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Stephan A, Suhrmann JH, Skowron MA, Che Y, Poschmann G, Petzsch P, Kresbach C, Wruck W, Pongratanakul P, Adjaye J, Stühler K, Köhrer K, Schüller U, Nettersheim D. Molecular and epigenetic ex vivo profiling of testis cancer-associated fibroblasts and their interaction with germ cell tumor cells and macrophages. Matrix Biol 2024:S0945-053X(24)00077-5. [PMID: 38851302 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.06.001] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Germ cell tumors (GCT) are the most common solid tumors in young men of age 15 - 40. In previous studies, we profiled the interaction of GCT cells with cells of the tumor microenvironment (TM). Earlier studies showed that especially the 3D interaction of fibroblasts (FB) or macrophages with GCT cells influenced the growth behavior and cisplatin response as well as the transcriptome and secretome of the tumor cells, suggesting that the crosstalk of these cells with GCT cells is crucial for tumor progression and therapy outcome. In this study, we shed light on the mechanisms of activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in the GCT setting and their effects on GCT cells lines and the monocyte cell line THP-1. Ex vivo cultures of GCT-derived CAF were established and characterized molecularly and epigenetically by performing DNA methylation arrays, RNA sequencing, and mass spectrometry-based secretome analysis. We demonstrated that the activation state of CAF is influenced by their former prevailing tumor environment in which they have resided. Hereby, we postulated that seminoma (SE) and embryonal carcinoma (EC) activate CAF, while teratoma (TER) play only a minor role in CAF formation. In turn, CAF influence proliferation and the expression of cisplatin sensitivity-related factors in GCT cells lines as well as polarization of in vitro-induced macrophages by the identified effector molecules IGFBP1, LGALS3BP, LYVE1, and PTX3. Our data suggests that the vital interaction of CAF with GCT cells and with macrophages has a huge influence for shaping the extracellular matrix as well as for recruitment of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment. In conclusion, therapeutically interfering with CAF and / or macrophages in addition to the standard therapy might slow-down progression of GCT and re-shaping of the TM to a tumor-promoting environment. Significance: The interaction of CAF with GCT and macrophages considerably influences the microenvironment. Thus, therapeutically interfering with CAF might slow-down progression of GCT and re-shaping of the microenvironment to a tumor-promoting environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Stephan
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jan-Henrik Suhrmann
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Margaretha A Skowron
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Yue Che
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gereon Poschmann
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory (MPL), Biological and Medical Research Centre (BMFZ), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Petzsch
- Genomics and Transcriptomics Laboratory, Biological and Medical Research Centre (BMFZ), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Catena Kresbach
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wasco Wruck
- Institute for Stem cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pailin Pongratanakul
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - James Adjaye
- Institute for Stem cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai Stühler
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory (MPL), Biological and Medical Research Centre (BMFZ), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Genomics and Transcriptomics Laboratory, Biological and Medical Research Centre (BMFZ), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Lighthouse Project Germ Cell Tumors.
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Mohin M, Dey S, Ray R, Wasim Sk F, Das O, Chatterjee U. Testicular Mixed Teratoma and Yolk Sac Tumor, Prepubertal Type: A Case Report with Summary of Prior Published Cases. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2024; 43:182-187. [PMID: 37946365 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2023.2279132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular mixed germ cell tumor is common in the post-pubertal age, less so in prepuberty. There are only 3 reports of prepubertal mixed teratoma and yolk sac tumor. Two of these cases had immature teratoma component and were in the neonatal age group. The third case in a toddler had a mature teratoma component. CASE REPORT An 18-month-old boy presented with a testicular mass. Serum AFP was elevated (2200 ng/ml). The orchidectomy specimen contained a yolk-sac tumor and a small epidermoid cyst, indicating a mature teratomatous component. CONCLUSION We report a testicular mixed teratoma and yolk sac tumor, prepubertal type along with summary of prior published cases. There is only one report describing this combination of mature teratoma with yolk sac tumor in the prepubertal testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mohin
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India
| | - Soumya Dey
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India
| | - Raktim Ray
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India
| | - Firdous Wasim Sk
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India
| | - Oindrila Das
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India
| | - Uttara Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India
