1
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Li JP, Liu YJ, Li Y, Yin Y, Ye QW, Lu ZH, Dong YW, Zhou JY, Zou X, Chen YG. Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of LMOD1 expression summarizes two modes of cell communication in colorectal cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:549. [PMID: 38849852 PMCID: PMC11161970 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05369-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular communication (CC) influences tumor development by mediating intercellular junctions between cells. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of CC in malignant transformation remain unknown. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of CC molecular expression during malignant transformation. It was found that although both tight junctions (TJs) and gap junctions (GJs) were involved in maintaining the tumor microenvironment (TME), they exhibited opposite characteristics. Mechanistically, for epithelial cells (parenchymal component), the expression of TJ molecules consistently decreased during normal-cancer transformation and is a potential oncogenic factor. For fibroblasts (mesenchymal component), the expression of GJs consistently increased during normal-cancer transformation and is a potential oncogenic factor. In addition, the molecular profiles of TJs and GJs were used to stratify colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, where subtypes characterized by high GJ levels and low TJ levels exhibited enhanced mesenchymal signals. Importantly, we propose that leiomodin 1 (LMOD1) is biphasic, with features of both TJs and GJs. LMOD1 not only promotes the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) but also inhibits the Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in cancer cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the molecular heterogeneity of CC and provide new insights into further understanding of TME heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Pin Li
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan-Jie Liu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Li
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian-Wen Ye
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Lu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu-Wei Dong
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Yong Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xi Zou
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Chinese & Western Medicine and Oncology Clinical Research, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yu-Gen Chen
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road No.155, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China.
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2
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Zhong YJ, Luo XM, Liu F, He ZQ, Yang SQ, Ma WJ, Wang JK, Dai YS, Zou RQ, Hu YF, Lv TR, Li FY, Hu HJ. Integrative analyses of bulk and single-cell transcriptomics reveals the infiltration and crosstalk of cancer-associated fibroblasts as a novel predictor for prognosis and microenvironment remodeling in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:422. [PMID: 38702814 PMCID: PMC11071156 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05238-z] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly malignant neoplasm and characterized by desmoplastic matrix. The heterogeneity and crosstalk of tumor microenvironment remain incompletely understood. METHODS To address this gap, we performed Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify and construct a cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) infiltration biomarker. We also depicted the intercellular communication network and important receptor-ligand complexes using the single-cell transcriptomics analysis of tumor and Adjacent normal tissue. RESULTS Through the intersection of TCGA DEGs and WGCNA module genes, 784 differential genes related to CAFs infiltration were obtained. After a series of regression analyses, the CAFs score was generated by integrating the expressions of EVA1A, APBA2, LRRTM4, GOLGA8M, BPIFB2, and their corresponding coefficients. In the TCGA-CHOL, GSE89748, and 107,943 cohorts, the high CAFs score group showed unfavorable survival prognosis (p < 0.001, p = 0.0074, p = 0.028, respectively). Additionally, a series of drugs have been predicted to be more sensitive to the high-risk group (p < 0.05). Subsequent to dimension reduction and clustering, thirteen clusters were identified to construct the single-cell atlas. Cell-cell interaction analysis unveiled significant enhancement of signal transduction in tumor tissues, particularly from fibroblasts to malignant cells via diverse pathways. Moreover, SCENIC analysis indicated that HOXA5, WT1, and LHX2 are fibroblast specific motifs. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals the key role of fibroblasts - oncocytes interaction in the remodeling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Subsequently, it may trigger cascade activation of downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and Notch in tumor, thus initiating tumorigenesis. Targeted drugs aimed at disrupting fibroblasts-tumor cell interaction, along with associated enrichment pathways, show potential in mitigating the immunosuppressive microenvironment that facilitates tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Jie Zhong
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xi-Mei Luo
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang He
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Si-Qi Yang
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Wen-Jie Ma
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jun-Ke Wang
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu-Shi Dai
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Rui-Qi Zou
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ya-Fei Hu
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tian-Run Lv
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Fu-Yu Li
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Hai-Jie Hu
- Division of Biliary Tract Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
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3
