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Zhou X, Tong Y, Yu C, Pu J, Zhu W, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Xiong Y, Sun X. FAP positive cancer-associated fibroblasts promote tumor progression and radioresistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by transferring exosomal lncRNA AFAP1-AS1. Mol Carcinog 2024. [PMID: 38934786 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23782] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant and heterogeneous stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, which play important roles in regulating tumor progression and therapy resistance by transferring exosomes to cancer cells. However, how CAFs modulate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) progression and radioresistance remains incompletely understood. The expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in CAFs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 174 ESCC patients who underwent surgery and 78 pretreatment biopsy specimens of ESCC patients who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy. We sorted CAFs according to FAP expression, and the conditioned medium (CM) was collected to culture ESCC cells. The expression levels of several lncRNAs that were considered to regulate ESCC progression and/or radioresistance were measured in exosomes derived from FAP+ CAFs and FAP- CAFs. Subsequently, cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, transwell, colony formation, and xenograft assays were performed to investigate the functional differences between FAP+ CAFs and FAP- CAFs. Finally, a series of in vitro and in vivo assays were used to evaluate the effect of AFAP1-AS1 on radiosensitivity of ESCC cells. FAP expression in stromal CAFs was positively correlated with nerve invasion, vascular invasion, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lack of clinical complete response and poor survival. Culture of ESCC cells with CM/FAP+ CAFs significantly increased cancer proliferation, migration, invasion and radioresistance, compared with culture with CM/FAP- CAFs. Importantly, FAP+ CAFs exert their roles by directly transferring the functional lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 to ESCC cells via exosomes. Functional studies showed that AFAP1-AS1 promoted radioresistance by enhancing DNA damage repair in ESCC cells. Clinically, high levels of plasma AFAP1-AS1 correlated with poor responses to dCRT in ESCC patients. Our findings demonstrated that FAP+ CAFs promoted radioresistance in ESCC cells through transferring exosomal lncRNA AFAP1-AS1; and may be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xilei Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Yusuo Tong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Changhua Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Juan Pu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Lianshui County People's Hospital, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Weiguo Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Radiotherapy, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Xuzhou School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuandong Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yaozu Xiong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Xinchen Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Skowicki M, Hürlimann D, Tarvirdipour S, Kyropoulou M, Schoenenberger CA, Gerber-Lemaire S, Palivan CG. FAP Targeting of Photosensitizer-Loaded Polymersomes for Increased Light-Activated Cell Killing. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:754-766. [PMID: 38267014 PMCID: PMC10865352 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
As current chemo- and photodynamic cancer therapies are associated with severe side effects due to a lack of specificity and to systemic toxicity, innovative solutions in terms of targeting and controlled functionality are in high demand. Here, we present the development of a polymersome nanocarrier equipped with targeting molecules and loaded with photosensitizers for efficient uptake and light-activated cell killing. Polymersomes were self-assembled in the presence of photosensitizers from a mixture of nonfunctionalized and functionalized PDMS-b-PMOXA diblock copolymers, the latter designed for coupling with targeting ligands. By encapsulation inside the polymersomes, the photosensitizer Rose Bengal was protected, and its uptake into cells was mediated by the nanocarrier. Inhibitor of fibroblast activation protein α (FAPi), a ligand for FAP, was attached to the polymersomes' surface and improved their uptake in MCF-7 breast cancer cells expressing relatively high levels of FAP on their surface. Once internalized by MCF-7, irradiation of Rose Bengal-loaded FAPi-polymersomes generated reactive oxygen species at levels high enough to induce cell death. By combining photosensitizer encapsulation and specific targeting, polymersomes represent ideal candidates as therapeutic nanocarriers in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Skowicki
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, BPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Hürlimann
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, BPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shabnam Tarvirdipour
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Myrto Kyropoulou
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, BPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cora-Ann Schoenenberger
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, BPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sandrine Gerber-Lemaire
- Group
for Functionalized Biomaterials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and
Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia G. Palivan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1096, Mattenstrasse 22, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
- NCCR-Molecular
Systems Engineering, BPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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Zhang C, Sun C, Zhao Y, Wang Q, Guo J, Ye B, Yu G. Overview of MicroRNAs as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers for High-Incidence Cancers in 2021. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911389. [PMID: 36232692 PMCID: PMC9570028 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) about 22 nucleotides in size, which play an important role in gene regulation and are involved in almost all major cellular physiological processes. In recent years, the abnormal expression of miRNAs has been shown to be associated with human diseases including cancer. In the past ten years, the link between miRNAs and various cancers has been extensively studied, and the abnormal expression of miRNAs has been reported in various malignant tumors, such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Due to the high malignancy grade of these cancers, it is more necessary to develop the related diagnostic and prognostic methods. According to the study of miRNAs, many potential cancer biomarkers have been proposed for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases, especially cancer, thus providing a new theoretical basis and perspective for cancer screening. The use of miRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of cancer has the advantages of being less invasive to patients, with better accuracy and lower price. In view of the important clinical significance of miRNAs in human cancer research, this article reviewed the research status of miRNAs in the above-mentioned cancers in 2021, especially in terms of diagnosis and prognosis, and provided some new perspectives and theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Caifang Sun
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Yabin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Qiwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Jianlin Guo
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Bingyu Ye
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Correspondence: (B.Y.); (G.Y.)
| | - Guoying Yu
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
- Correspondence: (B.Y.); (G.Y.)
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