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Estevão-Pereira H, Guimarães-Teixeira C, Flores BCT, Moreira-Silva F, Tavares NT, Guimarães R, Braga I, Maurício J, Henrique R, Jerónimo C, Lobo J. EHMT2/G9a and EZH2: Epimarkers in testicular germ cell tumors. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38380739 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumors remain the most frequent solid malignancies in young males. Despite excellent prognosis, the fact that only 60% of patients at diagnosis have elevated serum tumor markers (dependent on stage and histology) and the poor quality of life of patients who develop resistance to chemotherapy cannot be neglected. Consequently, it is mandatory to bring out novel biomarkers. OBJECTIVES The main goal was to evaluate EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a immunoexpression in a well-characterized patients' cohort of primary and metastatic testicular germ cell tumors, seeking associations with clinicopathological features and discovering differential immunoexpression patterns among specific subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, an in silico analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas database was performed regarding EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a. Then, immunohistochemistry for EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a was carried out in a cohort of testicular germ cell tumor patients, comprising 155 chemo-naïve primary tumors and 11 chemo-treated metastases. Immunoexpression was evaluated using a digital pathology analysis software. RESULTS Higher EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a expression levels were found in non-seminoma in the in silico analysis, particularly in embryonal carcinoma. Through digital pathology analysis, non-seminomas showed significantly higher EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a immunoexpression, with embryonal carcinoma showing higher expression. Moreover, mixed tumors with 50% or more of embryonal carcinoma component revealed the highest nuclei positivity for both biomarkers. Cisplatin-exposed metastases demonstrated a higher EZH2-positive nuclei and H-score, as well as higher EHMT2/G9a-positive nuclei. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Overall, our data suggest that EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a might be associated with greater aggressiveness and, eventually, involved in the metastatic setting, paving the way for testing targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Estevão-Pereira
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Guimarães-Teixeira
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Bianca C T Flores
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Moreira-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Tiago Tavares
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Guimarães
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Isaac Braga
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Joaquina Maurício
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
- Clinical Oncology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Zhao J, Qin L, He G, Xie T, Hu G, Wang F, Zhong H, Zhu J, Xu Y. Administration of a glypican-3 peptide increases the infiltration and cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells against testicular yolk sac tumor, associated with enhancing the intratumoral cGAS/STING signaling. Cancer Med 2023; 12:21293-21307. [PMID: 37986544 PMCID: PMC10726841 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glypican-3 (GPC3) is highly expressed in testicular yolk sac tumor (TYST). GPC3 has been evaluated as a cancer vaccine for some types of tumors, but little is known on the effects of GPC3 peptide-based therapy on TYST. Here, we evaluated the antitumor effect of GPC3144-152 on TYST and its potential mechanisms. METHODS GPC3144-152 -specific CD8+ T cells were induced by vaccine immunization and examined by ELISPOT. The CD8+ T cells were purified for testing their cytotoxicity in vitro against TYST cells by CCK-8 and TUNEL assays and in vivo against tumor growth. The influence of GPC3144-152 loading and/or cGAS silencing on the tumor growth, apoptosis and cGAS/STING signaling was tested by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blot. RESULTS Vaccination with GPC3144-152 induced tumor-specific CD8+ T cells that secreted high levels of IFN-γ and granzyme B, and had potent cytotoxicity against TYST in a dose-dependent manner. Adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells and treatment with GPC3144-152 significantly inhibited the growth of TYST tumors, but less effective for cGAS-silenced TYST tumors in vivo. Treatment with GPC3144-152 enhanced the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the tumor environment and their cytotoxicity against TYST tumors in vivo by up-regulating granzyme B and IFN-β expression, but down-regulating GPC3 expression in the tumors. Co-culture of CD8+ T cells with TYST in the presence of exogenous GPC3144-152 enhanced peptide-specific CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity in vitro, accompanied by enhancing cGAS, γH2AX, TBK1, and IRF3 phosphorylation in TYST cells, but less effective in cGAS-silenced TYST cells. CONCLUSIONS These data indicated that GPC3 peptide-specific CD8+ T cells had potent antitumor activity against TYST tumor, particularly for combined treatment with the peptide, which was partially dependent on the intratumoral cGAS/STNG signaling. GPC3 peptide vaccine may be valuable for the combination treatment of TYST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's HospitalSchool of Medicine in Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Pediatrics SurgeryNingbo Women and Children's HospitalNingboChina
| | - Le Qin
- Department of Pediatrics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Guorong He
- Department of Pediatrics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Tiancheng Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's HospitalSchool of Medicine in Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Guanghui Hu