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Chakkera M, Foote JB, Farran B, Nagaraju GP. Breaking the stromal barrier in pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189065. [PMID: 38160899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide due to the absence of early detection methods and the low success rates of traditional therapeutic strategies. Drug resistance in PC is driven by its desmoplastic stroma, which creates a barrier that shields cancer niches and prevents the penetration of drugs. The PC stroma comprises heterogeneous cellular populations and non-cellular components involved in aberrant ECM deposition, immunosuppression, and drug resistance. These components can influence PC development through intricate and complex crosstalk with the PC cells. Understanding how stromal components and cells interact with and influence the invasiveness and refractoriness of PC cells is thus a prerequisite for developing successful stroma-modulating strategies capable of remodeling the PC stroma to alleviate drug resistance and enhance therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we explore how non-cellular and cellular stromal components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages, contribute to the immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting effects of the stroma. We also examine the signaling pathways underlying their activation, tumorigenic effects, and interactions with PC cells. Finally, we discuss recent pre-clinical and clinical work aimed at developing and testing novel stroma-modulating agents to alleviate drug resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohana Chakkera
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Batoul Farran
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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4
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McLean DT, Meudt JJ, Lopez Rivera LD, Schomberg DT, Pavelec DM, Duellman TT, Buehler DG, Schwartz PB, Graham M, Lee LM, Graff KD, Reichert JL, Bon-Durant SS, Konsitzke CM, Ronnekleiv-Kelly SM, Shanmuganayagam D, Rubinstein CD. Single-cell RNA sequencing of neurofibromas reveals a tumor microenvironment favorable for neural regeneration and immune suppression in a neurofibromatosis type 1 porcine model. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1253659. [PMID: 37817770 PMCID: PMC10561395 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1253659] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetically inherited disorders that affects 1 in 3000 children annually. Clinical manifestations vary widely but nearly always include the development of cutaneous, plexiform and diffuse neurofibromas that are managed over many years. Recent single-cell transcriptomics profiling efforts of neurofibromas have begun to reveal cell signaling processes. However, the cell signaling networks in mature, non-cutaneous neurofibromas remain unexplored. Here, we present insights into the cellular composition and signaling within mature neurofibromas, contrasting with normal adjacent tissue, in a porcine model of NF1 using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis and histopathological characterization. These neurofibromas exhibited classic diffuse-type histologic morphology and expected patterns of S100, SOX10, GFAP, and CD34 immunohistochemistry. The porcine mature neurofibromas closely resemble human neurofibromas histologically and contain all known cellular components of their human counterparts. The scRNA-seq confirmed the presence of all expected cell types within these neurofibromas and identified novel populations of fibroblasts and immune cells, which may contribute to the tumor microenvironment by suppressing inflammation, promoting M2 macrophage polarization, increasing fibrosis, and driving the proliferation of Schwann cells. Notably, we identified tumor-associated IDO1 +/CD274+ (PD-L1) + dendritic cells, which represent the first such observation in any NF1 animal model and suggest the role of the upregulation of immune checkpoints in mature neurofibromas. Finally, we observed that cell types in the tumor microenvironment are poised to promote immune evasion, extracellular matrix reconstruction, and nerve regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalton T. McLean
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Molecular & Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jennifer J. Meudt
- Biomedical & Genomic Research Group, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Loren D. Lopez Rivera
- Molecular & Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Dominic T. Schomberg
- Biomedical & Genomic Research Group, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Derek M. Pavelec
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Tyler T. Duellman
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Darya G. Buehler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Patrick B. Schwartz
- Molecular & Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Melissa Graham
- Research Animal Resources and Compliance (RARC), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Laura M. Lee
- Research Animal Resources and Compliance (RARC), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Keri D. Graff
- Swine Research and Teaching Center, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Jamie L. Reichert
- Swine Research and Teaching Center, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sandra S. Bon-Durant
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Charles M. Konsitzke
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sean M. Ronnekleiv-Kelly
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Dhanansayan Shanmuganayagam
- Molecular & Environmental Toxicology Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Biomedical & Genomic Research Group, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
- Center for Biomedical Swine Research and Innovation, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - C. Dustin Rubinstein
- Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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5
