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Ji X, Li Y, Liu M, Chen L, Zhang X, Wang M, Tian S, Lu L, Zhang M, Zheng Y, Tang J. Diesel exhaust exposure induced squamous metaplasia of corneal epithelium via yes-associated protein activation. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142564. [PMID: 38885762 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Atmospheric pollution has been demonstrated to be associated with ocular surface diseases characterized by corneal epithelial damage, including impaired barrier function and squamous metaplasia. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the impact of atmospheric pollution on corneal damage are still unknow. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted a study using a whole-body exposure system to investigate the detrimental effects of traffic-related air pollution, specifically diesel exhaust (DE), on corneal epithelium in C57BL/6 mice over a 28-day period. Following DE exposure, the pathological alterations in corneal epithelium, including significant increase in corneal thickness and epithelial stratification, were observed in mice. Additionally, exposure to DE was also shown to disrupt the barrier functions of corneal epithelium, leading to excessive proliferation of basal cells and even causing squamous metaplasia in corneal epithelium. Further studies have found that the activation of yes-associated protein (YAP), characterized by nuclear translocation, may play a significant role in DE-induced corneal squamous metaplasia. In vitro assays confirmed that DE exposure triggered the YAP/β-catenin pathway, resulting in squamous metaplasia and destruction of barrier functions. These findings provide the preliminary evidence that YAP activation is one of the mechanisms of the damage to corneal epithelium caused by traffic-related air pollution. These findings contribute to the knowledge base for promoting eye health in the context of atmospheric pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Ji
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yanting Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Meike Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Linfei Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xinglin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Mingyue Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Shuhan Tian
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jinglong Tang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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2
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Cañellas-Socias A, Sancho E, Batlle E. Mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024:10.1038/s41575-024-00934-z. [PMID: 38806657 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive research and improvements in understanding colorectal cancer (CRC), its metastatic form continues to pose a substantial challenge, primarily owing to limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. This Review addresses the emerging focus on metastatic CRC (mCRC), which has historically been under-studied compared with primary CRC despite its lethality. We delve into two crucial aspects: the molecular and cellular determinants facilitating CRC metastasis and the principles guiding the evolution of metastatic disease. Initially, we examine the genetic alterations integral to CRC metastasis, connecting them to clinically marked characteristics of advanced CRC. Subsequently, we scrutinize the role of cellular heterogeneity and plasticity in metastatic spread and therapy resistance. Finally, we explore how the tumour microenvironment influences metastatic disease, emphasizing the effect of stromal gene programmes and the immune context. The ongoing research in these fields holds immense importance, as its future implications are projected to revolutionize the treatment of patients with mCRC, hopefully offering a promising outlook for their survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrià Cañellas-Socias
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Elena Sancho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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3
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Fey SK, Vaquero-Siguero N, Jackstadt R. Dark force rising: Reawakening and targeting of fetal-like stem cells in colorectal cancer. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114270. [PMID: 38787726 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114270] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cells play pivotal roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, orchestrating regeneration, and in key steps of colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation and progression. Intriguingly, adult stem cells are reduced during many of these processes. On the contrary, primitive fetal programs, commonly detected in development, emerge during tissue repair, CRC metastasis, and therapy resistance. Recent findings indicate a dynamic continuum between adult and fetal stem cell programs. We discuss critical mechanisms facilitating the plasticity between stem cell states and highlight the heterogeneity observed upon the appearance of fetal-like states. We focus on therapeutic opportunities that arise by targeting fetal-like CRC cells and how those concepts can be translated into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid K Fey
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Cancer Progression and Metastasis Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nuria Vaquero-Siguero
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Cancer Progression and Metastasis Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rene Jackstadt
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Cancer Progression and Metastasis Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ, Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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Miura S, Horisawa K, Iwamori T, Tsujino S, Inoue K, Karasawa S, Yamamoto J, Ohkawa Y, Sekiya S, Suzuki A. Hepatocytes differentiate into intestinal epithelial cells through a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal cell state in culture. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3940. [PMID: 38750036 PMCID: PMC11096382 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47869-2] [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: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocytes play important roles in the liver, but in culture, they immediately lose function and dedifferentiate into progenitor-like cells. Although this unique feature is well-known, the dynamics and mechanisms of hepatocyte dedifferentiation and the differentiation potential of dedifferentiated hepatocytes (dediHeps) require further investigation. Here, we employ a culture system specifically established for hepatic progenitor cells to study hepatocyte dedifferentiation. We found that hepatocytes dedifferentiate with a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype, which is required for the induction and maintenance of dediHeps, and exhibit Vimentin-dependent propagation, upon inhibition of the Hippo signaling pathway. The dediHeps re-differentiate into mature hepatocytes by forming aggregates, enabling reconstitution of hepatic tissues in vivo. Moreover, dediHeps have an unexpected differentiation potential into intestinal epithelial cells that can form organoids in three-dimensional culture and reconstitute colonic epithelia after transplantation. This remarkable plasticity will be useful in the study and treatment of intestinal metaplasia and related diseases in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizuka Miura