- Department of Urology, Renji HospitalSchool of Medicine in Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Furan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics SurgeryNingbo Women and Children's HospitalNingboChina
| | - Hongji Zhong
- Department of Pediatrics SurgeryNingbo Women and Children's HospitalNingboChina
| | - Jianming Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics SurgeryNingbo Women and Children's HospitalNingboChina
| | - Yunfei Xu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's HospitalSchool of Medicine in Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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Wood GE, Bunting CP, Veli M, Arora R, Berney DM, Alifrangis C, MacDonald ND, Miller RE, Shamash J, Stoneham S, Lockley M. Seminoma and dysgerminoma: evidence for alignment of clinical trials and de-escalation of systemic chemotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1271647. [PMID: 37954076 PMCID: PMC10634240 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1271647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant germ cell tumours are a group of rare cancers whose incidence peaks in late adolescence and early adulthood. Dysgerminomas of the ovary and seminomas of the testis are analogous diseases, but seminomas have a 10-fold higher incidence. The two tumours are morphologically identical and are only differentiated by surrounding organ-specific tissue or testicular germ cell neoplasia in situ. They share genetic features including KIT and RAS mutations, amplification of chromosome 12p, and expression of pluripotency markers (NANOG (Nanog homeobox), OCT3/4 (Octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4), and SAL4 (Spalt-like trascription factor 4)). Both histologies are exquisitely sensitive to platinum chemotherapy, and the combination of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) yields survival rates greater than 90%. However, BEP causes significant, lifelong toxicity (cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and neurological) in these young patients with an expectation of cure. Here, we comprehensively review the biological features of dysgerminoma and seminoma to demonstrate that they are biologically analogous diseases. We present available clinical trial data supporting de-escalation of chemotherapy treatment. Finally, we propose that future trials should enrol men, women, and children to benefit all patients regardless of age or sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina E. Wood
- Medical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P. Bunting
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mesel Veli
- Medical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rupali Arora
- Histopathology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nicola D. MacDonald
- Department of Gynaecology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rowan E. Miller
- Medical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Shamash
- Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Stoneham
- Paediatric Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Lockley
- Medical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Cancer Genomics and Computational Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Kuras M. Exploring the Complex and Multifaceted Interplay between Melanoma Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14403. [PMID: 37762707 PMCID: PMC10531837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive skin cancer, characterized by a heterogeneous nature and high metastatic potential. The incidence of melanoma is continuously increasing worldwide, and it is one of the most common cancers in young adults. In the past twenty years, our understanding of melanoma biology has increased profoundly, and disease management for patients with disseminated disease has improved due to the emergence of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. However, a significant fraction of patients relapse or do not respond adequately to treatment. This can partly be explained by the complex signaling between the tumor and its microenvironment, giving rise to melanoma phenotypes with different patterns of disease progression. This review focuses on the key aspects and complex relationship between pathogenesis, genetic abnormalities, tumor microenvironment, cellular plasticity, and metabolic reprogramming in melanoma. By acquiring a deeper understanding of the multifaceted features of melanomagenesis, we can reach a point of more individualized and patient-centered disease management and reduced costs of ineffective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kuras
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden;
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
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Ricci C, Ambrosi F, Franceschini T, Giunchi F, Di Filippo G, Franchini E, Massari F, Mollica V, Tateo V, Bianchi FM, Colecchia M, Acosta AM, Fiorentino M. FoxA2 is a reliable marker for the diagnosis of yolk sac tumour postpubertal-type. Histopathology 2023; 83:465-476. [PMID: 37317674 DOI: 10.1111/his.14968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Yolk sac tumour postpubertal-type (YSTpt) shows a wide range of histological patterns and is challenging to diagnose. Recently, forkhead box transcription factor A2 (FoxA2) emerged as a driver of YSTpt formation and a promising marker for diagnosing YSTpt. However, FoxA2 has not been tested in the different patterns of YSTpt. This study aimed to assess the staining pattern of FoxA2 in te different patterns of YSTpt and other germ cell tumours of the testis (GCTT), comparing it with glypican-3 (GPC3) and α-fetoprotein (AFP). METHODS AND RESULTS FOXA2, GPC3 and AFP immunohistochemistry was performed on 24 YSTpt (24 microcystic/reticular, 10 myxoid, two macrocystic, five glandular/alveolar, two endodermal sinus/perivascular, four solid, two polyembryoma/embryoid body and two polyvesicular vitelline) and 81 other GCTT. The percentage