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Letson J, Furuta S. Reduced S-nitrosylation of TGFβ1 elevates its binding affinity towards the receptor and promotes fibrogenic signaling in the breast. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.07.556714. [PMID: 37745487 PMCID: PMC10515751 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.07.556714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic cytokine closely linked to tumors. TGFβ is often elevated in precancerous breast lesions in association with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), indicating its contribution to precancerous progression. We previously reported that basal nitric oxide (NO) levels declined along with breast cancer progression. We then pharmacologically inhibited NO production in healthy mammary glands of wild-type mice and found that this induced precancerous progression accompanied by desmoplasia and upregulation of TGFβ activity. In the present study, we tested our hypothesis that NO directly S-nitrosylates (forms an NO-adduct at a cysteine residue) TGFβ to inhibit the activity, whereas the reduction of NO denitrosylates TGFβ and de-represses the activity. We introduced mutations to three C-terminal cysteines of TGFβ1 which were predicted to be S-nitrosylated. We found that these mutations indeed impaired S-nitrosylation of TGFβ1 and shifted the binding affinity towards the receptor from the latent complex. Furthermore, in silico structural analyses predicted that these S-nitrosylation-defective mutations strengthen the dimerization of mature protein, whereas S-nitrosylation-mimetic mutations weaken the dimerization. Such differences in dimerization dynamics of TGFβ1 by denitrosylation/S-nitrosylation likely account for the shift of the binding affinities towards the receptor vs. latent complex. Our findings, for the first time, unravel a novel mode of TGFβ regulation based on S-nitrosylation or denitrosylation of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Letson
- Department of Cell & Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave. Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave. Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Saori Furuta
- Department of Cell & Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Ave. Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109
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6
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Ma W, Zhu J, Bai L, Zhao P, Li F, Zhang S. The role of neutrophil extracellular traps and proinflammatory damage-associated molecular patterns in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 213:202-208. [PMID: 37289984 PMCID: PMC10361739 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of systemic autoimmune diseases characterized by immune-mediated muscle injury. Abnormal neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can be used as a biomarker of IIM disease activity, but the mechanism of NET involvement in IIMs needs to be elucidated. Important components of NETs, including high-mobility group box 1, DNA, histones, extracellular matrix, serum amyloid A, and S100A8/A9, act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to promote inflammation in IIMs. NETs can act on different cells to release large amounts of cytokines and activate the inflammasome, which can subsequently aggravate the inflammatory response. Based on the idea that NETs may be proinflammatory DAMPs of IIMs, we describe the role of NETs, DAMPs, and their interaction in the pathogenesis of IIMs and discuss the possible targeted treatment strategies in IIMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlan Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiarui Zhu
- Department of Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ling Bai
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Peipei Zhao
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Feifei Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sigong Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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7
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Aftab F, Rodriguez-Fuguet A, Silva L, Kobayashi IS, Sun J, Politi K, Levantini E, Zhang W, Kobayashi SS, Zhang WC. An intrinsic purine metabolite AICAR blocks lung tumour growth by targeting oncoprotein mucin 1. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:1647-1664. [PMID: 36810913 PMCID: PMC10133251 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02196-z] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer cells overexpress mucin 1 (MUC1) and active subunit MUC1-CT. Although a peptide blocks MUC1 signalling, metabolites targeting MUC1 are not well studied. AICAR is a purine biosynthesis intermediate. METHODS Cell viability and apoptosis were measured in AICAR-treated EGFR-mutant and wild-type lung cells. AICAR-binding proteins were evaluated by in silico and thermal stability assays. Protein-protein interactions were visualised by dual-immunofluorescence staining and proximity ligation assay. AICAR-induced whole transcriptomic profile was determined by RNA sequencing. EGFR-TL transgenic mice-derived lung tissues were analysed for MUC1 expression. Organoids and tumours from patients and transgenic mice were treated with AICAR alone or in combination with JAK and EGFR inhibitors to evaluate treatment effects. RESULTS AICAR reduced EGFR-mutant tumour cell growth by inducing DNA damage and apoptosis. MUC1 was one of the leading AICAR-binding and degrading proteins. AICAR negatively regulated JAK signalling and JAK1-MUC1-CT interaction. Activated EGFR upregulated MUC1-CT expression in EGFR-TL-induced lung tumour tissues. AICAR reduced EGFR-mutant cell line-derived tumour formation in vivo. Co-treating patient and transgenic mouse lung-tissue-derived tumour organoids with AICAR and JAK1 and EGFR inhibitors reduced their growth. CONCLUSIONS AICAR represses the MUC1 activity in EGFR-mutant lung cancer, disrupting protein-protein interactions between MUC1-CT and JAK1 and EGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fareesa Aftab
- Department of Cancer Division, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6900 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA
| | - Alice Rodriguez-Fuguet
- Department of Cancer Division, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6900 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA
| | - Luis Silva
- Department of Cancer Division, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6900 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA
| | - Ikei S Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, E/CLS-409, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jiao Sun
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Katerina Politi
- Departments of Pathology and Internal Medicine (Section of Medical Oncology) and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Elena Levantini
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 330 Brookline Avenue, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (CNR), Area della Ricerca di Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Susumu S Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, E/CLS-409, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, 277-8575, Japan
| | - Wen Cai Zhang
- Department of Cancer Division, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 6900 Lake Nona Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA.
