Tenascin C regulates cancer cell glycolysis and tumor progression in prostate cancer

The axis of tumor-associated macrophages, extracellular matrix proteins, and cancer-associated fibroblasts in oncogenesis

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, dynamic network of multiple macromolecules that serve as a crucial structural and physical scaffold for neighboring cells. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), ECM proteins play a significant role in mediating cellular communication between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Revealing the ECM modification of the TME necessitates the intricate signaling cascades that transpire among diverse cell populations and ECM proteins. The advent of single-cell sequencing has enabled the identification and refinement of specific cellular subpopulations, which has substantially enhanced our comprehension of the intricate milieu and given us a high-resolution perspective on the diversity of ECM proteins. However, it is essential to integrate single-cell data and establish a coherent framework. In this regard, we present a comprehensive review of the relationships among ECM, TAMs, and CAFs. This encompasses insights into the ECM proteins released by TAMs and CAFs, signaling integration in the TAM-ECM-CAF axis, and the potential applications and limitations of targeted therapies for CAFs. This review serves as a reliable resource for focused therapeutic strategies while highlighting the crucial role of ECM proteins as intermediates in the TME.

The Potential of Extracellular Matrix- and Integrin Adhesion Complex-Related Molecules for Prostate Cancer Biomarker Discovery

Prostate cancer is among the top five cancer types according to incidence and mortality. One of the main obstacles in prostate cancer management is the inability to foresee its course, which ranges from slow growth throughout years that requires minimum or no intervention to highly aggressive disease that spreads quickly and resists treatment. Therefore, it is not surprising that numerous studies have attempted to find biomarkers of prostate cancer occurrence, risk stratification, therapy response, and patient outcome. However, only a few prostate cancer biomarkers are used in clinics, which shows how difficult it is to find a novel biomarker. Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) through integrins is among the essential processes that govern its fate. Upon activation and ligation, integrins form multi-protein intracellular structures called integrin adhesion complexes (IACs). In this review article, the focus is put on the biomarker potential of the ECM- and IAC-related molecules stemming from both body fluids and prostate cancer tissue. The processes that they are involved in, such as tumor stiffening, bone turnover, and communication via exosomes, and their biomarker potential are also reviewed.

Tenascin-C in Tissue Repair after Myocardial Infarction in Humans

Adverse ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is progressive ventricular dilatation associated with heart failure for weeks or months and is currently regarded as the most critical sequela of MI. It is explained by inadequate tissue repair due to dysregulated inflammation during the acute stage; however, its pathophysiology remains unclear. Tenascin-C (TNC), an original member of the matricellular protein family, is highly up-regulated in the acute stage after MI, and a high peak in its serum level predicts an increased risk of adverse ventricular remodeling in the chronic stage. Experimental TNC-deficient or -overexpressing mouse models have suggested the diverse functions of TNC, particularly its pro-inflammatory effects on macrophages. The present study investigated the roles of TNC during human myocardial repair. We initially categorized the healing process into four phases: inflammatory, granulation, fibrogenic, and scar phases. We then immunohistochemically examined human autopsy samples at the different stages after MI and performed detailed mapping of TNC in human myocardial repair with a focus on lymphangiogenesis, the role of which has recently been attracting increasing attention as a mechanism to resolve inflammation. The direct effects of TNC on human lymphatic endothelial cells were also assessed by RNA sequencing. The results obtained support the potential roles of TNC in the regulation of macrophages, sprouting angiogenesis, the recruitment of myofibroblasts, and the early formation of collagen fibrils during the inflammatory phase to the early granulation phase of human MI. Lymphangiogenesis was observed after the expression of TNC was down-regulated. In vitro results revealed that TNC modestly down-regulated genes related to nuclear division, cell division, and cell migration in lymphatic endothelial cells, suggesting its inhibitory effects on lymphatic endothelial cells. The present results indicate that TNC induces prolonged over-inflammation by suppressing lymphangiogenesis, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying adverse post-infarct remodeling.

Identification of the hub genes associated with prostate cancer tumorigenesis

Introduction

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the male urogenital system; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. This study integrated two cohort profile datasets to elucidate the potential hub genes and mechanisms in PCa.

Methods and Results

Gene expression profiles GSE55945 and GSE6919 were filtered from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to obtain 134 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (14 upregulated and 120 downregulated) in PCa. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery, showing that these DEGs were mainly involved in biological functions such as cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, migration, focal adhesion, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. The STRING database and Cytoscape tools were used to analyze protein-protein interactions and identify 15 hub candidate genes. Violin plot, boxplot, and prognostic curve analyses were performed using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, which identified seven hub genes, including upregulated expressed SPP1 and downregulated expressed MYLK, MYL9, MYH11, CALD1, ACTA2, and CNN1 in PCa compared with normal tissue. Correlation analysis was performed using the OmicStudio tools, which showed that these hub genes were moderately to strongly correlated with each other. Finally, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blotting were performed to validate the hub genes, showing that the abnormal expression of the seven hub genes in PCa was consistent with the analysis results of the GEO database.

Discussion

Taken together, MYLK, MYL9, MYH11, CALD1, ACTA2, SPP1, and CNN1 are hub genes significantly associated with PCa occurrence. These genes are abnormally expressed, leading to the formation, proliferation, invasion, and migration of PCa cells and promoting tumor neovascularization. These genes may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in patients with PCa.

Molecular predictors of metastasis in patients with prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is a serious threat to the health of older adults worldwide. The quality of life and survival time of patients sharply decline once metastasis occurs. Thus, early screening for prostate cancer is very advanced in developed countries. The detection methods used include Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection and digital rectal examination. However, the lack of universal access to early screening in some developing countries has resulted in an increased number of patients presenting with metastatic prostate cancer. In addition, the treatment methods for metastatic and localized prostate cancer are considerably different. In many patients, early-stage prostate cancer cells often metastasize due to delayed observation, negative PSA results, and delay in treatment time. Therefore, the identification of patients who are prone to metastasis is important for future clinical studies.

AREAS COVERED

this review introduced a large number of predictive molecules related to prostate cancer metastasis. These molecules involve the mutation and regulation of tumor cell genes, changes in the tumor microenvironment, and the liquid biopsy.

EXPERT OPINION

In next decade, PSMA PET/CT and liquid biopsy will be the excellent predicting tools, while ¹⁷⁷ Lu- PSMA-RLT will be showed excellent anti-tumor efficacy in mPCa patients.