal and immune components, in OC ascites. We describe current knowledge about the role of fibroblasts and macrophages in tumor spheroid formation, and discuss the specific functions of fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells in tumor peritoneal dissemination and implantation.
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Abstract
Sterile inflammation within primary tumor tissues can spread to distant organs that are devoid of tumor cells. This happens in a manner dependent on tumor-led secretome, before the actual metastasis occurs. The premetastatic microenvironment is established in this way and is at least partly regulated by hijacking the host innate immune system. The biological manifestation of premetastasis include increased vascular permeability, cell mobilization via the blood stream, degradation of the extracellular matrix, immunosuppression, and host antineoplastic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiro Maru
- Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan
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