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Yin S, Wu H, Huang Y, Lu C, Cui J, Li Y, Xue B, Wu J, Jiang C, Gu X, Wang W, Cao Y. Structurally and mechanically tuned macroporous hydrogels for scalable mesenchymal stem cell-extracellular matrix spheroid production. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2404210121. [PMID: 38954541 PMCID: PMC11253011 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404210121] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are essential in regenerative medicine. However, conventional expansion and harvesting methods often fail to maintain the essential extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which are crucial for their functionality and efficacy in therapeutic applications. Here, we introduce a bone marrow-inspired macroporous hydrogel designed for the large-scale production of MSC-ECM spheroids. Through a soft-templating approach leveraging liquid-liquid phase separation, we engineer macroporous hydrogels with customizable features, including pore size, stiffness, bioactive ligand distribution, and enzyme-responsive degradability. These tailored environments are conducive to optimal MSC proliferation and ease of harvesting. We find that soft hydrogels enhance mechanotransduction in MSCs, establishing a standard for hydrogel-based 3D cell culture. Within these hydrogels, MSCs exist as both cohesive spheroids, preserving their innate vitality, and as migrating entities that actively secrete functional ECM proteins. Additionally, we also introduce a gentle, enzymatic harvesting method that breaks down the hydrogels, allowing MSCs and secreted ECM to naturally form MSC-ECM spheroids. These spheroids display heightened stemness and differentiation capacity, mirroring the benefits of a native ECM milieu. Our research underscores the significance of sophisticated materials design in nurturing distinct MSC subpopulations, facilitating the generation of MSC-ECM spheroids with enhanced therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
| | - Haipeng Wu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
| | - Yaying Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
| | - Chenjing Lu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
| | - Jian Cui
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing210044, China
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
| | - Junhua Wu
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
| | - Chunping Jiang
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan250021, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing210093, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
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2
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Owaki T, Iida T, Miyai Y, Kato K, Hase T, Ishii M, Ando R, Hinohara K, Akashi T, Mizutani Y, Ishikawa T, Mii S, Shiraki Y, Esaki N, Yamamoto M, Tsukamoto T, Nomura S, Murakami T, Takahashi M, Yuguchi Y, Maeda M, Sano T, Sassa N, Matsukawa Y, Kawashima H, Akamatsu S, Enomoto A. Synthetic retinoid-mediated preconditioning of cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages improves cancer response to immune checkpoint blockade. Br J Cancer 2024; 131:372-386. [PMID: 38849479 PMCID: PMC11263587 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02734-3] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proliferation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) hampers drug delivery and anti-tumor immunity, inducing tumor resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. However, it has remained a challenge to develop therapeutics that specifically target or modulate CAFs. METHODS We investigated the involvement of Meflin+ cancer-restraining CAFs (rCAFs) in ICB efficacy in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC). We examined the effects of Am80 (a synthetic retinoid) administration on CAF phenotype, the tumor immune microenvironment, and ICB efficacy in cancer mouse models. RESULTS High infiltration of Meflin+ CAFs correlated with ICB efficacy in patients with ccRCC and UC. Meflin+ CAF induction by Am80 administration improved ICB efficacy in the mouse models of cancer. Am80 exerted this effect when administered prior to, but not concomitant with, ICB therapy in wild-type but not Meflin-deficient mice. Am80-mediated induction of Meflin+ CAFs was associated with increases in antibody delivery and M1-like tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) infiltration. Finally, we showed the role of Chemerin produced from CAFs after Am80 administration in the induction of M1-like TAMs. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that Am80 administration prior to ICB therapy increases the number of Meflin+ rCAFs and ICB efficacy by inducing changes in TAM phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Owaki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Urology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Iida
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Yuki Miyai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Kato
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsunari Hase
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Makoto Ishii
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryota Ando
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Hinohara
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Akashi
- Division of Systems Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takuya Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Esaki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masami Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Physiological Pathology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tsukamoto
- Division of Analytical Pathology, Oncology Innovation Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Nomura
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Murakami
- Department of Microbiology, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- Department of Pathology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yuri Yuguchi
- Department of Urology, Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Tomoyasu Sano
- Department of Urology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoto Sassa
- Department of Urology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Matsukawa
- Department of Urology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawashima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shusuke Akamatsu
- Department of Urology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu, Japan.