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8
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Wieder R. Fibroblasts as Turned Agents in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072014. [PMID: 37046676 PMCID: PMC10093070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiated epithelial cells reside in the homeostatic microenvironment of the native organ stroma. The stroma supports their normal function, their G0 differentiated state, and their expansion/contraction through the various stages of the life cycle and physiologic functions of the host. When malignant transformation begins, the microenvironment tries to suppress and eliminate the transformed cells, while cancer cells, in turn, try to resist these suppressive efforts. The tumor microenvironment encompasses a large variety of cell types recruited by the tumor to perform different functions, among which fibroblasts are the most abundant. The dynamics of the mutual relationship change as the sides undertake an epic battle for control of the other. In the process, the cancer “wounds” the microenvironment through a variety of mechanisms and attracts distant mesenchymal stem cells to change their function from one attempting to suppress the cancer, to one that supports its growth, survival, and metastasis. Analogous reciprocal interactions occur as well between disseminated cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment, where the microenvironment attempts to eliminate cancer cells or suppress their proliferation. However, the altered microenvironmental cells acquire novel characteristics that support malignant progression. Investigations have attempted to use these traits as targets of novel therapeutic approaches.
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9
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Nicolini G, Balzan S, Forini F. Activated fibroblasts in cardiac and cancer fibrosis: An overview of analogies and new potential therapeutic options. Life Sci 2023; 321:121575. [PMID: 36933828 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Heart disease and cancer are two major causes of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries, and their increasingly recognized connections are shifting the focus from single disease studies to an interdisciplinary approach. Fibroblast-mediated intercellular crosstalk is critically involved in the evolution of both pathologies. In healthy myocardium and in non-cancerous conditions, resident fibroblasts are the main cell source for synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and important sentinels of tissue integrity. In the setting of myocardial disease or cancer, quiescent fibroblasts activate, respectively, into myofibroblasts (myoFbs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), characterized by increased production of contractile proteins, and by a highly proliferative and secretory phenotype. Although the initial activation of myoFbs/CAFs is an adaptive process to repair the damaged tissue, massive deposition of ECM proteins leads to maladaptive cardiac or cancer fibrosis, a recognized marker of adverse outcome. A better understanding of the key mechanisms orchestrating fibroblast hyperactivity may help developing innovative therapeutic options to restrain myocardial or tumor stiffness and improve patient prognosis. Albeit still unappreciated, the dynamic transition of myocardial and tumor fibroblasts into myoFbs and CAFs shares several common triggers and signaling pathways relevant to TGF-β dependent cascade, metabolic reprogramming, mechanotransduction, secretory properties, and epigenetic regulation, which might lay the foundation for future antifibrotic intervention. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight emerging analogies in the molecular signature underlying myoFbs and CAFs activation with the purpose of identifying novel prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers, and to elucidate the potential of drug repositioning strategies to mitigate cardiac/cancer fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvana Balzan
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Forini
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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Yang Z, Zhou L, Si T, Chen S, Liu C, Ng KK, Wang Z, Chen Z, Qiu C, Liu G, Wang Q, Zhou X, Zhang L, Yao Z, He S, Yang M, Zhou Z. Lysyl hydroxylase LH1 promotes confined migration and metastasis of cancer cells by stabilizing Septin2 to enhance actin network. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:21. [PMID: 36721170 PMCID: PMC9887875 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01727-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive extracellular matrix deposition and increased stiffness are typical features of solid tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These conditions create confined spaces for tumor cell migration and metastasis. The regulatory mechanism of confined migration remains unclear. METHODS LC-MS was applied to determine the differentially expressed proteins between HCC tissues and corresponding adjacent tissue. Collective migration and single cell migration microfluidic devices with 6 μm-high confined channels were designed and fabricated to mimic the in vivo confined space. 3D invasion assay was created by Matrigel and Collagen I mixture treat to adherent cells. 