of positive cells (0, 1+, 2+, 3+) and the intensity (0, 1, 2, 3) were evaluated regardless of and within each YSTpt pattern. FoxA2 was positive in all YSTpt (24 of 24) and all but one (23 of 24) exhibited 2+/3+ stain, with higher intensity [median value (mv): 2.6] than AFP (1.8) and GPC3 (2.5). Both FoxA2 and GPC3 were positive in all microcystic/reticular (24 of 24), myxoid (10 of 10), macrocystic (two of two), endodermal sinus/perivascular (four of four) and polyembryoma/embryoid body (two of two) patterns. Nevertheless, only FoxA2 was positive in all glandular/alveolar (five of five), solid (four of four) and polyvesicular vitelline (two of two) patterns. The intensity of FoxA2 was higher than AFP and GPC3 in almost all YST patterns. In the other GCTT, FoxA2 was positive only in teratoma postpubertal-type (Tpt) [13 of 20 (65%)], with staining almost exclusively confined to the mature gastrointestinal/respiratory tract epithelium. CONCLUSIONS FoxA2 is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker that supports the diagnosis of YSTpt. FoxA2 is superior to GPC3 and AFP, especially in rare and difficult-to-diagnose histological patterns of YSTpt, but mature glands of Tpt could represent a potential diagnostic pitfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costantino Ricci
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital-AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Ambrosi
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital-AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Giunchi
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Massari
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Veronica Mollica
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Tateo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Colecchia
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andres Martin Acosta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelangelo Fiorentino
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital-AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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8
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Funke K, Einsfelder U, Hansen A, Arévalo L, Schneider S, Nettersheim D, Stein V, Schorle H. Genome-scale CRISPR screen reveals neddylation to contribute to cisplatin resistance of testicular germ cell tumours. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:2270-2282. [PMID: 37024667 PMCID: PMC10241889 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type II testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) are the most prevalent tumours in young men. Patients suffering from cisplatin-resistant TGCTs are facing very poor prognosis demanding novel therapeutic options. Neddylation is a known posttranslational modification mediating many important biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Overactivation of the neddylation pathway promotes carcinogenesis and tumour progression in various entities by inducing proteasomal degradation of tumour suppressors (e.g., p21, p27). METHODS We used a genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 activation screen to identify cisplatin resistance factors. TGCT cell lines were treated with the neddylation inhibitor (MLN4924)/cisplatin/combination and investigated for changes in viability (XTT assay), apoptosis/cell cycle (flow cytometry) as well as in the transcriptome (3'mRNA sequencing). RESULTS NAE1 overexpression was detected in cisplatin-resistant colonies from the CRISPR screen. Inhibition of neddylation using MLN4924 increased cisplatin cytotoxicity in TGCT cell lines and sensitised cisplatin-resistant cells towards cisplatin. Apoptosis, G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest, γH2A.X/P27 accumulation and mesoderm/endoderm differentiation were observed in TGCT cells, while fibroblast cells were unaffected. CONCLUSIONS We identified overactivation of neddylation as a factor for cisplatin resistance in TGCTs and highlighted the additive effect of NAE1 inhibition by MLN4924 in combination with cisplatin as a novel treatment option for TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Funke
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulf Einsfelder
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aylin Hansen
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Valentin Stein
- Institute of Physiology II, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Melotti S, Ambrosi F, Franceschini T, Giunchi F, Filippo GD, Franchini E, Massari F, Mollica V, Tateo V, Bianchi FM, Colecchia M, Acosta AM, Lobo J, Fiorentino M, Ricci C. TAMs PD-L1(+) in the reprogramming of germ cell tumors of the testis. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 247:154540. [PMID: 37209574 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, several studies focused on the process of reprogramming of seminoma (S) cells, which regulates the transition from pure S (P-S) to S component (S-C) of mixed germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTT) and finally to embryonal carcinoma (EC) and other nonseminomatous GCTT (NS-GCTT). The accepted pathogenetic model is driven and regulated by cells (macrophages, B- and T-lymphocytes) and molecules of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we tested a series of GCTT with double staining (DS) for CD68-PD-L1 to evaluate tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) [TAMs PD-L1(+)] and clarify if these cells may be involved in establishing the fate of GCTT. METHODS We collected 45 GCTT (comprising a total of 62 different components of GCTT). TAMs PD-L1(+) were evaluated with three different scoring systems [TAMs PD-L1(+)/mm2, TAMs PD-L1(+)/mm2H-score, TAMs PD-L1(+) %], and compared using pertinent statistic tests (Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test). RESULTS We found that TAMs PD-L1(+) values were higher in S rather than EC (p = 0.001, p = 0.015, p = 0.022) and NS-GCTT (p < 0.001). P-S showed statistically significant differences in TAMs PD-L1(+) values compared to S-C (p < 0.001, p = 0.006, p = 0.015), but there were no differences between S-C and EC (p = 0.107, p = 0.408, p = 0.800). Finally, we found statistically significant differences also in TAMs PD-L1(+) values between EC and other NS-GCTT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS TAMs PD-L1(+) levels gradually decrease during the reprogramming of S cells {P-S [(high values of TAMs PD-L1(+)] → S-C and EC [(intermediate values of TAMs PD-L1(+)] → other NS-GCTT [(low values of TAMs PD-L1(+)], supporting a complex pathogenetic model where the interactions between tumor cells and TME components [and specifically TAMs PD-L1(+)] play a key role in determining the fate of GCTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Melotti