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3
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Pham DV, Nguyen TK, Park PH. Adipokines at the crossroads of obesity and mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:313-324. [PMID: 36750692 PMCID: PMC9981593 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00940-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is an emerging treatment strategy to counteract metabolic syndromes, including obesity and its comorbid disorders. However, its effectiveness is challenged by various factors in the obese environment that negatively impact MSC survival and function. The identification of these detrimental factors will provide opportunities to optimize MSC therapy for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Dysregulated production of adipokines, a group of cytokines and hormones derived from adipose tissue, has been postulated to play a pivotal role in the development of obesity-associated complications. Intriguingly, adipokines have also been implicated in the modulation of viability, self-renewal, proliferation, and other properties of MSC. However, the involvement of adipokine imbalance in impaired MSC functionality has not been completely understood. On the other hand, treatment of obese individuals with MSC can restore the serum adipokine profile, suggesting the bidirectionality of the adipokine-MSC relationship. In this review, we aim to discuss the current knowledge on the central role of adipokines in the crosstalk between obesity and MSC dysfunction. We also summarize recent advances in the use of MSC for the treatment of obesity-associated diseases to support the hypothesis that adipokines modulate the benefits of MSC therapy in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc-Vinh Pham
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Thi-Kem Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil-Hoon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea. .,Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Siedlar AM, Seredenina T, Faivre A, Cambet Y, Stasia MJ, André-Lévigne D, Bochaton-Piallat ML, Pittet-Cuénod B, de Seigneux S, Krause KH, Modarressi A, Jaquet V. NADPH oxidase 4 is dispensable for skin myofibroblast differentiation and wound healing. Redox Biol 2023; 60:102609. [PMID: 36708644 PMCID: PMC9950659 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is governed by the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) through a mechanism involving redox signaling and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Myofibroblasts synthesize proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and display a contractile phenotype. Myofibroblasts are predominant contributors of wound healing and several pathological states, including fibrotic diseases and cancer. Inhibition of the ROS-generating enzyme NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) has been proposed to mitigate fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation and to offer a therapeutic option for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In this study, we addressed the role of NOX4 in physiological wound healing and in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. We explored the phenotypic changes induced by TGF-β in primary skin fibroblasts isolated from Nox4-deficient mice by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and RNA sequencing. Mice deficient for Cyba, the gene coding for p22phox, a key subunit of NOX4 were used for confirmatory experiments as well as human primary skin fibroblasts. In vivo, the wound healing was similar in wild-type and Nox4-deficient mice. In vitro, despite a strong upregulation following TGF-β treatment, Nox4 did not influence skin myofibroblast differentiation although a putative NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831 and a flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene iodonium mitigated this mechanism. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of the mitochondrial protein Ucp2 and the stress-response protein Hddc3 in Nox4-deficient fibroblasts, which had however no impact on fibroblast bioenergetics. Altogether, we provide extensive evidence that NOX4 is dispensable for wound healing and skin fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation, and suggest that another H2O2-generating flavoprotein drives this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Malgorzata Siedlar
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Seredenina
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anna Faivre
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yves Cambet
- READS Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marie-José Stasia
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38044, Grenoble, France
| | - Dominik André-Lévigne
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Brigitte Pittet-Cuénod
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sophie de Seigneux
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland,Service and Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine Specialties and of Physiology and Metabolism, University and University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karl-Heinz Krause
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ali Modarressi
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Jaquet