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kenichi Horisawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tokuko Iwamori
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tsujino
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuya Inoue
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satsuki Karasawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Junpei Yamamoto
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ohkawa
- Division of Transcriptomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Sayaka Sekiya
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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Tape CJ. Plastic persisters: revival stem cells in colorectal cancer. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:185-195. [PMID: 38071119 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is traditionally considered to be a genetically driven disease. However, nongenetic plasticity has recently emerged as a major driver of tumour initiation, metastasis, and therapy response in CRC. Central to these processes is a recently discovered cell type, the revival colonic stem cell (revCSC). In contrast to traditional proliferative CSCs (proCSCs), revCSCs prioritise survival over propagation. revCSCs play an essential role in primary tumour formation, metastatic dissemination, and nongenetic chemoresistance. Current evidence suggests that CRC tumours leverage intestinal stem cell plasticity to both proliferate (via proCSCs) when unchallenged and survive (via revCSCs) in response to cell-extrinsic pressures. Although revCSCs likely represent a major source of therapeutic failure in CRC, our increasing knowledge of this important stem cell fate provides novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Tape
- Cell Communication Lab, Department of Oncology, University College London Cancer Institute, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
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6
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Hlavca S, Chan WH, Engel RM, Abud HE. Clusterin: a marker and mediator of chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:379-391. [PMID: 38319453 PMCID: PMC11015998 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Intra-tumoural heterogeneity and cancer cell plasticity in colorectal cancer (CRC) have been key challenges to effective treatment for patients. It has been suggested that a subpopulation of LGR5-expressing cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for driving tumour relapse and therapy resistance in CRC. However, studies have revealed that the LGR5+ve CSC population is highly sensitive to chemotherapy. It has been hypothesised that another subset of tumour cells can phenotypically revert to a stem-like state in response to chemotherapy treatment which replenishes the LGR5+ve CSC population and maintains tumour growth. Recently, a unique stem cell population marked by enriched clusterin (CLU) expression and termed the revival stem cell (RevSC) was identified in the regenerating murine intestine. This CLU-expressing cell population is quiescent during homeostasis but has the ability to survive and regenerate other stem cells upon injury. More recently, the CLU+ve signature has been implicated in several adverse outcomes in CRC, including chemotherapy resistance and poor patient survival; however, the mechanism behind this remains undetermined. In this review, we discuss recent insights on CLU in CRC and its roles in enhancing the plasticity of cells and further consider the implications of CLU as a prospective target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hlavca
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Wing Hei Chan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Rebekah M Engel
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Cabrini Monash University, Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, VIC, 3144, Australia
| | - Helen E Abud
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Department of Surgery, Cabrini Monash University, Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, VIC, 3144, Australia.
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7
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Abud HE, Amarasinghe SL, Micati D, Jardé T. Stromal Niche Signals That Orchestrate Intestinal Regeneration. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:679-685. [PMID: 38342301 PMCID: PMC10957453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.02.003] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Stromal cell populations have a central role in providing signals that support the maintenance, differentiation, and function of the intestinal epithelium. The behavior and fate of epithelial cells is directed by the spatial organization of stromal cells that either sustain stem and progenitor cell identity or drive differentiation. A combination of single-cell analyses, mouse models, and organoid coculture assays have provided insight into the diversity of signals delivered by stromal cells. Signaling gradients are established and fine-tuned by the expression of signaling agonists and antagonists along the crypt-villus axis. On epithelial injury, there are disruptions to the abundance and organization of stromal populations. There are also distinct changes in the signals originating from these cells that impact remodeling of the epithelium. How these signals coordinate to mediate epithelial repair or sustain tissue injury in inflammatory bowel diseases is beginning to emerge. Understanding of these processes may lead to opportunities to target stromal cell populations as a strategy to modify disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E Abud
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Shanika L Amarasinghe
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Diana Micati
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thierry Jardé
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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