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Ambrosi
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital-AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Giunchi
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Massari
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Veronica Mollica
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Tateo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Colecchia
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Andres Martin Acosta
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - João Lobo
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal; Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), Porto, Portugal; Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Michelangelo Fiorentino
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital-AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Costantino Ricci
- Pathology Unit, Maggiore Hospital-AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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10
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Bustamante-Marin XM, Capel B. Oxygen availability influences the incidence of testicular teratoma in Dnd1Ter/+ mice. Front Genet 2023; 14:1179256. [PMID: 37180974 PMCID: PMC10169730 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1179256] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular teratomas and teratocarcinomas are the most common testicular germ cell tumors in early childhood and young men, and they are frequently found unilaterally in the left testis. In 129/SvJ mice carrying a heterozygous copy of the potent modifier of tumor incidence Ter, a point mutation in the dead-end homolog one gene (Dnd1 Ter/+), ∼70% of the unilateral teratomas arise in the left testis. We previously showed that in mice, left/right differences in vascular architecture are associated with reduced hemoglobin saturation and increased levels of the hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the left compared to the right testis. To test the hypothesis that systemic reduction of oxygen availability in Dnd1 Ter/+ mice would lead to an increased incidence of bilateral tumors, we placed pregnant females from 129/SvJ Dnd1 Ter/+ intercross matings in a hypobaric chamber for 12-h intervals. Our results show that in 129/SvJ Dnd1 Ter/+ male gonads, the incidence of bilateral teratoma increased from 3.3% to 64% when fetuses were exposed to acute low oxygen conditions for 12-h between E13.8 and E14.3. The increase in tumor incidence correlated with the maintenance of high expression of pluripotency genes Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog, elevated activity of the Nodal signaling pathway, and suppression of germ cell mitotic arrest. We propose that the combination of heterozygosity for the Ter mutation and hypoxia causes a delay in male germ cell differentiation that promotes teratoma initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena M. Bustamante-Marin
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias De La Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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11
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Radhakrishnan K, Luu M, Iaria J, Sutherland JM, McLaughlin EA, Zhu HJ, Loveland KL. Activin and BMP Signalling in Human Testicular Cancer Cell Lines, and a Role for the Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Protein Importin-5 in their Crosstalk. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071000. [PMID: 37048077 PMCID: PMC10093041 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common malignancy in young men. Originating from foetal testicular germ cells that fail to differentiate correctly, TGCTs appear after puberty as germ cell neoplasia in situ cells that transform through unknown mechanisms into distinct seminoma and non-seminoma tumour types. A balance between activin and BMP signalling may influence TGCT emergence and progression, and we investigated this using human cell line models of seminoma (TCam-2) and non-seminoma (NT2/D1). Activin A- and BMP4-regulated transcripts measured at 6 h post-treatment by RNA-sequencing revealed fewer altered transcripts in TCam-2 cells but a greater responsiveness to activin A, while BMP4 altered more transcripts in NT2/D1 cells. Activin significantly elevated transcripts linked to pluripotency, cancer, TGF-β, Notch, p53, and Hippo signalling in both lines, whereas BMP4 altered TGF-β, pluripotency, Hippo and Wnt signalling components. Dose-dependent antagonism of BMP4 signalling by activin A in TCam-2 cells demonstrated signalling crosstalk between these two TGF-β superfamily arms. Levels of the nuclear transport protein, IPO5, implicated in BMP4 and WNT signalling, are highly regulated in the foetal mouse germline. IPO5 knockdown in TCam-2 cells using siRNA blunted BMP4-induced transcript changes, indicating that IPO5 levels could determine TGF-β signalling pathway outcomes in TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika Radhakrishnan
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.R.); (K.L.L.)