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; READS Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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5
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Shiraki Y, Mii S, Esaki N, Enomoto A. Possible disease-protective roles of fibroblasts in cancer and fibrosis and their therapeutic application. NAGOYA JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2022; 84:484-496. [PMID: 36237894 PMCID: PMC9529631 DOI: 10.18999/nagjms.84.3.484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer and fibrotic diseases are characterized by continuous inflammation, tissue wounds, and injuries. Cancer is a "wound that does not heal," and the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells disrupts normal tissue integrity and induces stromal fibroinflammatory reactions. Fibroblasts proliferate extensively in the stroma, playing a major role in the development of these diseases. There has been considerable evidence that fibroblasts contribute to fibrosis and tissue stiffening and promote disease progression via multiple mechanisms. However, recent emerging findings, mainly derived from single-cell transcriptomic analysis, indicated that fibroblasts are functionally heterogeneous, leading to the hypothesis that both disease-promoting and -restraining fibroblasts exist. We recently showed that a fibroblast population, defined by the expression of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein Meflin may suppress but not promote fibrotic response and disease progression in cancer and fibrotic diseases. Although currently hypothetical, the primary function of Meflin-positive fibroblasts may be tissue repair after injury and cancer initiation occurred. This observation has led to the proposal of a potential therapy that converts the phenotype of fibroblasts from pro-tumor to anti-tumor. In this short review, we summarize our recent findings on the function of Meflin in the context of cancer and fibrotic diseases and discuss how we can utilize this knowledge on fibroblasts in translational medicine. We also discuss several aspects of the interpretation of survival analysis data, such as Kaplan-Meier analysis, to address the function of specific genes expressed in fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Esaki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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6
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Ando R, Sakai A, Iida T, Kataoka K, Mizutani Y, Enomoto A. Good and Bad Stroma in Pancreatic Cancer: Relevance of Functional States of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143315. [PMID: 35884375 PMCID: PMC9317763 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recent progress in research on the biology of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) indicates their diverse states and plasticity, which may lead to good and bad stroma, suppressing and promoting cancer progression, respectively. The characteristics of the stroma differ spatially, even within the same tumors, based on the balance between cancer-restraining CAF and cancer-promoting CAF proliferation at the site. These heterogeneous CAFs also influence the sensitivity of PDAC to anticancer therapeutics. Further preclinical and clinical studies will advance our understanding of the roles of CAFs in disease progression and aid the development of therapeutics that modulate or ameliorate the tumor microenvironment in PDAC. Abstract A well-known feature of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the extensive proliferation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and highly fibrotic stroma. Recent evidence, based mainly on single-cell analyses, has identified various subsets of CAFs in PDAC mouse models. However, we do not know how these CAF subsets are involved in the progression and drug resistance of human PDAC. Additionally, it remains unclear whether these diverse CAFs have distinct origins and are indicators of genuinely distinct CAF lineages or reflect different states of the same CAFs depending on the tumor microenvironment. Interestingly, recent preclinical studies have started to characterize the nature of cancer-restraining CAFs and have identified their markers Meflin and collagen type I alpha 1. These studies have led to the development of strategies to induce changes in CAF phenotypes using chemical reagents or recombinant viruses, and some of them have been tested in clinical studies. These strategies have the unique potential to convert the so-called bad stroma to good stroma and may also have therapeutic implications for non-cancer diseases such as fibrotic diseases. Together with recently developed sophisticated strategies that specifically target distinct CAF subsets via adoptive cell transfer therapy, vaccination, and antibody–drug conjugates, any future findings arising from these clinical efforts may expand our understanding of the significance of CAF diversity in human PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Ando
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (R.A.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (K.K.); (Y.M.)
| | - Akihiro Sakai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (R.A.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (K.K.); (Y.M.)