3D spheroid formation under various stiffness environment was developed by different substitution percentage GelMA. Immunoprecipitation was performed to pull down the LH1-binding proteins, which were identified by LC-MS. Immunofluorescent staining, FRET, RT-PCR, Western blotting, FRAP, CCK-8, transwell cell migration, wound healing, orthotopic liver injection mouse model and in vivo imaging were used to evaluate the target expression and cellular phenotype. RESULTS Lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) promoted the confined migration of cancer cells at both collective and single cell levels. In addition, LH1 enhanced cell invasion in a 3D biomimetic model and spheroid formation in stiffer environments. High LH1 expression correlated with poor prognosis of both HCC and PDAC patients, while it also promoted in vivo metastasis. Mechanistically, LH1 bound and stabilized Septin2 (SEPT2) to enhance actin polymerization, depending on the hydroxylase domain. Finally, the subpopulation with high expression of both LH1 and SEPT2 had the poorest prognosis. CONCLUSIONS LH1 promotes the confined migration and metastasis of cancer cells by stabilizing SEPT2 and thus facilitating actin polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Yang
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Li Zhou
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tongxu Si
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengxi Liu
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Research Institute for Future Food and Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kelvin Kaki Ng
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Zesheng Wang
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Zhiji Chen
- grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chan Qiu
- grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guopan Liu
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Qingliang Wang
- grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Liang Zhang
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Zhongping Yao
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Research Institute for Future Food and Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Song He
- grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Zhihang Zhou
- grid.35030.350000 0004 1792 6846Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Tung Biomedical Sciences Center, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.412461.40000 0004 9334 6536Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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de Oliveira TD, vom Stein A, Rebollido-Rios R, Lobastova L, Lettau M, Janssen O, Wagle P, Nguyen PH, Hallek M, Hansen HP. Stromal cells support the survival of human primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells through Lyn-driven extracellular vesicles. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1059028. [PMID: 36714146 PMCID: PMC9880074 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1059028] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the tumor cells receive survival support from stromal cells through direct cell contact, soluble factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs). The protein tyrosine kinase Lyn is aberrantly expressed in the malignant and stromal cells in CLL tissue. We studied the role of Lyn in the EV-based communication and tumor support. Methods We compared the Lyn-dependent EV release, uptake and functionality using Lyn-proficient (wild-type) and -deficient stromal cells and primary CLL cells. Results Lyn-proficient cells caused a significantly higher EV release and EV uptake as compared to Lyn-deficient cells and also conferred stronger support of primary CLL cells. Proteomic comparison of the EVs from Lyn-proficient and -deficient stromal cells revealed 70 significantly differentially expressed proteins. Gene ontology studies categorized many of which to organization of the extracellular matrix, such as collagen, fibronectin, fibrillin, Lysyl oxidase like 2, integrins and endosialin (CD248). In terms of function, a knockdown of CD248 in Lyn+ HS-5 cells resulted in a diminished B-CLL cell feeding capacity compared to wildtype or scrambled control cells. CD248 is a marker of certain tumors and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and crosslinks fibronectin and collagen in a membrane-associated context. Conclusion Our data provide preclinical evidence that the tyrosine kinase Lyn crucially influences the EV-based communication between stromal and primary B-CLL cells by raising EV release and altering the concentration of functional molecules of the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Dolzany de Oliveira
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander vom Stein
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rocio Rebollido-Rios
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Liudmila Lobastova
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcus Lettau
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany,Department of Hematology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ottmar Janssen
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Prerana Wagle
- CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Proteomics Facility, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Phuong-Hien Nguyen
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hinrich P. Hansen
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,CECAD Center of Excellence on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,*Correspondence: Hinrich P. Hansen,