| | - Michael Luu
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Josie Iaria
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Jessie M. Sutherland
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2305, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Eileen A. McLaughlin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2305, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Gwynneville, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Hong-Jian Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Kate L. Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.R.); (K.L.L.)
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12
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Ozgun G, Nichols C, Kollmannsberger C, Nappi L. Genomic features of mediastinal germ cell tumors: a narrative review. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2022; 6:34. [PMID: 36582975 PMCID: PMC9792832 DOI: 10.21037/med-22-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are uncommon malignancies generally originating from gonads. However, about 5% of GCTs arise outside the gonad (extragonadal), of which 80% develop from the mediastinum. While the prognosis of seminomas is not affected by the gonadal or extragonadal primary location, the prognosis of nonseminoma primary mediastinal GCTs (NS-PMGCTs) is poor, compared to its gonadal counterpart with an estimated 5-year overall survival of about 50%. The current treatments are sub-optimal to increase the cure rate of these rare GCTs. Therefore, molecular insights into these tumors would be valuable to develop novel therapies. The main objective of this review is to describe and dissect the genomic features associated with primary mediastinal GCTs (PMGCTs), highlighting the more frequent genomic alterations and their correlation with clinical outcomes. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of the English literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar between 1982 and 2021, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, case series and case reports regarding the genomic and clinical features of PMGCTs. We analyzed the available data to describe the molecular characteristics of PMGCTs compared to testicular GCTs (TGCTs), highlighting the most relevant biological and prognostic factors. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS The high percentage of platinum resistance, the unique association with hematologic malignancies (HMs) and other malignancies, the higher prevalence of P53 mutations, and a distinct genomic landscape characterize this rare disease. CONCLUSIONS Although some studies have unveiled recurrent molecular alterations in PMGCTs, few are particularly suitable for targeted therapy. Due to the rarity of PMGCTs, data sharing and the creation of an international consortium would be helpful to have a better understanding of the molecular drivers of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guliz Ozgun
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Lucia Nappi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, BC Cancer, British Columbia, Canada
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13
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SOX2 and PRAME in the “reprogramming” of seminoma cells. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 237:154044. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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14
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Gayer FA, Fichtner A, Legler TJ, Reichardt HM. A Coculture Model Mimicking the Tumor Microenvironment Unveils Mutual Interactions between Immune Cell Subtypes and the Human Seminoma Cell Line TCam-2. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050885. [PMID: 35269507 PMCID: PMC8909655 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC) is the most common type of cancer in young men. Seminomas account for around half of them and are characterized by a pronounced infiltration of immune cells. So far, the impact of the tumor microenvironment (TME) on disease progression, especially the interaction of individual immune cell subtypes with the tumor cells, remains unclear. To address this question, we used an in vitro TME model involving the seminoma-derived cell line Tcam-2 and immune cell subsets purified from human peripheral blood. T cells and monocytes were strongly activated when individually cocultured with Tcam-2 cells as revealed by increased expression of activation markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines both on the mRNA and protein level. Importantly, the interaction between tumor and immune cells was mutual. Gene expression of pluripotency markers as well as markers of proliferation and cell cycle activity were upregulated in Tcam-2 cells in cocultures with T cells, whereas gene expression of SOX17, a marker for seminomas, was unaltered. Interestingly, the impact of monocytes on gene expression of Tcam-2 cells was less pronounced, indicating that the effects of individual immune cell subsets on tumor cells in the TME are highly specific. Collectively, our data indicate that seminoma cells induce immune cell activation and thereby generate a strong pro-inflammatory milieu, whereas T cells conversely increase the proliferation, metastatic potential, and stemness of tumor cells. Although the employed model does not fully mimic the physiological situation found in TGCC in vivo, it provides new insights potentially explaining the connection between inflammatory infiltrates in seminomas and their tendency to burn out and metastasize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A. Gayer
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany;
- Clinic of Urology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Fichtner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Tobias J. Legler