| | - Tadashi Iida
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (R.A.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (K.K.); (Y.M.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kunio Kataoka
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (R.A.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (K.K.); (Y.M.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (R.A.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (K.K.); (Y.M.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (R.A.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (K.K.); (Y.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-52-744-2093
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7
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Iida T, Mizutani Y, Esaki N, Ponik SM, Burkel BM, Weng L, Kuwata K, Masamune A, Ishihara S, Haga H, Kataoka K, Mii S, Shiraki Y, Ishikawa T, Ohno E, Kawashima H, Hirooka Y, Fujishiro M, Takahashi M, Enomoto A. Pharmacologic conversion of cancer-associated fibroblasts from a protumor phenotype to an antitumor phenotype improves the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer to chemotherapeutics. Oncogene 2022; 41:2764-2777. [PMID: 35414659 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02288-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous therapeutic attempts to deplete cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) or inhibit their proliferation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) were not successful in mice or patients. Thus, CAFs may be tumor suppressive or heterogeneous, with distinct cancer-restraining and -promoting CAFs (rCAFs and pCAFs, respectively). Here, we showed that induced expression of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein Meflin, a rCAF-specific marker, in CAFs by genetic and pharmacological approaches improved the chemosensitivity of mouse PDAC. A chemical library screen identified Am80, a synthetic, nonnatural retinoid, as a reagent that effectively induced Meflin expression in CAFs. Am80 administration improved the sensitivity of PDAC to chemotherapeutics, accompanied by increases in tumor vessel area and intratumoral drug delivery. Mechanistically, Meflin was involved in the suppression of tissue stiffening by interacting with lysyl oxidase to inhibit its collagen crosslinking activity. These data suggested that modulation of CAF heterogeneity may represent a strategy for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Iida
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Esaki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Suzanne M Ponik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brian M Burkel
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Liang Weng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Keiko Kuwata
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Hisashi Haga
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kunio Kataoka
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takuya Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Eizaburo Ohno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawashima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Endoscopy, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Fujishiro
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
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8
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Han L, Seward C, Leone G, Ostrowski MC. Origin, activation and heterogeneity of fibroblasts associated with pancreas and breast cancers. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 154:169-201. [PMID: 35459469 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreas and breast cancers both contain abundant stromal components within the tumor tissues. A prominent cell type within the stroma is cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs play critical and complex roles establishing the tumor microenvironment to either promote or prevent tumor progression. Recently, complex genetic models and single cell-based techniques have provided emerging insights on the precise functions and cellular heterogeneity of CAFs. The transformation of normal fibroblasts into CAFs is a key event during tumor initiation and progression. Such coordination between tumor cells and fibroblasts plays an important role in cancer development. Reprograming fibroblasts is currently being explored for therapeutic benefits. In this review, we will discuss recent literature shedding light on the tissues of origin, activation mechanisms, and heterogeneity of CAFs comparing pancreas and breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
| | - Cara Seward
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Gustavo Leone
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Medical college of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Michael C Ostrowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
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9
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Miyai Y, Sugiyama D, Hase T, Asai N, Taki T, Nishida K, Fukui T, Chen-Yoshikawa TF, Kobayashi H, Mii S, Shiraki Y, Hasegawa Y, Nishikawa H, Ando Y, Takahashi M, Enomoto A. Meflin-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts enhance tumor response to immune checkpoint blockade. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/6/e202101230. [PMID: 35236758 PMCID: PMC8897596 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Meflin/ISLR is the marker of a cancer-associated fibroblast subset that enhances tumor response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Most CAFs shape the TME toward an immunosuppressive milieu and attenuate the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. However, the detailed mechanism of how heterogeneous CAFs regulate tumor response to ICB therapy has not been defined. Here, we show that a recently defined CAF subset characterized by the expression of Meflin, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein marker of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, is associated with survival and favorable therapeutic response to ICB monotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The prevalence of Meflin-positive CAFs was positively correlated with CD4-positive T-cell infiltration and vascularization within non-small cell lung cancer tumors. Meflin deficiency and CAF-specific Meflin overexpression resulted in defective and enhanced ICB therapy responses in syngeneic tumors in mice, respectively. These findings suggest the presence of a CAF subset that promotes ICB therapy efficacy, which adds to our understanding of CAF functions and heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Miyai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Clinical Oncology and Chemotherapy, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sugiyama
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsunari Hase
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoya Asai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Taki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nishida
- Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takayuki Fukui
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Hiroki Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Hasegawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Ando