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Wang Y, Wang N, Chen Y, Yang Y. Regulation of micropatterned curvature-dependent FA heterogeneity on cytoskeleton tension and nuclear DNA synthesis of malignant breast cancer cells. J Mater Chem B 2022; 11:99-108. [PMID: 36477803 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb01774a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is considered as a worldwide disease due to its high incidence and malignant metastasis. Although numerous techniques have been developed well to conduct breast cancer therapy, the influence of micropattern-induced interfacial heterogeneity on the molecular mechanism and nuclear signalling transduction of carcinogenesis is rarely announced. In this study, PDMS stencil-assisted micropatterns were fabricated on tissue culture plates to manage cell clustering colony by adjusting initial cell seeding density and the size of microholes. The curvature of each microholes was controlled to construct the interfacial heterogeneity of MDA-MB231 cancer cells at the periphery of micropatterned colony. The distinguished focal adhesion (FA) and cytoskeleton distribution at the central and peripheral regions of the cell colony were regulated by heterogeneous properties. The interfacial heterogeneity of FA and cytoskeleton would induce the biased tension force to encourage more ezrin expression at the periphery and further promote DNA synthesis, therefore disclosing a stem-like phenotype in heterogeneous cells. This study will provide a value source of information for the development of micropattern-induced heterogeneity and the interpretation of metastatic mechanism in malignant breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Nana Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yazhou Chen
- Medical 3D Printing center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yingjun Yang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China.
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Cancer-associated fibroblast-dependent and -independent invasion of gastric cancer cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04484-2. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04484-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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The spatial transcriptomic landscape of non-small cell lung cancer brain metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5983. [PMID: 36216799 PMCID: PMC9551067 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33365-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases (BrMs) are a common occurrence in lung cancer with a dismal outcome. To understand the mechanism of metastasis to inform prognosis and treatment, here we analyze primary and metastasized tumor specimens from 44 non-small cell lung cancer patients by spatial RNA sequencing, affording a whole transcriptome map of metastasis resolved with morphological markers for the tumor core, tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and tumor brain microenvironment (TBME). Our data indicate that the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the brain, including the TIME and TBME, undergoes extensive remodeling to create an immunosuppressive and fibrogenic niche for the BrMs. Specifically, the brain TME is characterized with reduced antigen presentation and B/T cell function, increased neutrophils and M2-type macrophages, immature microglia, and reactive astrocytes. Differential gene expression and network analysis identify fibrosis and immune regulation as the major functional modules disrupted in both the lung and brain TME. Besides providing systems-level insights into the mechanism of lung cancer brain metastasis, our study uncovers potential prognostic biomarkers and suggests that therapeutic strategies should be tailored to the immune and fibrosis status of the BrMs. Brain metastases (BrMs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with dismal outcomes, and are possibly sustained by the brain microenvironment. Here, the authors analyse NSCLC BrMs using Digital Spatial Profiling and reveal fibrosis, immune suppression, and cell reprogramming in the BrM microenvironment.
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15
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Sirtuins and Hypoxia in EMT Control. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060737. [PMID: 35745656 PMCID: PMC9228842 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a physiological process during embryogenesis, can become pathological in the presence of different driving forces. Reduced oxygen tension or hypoxia is one of these forces, triggering a large number of molecular pathways with aberrant EMT induction, resulting in cancer and fibrosis onset. Both hypoxia-induced factors, HIF-1α and HIF-2α, act as master transcription factors implicated in EMT. On the other hand, hypoxia-dependent HIF-independent EMT has also been described. Recently, a new class of seven proteins with deacylase activity, called sirtuins, have been implicated in the control of both hypoxia responses, HIF-1α and HIF-2α activation, as well as EMT induction. Intriguingly, different sirtuins have different effects on hypoxia and EMT, acting as either activators or inhibitors, depending on the tissue and cell type. Interestingly, sirtuins and HIF can be activated or inhibited with natural or synthetic molecules. Moreover, recent studies have shown that these natural or synthetic molecules can be better conveyed using nanoparticles, representing a valid strategy for EMT modulation. The following review, by detailing the aspects listed above, summarizes the interplay between hypoxia, sirtuins, and EMT, as well as the possible strategies to modulate them by using a nanoparticle-based approach.
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