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Holger M. Reichardt
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-551-39-63365
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15
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Epithelium-specific ETS transcription factor-1 regulates NANOG expression and inhibits NANOG-induced proliferation of human embryonic carcinoma cells. Biochimie 2021; 186:33-42. [PMID: 33865902 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The epithelium-specific ETS transcription factor-1 (ESE-1) plays multiple roles in pathogenesis and normal development of epithelial tissues. NANOG, a key mediator of stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency, is also expressed in various cancers and pluripotent cells. In this study, we investigated how ESE-1 influences NANOG expression and NANOG-induced proliferation in human germ cell-derived embryonic carcinoma NCCIT cells. Endogenous ESE-1 expression in NCCIT cells significantly increased during differentiation, whereas NANOG expression decreased. In addition, NANOG expression was downregulated by exogenous overexpression of ESE-1, and increased by shRNA-mediated knockdown of ESE-1. NANOG transcriptional activity was reduced by dose-dependent ESE-1 overexpression and a putative ESE-1 binding site (EBS) was mapped within conserved region 2. Site-directed mutagenesis of the putative EBS abrogated the repressive effect of ESE-1 on NANOG promoter activity. ESE-1 directly interacted with the putative EBS to regulate transcriptional activity of NANOG. Furthermore, NANOG-induced proliferation and colony formation of NCCIT cells were inhibited by ESE-1 overexpression and stimulated by ESE-1 shRNA-mediated knockdown. Altogether, our results suggest that ESE-1 exerts an anti-proliferative effect on NCCIT cells by acting as a novel transcriptional repressor of NANOG.
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16
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Lubberts S, Meijer C, Demaria M, Gietema JA. Early ageing after cytotoxic treatment for testicular cancer and cellular senescence: Time to act. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 151:102963. [PMID: 32446180 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of testicular cancer (TC) has an exceptionally high success rate compared to other cancer types; even in case of metastasized disease, 80-90 % of TC patients can be cured. Consequently, attention has been drawn to a potential downside of this treatment success: late adverse treatment effects such as the accelerated development of otherwise age-associated features like cardiovascular disease and second malignancies. Underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Emerging data suggest that cytotoxic treatment induces cellular senescence, resulting in secretion of inflammatory factors contributing to this early ageing phenotype. Molecular and cellular characterization of this early ageing will enhance understanding the pathogenesis of TC treatment-induced morbidity and contribute to better recognition and prevention of late effects. In this review, we describe clinical manifestations of the early ageing phenotype among TC survivors, and subsequently focus on potential underlying mechanisms. We discuss the clinical implications and describe perspectives for future research and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoukje Lubberts
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Coby Meijer
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Demaria
- European Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jourik A Gietema
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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17
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Boguslawska J, Kryst P, Poletajew S, Piekielko-Witkowska A. TGF-β and microRNA Interplay in Genitourinary Cancers. Cells 2019; 8:E1619. [PMID: 31842336 PMCID: PMC6952810 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genitourinary cancers (GCs) include a large group of different types of tumors localizing to the kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, and penis. Despite highly divergent molecular patterns, most GCs share commonly disturbed signaling pathways that involve the activity of TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta). TGF-β is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates key cancer-related molecular and cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and chemoresistance. The understanding of the mechanisms of TGF-β actions in cancer is hindered by the "TGF-β paradox" in which early stages of cancerogenic process are suppressed by TGF-β while advanced stages are stimulated by its activity. A growing body of evidence suggests that these paradoxical TGF-β actions could result from the interplay with microRNAs: Short, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to target transcripts and inducing mRNA degradation or inhibition of translation. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of TGF-β signaling in GCs. Importantly, TGF-β signaling and microRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression often act in complicated feedback circuits that involve other crucial regulators of cancer progression (e.g., androgen receptor). Furthermore, recently published in vitro and in vivo studies clearly indicate that the interplay between microRNAs and the TGF-β signaling pathway offers new potential treatment options for GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Boguslawska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education; 01-813 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Kryst
- II Department of Urology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (S.P.)
| | - Slawomir Poletajew
- II Department of Urology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (S.P.)