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Chemotherapy, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
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10
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Ichihara R, Shiraki Y, Mizutani Y, Iida T, Miyai Y, Esaki N, Kato A, Mii S, Ando R, Hayashi M, Takami H, Fujii T, Takahashi M, Enomoto A. Matrix remodeling-associated protein 8 is a marker of a subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer. Pathol Int 2022; 72:161-175. [PMID: 35020975 PMCID: PMC9305816 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a compartment of the tumor microenvironment, were previously thought to be a uniform cell population that promotes cancer progression. However, recent studies have shown that CAFs are heterogeneous and that there are at least two types of CAFs, that is, cancer‐promoting and ‐restraining CAFs. We previously identified Meflin as a candidate marker of cancer‐restraining CAFs (rCAFs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The precise nature of rCAFs, however, has remained elusive owing to a lack of understanding of their comprehensive gene signatures. Here, we screened genes whose expression correlated with Meflin in single‐cell transcriptomic analyses of human cancers. Among the identified genes, we identified matrix remodeling‐associated protein 8 (MXRA8), which encodes a type I transmembrane protein with unknown molecular function. Analysis of MXRA8 expression in human PDAC samples showed that MXRA8 was differentially co‐expressed with other CAF markers. Moreover, in patients with PDAC or syngeneic tumors developed in MXRA8‐knockout mice, MXRA8 expression did not affect the roles of CAFs in cancer progression, and the biological importance of MXRA8+ CAFs is still unclear. Overall, we identified MXRA8 as a new CAF marker; further studies are needed to determine the relevance of this marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Ichihara
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Iida
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Nobutoshi Esaki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Kato
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryota Ando
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masamichi Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Takami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Fujii
- Department of Surgery and Science, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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11
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Takahashi M, Kobayashi H, Mizutani Y, Hara A, Iida T, Miyai Y, Asai N, Enomoto A. Roles of the Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell Marker Meflin/Islr in Cancer Fibrosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:749924. [PMID: 34676218 PMCID: PMC8523999 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts synthesise the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as collagen and elastin, the excessive accumulation of which can lead to fibrosis and organ dysfunction under pathological conditions. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major constituents of the tumour microenvironment (TME) that accompany the desmoplastic reaction responsible for anti-cancer treatment resistance. Thus, it is important to dissect the roles of CAFs in the TME to develop new therapeutic strategies for refractory cancers. Recent progress in the studies of CAF biology suggests that the functions of CAFs are complicated and that they are composed of functionally distinct populations, including cancer-promoting CAFs (pCAFs) and cancer-restraining CAFs (rCAFs). We recently identified a new cell surface marker for rCAFs in pancreatic and colon cancers, designated as Meflin (mesenchymal stromal cell- and fibroblast-expressing Linx paralogue)/Islr (immunoglobulin super family containing leucine-rich repeat). Based on the distribution of Meflin/Islr-positive cells, we also considered it a specific candidate marker for mesenchymal stroma/stem cells. Meflin/Islr-positive CAFs have been shown to suppress cancer progression by being involved in regulating collagen structures and BMP signalling in the TME. This review describes the function of Meflin/Islr in cancer fibrosis as well as in cardiac and lung fibrosis and its potential in the development of new cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahide Takahashi
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Hara
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Iida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoya Asai
- Department of Pathology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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12
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Hara A, Kato K, Ishihara T, Kobayashi H, Asai N, Mii S, Shiraki Y, Miyai Y, Ando R, Mizutani Y, Iida T, Takefuji M, Murohara T, Takahashi M, Enomoto A. Meflin defines mesenchymal stem cells and/or their early progenitors with multilineage differentiation capacity. Genes Cells 2021; 26:495-512. [PMID: 33960573 PMCID: PMC8360184 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the likely precursors of multiple lines of mesenchymal cells. The existence of bona fide MSCs with self‐renewal capacity and differentiation potential into all mesenchymal lineages, however, has been unclear because of the lack of MSC‐specific marker(s) that are not expressed by the terminally differentiated progeny. Meflin, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein, is an MSC marker candidate that is specifically expressed in rare stromal cells in all tissues. Our previous report showed that Meflin expression becomes down‐regulated in bone marrow‐derived MSCs cultured on plastic, making it difficult to examine the self‐renewal and differentiation of Meflin‐positive cells at the single‐cell level. Here, we traced the lineage of Meflin‐positive cells in postnatal and adult mice, showing that those cells differentiated into white and brown adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and skeletal myocytes. Interestingly, cells derived from Meflin‐positive cells formed clusters of differentiated cells, implying the in situ proliferation of Meflin‐positive cells or their lineage‐committed progenitors. These results, taken together with previous findings that Meflin expression in cultured MSCs was lost upon their multilineage differentiation, suggest that Meflin is a useful potential marker to localize MSCs and/or their immature progenitors in multiple tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akitoshi Hara
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Kato
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ishihara
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naoya Asai
- Department of Pathology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Shinji Mii
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Miyai
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryota Ando
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Mizutani
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Iida
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mikito Takefuji
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toyoaki Murohara
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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