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18
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Park SW, Do HJ, Han MH, Choi W, Kim JH. The expression of the embryonic gene Cripto-1 is regulated by OCT4 in human embryonal carcinoma NCCIT cells. FEBS Lett 2017; 592:24-35. [PMID: 29223130 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cripto-1 and OCT4, expressed in stem cells and cancers, play important roles in tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that Cripto-1 expression is regulated by OCT4 in human embryonic carcinoma NCCIT cells. The endogenous expression of Cripto-1 and OCT4 is significantly reduced during differentiation. Cripto-1 expression is increased by OCT4 overexpression, but decreased by shRNA-mediated OCT4 knockdown. OCT4 overexpression significantly activates Cripto-1 transcriptional activity. A 5'-upstream minimal promoter sequence in the gene-encoding Cripto-1 is significantly activated by OCT4 overexpression. Mutation of the putative OCT4-binding site abolishes OCT4-mediated activation of the Cripto-1 promoter. The OCT4 transactivation domains mediate transcriptional activity of the Cripto-1 minimal promoter through direct interaction. Taken together, OCT4 plays an important role as a transcriptional activator of Cripto-1 expression in NCCIT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Won Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Do
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Mi-Hee Han
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Wonbin Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
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19
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Morabito C, Guarnieri S, Catizone A, Schiraldi C, Ricci G, Mariggiò MA. Transient increases in intracellular calcium and reactive oxygen species levels in TCam-2 cells exposed to microgravity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15648. [PMID: 29142208 PMCID: PMC5688167 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15935-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of microgravity on functions of the human body are well described, including alterations in the male and female reproductive systems. In the present study, TCam-2 cells, which are considered a good model of mitotically active male germ cells, were used to investigate intracellular signalling and cell metabolism during exposure to simulated microgravity, a condition that affects cell shape and cytoskeletal architecture. After a 24 hour exposure to simulated microgravity, TCam-2 cells showed 1) a decreased proliferation rate and a delay in cell cycle progression, 2) increased anaerobic metabolism accompanied by increased levels of intracellular Ca2+, reactive oxygen species and superoxide anion and modifications in mitochondrial morphology. Interestingly, all these events were transient and were no longer evident after 48 hours of exposure. The presence of antioxidants prevented not only the effects described above but also the modifications in cytoskeletal architecture and the activation of the autophagy process induced by simulated microgravity. In conclusion, in the TCam-2 cell model, simulated microgravity activated the oxidative machinery, triggering transient macroscopic cell events, such as a reduction in the proliferation rate, changes in cytoskeleton-driven shape and autophagy activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Morabito
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences and Centro Scienze dell' Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale (CeSI-MeT), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - S Guarnieri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences and Centro Scienze dell' Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale (CeSI-MeT), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - A Catizone
- Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic and Orthopaedic Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Schiraldi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - G Ricci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - M A Mariggiò
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences and Centro Scienze dell' Invecchiamento e Medicina Traslazionale (CeSI-MeT), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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20
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The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Chemoresistance: To Survive, Keep Your Enemies Closer. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071586. [PMID: 28754000 PMCID: PMC5536073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer and it continues to be a challenge in cancer treatment. Chemoresistance is influenced by genetic and epigenetic alterations which affect drug uptake, metabolism and export of drugs at the cellular levels. While most research has focused on tumor cell autonomous mechanisms of chemoresistance, the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a key player in the development of chemoresistance and in malignant progression, thereby influencing the development of novel therapies in clinical oncology. It is not surprising that the study of the tumor microenvironment is now considered to be as important as the study of tumor cells. Recent advances in technological and analytical methods, especially ‘omics’ technologies, has made it possible to identify specific targets in tumor cells and within the tumor microenvironment to eradicate cancer. Tumors need constant support from previously ‘unsupportive’ microenvironments. Novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit such microenvironmental support to tumor cells would reduce chemoresistance and tumor relapse. Such strategies can target stromal cells, proteins released by stromal cells and non-cellular components such as the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the tumor microenvironment. Novel in vitro tumor biology models that recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment such as multicellular tumor spheroids, biomimetic scaffolds and tumor organoids are being developed and are increasing our understanding of cancer cell-microenvironment interactions. This review offers an analysis of recent developments on the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development of chemoresistance and the strategies to overcome microenvironment-mediated chemoresistance. We propose a systematic analysis of the relationship between tumor cells and their respective tumor microenvironments and our data show that, to survive, cancer cells interact closely with tumor microenvironment components such as mesenchymal stem cells and the extracellular matrix.
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